First Draft with Sarah Enni

First Draft Episode #359: Traci Thomas Traci Thomas is the creator and host of The Stacks Podcast, a show about books featuring interviews with authors and book lovers. New episodes out every Wednesday! In this episode, we discuss my choice to put First Draft on indefinite hiatus, effective immediately. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear Sarah Enni's episodes of The Stacks, here and here Thanks for Listening!

First Draft Episode #358: Nina LaCour Nina LaCour is the bestselling and Michael L. Printz Award-winning author of five critically acclaimed young adult novels, including: We Are Okay, and Hold Still. She joins to talk about her first picture book, Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle, and her debut adult novel, Yerba Buena. THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY Out of the Blue, the queer YA rom-com by Jason June, author of the breakout Jay's Gay Agenda, available now! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear Nina's previous appearances on First Draft, here and here! Hear Sarah Enni on Nina's podcast, Keeping a Notebook, here!   Thanks for Listening!

First Draft Episod #357: Samira Ahmed Samira Ahmed is the bestselling author of Love, Hate & Other Filters, Internment, Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know, and Amira & Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds, as well as a Ms. Marvel comic book mini-series. She joins us to talk about her latest YA contemp, Hollow Fires. Thanks for Listening!

First Draft Episode #356: Kristin Dwyer Kristin Dwyer is the debut author of YA romance, Some Mistakes Were Made. THIS EPISODE BROUGHT TO YOU BY… Fundamentals of Design, a crash course in design tailored specifically for authors. Head to embowman.com/workshops to enroll, and use promo code FIRSTDRAFT20 to save $20 off the $79 price through the end of May 2022. Thanks for Listening!

First Draft Episode #355: Shannon Hale Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of over thirty children's and young adult books, including graphic novel memoirs Real Friends, Best Friends, and Friends Forever, and multiple award winners The Goose Girl, Book of a Thousand Days, and Newbery Honor recipient Princess Academy. THIS EPISODE BROUGHT TO YOU BY… Fundamentals of Design, a crash course in design tailored specifically for authors. Head to embowman.com/workshops to enroll, and use promo code FIRSTDRAFT20 to save $20 off the $79 price through the end of May 2022.   Thanks for Listening!

First Draft Episode #354: Zibby Owens Zibby Owens is the founder of the podcast Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books, and new publishing company Zibby Books, as well as author of picture book Princess Charming and forthcoming memoir, Bookends: A Memoir off Love, Loss, and Literature. Thanks for Listening!

First Draft Episode #353: Adrienne Celt Adrienne Celt is a cartoonist and author of The Daughters, Invitation to a Bonfire, as well as cartoon collection, Apocalypse How? An Existential Bestiary. She joins to talk about her latest, End of the World House. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle (the animated movie) The Loft Cinemas in Tucson, AZ Immanuel Kant's Critique of Judgment, which covers aesthetics and teleology French feminist philosopher Hélène Cixous, author of The Third Body French philosopher Paul-Michel Foucault, author of The Order of Things: An Archaeology of Human Sciences Love Among the Lampreys, Adrienne's webcomic Stanford Continuing Education creative writing courses Story Studio, writing center in Chicago If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino Emma Patterson at Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents Inc., Adrienne's literary agent Russian Doll (TV show) Groundhog Day (movie) Being John Malcovich (movie) The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film by Michael Ondaatje Arrival (movie) Valentines For People You Are Committed to Destroying in Secret (cartoons by Adrienne) Pale Fire by Vladimir Nobokov Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu Thanks for Listening!

First Draft Episode #352: Elissa Sussman Elissa Sussman is the author of adult romance Funny You Should Ask, and YA novels Drawn That Way, Burn, and Stray.  This episode is brought to you by Revision Season, the seven-week virtual master class in novel revision led by award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. The Spring 2022 course will run from May 1 to June 23 and enrollment is open now! Learn more at ElanaKArnold.com. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Elissa's previous interviews on First Draft here and here (with illustrator Arielle Jovellanos) Kate Spencer is the co-host of the award-winning podcast Forever35, and author of the memoir The Dead Moms Club. She joins to talk about her first novel, In a New York Minute. Jennifer E. Smith, author of YA novels The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between and more. She's here to talk about her first picture book, Creature of Habit (with illustrator Leo Espinosa), and her first adult novel, The Unsinkable Greta James. “Chris Evans: American Marvel,” by Edith Zimmerman for GQ “Tom Hiddleston on Taylor Swift, Heartbreak, and Great Bolognese,” by Taffy Brodesser-Akner for GQ “The Full Tatum,” by Jessica Pressler for GQ Thanks for Listening!

First Draft Episode #351: Mac Barnett Mac Barnett, two-time Caldecott Honor and #1 New York Times bestselling author of picture books like Extra Yarn and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole with illustrator Jon Klassen, and the Jack book series with illustrator Greg Pizzoli. Mac joins us to talk about The Great Zapfino, his new picture book with illustrator Marla Frazee (hear her First Draft interview here). Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak David Foster Wallace, author of Infinite Jest and A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again The Stinky Cheese Man by Jon Scieszka, illuistrated by Lane Smith Wanda Gág, author of Millions of Cats Margaret Wise Brown, author of Goodnight, Moon (hear Mac and other writers talk about Margaret Wise Brown and Goodnight Moon on this Remember Reading podcast episode) The Far Side by Gary Larson Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson Mystery Science Theater 3000 Billy Twitter and His Blue Whale Problem by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Adam Rex Dinotopia, A Land Apart From Time by James Gurney 826LA and its Time Travel Mart Dave Eggers, author of The Circle, What is the What, and A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius and founder of McSweeny's and the 826 Literary non-profit No Country For Old Men (movie) Dear Genius by Ursula Nordstrom Steven Malk, Mac's literary agent with Writer's House The Picture Book Manifesto “Picture Books No Longer a Staple for Children,” by Julie Bosman for the New York Times Carson Ellis, author and illustrator of bestselling picture books Home and Caldecott Honor book Du Iz Tak?, talks about her newest picture book, In the Half Room. The Horn Book Magazine Marla Frazee, two-time Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator of The Boss Baby, A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, All the World, and many more. She joins us to talk about the Farmer series: The Farmer and the Clown, The Farmer and the Monkey, and The Farmer and the Circus, out now. Hear her First Draft interview here. Jon Klassen, Caldecott Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the I Want My Hat Back series, who is back with a book he wrote and illustrated: The Rock From the Sky. Hear his First Draft interviews here and here. The Real Dada Mother Goose: A Treasury of Complete Nonsense by Jon Sciezka and illustrated by Julia Rothman The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Shawn Harris

