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First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

Mitzi Rapkin
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David James Duncan
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First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing is a weekly show featuring in-depth interviews with fiction, non-fiction, essay, and poetry writers. First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing highlights the voices of writers as they discuss their work, their craft, and the literary arts. This weekly show hosted by Mitzi Rapkin is a celebration of creative writing and the individuals who are dedicated to bringing their... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes558Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

Latest Episodes

George Saunders is the author of twelve books, including Lincoln in the Bardo, which won the 2017 Man Booker Prize for best work of fiction in English, and was a finalist for the Golden Man Booker, in which one Booker winner was selected to represent... more

Torrey Peters is the author of the novel Detransition, Baby, which won the 2021 PEN/Hemingway award for debut fiction and was named a Best Book of the Century by the New York Times. Her second book of short stories is called Stag Dance. Torrey is an ... more

Daniyal Mueenuddin was brought up in Lahore, Pakistan, and Elroy, Wisconsin. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Yale Law School, his stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Zoetrope, and The Best American Short Stories 2008, selected by Sal... more

Ashley Shelby’s debut novel, South Pole Station, received praise from The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio and others.  It was also named a New York Times Editor's Pick and an Indie Next Pick, as well as a Best Book of 2017 ... more

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Torrey Peters
Author of 'Detransition, Baby' and 'Stag Dance'
Episode: First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Torrey Peters
Daniyal Mueenuddin
Author of the novel 'This is Where the Serpent Lives' and the short story collection 'In Other Rooms, Other Wonders'
Episode: First Draft - Daniyal Mueenuddin
Ashley Shelby
Author of the short story collection, Honeymoons in Temporary Locations.
Episode: First Draft - Ashley Shelby
Devon O'Neil
Author of 'The Way Out: A True Story of Survival in the Heart of the Rockies.'
Episode: First Draft - Devon O'Neil
Elizabeth McCracken
Author of nine books of fiction and nonfiction, including A Long Game, Notes on Writing Fiction
Episode: First Draft - Elizabeth McCracken (Returns 4th Time)
Ruben Reyes Jr.
Author of the novel Archive of Unknown Universes and the short story collection There is a Rio Grande in Heaven
Episode: First Draft - Ruben Reyes Jr.
Megha Majumdar
Author of the novel A Guardian and a Thief
Episode: First Draft - Megha Majumdar
Paula Saunders
Author of the novels, The Distance Home and Starting from Here.
Episode: First Draft - Paula Saunders
Stewart O'Nan
Author of the novel Evensong
Episode: First Draft - Stewart O'Nan

Host

Mitzi Rapkin
Host of the podcast, she specializes in interviewing authors and exploring the art of writing and literary expression with them, showcasing insights into their creative processes and experiences.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 283 ratings
  • One Pilgrimage after the other

    THE absolute best podcast on a writers' process from a prism of angles. Ultra-inspire time and again

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stone Statue
    Canada6 months ago
  • Dear Podcasters..

    I find it hard to believe that on an Anniversary episode, picking the best of 500 interviews to choose from, you chose the one about Iran on the VERY week Trump bombs their nuclear sites. We come here for anything but that stuff. We all have our own brains, our own opinions our own perspectives, we don’t need anyone else’s political agenda pushed. Sick of audiences being taken advantage of that were originally organically grown, for the sake of politics. It’s not subtle.

    Give us a freaking break... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    littlebird1983
    United States7 months ago
  • Super helpful for writers

    Also really enjoyable for readers!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pang Dynasty
    Canadaa year ago
  • Inspiration

    Love this podcast. It’s a daily source of inspiration for my next read and for my writing. Go on, give it a listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vialG
    United Statesa year ago
  • Such thoughtful questions and answers

    I appreciate the depth of these exchanges. Each guest seems grateful for how thoughtful the interview goes. Such a benefit for us writers in the trenches. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RKRK7312
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the depth of conversation that sheds light on the complexities of writing and the creative process.
Listeners praise the podcast for its thoughtful and thorough interviews with authors.
The host's research and engagement resonate with audiences, leading to favorable comparisons with other author interviews.
Some feedback expresses concerns about the inclusion of political topics, indicating a desire for a more focused literary discussion.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#215
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#186
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#142
Singapore/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#157
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#174
Belgium/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#212
Mexico/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

First Draft - Ashley Shelby
Q: Can you talk a little bit about solastasia?
Ashley describes solastasia as a homesickness felt before leaving home due to negative environmental changes and emphasizes that this feeling shows a deep care for the world.
First Draft 12th Anniversary Best Of - Torrey Peters
Q: How do you navigate the world as a trans person and how does that influence your writing?
My writing changed significantly after I transitioned, as I began crafting stories primarily for other trans people, raising the bar on my writing and focusing entirely on narrative rather than explanations.
First Draft - Daniyal Mueenuddin
Q: What do you hope people walk away with after they've read this?
Daniyal hopes that readers will recognize the similarities between their lives and the characters in his book, seeing their universal human experiences.
First Draft - Daniyal Mueenuddin
Q: What was really consuming you that you couldn't let go of that you wanted to put on the page?
Daniyal expressed that he was deeply concerned with themes of power and money in Pakistan, stemming from his experiences as a businessman there, and explored these subjects through the characters in his novel.
First Draft - Benjamin Wood
Q: What is your favorite word?
My favorite word in the English language maybe, and it's my favorite word because I love it as a word, but also because I think it reflects something about me, is constancy.

Audience Metrics

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

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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing

What is First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features insightful interviews with a diverse array of authors, including fiction, non-fiction, essay, and poetry writers. Each episode explores the creative processes behind the writers' works, delving into themes of craft, identity, and societal impact. The discussions often touch on personal experiences, emotional complexities, and the transformative power of storytelling, making it a rich resource for writers and readers alike. Noteworthy is the host's ability to engage authors in profound conversations that illuminate both the struggles and triumphs of the writing journey, fostering a deeper appreciation for literature and the writing craft.

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Which podcasts are similar to First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing?

These podcasts share a similar audience with First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing:

1. Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry
2. Poured Over
3. The New Yorker: Poetry
4. City Arts & Lectures
5. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker

How many episodes of First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing are there?

First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing launched 10 years ago and published 558 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing?

Recent guests on First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing include:

1. Torrey Peters
2. Daniyal Mueenuddin
3. Ashley Shelby
4. Devon O'Neil
5. Elizabeth McCracken
6. Ruben Reyes Jr.
7. Megha Majumdar
8. Paula Saunders

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