The First Draft Club

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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 weekly podcast is now your favorite writing companion on your journey to finish your first draft.

Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach


    • Nov 20, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 13m AVG DURATION
    • 160 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The First Draft Club podcast is a fantastic resource for writers at any stage of their careers. Hosted by Mary Adkins, a published author herself, the podcast covers a wide range of topics related to writing and provides valuable advice and insights. One of the best aspects of this podcast is the variety of topics covered. From tips on getting started with the first draft to advice on editing and revising, there is something for everyone. Mary's delivery is engaging and her ability to break down complex concepts into simple, actionable steps is commendable.

    Another great aspect of The First Draft Club podcast is the level of expertise that Mary brings to each episode. As a published author, she speaks from experience and offers practical advice that writers can apply to their own work. Her sincerity and genuine passion for writing come through in every episode, making it easy to connect with her as a listener.

    One minor drawback of this podcast is that some of the information may be repetitive for experienced writers or those who have already read extensively on the craft. However, even in these instances, hearing something again can serve as a helpful reminder or provide a different perspective.

    In conclusion, The First Draft Club podcast is an excellent resource for writers looking to improve their craft or gain inspiration. Mary Adkins' engaging delivery and wealth of knowledge make each episode enjoyable and informative. Whether you're a beginner writer or an experienced author, you're sure to find valuable advice and insights in this podcast.



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    Latest episodes from The First Draft Club

    S08 E01 The Black List: The new publishing shortcut for aspiring novelists

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 21:04


    We're back for Season 8! Mary talks about a newcomer to publishing—The Black List—and shares costs, benefits, and how it could potentially save you months (or even years) in your publishing journey. If you dream of publication but dread the long, uncertain querying process, this episode is for you.   Show Notes: In this episode, I cover:· What is The Black List? Learn how this groundbreaking platform, originally created for Hollywood screenwriters, works—and why it's now disrupting the world of fiction publishing. · How it works for novelists: I'll break down how you can use The Black List to host your manuscript, receive professional evaluations, and get noticed by literary agents and publishers. · Is it worth the investment? I'll share costs, benefits, and why I think it could save you months (or even years!) in your publishing journey. Why I was skeptical—and why I changed my mind: My honest take on whether publishing needed a tool like this and why it might be a game-changer for early adopters. If you've ever felt stuck in the slow query process or wondered how to get professional feedback on your manuscript without waiting months, this episode has the answers you've been looking for. Resources Mentioned: The Black List Fiction Submissions: https://blcklst.com/fiction The Author's Guild Membership: https://authorsguild.org/membership/

    S07 E12 3 Things to Know about Copyright & a Scam to Avoid if You're Self-Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 14:56


    Don't fall for anyone offering you "global copyright" for a bunch of money. Here's what you need to know about copyright as an author and how to file. ------ Alessandra Torre Ink: https://ati.mykajabi.com/fearlessly-publish

    S07 E10 Should You Hire a Book Publicist?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 19:52


    Authors are hiring their own publicists—but how do you know if a publicist is worth the cost? Mary shares the questions she'd ask. --- PublicityxChristina: https://www.publicityxchristina.com/  

    S07 E10 How Much I Was Paid for My First Novel & Why I Don't Think Big Publishing is Dead

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 23:42


    Mary takes on the recent buzz around "Big 5" publishing being a waste of time for authors by sharing her own story and how she views authorial success. --- Mary's Blog: https://maryadkinswriter.com/blog/in-defense-of-big-publishing The Elysian Article: https://www.elysian.press/p/no-one-buys-books

    S07 E09 The #1 Resource for When You're Querying

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 16:22


    How do you find the right literary agents or publishers to query? There's one resource that's worth every penny (and this isn't sponsored content): Publisher's Marketplace. Here's why, and how to use it.

    S07 E08 The Lean-In Method for Assessing Feedback

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 11:35


    How do you get feedback without letting it derail you? The risk is real. Mary shares the single criterion she uses in deciding whether or not to take a piece of feedback.

    S07 E07 The Real Secret to Writing Your Best Possible Book

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 9:35


    In this short and sweet episode, Mary shares the secret to writing a book that's smarter than you (with some helpful words from George Saunders and Rufi Thorpe).

    S07 E06 Rufi Thorpe (with Mary) on How to Control Your Reader's Mind

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 39:33


    In this sneak peek into the private podcast inside The Book Incubator, Mary and Rufi discuss what they label "Newtonian Narratology" (you think we're kidding!), a.k.a. why it's better for your characters to try not to cry than to cry, and why you might not need to learn how to write that one emotion you struggle to write, after all.

    S07 E05 Interview with Psychologist & Author Joe Sanok on How to Get Your Book Written

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2024 40:57


    Author of Thursday is the New Friday, Joe Sanok speaks with Mary about the neuroscience findings that can help aspiring authors finally finish their drafts.

    S07 E04 3 Publishing Myths that Are Making Me Mad

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024 14:44


    There are people online selling solutions you don't need to problems that don't exist. As a writer aspiring to be published, it pays to be savvy. Mary unpacks 3 of these myths so you can avoid traps.