First Draft Episode #350: Amanda Oliver Amanda Oliver, former librarian and author of OVERDUE: Reckoning with the Public Library. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Reza Aslan, professor at U.C. Riverside's MFA program and author of Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth Claire Comstock Gay, author of weekly horoscopes for New York magazine's The Cut, and her debut book about astrology, Madame Clairevoyant's Guide to the Stars, Recollections of My Nonexistence: A Memoir by Rebecca Solnit

First Draft Episode #349: John Cho John Cho, actor, producer, writer, and author of debut middle grade novel, Troublemaker, with Sarah Suk. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Fifth Chinese Daughter by Jade Snow Wong The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston Sarah Suk, author of Made in Korea and the forthcoming The Space Between Here and Now

First Draft Episode #348: Kate Spencer Kate Spencer is the co-host of the award-winning podcast Forever35, and author of the memoir The Dead Moms Club. She joins to talk about her first novel, In a New York Minute. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Kate's first First Draft interview Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott Twilight by Stephenie Meyers Ice Planet Barbarians series by Ruby Dixon Plane Baes Song Exploder podcast Seth Meyers, host of Late Night with Seth Meyers and former head writer for Saturday Night Live, talks about his debut picture book, I'm Not Scared, You're Scared with Rob Syegh. Hear his First Draft interview here. Sweet Bobby podcast @90sArtSchool

First Draft Episode #347: Seth Meyers Seth Meyers, host of Late Night with Seth Meyers and former head writer for Saturday Night Live, talks about his debut picture book, I'm Not Scared, You're Scared with Rob Syegh. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant, the first book in the Babar series by Jean de Brumhoff Spider Man: The Short Halloween written by Seth Meyers and Bill Hader Richard Scarry, author and illustrator of Trucks, A Day at the Airport, Cars and Trucks and Things That Go! and many more Jill Benjamin, Seth's writing partner from his Improv Olympic days Documentary Now! on IFC Watership Down (movie) The Secret of NIMH (movie) The Black Cauldron (movie) The Hobbit (movie) Seth Meyers on Sesame Street (with The Count and with Elmo) Sandra Boynton, author and illustrator of picture books like Snuggle Puppy: A Little Love Song, Barnyard Dance!, Pajama Time! and many more. Where's Waldo by Martin Handford

First Draft Episode #346: Jennifer E. Smith Jennifer E. Smith, author of YA novels The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between and more. She's here to talk about her first picture book, Creature of Habit (with illustrator Leo Espinosa), and her first adult novel, The Unsinkable Greta James. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear Jennifer E. Smith's first First Draft interview Illustrator Leo Espinosa St. Vincent (musician) A League of Their Own (movie) Katie Lovejoy, screenwriter for The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight Vanessa Caswill, director of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight The cast of the movie includes: Hayley Lu Richardson, Ben Hardy, Rob Delaney, Jameela Jamil This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith Field Notes on Love, which Jenn is adapting for the screen with Lauren Graham

First Draft Episode #345: Rebecca Serle Rebecca Serle, New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years, The Dinner List, and more, talks about her new novel, One Italian Summer. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Rebecca's first First Draft interview Leila Sales, author of “The Case for Cancelling Everything,” by Yascha Mounk for The Atlantic The Brave Little Toaster (movie) Honey I Shrunk the Kids (movie) Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery  

First Draft Episode #344: Sabaa Tahir Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series talks about her new contemporary YA, All My Rage. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Don't miss Sabaa's first First Draft interview, and her second First Draft interview! “The Ghosts of Our Motel,” by Sabaa Tahir for Vox The Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir Nina LaCour, Printz-winning author of We Are Okay, and other contemporary YA titles like Everything Leads to You and Hold Still. Host of the Keeping a Notebook podcast and creator of the Slow Novel Lab and Writing Together. Hear Nina's first First Draft interview, and her second First Draft interview. Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give, On the Come Up, Concrete Rose, and co-author of Blackout. Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star talks about her new YA, Instructions For Dancing and her brand new publishing venture: co-publisher of Joy Revolution, a Random House young adult imprint dedicated to love stories starring people of color. Hear her first First Draft interview, and her second First Draft interview. Jandy Nelson, Printz-winning author of I'll Give You the Sun and The Sky is Everywhere. Maurene Goo, author of Somewhere Only We Know, The Way You Make Me Feel, I Believe in a Thing Called Love, and Since You Asked. Hear her first First Draft interview, her second First Draft interview, and her third First Draft interview. Leigh Bardugo, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shadow and Bone series, the Six of Crows duology, the King of Scars duology, and adult contemporary fantasy novel, Ninth House. Hear her first First Draft interview here, her second First Draft interview here, and her third First Draft interview here.

First Draft Episode #343: Abdi Nazemian Abdi Nazemian, screenwriter and author of Stonewall Honor book Like a Love Story talks about his most recent YA, The Chandler Legacies. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Abdi's first First Draft interview TIME's 100 Best YA Books of All Time Rebecca Serle, author of The Dinner List, In Five Years, and the forthcoming One Italian Summer To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank The White Lotus (TV show) The Gilded Age (TV show) Ordinary Joe (TV show now streaming on Hulu and Peacock) Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

