By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach

The First Draft Club

Arts EN ↓ 164 episodes

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.

Author

By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach

Episodes

S03 E08 How to Choose a Point of View for Your Novel [Reissue] 25.02.2021 15:26

This episode originally aired on 2/25/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. 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. (Video link: https://youtu.be/5Z9l7_YFKMU)

How to Choose a Book Writing Coach 18.02.2021 9:22

There are a lot of book writing coaches out there these days. What should you look for in one? (Video link: https://youtu.be/sfLpylT_x38)

S03 E07 How to Choose a Book Writing Coach [Reissue] 18.02.2021 9:22

This episode originally aired on 2/18/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. There are a lot of book writing coaches out there these days. What should you look for in one? (Video link: https://youtu.be/sfLpylT_x38)

4 Signs You're Ready to Hire a Book Writing Coach 11.02.2021 12:08

When is a good time to hire a book writing coach? Here's how to know that it's the right call. (Video link: https://youtu.be/OL1SAbCriaY)

S03 E06 4 Signs You’re Ready to Hire a Book Writing Coach [Reissue] 11.02.2021 12:08

This episode originally aired on 2/11/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. When is a good time to hire a book writing coach? Here's how to know that it's the right call. (Video link: https://youtu.be/OL1SAbCriaY)

What does a book writing coach do? 04.02.2021 9:45

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? (Video link: https://youtu.be/7aK7hKUntAo)

S03 E05 What does a book writing coach do? [Reissue] 04.02.2021 9:45

This episode originally aired on 2/4/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. 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? (Video link: https://youtu.be/7aK7hKUntAo)

How to Get a Literary Agent: 5 Don't's 28.01.2021 11:14

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. (Video link: https://youtu.be/LQJQyeIAXo8)

S03 E04 How to Get a Literary Agent: 5 Don’t’s [Reissue] 28.01.2021 11:14

This episode originally aired on 1/28/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. 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. (Video link: https://youtu.be/LQJQyeIAXo8)

The Writing Generator for People Who Aren't in 7th Grade 21.01.2021 10:22

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. (Video link: https://youtu.be/_EbYSgRlMGU)

S03 E03 The Writing Generator for People Who Aren’t in 7th Grade [Reissue] 21.01.2021 10:22

This episode originally aired on 1/21/2021. Due to a technical issue with Apple Podcasts deleting our episodes, this is a repost. New episodes will not have this notice. 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. (Video link: https://youtu.be/_EbYSgRlM...

How much can an author expect to make on a book? 14.01.2021 13:46

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)

S03 E02 How much can an author expect to make on a book? [Reissue] 14.01.2021 13:46

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)

Can anyone write a book? 07.01.2021 12:22

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

S03 E01 Can anyone write a book? [Reissue] 07.01.2021 12:22

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 I write a whole novel draft on my phone? 18.12.2020 10:04

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

S02 E12 Can I write a whole novel draft on my phone? [Reissue] 18.12.2020 10:04

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.

What's a book auction? 11.12.2020 15:46

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

S02 E11 What’s a book auction? [Reissue] 11.12.2020 15:46

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.

When—and from whom—should I solicit feedback? 04.12.2020 12:08

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.

S02 E10 When—and from whom—should I solicit feedback? [Reissue] 04.12.2020 12:08

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.

How do I write a solid first draft? 27.11.2020 11:52

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.

S02 E09 How do I write a solid first draft? [Reissue] 27.11.2020 11:52

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.

How many literary agents am I going to have to query? 20.11.2020 9:30

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).

S02 E08 How many literary agents am I going to have to query? [Reissue] 20.11.2020 9:30

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).