    S07 E03 Here it is...the Novel-Writing Tool I Invented in 2023!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 19:50


    In this episode, Mary shares the origin story of her newest tool "A Novel in 52 Prompts" and shares the first 3 prompts so you can knock out your first 5,000 words.

    S07 E02 The 2 Ways Playwright Tom Stoppard Changed My Creative Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 13:25


    Mary shares two stories about what Tom Stoppard the playwright taught her about life and creativity.

    S07E01 My Current Daily Routine as a Novelist (while Running a Business & Parenting)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 20:09


    We're back for Season 7! In this first episode of the season, Mary walks us through her current daily writing routine as she balances a new novel, work, and parenting.

    Live with Debut Novelist & Book Incubator grad Gayle Brown on her pub day!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 27:02


    We interrupt this post-season break to bring you a chat between Mary and Gayle Brown, an alum of The Book Incubator whose debut novel that she wrote in the program is out this week. Learn about her writing journey, what pub day feels like, and what advice she has for getting a literary agent. You can buy A Deadly Game at Amazon (https://shorturl.at/gsvE3) or Barnes and Noble (https://shorturl.at/nyF18), or leave a review on Goodreads (https://shorturl.at/eopsG).

    S06 E09 3 New Tips for Writing Better Dialogue

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 11:22


    In this episode, Mary builds on the 5 tips for writing stronger dialogue she shared back in the first episode of Season 5. These 3 strategies will help improve your dialogue further. ----- Season 5, Episode 1: https://thefirstdraftclub.podbean.com/e/how-to-write-compelling-diagloue/

    S06 E08 What Makes a Book ”Good” Isn't What You Think—It's This

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 11:08


    What actually makes us call a book "good" is something Mary recently completely changed her view on. Here's how she thinks of a "good book" now, and why.

    S06 E07 Should You Write a Memoir or a Novel Based on Your Life?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 17:38


    Mary shares the 3 questions she'd ask herself if deciding whether to write a true personal story or a fictionalized version based on real events. Also, join our 10,000-Word Challenge starting next week! ----- Join Mary's (FREE!) 10,000-Word Challenge starting Monday, Oct. 23rd, and write the first 10,000 words of your novel or memoir in 10 days! Visit https://maryadkinswriter.com/10k-challenge-live to get started. 

    S06 E06 Why Creative Writing Classes Are So Bad

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2023 14:31


    In this episode, Mary gets very real about why most creative writing classes make you feel discouraged and directionless, and how to handle such a class.

    S06 E05 What IS Upmarket Fiction? How to Write a Novel that Appeals to the Widest Audience

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 14:06


    What makes a novel count as “literary fiction?” How is it different from “upmarket” fiction? And are they both better than commercial fiction? Mary defines these categories and discusses why she believes upmarket is your sweet spot as a new novelist.

    S06 E04 My Hot Take: Why AI is Going to Make Good Writers MORE Valuable, Not Less

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 19:32


    In this episode, Mary takes on the threat of AI to professional writing and discusses why she believes it will never replace human storytellers.

    S06 E03 On Literary Snobbery: How to Recognize It, Understand It, and Handle it

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2023 22:13


    There's an undercurrent of literary snobbery that pervades many creative writing spaces. In this episode, Mary names it, shares personal stories of what it looks like, and talks about why it can be destructive.

    S06 E02 Live with a Literary Agent

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 49:46


    Literary agent Marisa Corvisiero chats with Mary about what contract terms she tries to negotiate for her clients, why she thinks it's savvy for authors to publish both traditionally and independently, and how un-agented and self-publishing authors can get help with their contracts. Check out Marisa's Authorpreneur Workshop HERE (https://www.corvisieroagency.com/writers-workshop.html). First Draft Club listeners get 15% off with the code FIRSTDRAFT2024.

    S06 E01 What I've Been Writing & Why I Abandoned My Latest Novel

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 30:40


    In this first episode of Season 6, Mary shares what she's been working on during this long break between seasons and why she set aside her latest novel, never to return to it. Trigger warning: Pregnancy loss is mentioned.

    WE'RE BACK!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2023 1:01


    After a long break, Mary is back for season 6 with more writing tips and some fun new episodes!