First Draft Episode #342: Adam Rubin Adam Rubin, New York Times bestselling picture book author known for Dragons Love Tacos, Those Darn Squirrels!, Robo-Sauce and more with illustrator Daniel Salmieri, about his new collection of middle grade short stories, The Ice Cream Machine. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: “Weird Al” Yankovic Monty Python Mr. Bean The Far Side cartoon by Gary Larson (find the first collection, The Far Side, here) Calvin and Hobbes, cartoon by Bill Watterson (check out the first collection, Calvin and Hobbes) Klutz Books, like Juggling For the Complete Klutz, created by John Cassidy Exploratorium books like The Art of Curiosity Upright Citizens Brigade Improv Olympic Leo Burnett advertising agency Jon Scieszka, former National Ambassador for Children's Literature and New York Times bestselling author best known for picture books with illustrator Lane Smith, including The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, Math Curse, and more. Hear his First Draft interview here. Good Night, Good Night Construction Site Adam and Dan's Robo-Sauce video High Five by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri Gladys the Magic Chicken by Adam Rex illustrator Adam Rex El Chupacabras by Adam Rubin with illustrator Crash McCreery Trey Parker, co-creator of South Park Kurt Vonnegut (author of Slaughterhouse Five and more) lecture about The Shapes of Stories Illustrator Charles Santoso Cartoonist Liniers Illustrator Emily Hughes Illustrator Nicole Miles Seaerra Miller, illustrator Improvise: Scene From the Inside Out by Nick Napier

First Draft Episode #341: Jon Scieszka Jon Scieszka, former National Ambassador for Children's Literature and New York Times bestselling author best known for picture books with illustrator Lane Smith, including The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, Math Curse, and more. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio Jacqueline Woodson, 2020 MacArthur Genius fellow, National Book Award winner, Newberry, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King winner, former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Brown Girl Dreaming, Red at the Bone, Another Brooklyn, Before the Ever After and many, many more. She joins us to talk about her picture books with Rafael López, The Day You Begin and The Year We Learned to Fly. Hear her First Draft interview here. Dr Seuss, author of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Oh, the Places You'll Go!, Green Eggs and Ham and more Go, Dog, Go by P.J. Eastman Franz Kafka, author of The Metamorphosis, The Trial, The Castle, and more Jack London, author of The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and more Edgar Allen Poe, author of The Raven, The Masque of the Red Death, The Cask of Amontillado, and more Jon's Science Verse The Astronuts, Jon's series with Steven Weinberg Jonathan Baumbach, author of The Pavilion of Former Wives, Dreams of Molly and many more Thomas Pynchon, author of Gravity's Rainbow, Inherent Vice, and The Crying of Lot 49 Gabriel Garcia Marquez, author of One Hundred Years of Solitude, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, and more Carlos Fuentes, author of Aura, The Death of Artemio Cruz, and more Charles McGrath, former editor of The New York Times Book Review and former deputy editor of The New Yorker. He is currently a writer at large for The New York Times Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel Boy: Tales From Childhood and Going Solo are autobiographical books written by Roald Dahl Vladimir Nabokov, author of Lolita Oliver Jeffers, visual artist, climate activist, and author and/or illustrator of several New York Times bestselling picture books, including The Day the Crayons Quit, How to Catch a Star, The Fate of Fausto, and Here We Are, joins us to talk about his newest picture book, There's a Ghost In This House. Listen to his First Draft interviews here and here. Battle Bunny by Mac Barnett and Jon Scieszka Matt de la Peña, author of seven critically acclaimed young adult novels including Mexican Whiteboy and Newbery Medal–winning author of Last Stop on Market Street talks about his newest collaboration with illustrator Christian Robinson, Milo Imagines the World. Listen to his First Draft interview here. Adam Rubin, author of Dragons Love Tacos, Those Darn Squirrels, Robo-Sauce and more with Daniel Salmieri The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (TV show) Jon's autobiography, Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood, a memoir by Gary Paulsen, author of Hatchet Monty Python Saturday Night Live Jon Klassen, Caldecott Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the I Want My Hat Back series, who is back with a book he wrote and illustrated: The Rock From the Sky. Listen to his First Draft episodes here and here. The Far Side cartoon by Gary Paulsen Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson Guys Read Kate DiCamillo, is one of six people to win two Newbery Medals, for her novels The Tale of Despereaux and Flora & Ulysses, and author of Newbery Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie, National Book Award finalist The Tiger Rising, as well as New York Times bestselling novels The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Magician's Elephant, the Mercy Watson series, and more. DiCamillo was the U.S. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature for 2014 and 2015. Her most recent novel, Beverly, Right Here completes the trilogy of Raymie Nightingale and Louisiana's Way Home. Dog Man by Dave Pilkey, author of Captain Underpants Shannon Hale, author of Princess Academy, The Goose Girl, Austenland and more Adele Griffin, two-time National Book Award honoree and author of almost thirty books for Young Adult and middle grade readers, including The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone, The Becket List, and Sons of Liberty and Where I want to Be. Hear her First Draft interview here. Lisa Brown, illustrator of The Phantom Twin, The Airport Book and more Katherine Paterson, author of The Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved, and more Dave Shannon, author and illustrator of No, David! Loren Long, author and illustrator of Otis, Little Tree, and many more The Treehouse books (The 13-Story Treehouse all the way to The 143-Story Treehouse) by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton The Rijksmuseum, the museum that has Rembrandts available online Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of critically acclaimed books, including National Book Award finalist Ghost, Newberry and Printz-honored Long Way Down, Coretta Scott King Honoree As Brave as You, and his latest, middle grade Look Both Ways, which was just named to the National Book Award Longlist for Young People's Literature. Listen to his First Draft interviews here and here. Walter Dean Myers, author of Monster, The Glory Field, Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary Gene Luen Yang, former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and author and illustrator of American Born Chinese The Rabbit hOle's Explor-A-Storium The Real Dada Mother Goose: A Treasury of Complete Nonsense by Jon Scieszka and Julia Rothman   Thanks for Listening!  

First Draft Episode #340: Swan Huntley Swan Huntley is the author of adult literary novels The Goddesses, We Could Be Beautiful, and her newest, Getting Clean With Stevie Green. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: “The Sociopath Who Loved Me Enough,” by Swan Huntley in AutoStraddle Drinking: A Love Story by Carolyn Knapp Anne Hood, New York Times bestselling author of The Book That Matters Most, The Obituary Writer, and the upcoming Fly Girl, taught writing at the New School, where Swan discovered the Novel Template Election by Tom Perrotta The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron The MacDowell Colony Yaddo Swan's cards! Tarot For Change by Jessica Dore is the Tarot book I keep talking about!

Ibi Zoboi is the New York Times bestselling author of National Book Award Finalist American Street, Pride, My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich and co-author with prison reform activist Yusef Salaam of Punching the Air. She joins us to talk about her first work of non-fiction Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler.

