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A 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.

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Artwork for The First Draft Club

Latest Episodes

"I'm handwriting my novel and finding that I'm not putting in much dialogue. This didn't feel like a struggle when I was typing. Is this common?"

This question came from Miranda in a recent Wordshop call, and I'd never heard anyone articulate this p... more

Here's my hot take: more research while drafting isn't always better.

Not just because research is a procrastination rabbit hole (though it definitely is), but because too much research can actually squash your creativity and weaken your draft.

In ... more

Writing from multiple points of view? Here's the secret to making it work.

A writer in The Book Incubator asked: "How do I tell three different but related stories in one novel where they all come together in the end?"

In this episode, I'm sharing ... more

Ever wonder how to end a chapter in a way that makes readers want to keep going—without using the same trick every single time?

In this episode, I'm answering a question from Shannon, a writer in The Book Incubator, who asked: "Can you give me some ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Recent Guests

Rufy Thorpe
Fellow novelist and close friend who teaches with Mary
The Book Incubator
Episode: S09 E02 A Free, Easy Way to Make Sure Your Story Works No Matter Who You Are (and Why Plot Matters)
Joe Sanok
Psychologist and author of 'Thursday is the New Friday'
HarperCollins
Episode: S07 E05 Interview with Psychologist & Author Joe Sanok on How to Get Your Book Written
Gayle Brown
Debut novelist and graduate of The Book Incubator
Episode: Live with Debut Novelist & Book Incubator grad Gayle Brown on her pub day!

Host

Mary Adkins
Host of The First Draft Club, providing support and valuable insights to writers.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 167 ratings
  • 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 Podcasts
    5
    YoungWriter2007
    United States10 months 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 Podcasts
    5
    Love 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 Podcasts
    5
    namdezoom
    United Statesa year 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 Podcasts
    5
    aliahd
    United States2 years ago
  • 💜 💜 💜 💜

    This inspires me to write the best book that I can. I also appreciate the eloquence of the reviews. 😂

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LolPodcast
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host has a friendly and motivating style that encourages writers of all levels.
There is a strong sense of community fostered through the episodes, appealing to those seeking support in their writing journey.
Listeners appreciate the inspiration and actionable advice provided for writers.
Many find the content relatable and useful for navigating their writing process.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#138
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#97
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#222
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#57
Denmark/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#173
Denmark/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#227
Switzerland/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S10 E05 5 Ideas for Ending a Chapter on a Cliffhanger (or a Cliffhanger-ish)
Q: Can you give me some pointers on how to end a chapter in a way that incites the reader to keep reading without being repetitive?
Mary discusses various strategies for ending chapters compellingly, focusing on tension and reader engagement.
S10 E06 Tips for Writing a Novel from 3 Braided or Parallel Points of View
Q: What is some advice you have for telling three different but related stories in one novel?
You can create inherent tension among characters or allow the stories to seem unrelated until they converge later, which keeps readers engaged.
S07 E05 Interview with Psychologist & Author Joe Sanok on How to Get Your Book Written
Q: Can you start to unpack how you managed to write your book?
Joe describes applying neuroscience methods and structuring his writing process using tools like Trello, even amidst personal challenges during the pandemic.
Live with Debut Novelist & Book Incubator grad Gayle Brown on her pub day!
Q: Will you tell people what is your book called and where do they find it?
'A Deadly Game' by Gayle Brown, available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and her website.
Live with Debut Novelist & Book Incubator grad Gayle Brown on her pub day!
Q: How do you feel on your pub day?
It's very surreal, very exciting, and an amazing experience.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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?

Content is centered around providing actionable advice, inspiration, and support for both novice and seasoned writers navigating their writing journeys. The episodes cover a range of topics including creative writing techniques, approaches to novel and memoir writing, as well as the emotional aspects of the writing process, such as managing goals and overcoming resistance. The host fosters a friendly and motivational environment that encourages listeners to adopt flexible methods tailored to their individual writing styles, making the content accessible for a diverse audience of writers.

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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Which podcasts are similar to The First Draft Club?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The First Draft Club:

1. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
2. Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips
3. Financial Feminist
4. A Beautiful Mess Podcast
5. The Mel Robbins Podcast

How many episodes of The First Draft Club are there?

The First Draft Club launched 6 years ago and published 147 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for 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. Rufy Thorpe
2. Joe Sanok
3. Gayle Brown

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.

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