The First Draft Club

This episode originally aired on 1/14/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. 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. (Video link: https://youtu.be/gcgLvai4wYk)

The 3 things you absolutely must have in order to write a book—at least a decent one. (Video link: https://youtu.be/kdoRLY27Too)

This episode originally aired on 1/7/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. The 3 things you absolutely must have in order to write a book—at least a decent one. (Video link: https://youtu.be/kdoRLY27Too )

Can you write a whole novel draft on the Notes app on your phone? Sure—Gertrude Stein basically did.

This episode originally aired on 12/18/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Can you write a whole novel draft on the Notes app on your phone? Sure—Gertrude Stein basically did.

Mary covers all aspects of selling your book, from getting a literary agent to signing the contract.

This episode originally aired on 12/11/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary covers all aspects of selling your book, from getting a literary agent to signing the contract.

Feedback is critical, but not until the right time. Ask too early, and it can derail you. In this episode, Mary covers when, who, and how to ask for feedback on your book draft.

This episode originally aired on 12/4/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Feedback is critical, but not until the right time. Ask too early, and it can derail you. In this episode, Mary covers when, who, and how to ask for feedback on your book draft.

Revising is necessary, but not a hundred times. In this episode, Mary talks about how to nail a solid first draft so that revising isn't a nightmare.

This episode originally aired on 11/27/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Revising is necessary, but not a hundred times. In this episode, Mary talks about how to nail a solid first draft so that revising isn't a nightmare.

To publish with a publisher, you'll likely have to get a literary agent, which requires querying them. This episode has some bad news and some good news (you're not alone).

This episode originally aired on 11/20/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. To publish with a publisher, you'll likely have to get a literary agent, which requires querying them. This episode has some bad news and some good news (you're not alone).

In this episode, Mary talks about how to know when a draft is done, and how even after a book is published, she keeps editing.

This episode originally aired on 11/13/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In this episode, Mary talks about how to know when a draft is done, and how even after a book is published, she keeps editing.

Ever heard of these writing devices? If not, don't worry—you'll learn in this episode.

This episode originally aired on 11/6/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Ever heard of these writing devices? If not, don't worry—you'll learn in this episode.

Mary gets trolled, feels insecure, and talks about what insecurity means...and what it doesn't.

This episode originally aired on 10/30/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary gets trolled, feels insecure, and talks about what insecurity means...and what it doesn't.

In this episode, Mary navigates the murky world of balancing fact and fiction when your fiction is set in a world like our own.

This episode originally aired on 10/23/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In this episode, Mary navigates the murky world of balancing fact and fiction when your fiction is set in a world like our own.

Mary shares her inverted pyramid guide to researching for a novel and talks about why she does all her best research after 3 p.m.

This episode originally aired on 10/16/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. Mary shares her inverted pyramid guide to researching for a novel and talks about why she does all her best research after 3 p.m.

In this episode, Mary talks about juggling projects, following creativity's lead, and The Bachelorette.

This episode originally aired on 10/9/2020. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. In this episode, Mary talks about juggling projects, following creativity's lead, and The Bachelorette.