Jacqueline Woodson is a 2020 MacArthur Genius fellow, National Book Award winner, Newberry, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King winner, former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Brown Girl Dreaming, Red at the Bone, Another Brooklyn, Before the Ever After and many, many more. She joins us to talk about her picture books with Rafael López, The Day You Begin and The Year We Learned to Fly.

First Draft Episode #337: Lamar Giles Lamar Giles, author of the acclaimed novels Fake ID, Endangered, Overturned, Spin, Not So Pure and Simple. He joins us to talk about his middle-grade series The Last Last-Day-of-Summer, Last Chance for Logan County, and and The Last Mirror on the Left. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norman The Bunnicula series by James Howe and Deborah Howe Misery and It by Stephen King Danielle Steele, author of The Butler, Flying Angels, Complications, and more. The Rapture of Canaan by Sheri Reynolds Twilight by Stephenie Meyer Unwind by Neal Shusterman Reality Check by Peter Abrahams Fallen Angels by Walter D WitSec: Inside the Federal Witness Protection Program by Pete Earley Dennis Lahane, author of Shutter Island, Mystic River, A Drink Before the War and many more Phoebe Yeh, v-p, publisher, Crown Books for Young Readers Ellen Oh, author of Finding Junie Kim, Spirit Hunters, and The Dragon Egg Princess (Hear her First Draft interview here) Kwame Alexander, Newberry-winning author of The Crossover and publisher of the Versify imprint We Need Diverse Books Jody Corbett, Senior Editor at Scholastic Dapo Adeola illiustrated The Last Last-Day-of-Summer and Last Chance for Logan County Derick Brooks illustrated Lamar's most recent middle-grade book, The Last Mirror on the Left Duck Tales (TV show) Joy Revolution, the imprint started by bestselling writers Nicola Yoon (#1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star talks about her new YA, Instructions For Dancing - hear her First Draft interviews here and here) and David Yoon, author of Frankly in Love, Super Fake Love Song, and Version Zero (hear his First Draft interview here) Steven Barnes, New York Times bestselling fantasy and sci-fi writer and screenwriter Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451  

First Draft Episode #336: Varian Johnson Varian Johnson, award-winning author of The Parker Inheritance, Twins, The Great Greene Heist, joins us to talk about his most recent middle-grade, Playing the Cards You're Dealt. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Then Again Maybe I Won't, and Iggie's House by Judy Blume Motown and Didi by Walter Dean Myers Virginia Hamilton, author of The People Could Fly: Black American Folktales, Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush, and more Sara Crowe, Varian's literary agent at Pippin Properties Andrew Karre, Executive editor at Dutton Books for Young Readers Cheryl Klein, editorial director at Lee & Low and formerly at Scholastic, and author of The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin Holes by Louis Sachar Ally Carter, New York Times bestselling author of the Gallagher Girls series, the Heist Society series, the Embassy Row series, Not If I Save You First, Dear Ally: How Do You Write a Book?, and a new middle grade series that kicks off with Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor. (Hear her First Draft interview here) Kate Messner, author of Over and Under the Snow, All the Answers, Capture the Flag, and many (MANY) more The Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program Sharon Darrow, author of Trash, The Painters of Lexieville and more Rita Williams-Garcia, author of One Crazy Summer, Clayton Byrd Goes Underground, Like Sisters on the Homefront, and more Tim Wynne-Jones, author of Blink & Caution, The Uninvited, and more Nick Thomas, Varian's editor at Scholastic, currently senior editor at Levine Querido Shannon Wright, illustrator of Twins Jenne Abramowitz, executive editor at Scholastic What Were the Negro Leagues? by Varian Johnson Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

First Draft Episode #335: Kekla Magoon Kekla Magoon is the award-winning author of many novels and nonfiction books for kids and teens, including How It Went Down, The Season of Styx Malone, and her newest, Revolution In Our Time: The Black Panther Party's Promise to the People. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Norma Fox Mazer, author of The Missing Girl, Good Night Maman, Missing Pieces, and many more Vermont College for Fine Arts' MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi (listen to this excellent interview with him on The Stacks podcast) Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo Blackbirds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert, author of Pointe, Little & Lion, The Only Black Girls in Town, and The Voting Booth. Hear Brandy's First Draft interviews here, here, and here! African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History by Tracey Baptiste

First Draft Episode #334: Jodi Picoult Jodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-seven novels, including My Sister's Keeper, Nineteen Minutes, Small Great Things, and two young adult novels with daughter Samantha van Leer, Between the Lines and Off the Page. She joins to talk about her latest, Wish You Were Here. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (TV show) Breathe: A New Musical original cast recording on Spotify Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (movie) The English Patient (movie) Brandon Taylor's newsletter, Sweater Weather, and the essay in which he talks about what trend might come out of the pandemic, “Bobos in IKEA” The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

First Draft Episode #333: Karen M. McManus Karen M. McManus is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of young adult thrillers, including the One of Us Is Lying series (now a Peacock TV show), Two Can Keep a Secret, The Cousins, joins to talk about her latest, You'll Be the Death of Me. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Stephen King, author of thrillers like It, The Shining, and Carrie (and, uh, lots more) Agatha Christie, author of And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, and Death on the Nile. Lois Duncan, author of I Know What You Did Last Summer, Killing Mr. Duncan, and Down a Dark Hall Mary Higgins Clark, author of Where Are the Children?, Two Little Girls in Blue, and You Belong to Me The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Only Murders in the Building (TV show) Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss and the horror novel There's Someone Inside Your House (watch the Netflix film adaptation Oct. 6!) talks about her newest scary book, The Woods Are Always Watching. Hear her First Draft interview here!

First Draft Episode #332: Chloe Gong Chloe Gong is the New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and its sequel Our Violent Ends. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene The Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon Fallen by Lauren Kate Delirium by Lauren Oliver Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzgerald Wattpad The Mortal Instruments series (first book: City of Bones) by Cassandra Clare, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shadowhunter Chronicles, the forthcoming Sword Catcher duology, and co-author of the Magisterium series. Her most recent Shadowhunter novel, Chain of Gold, kicks off the Last Hours trilogy. Hear her First Draft interviews here and here. Divergent by Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series, the Carve the Mark duology, and the short story collection, The End and Other Beginnings, talks about her first adult fantasy novel, Chosen Ones. Listen to her First Draft interviews here, here, and here. We Need Diverse Books The Diviners by Libba Bray, uthor of New York Times best-selling series A Great and Terrible Beauty, Printz award-winner Going Bovine, and genuinely terrifying historical paranormal The Diviners, and more.