    S05 E10 Should you get an MFA in Creative Writing? The Pros & Cons

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2022 17:15


    Mary applied for MFA programs 3 times and was accepted twice, but never went. In this episode, she shares her story, as well as what she sees as the pros and cons of an MFA in Creative Writing. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/c4VV9HX-jdQ

    S05 E09 3 Things No One Tells You About Getting a Literary Agent

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2022 12:59


    Literary agents: no one really knows the secret to getting one or everything they do for you once you have one. Here, Mary shares the 3 things she didn't know about getting a literary agent and working with one (until she did). Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/Snvvn5As2M4

    S05 E08 The 3 Most Common Unfounded Fears of Writers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2022 20:00


    There's plenty for writers to worry about without worrying about the things we DON'T need to be concerned by. In this episode, Mary discusses the three fears writers often have that they don't need to have. Check out more on the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNkf-ON2jDRU1IdB2sb03Jw/featured

    S05 E07 5 Steps to Getting a Literary Agent

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2022 21:50


    Getting a literary agent was, for Mary, the hardest part of becoming a published author. Here, she breaks down the process into actionable steps. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/tt871Fqw8_s

    S05 E06 After You're Published: 5 Surprises

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 16:49


    Publishing your first book mostly feels amazing, but there are a few surprises you may not expect. In this episode, Mary shares 5 of those surprises. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/45eLaVuDC7g

    S05 E05 How to Write Your Book in 45 Minutes a Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2022 15:56


    Writing a book—and not just any book, but a good book—doesn't have to take over your life or take forever. You can write a solid draft in 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week, over just a few months. Here's how. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/rS6lgWjMXhs

    S05 E04 How to Decide What Comes Next in Your Novel

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 14:56


    You've started writing...but at 10 or 40 pages in, how do you decide what happens NEXT in your story? In this episode, Mary shares 4 favorite strategies. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/lzr2tPx-zSE

    S05 E03 How to Write a Novel (The Complete, Proven Guide)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2022 18:03


    Here it is—Mary's entire process for writing a publishable novel, broken down into 7 steps. You won't want to miss this one. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDIhmteyHSU&ab_channel=MaryAdkins    

    S05 E02 How I Wrote My First Book (My Personal Journey)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2022 16:10


    It took Mary 99 years to write her first book (well, 6). In this episode, she shares the 3 biggest mistakes she made that she doesn't want you to make...and what to do instead. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJxT-ffg_5k&ab_channel=MaryAdkins

    S05 E01 How to Write Compelling Dialogue

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 14:11


    Does your dialogue sound like a third-grade play? You'll want to get these strategies for writing better dialogue. Here's how Mary makes sure to write the way people actually talk. Check out the video of this episode on the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9aWlbH3vQY&ab_channel=MaryAdkins

    Season 4 - EP. 9

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 9:00


    The first blank page is the hardest one to take down. In this episode, Mary offers original 10 hacks for overcoming your demons and getting your book draft underway.

    Season 4 - EP. 8

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 22:00


    Mary breaks down the 9 Enneagram types and evaluates different writing goals for each one. If you loathe the term "writing goals," you need to listen—you may just need a different kind.

    Season 4 - EP. 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 9:00


    Here's the pep talk—and a bonus assignment—that will help you overcome resistance, if not once and for all, at least for this week.

    Season 4 - EP. 6

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 16:00


    Mary teaches you her signature method for handwriting your novel or memoir—The Four Notebooks Method—and tells you how you can pre-order her notebook and corresponding system. Check out https://www.maryadkinswriter.com/fournotebooksmethod

    Season 4 - EP. 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 12:00


    How do we deal with the fact that our stories, once on paper, are never as good as they were in our minds? Mary offers 3 strategies for handling this situation.

    Season 4 - EP. 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 10:00


    Mary wraps up a four-episode series on the 3-act structure with a breakdown of her favorite of the three acts, Act 3, and talks about how to find the magic of it in your own writing.

    Season 4 - EP. 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 13:00


    Mary talks all things Act 2—and, most importantly, gets into why Act 2 isn't a formula but a personal challenge for you, the author.

    Season 4 - EP. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 8:00


    In the second of four parts on the 3-act structure, Mary dives into what we mean by Act 1 and how to break it down into a manageable tool.

    Season 4 - EP. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 12:00


    In the first episode of Season 4, Mary kicks off a four-episode series breaking down the 3-act structure...in a way that won't terrify you, turn you off, or make you feel like you're supposed to be writing by formula.

    Season 3 - EP. 8

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 15:00


    Choosing a point of view is a critical early step in the novel-writing process. In this episode, Mary talks about how to choose a point of view, and what to look out for in third person.

    Season 3 - EP. 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 9:00


    There are a lot of book writing coaches out there these days. What should you look for in one?

    Season 3 - EP. 6

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 12:00


    When is a good time to hire a book writing coach? Here's how to know that it's the right call.

    Season 3 - EP. 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 9:00


    I had never heard the term "book writing coach" until I became one. What does a book writing coach do, and how might one benefit you?

    Season 3 - EP. 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 11:00


    You have to get a literary agent to sell your book, and for me, this was the hardest part of getting published. Here are the 5 big mistakes to avoid.

    Season 3 - EP. 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 10:00


    Ever want a writing prompt but not one written for a 12-year-old working on a Halloween story? This writing prompt generator is the only one you'll ever need to jog you out of a stuck place.

    Season 3 - EP. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 13:00


    What's a book advance, how is it paid out, and how do you get a really big one? Mary covers the last taboo in publishing: money.

    Season 3 - EP. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 12:00


    The 3 things you absolutely must have in order to write a book—at least a decent one.

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