The First Draft Club
By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing CoachA podcast to help you overcome resistance and write with more joy, clarity, and confidence. If you’re working on a novel or memoir, stick around. Whether you haven’t written a word since your 5-paragraph essay days or you have an MFA in Creative Writing, this podcast is now your weekly coffee date on your journey to finish your first draft. Visit maryadkinswriter.com for more resources.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 166 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsEducationCourses | |||
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Latest Episodes
Mary Pauline Lowry is a crime writer and fellow Texan who just published her debut novel LAST NIGHT WAS KILLER. In this interview, we talk about what success actually looks like when you're a working writer.
In this episode, Mary Pauline shares:
• ... more
I used to hold two competing ideas in my head. I believed "people don't change"—I sort of prided myself on this vaguely cynical outlook. But then I'd teach the definition of story, which is that a story is about someone changing.
So I harbored this ... more
Let’s talk about what all of us face as writers, all the time: disappointing reactions to our work. I'm talking about more than just rejections from agents or publishers. I mean ALL of it—the negative feedback from people who read our work as we’re w... more
This is the season finale of The First Draft Club—and we have huge news.
The Book Incubator has a new in-house literary agent!
Her name is Hannah Brattesani. She's worked at the Friedrich Agency and Folio Literary Management and is now at Simon & S... more
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- She Nails It
I have listened to only a handful of these podcast episodes, but what I look for in a writing podcast is someone who inspires me to want to write, and someone who can affirm my thoughts and give me new ideas for ways to improve my writing.
The episode that made me want to leave this review was Mary’s episode on enneagram types and writing goals. At first I was of the impression she was going to say 1’s (my type) are going to need some crazy goal because they’re so put together… but that’s not m... more
Apple Podcasts5YoungWriter2007
United Statesa year ago - Just what I need!
Thanks Mary. I’m so glad I found your podcast. I look forward to listening and taking notes each day! I love that you tell us not to overthink the structure, and think of our novel as a collection of scenes.
Apple Podcasts5Love to write!
Australiaa year ago - So Helpful!
Subscribe, enroll and download all things Mary Adkins now! This is no nonsense, nitty gritty how-tos for writers. Easy to follow and a quick listen. 👍🏼👍🏼
Apple Podcasts5namdezoomUnited States2 years ago - Mind blowing
My first novel debuts in September (it’s traditionally published) and I stumbled across Mary’s eye-opening podcast (the episode on hiring a book publicist) was really informative. I highly recommend any writer - self-published or not - give her show a shot. Thanks so much for your insight.
Apple Podcasts5aliahdUnited States2 years ago - 💜 💜 💜 💜
This inspires me to write the best book that I can. I also appreciate the eloquence of the reviews. 😂
Apple Podcasts5LolPodcastUnited States2 years ago
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Apple Podcasts | #108 | United States/Arts/Books |
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Frequently Asked Questions About The First Draft Club
What is The First Draft Club about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A practical, writer-focused show that helps people finish novels or memoirs with clear, actionable guidance. Episodes mix craft techniques, drafting strategies, and critiques of marketing advice, all delivered with warmth and a collaborative, behind-the-scenes vibe. Listeners tend to be aspiring or mid-career authors seeking sustainable processes, realistic timelines, and encouragement to trust their own projects. Notable is the host's emphasis on community, affordable creator programs, and tools that fit real drafting lives, not hype-driven marketing.
What stands out is a consistent focus on doable drafting workflows (outlining, scene work, feedback), a rejection of one-size-fits-all rules, and an ecosystem around the host's writing progr... more
Where can I find podcast stats for The First Draft Club?
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How many listeners does The First Draft Club get?
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What are the audience demographics for The First Draft Club?
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How many subscribers and views does The First Draft Club have?
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Which podcasts are similar to The First Draft Club?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The First Draft Club:
1. Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo | How to Write a Novel & Writing Advice
2. Helping Writers Become Authors
3. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
4. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
5. Writers on Writing
How many episodes of The First Draft Club are there?
The First Draft Club launched 6 years ago and published 166 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact The First Draft Club?
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What guests have appeared on The First Draft Club?
Recent guests on The First Draft Club include:
1. Mary Pauline Lowry
2. Hannah Bratissani
3. Hannah Brattesani
4. Stephanie Webb
5. Rufi Thorpe
6. Calin Duke
7. Rufy Thorpe
8. Joe Sanok
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.