First Draft Episode #331: Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers, visual artist, climate activist, and author and/or illustrator of several New York Times bestselling picture books, including The Day the Crayons Quit, How to Catch a Star, The Fate of Fausto, and Here We Are, joins us to talk about his newest picture book, There's a Ghost In This House. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "draftsips” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear Oliver's first First Draft interview here TK

First Draft Episode #330: Roseanne A. Brown Roseanne A. Brown is the New York Times bestselling author of YA fantasy novels A Song of Wraiths and Ruin and its sequel, A Psalm of Storms and Silence. The presenting sponsor for this episode is Sips By, a multi-brand, personalized monthly tea subscription box. Use offer code "firstdraft” for 50% off your first Sips By box! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Animorphs by K. A. Applegate The Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter, New York Times bestselling author of the Gallagher Girls series, the Heist Society series, the Embassy Row series, Not If I Save You First, Dear Ally: How Do You Write a Book?, and a new middle grade series that kicks off with Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor. (listen to her FIrst Draft interview here) All American Girl, The Princess Diaries and Avalon High by Meg Cabot The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielson A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling An Ember in the Ashes series. (Hear her First Draft interviews here and here) Entangled Publishing Pitch Wars The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl Quressa Robnson, literary agent at Nelson Literary Agency Kristin Daly Rens at Balzer + Bray

First Draft Episode #329: Garth Nix Garth Nix, New York Times bestselling author of Sabriel, returns to the Old Kingdom series with his latest YA fantasy, Terciel & Elinor. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Ragwitch by Garth Nix, his first book Jill Grinberg, President and founder of Jill Grinberg Literary Management, Garth's agent Newt's Emerald, Garth's regency romance with a fantasy twist Shade's Children, Garth's dystopian series The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley The Tombs of Atuan, the second in Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea series, which began with A Wizard of Earthsea

First Draft Episode #328: Helen O'Hara Helen O'Hara, film critic, editor-at-large for Empire magazine and co-host of the Empire film podcast, talks about her newest non-fiction, Women vs Hollywood: The Fall and RIse of Women in Film and host of its accompanying podcast, Women vs Hollywood With Helen O'Hara. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Care Bears Movie (movie) My Little Pony: The Movie (movie) Black Panther (movie) Captain Marvel (movie) Terri White, former editor of Empire and author of Coming Undone: A Memoir Twilight (movie) Chris Hewitt, co-host of the Empire podcast Notting Hill (movie) Helen's other books about movies: Best Movies of the 80s and The Superhero Movie Book Liberating Hollywood: Women Directors and the Feminist Reform of 1970s American Cinema by Maya Montañez Smukler, (Ph.D., Cinema & Media Studies, UCLA) heads the research and study center at the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Shelley Stamp, film historian, professor at UCSC, and author of Lois Weber in Early Hollywood and Movie-Struck Girls: Women and Motion Picture Culture After the Nickelodeon Karen Ward Mahar, professor of history and the co-director of the American Studies Program at Siena College, and author of Women Filmmakers in Early Hollywood The Best Pick podcast The Golden Compass (movie) The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (movie) Reservoir Dogs (movie) Home Alone (movie) Ava DuVerney directed Selma, A Wrinkle in Time, and many more films Squid Game (Netflix TV show) Parasite (movie) Becoming by Michelle Obama Wonder Woman (2017 movie) Jurassic World (movie) Petit Maman (movie) On the Basis of Sex (movie) Shut Up and Sing (documentary)

First Draft Episode #327: Benjamin Dreyer Benjamin Dreyer, vice president, executive managing editor and copy chief of Random House, and New York Times bestselling author of Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style and Dreyer's English (Adapted for Young Readers): Good Advice for Good Writing. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: “Meet the Guardian of Grammar Who Wants to Help You Be a Better Writer,” by Sarah Lyall in The New York Times Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer's Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting and Surviving Your First Book by Courtney Maum (hear Courtney weigh in on the traditional publishing process in Track Changes: Publishing 101) #1 New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout, author of Olive Kitteridge, Olive Again, and the recent release Oh William! Shirley Jackson, author of The Haunting of Hill House, The Lottery, and more

First Draft Episode #336: Elissa Sussman and Arielle Jovellanos Elissa Sussman and Arielle Jovellanos, author and illustrator, respectively, of YA contemporary novel Drawn That Way. Elissa is also the author of Burn, Stray, and the upcoming adult novel, Funny You Should Ask. Arielle illustrated Evil Thing, a Cruelle de Ville backstory novel written by Serena Valentino, as well as graphic novel Black Star, written by Eric A. Glover. This episode is brought to you by Revision Season, a seven-week virtual master class in novel revision led by award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. The Fall 2021 Session of Revision Season will run Oct 10 – Nov 28, and enrollment is now open! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear Elissa's First Draft interview here Glen Keane, 38-year veteran of Walt Disney Feature Animation and creator of Disney characters such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Beast, Tarzan, and Rapunzel. Howard Ashman, Oscar-winning lyricist, playwright, and stage director who wrote the lyrics for The Little Mermaid Frederator, an independent animation and media studio who produced Adventure Time, Bee and PuppyCat, and Bravest Warriors Pendleton Ward, creator of Adventure Time LAIKA studios, an animation production studio that created Coraline (movie) The Avengers (movie) Chris Evans, actor who portrays Captain America Babs Tarr, American illustrator and comic book artist who drew a run for Batgirl for DC Annie Wu, American illustrator and comic book artist who drew a run of Hawkeye for Marvel Janelle Asselin, former editor of DC comics Kevin Wada, illustrator Fresh Romance, the anthology which includes Arielle's comic, “School Spirit” Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan The Heroes of Olympus by RIck Riordan Elizabeth Bewley, literary agent at Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. Waking Sleeping Beauty (documentary) Janet Sung, illustrator, designer, colorist

First Draft Episode #335: Ayana Gray Ayana Gray, debut author of Beasts of Prey, which is being adapted into a Netflix film. Today's episode of First Draft is brought to you by Tonight We Rule the World by Zack Smedley, out from Page Street Publishing on October 5th. And by Revision Season, a seven-week virtual master class in novel revision led by award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. The Fall 2021 Session of Revision Season will run Oct 10 – Nov 28, and enrollment is now open! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: As Told By Ginger (movie) Pete Knapp, literary agent with Park & Fine Literary and Media Stacey Barney, associate publisher of Nancy Paulsen Books Scrivener, writing software Beth Phelan, literary agent with Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency and founder of DiverseVoices Inc., (which is #DVpit / #DVart, DVcon, DVdebut and DVmentor) #MSWL is a twitter hashtag agents and editors use to let writers know what they are looking for. Pitch Wars Circe by Madeline Miller The Inklings interviews on Ayana's website

First Draft Episode #334: Kendare Blake Kendare Blake, New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series, Anna Dressed in Blood, and more, talks about her new historical thriller, All These Bodies, and her upcoming YA novel set in the universe of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, In Every Generation. This episode is brought to you by The Devil Makes Three by Tori Bovalino, out from Page Street Press now! And by Revision Season, a seven-week virtual master class in novel revision led by award-winning author Elana K. Arnold. The Fall 2021 Session of Revision Season will run Oct 10 – Nov 28, and enrollment is now open! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear Kendare's previous episode of First Draft here, and watch the Tell Me Everything University Bookstore (Seattle, WA) event featuring Sarah Enni, Kendare, and Somaiya Daud, author of YA sci-fi book Mirage and Court of Lions. Antigoddess by Kendare Blake Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss and the horror novel There's Someone Inside Your House (watch the Netflix film adaptation Oct. 6!) talks about her newest scary book, The Woods Are Always Watching. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote Murder in the Heartland (movie) Natural Born Killers (movie) Capote (movie) Infamous (movie) Interview With a Vampire by Anne Rice Jocelyn Davies, editor at Disney Kieran Viola, director of editorial for Disney Hyperion Roswell (TV show) LOST (TV show) Cobra Kai (TV show) Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning, and critically acclaimed author of many books, including the And I Darken trilogy, the Slayer series, the Camelot Rising trilogy, and her upcoming adult debut, Hide. Listen to her First Draft interview here.

First Draft Mini-Episode: First Draft Patreon With Sarah Enni Creator and host of First Draft, Sarah Enni, announces the launch of the First Draft Patreon, a way listeners can help support the show by pledging $5 or $10 a month. In exchange for that monthly donation, supporters will gain access to an exclusive community forum, get monthly video chats with Sarah, get 15% off First Draft merchandise, and get a shoutout at the top of a First Draft episode and on the First Draft supporter page. If you sign up to support First Draft before Oct. 1, 2021, you will receive a Super Special Supporter Pack, which includes a personal note from Sarah Enni, First Draft swag (bookmark, pin, and sticker), and a surprise book! Sign up to get yours today! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The First Draft Patreon page The publishing infographics I create and try to share each week Callie Wright, freelance audio producer and editor Track Changes Donate to First Draft on PayPal Donate to First Draft on Venmo Follow First Draft on Instagram and Twitter   Thanks for Listening!

First Draft Episode #323: Christine Riccio Christine Riccio, New York Times bestselling author of Again, But Better and Better Together and creative force behind PolandBananasBooks, her BookTube channel with more than 400,000 subscribers, and co-host of Booksplosion, the largest book club on YouTube. This episode is brought to you by Laura Sibson's Edie in Between, a modern-day Practical Magic about love, loss, and embracing the mystical, available now. And by The Lost Girls: A Vampire Revenge Story by Sonia Hartl, out from Page Street Publishing now. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Christine shared her perspective on promoting books on BookTube in the Track Changes Marketing and Publicity (Part 1) episode Booksplosion is the book club Christine cohosts with Katytastic and Jesse The Reader Sasha Alsberg, New York Times bestselling co-author with Lindsay Cummings of Zenith: The Androma Saga series (listen to their First Draft interview here) and creator of YouTube channel abookutopia The Parent Trap (movie - 1961) (movie - 1998)

First Draft Episode #322: Jennifer Niven Jennifer Niven is the Emmy Award-winning #1 New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including YA novels All the Bright Places, Holding up the Universe, Breathless, and Take Me With You When You Go (with David Levithan). This episode is brought to you by Laura Sibson's Edie in Between, a modern-day Practical Magic about love, loss, and embracing the mystical, available now. And by The Splendor by Breeana Shields, out from Page Street Publishing now. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Penelope Niven, biographer and author of Carl Sandburg: A Biography and Carl Sandburg: Adventures of a Poet, Thornton Wilder: A Life, Steichen: A Biography, memoirist (Swimming Lessons: Life Lessons From the Pool, From Diving In to Treading Water) and co-author of James Earl Jones's autobiography, Voices and Silences. The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger Jon Krakauer, author of Into the Wild, Into Thin Air, Under the Banner of Heaven, Missoula, and more Carl Sandburg, three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning poet (for Cornhuskers and Complete Poems) and biographer (for his four-book series, Abraham Lincoln: The War Years). Will Schwalbe, author of The End of Your Life Book Club and Books For Living: Some Thoughts on Reading, Reflecting, and Embracing Life, and co-author of Send: Why People Email So Badly and How to Do It Better with Dave Shipley Jennifer's original agent, John A. Ware, who passed away in 2013. Read his obituary in Publisher's Weekly. Jennifer's current agent, Kerry Sparks at the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency David Levithan, editorial director at Scholastic and the author of many young adult novels, including Boy Meets Boy, Every Day, and co-author with Rachel Cohn of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. Ava Dellaira, author of Love Letters to the Dead and In Search of Us. Listen to her First Draft interviews here and here.

First Draft Episode #321: Stephanie Perkins Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss and the horror novel There's Someone Inside Your House (watch the Netflix film adaptation Oct. 6!) talks about her newest scary book, The Woods Are Always Watching. This episode is brought to you by Laura Sibson's Edie in Between, a modern-day Practical Magic about love, loss, and embracing the mystical, available now! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Hear the live episode where Stephanie and Sarah Enni talk about Sarah's debut, Tell Me Everything, at Malaprops Bookstore in Asheville, N. C. Hear Sara Zarr and Sarah Enni discuss the job of podcasting Acuity Scheduling is the software that I am using to schedule interviews Kerry Winfrey, author of romantic comedies Waiting For Tom Hanks, Not Like the Movies, and her newest, Very Sincerely Yours. She is also the author of YA novels Love and Other Alien Experiences and Things Jolie Needs to Do Before She Bites It. Hear our conversation here. Jane Friedman, publishing expert and author educator, wrote The Business of Being a Writer and the Hot Sheet newsletter (a must for all writers IMHO!) Charles Dickens, author of A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, and more Jane Austen, author of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma and more NaNoWriMo, a.k.a. National Novel Writing Month (read Steph's 2015 Pep Talk for NaNoWriMo here!) Kate Testerman, agent and founder of kt literary Julia Straus-Gabel, President and Publisher, Dutton Children's Books, Penguin Random Houes, profiled in “Her Stinging Critiques Propel Young Adult Bestsellers,” in The New York Times and “Meet the Editor: Julie Strauss-Gabel,” in Publisher's Weekly John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author of many young adult novels, including The Fault in Our Stars and Printz-winning Looking For Alaska, joins to discuss his new essay collection, The Anthropocene Reviewed. He is also one half of the vlogbrothers on YouTube and co-creator of educational series Crash Course. Hear his First Draft interview here. Gayle Forman, author of If I Stay, Where She Went, and many more Booklist online magazine Around the Writer's Block: Using Brain Science to Solve Writer's Resistance by Roseanne Bane Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning, and critically acclaimed author of many books, including the And I Darken trilogy, the Slayer series, the Camelot Rising trilogy, and her upcoming adult debut, Hide. Fear Street, a series by R. L. Stine Scream (movie) I Know What You Did Last Summer (movie) My Favorite Murder (podcast) Henry Gayden, screenwriter who wrote Shazam and the adaptation of There's Someone Inside Your House Creep (movies) The Overnight (movie)

First Draft Episode #320: Sarah MacLean Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author of romance novels, including Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, A Rogue By Any Other Name, and many more, talks about Bombshell, the first book in her new Hell's Bells series. Sarah also co-hosts the Fated Mates romance podcast. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Anne Rice, author of Interview With the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat Sarah Rees Brennan, author of Unspoken, The Demon's Lexicon, and In Other Lands and more Carrie Ryan, author of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Daughters of Deep Silence, and more Aprilynne Pike, author of Wings, Glitter, and more Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, co-authors of Beautiful Creatures Dr. Jennifer Lynn Barnes, professor studying fiction and the brain, and also author of The Inheritance Games, The Naturals, Little White Lies and more Nora Roberts, author of Visions in White, The Next Always, and Year One also publishes as J.D. Robb, author of the In Death series Bella Andre, author of The Look of Love, Game For Seduction, and more Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger by Rebecca Traister Sadie Doyle, author of Trainwreck: The Women We Love to Hate, Mock, and Fear . . . and Why Mona Altahawy, author of Seven Necessary Sins of Women and Girls Gangs of London by Ryan McDonald Alice Diamond and the Forty Elephants by Brian McDonald Peaky Blinders (TV show) Sophie Jordan, author of Firelight, Foreplay, and more Tessa Dare, author of The Duchess Deal, Romancing the Duke, and more Desmond Morris, author of The Naked Ape A Hunger Like No Other, first in the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole Christina Lauren, author of The Unhoneymooners, The Soulmate Equation, and Beautiful Bastards

First Draft Episode #319: S. K. Ali S. K. Ali is the New York Times bestselling author of Morris Award Finalist Saints and Misfits and its sequel Misfit in Love, Love From A to Z and its forthcoming sequel, Love From Mecca to Medina, and picture book The Proudest Blue. She also co-edited, with Aisha Saeed, the middle grade anthology Once Upon an Eid.

First Draft Episode #318: Chandler Baker Chandler Baker, the New York Times bestselling author of Whisper Network talks about her latest feminist thriller, The Husbands. She is also the co-author with Wesley King of YA novel Hello (From Here), out September 7! Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis Lauren Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of Panic, the Delirium series, and Before I Fall John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author of many young adult novels, including The Fault in Our Stars and Printz-winning Looking For Alaska, joins to discuss his new essay collection, The Anthropocene Reviewed. He is also one half of the vlogbrothers on YouTube and co-creator of educational series Crash Course. Listen to his First Draft interview here. Gayle Forman, #1 New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay and Where She Went, as well as We Are Inevitable, Frankie & Bug, and many more. Miss Snark Absolute Write (whose forum is back up now!) The Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrator's Blue Boards forum Full Fathom Five, the book packaging company run by James Frey Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live) by Eve Rodsky I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time by Lisa VanderKamp Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star talks about her new YA, Instructions For Dancing and her brand new publishing venture: co-publisher of Joy Revolution, a Random House young adult imprint dedicated to love stories starring people of color. Listen to her First Draft interviews here and here. Kristen Wiig has bought the rights to adapt The Husbands

First Draft Episode #317: Margot Wood Margot Wood, founder of Epic Reads, talks about her debut young adult novel, Fresh. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Margot Wood, founder of Epic Reads, gave incredible marketing advice on the Marketing and Publicity episode of Track Changes, the First Draft miniseries that explains the ins and outs of traditional publishing in the U.S. (listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify) Johnny Tremaine by Esther Hoskins Forbes Aminah Mae Safi, author of Not the Girls You're Looking For, Tell Me How You Really Feel, This is All Your Fault, and Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix. Listen to her First Draft interview here. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Divergent by Veronica Roth, Simon Versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertali Jo Volpe, literary agent and President of New Leaf Literary & Media, who represents Margot. She also appeared on the Contracts episode of Track Changes. Emma by Jane Austen

First Draft Episode #316: Kerry Winfrey Kerry Winfrey, author of romantic comedies Waiting For Tom Hanks, Not Like the Movies, and her newest, Very Sincerely Yours. She is also the author of YA novels Love and Other Alien Experiences and Things Jolie Needs to Do Before She Bites It. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Superfudge by Judy Blume The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop George Saunders, author of Tenth of December: Stories, Lincoln in the Bardo, and A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life, and many more short stories and collections. Lorrie Moore, author of Birds of America, Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?, and many more short stories and collections. Marla Frazee is the two-time Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator of The Boss Baby, A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, All the World, and many more. She joins us to talk about the Farmer series: The Farmer and the Clown, The Farmer and the Monkey, and The Farmer and the Circus, out now. Kerry's writing for HelloGiggles Year of Romantic Comedies Kerry's review of You've Got Mail for Year of RomComs John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author of many young adult novels, including The Fault in Our Stars and Printz-winning Looking For Alaska, joins to discuss his new essay collection, The Anthropocene Reviewed. He is also one half of the vlogbrothers on YouTube and co-creator of educational series Crash Course. Listen to his First Draft interview here. Harvey (movie) Playing House (TV show) features one of Kerry's favorite romantic leading men performances from Keegan Michael-Key. She wrote about his performance here. I spoke with Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair, comedians, actors, and screenwriters behind Playing House, in this interview. Angela Velez, author of the forthcoming Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity. Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of romance novels The Wedding Date, The Wedding Party, While We Were Dating, Party of Two, and The Proposal. Hear her First Draft interview here. Trainwreck (movie) Christian Robinson, illustrator of Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, and the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestseller Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Peña (listen to his First Draft interview here), and the #1 New York Times bestseller The Bench, written by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. His solo projects include Another and You Matter. Carson Ellis, author and illustrator of Caldecott Honor book Du Iz Tak?, as well as Home, In the Half Room, and many more. Hear her First Draft interview here. Mac Barnett, two-time Caldecott Honor-winning author of Extra Yarn and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, both illustrated by Jon Klassen (listen to his First Draft interviews here and here) and dozens more children's books, including the Kid Spy series (illustrated by Mike Lowery), CIrcle (also illustrated by Jon Klassen), and the Jack books (illustrated by Greg Pizzoli). Twister (movie)

Listen on Apple Podcasts  | Spotify First Draft Episode #315: Isaac Fitzsimons Isaac Fitzsimons is the debut author of The Passing Playbook. This episode was brought to you by Vision Season, a seven-week, virtual master class in tending your creative garden with award-winning author Elana K. Arnold (hear her First Draft interviews here and here). The Fall course of Vision Season will run from August 8th to September 25th. To learn more about Vision Season and to sign up for the Fall course, visit elanakarnold.com. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe Just Listen by Sarah Dessen The Writer's Center in Bethesda, Md. I am J by Cris Beam “Can't Help Falling in Love,” by Elvis Presley Jazz Jennings, author of Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen and start of “I Am Jazz” (TV show) Changing the Game (documentary)  

First Draft Episode #314: Ben Zhu Ben Zhu, author, illustrator, and founder of Gallery Nucleus, talks about his debut picture book, Dessert Island. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Dan Krall, illustrator for Samurai Jack Chris Appelhans, writer and director of Netflix animated movie Wish Dragon, and illustrator of picture books Sparky! (written by Jenny Offill) and A Greyhound, a Groundhog (written by Emily Jenkins). Dan Santat, Caldecott Award-winning author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, as well as After the Fall, Are We There Yet?, and The Guild of Geniuses, among many more. How to Draw the Marvel Way by John Buscema and Stan Lee Astro Boy (movie) Dave Masters, who taught animation at Rowland High School before leaving to become head animation trainer at Warner Bros. Chuck Jones, animator, filmmaker and voice actor, best known for his work with Warner Bros. Cartoons on the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Shorts. Kevin Chen, founder of Concept Design Academy Call of Duty Medal of Honor Jon Klassen, Caldecott Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the I Want My Hat Back series, who is back with a book he wrote and illustrated: The Rock From the Sky. Hear his First Draft interviews here and here. Wish Dragon, written and directed by Chris Appelhans (hear his First Draft interview here) Du Iz Tak? a Caldecott Honor book written and illustrated by Carson Ellis, who also wrote and illustrated Home and In the Half Room. Hear her First Draft interview here. Drawing on Walls: A Keith Haring Story written by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Josh Cochran. Matthew is a poet, picture book author, and Assistant Professor at Brooklyn College who wrote The Bear and the Moon, illustrated by Cátia Chien. Hear their First Draft interview here. Arree Chung, award winning author and illustrator of Mixed: A Colorful Story, Ninja!, and Out!, as well as founder of Storyteller Academy.

First Draft Episode #313: Co-authors of Blackout: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon  The co-authors of Blackout: Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon talk about their New York Times bestselling collaborative novel. Vision Season Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: “Mask Off,” by Future Literary agent Molly Ker Hawn of The Bent Agency

First Draft Episode #312: Tanaz Bhathena Tanaz Bhathena, author of A Girl Like That and The Beauty of the Moment talks about her fantasy series, Hunted by the Sky and its sequel, Rising Like a Storm. This episode was brought to you by The Great Godden by Meg Rossof, out from Candlewick Press now. Read sample chapters here. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold Thrity Umrigar, Parsi author of The Space Between Us Rohinton Mistry, Parsi author of A Fine Balance The School Library Journal and its starred review for A Girl Like That Driving by Starlight by Anat Deracine Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Alsanea Goosebumps and Fear Street by R. L. Stine Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin The Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings (also Shahnama), a long epic poem written by the Persian poet Ferdowsi between c. 977 and 1010 CE

First Draft Episode #311: Doree Shafrir Doree Shafrir, co-host of the Forever35 podcast and author of Startup, joins us to talk about her debut memoir, Thanks For Waiting: The Joy (& Weirdness) of Being a Late Bloomer. This episode was brought to you by The Great Godden by Meg Rossof, out from Candlewick Press now. Read sample chapters here. Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Harriett the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Slate Gawker Ben Smith, founding editor in chief of Buzzfeed News and now a reporter on the media for the New York Times Acast, podcast network Carrie Frye, book editor Doree and Kate's column for InStyle

First Draft Episode #310: Chris Appelhans Chris Appelhans, writer and director of Netflix animated movie Wish Dragon, and illustrator of picture books Sparky! (written by Jenny Offill) and A Greyhound, a Groundhog (written by Emily Jenkins). Links to Topics Mentioned In This Episode: Jon Klassen, Caldecott Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of the I Want My Hat Back series, and The Rock From the Sky. Listen to his First Draft interviews here and here. A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life, by George Saunders The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak