By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach

The First Draft Club

Arts EN ↓ 177 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.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: thefirstdraftclub.podbean.com

Author

By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach

Episodes

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).

How do I know when my draft is done? 13.11.2020 15:40

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.

S02 E07 How do I know when my draft is done? [Reissue] 13.11.2020 15:40

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.

How do I effectively use the devices Red Herrings and Macguffins? 06.11.2020 16:09

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

S02 E06 How do I effectively use the devices Red Herrings and Macguffins? [Reissue] 06.11.2020 16:09

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.

How do I write when I feel so insecure? 30.10.2020 10:59

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

S02 E05 How do I write when I feel so insecure? [Reissue] 30.10.2020 10:59

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.

How accurate do the real-world places in my novel need to be? 23.10.2020 11:46

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

S02 E04 How accurate do the real-world places in my novel need to be? [Reissue] 23.10.2020 11:46

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.

When should I hit "pause" on writing to research more? 16.10.2020 11:53

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.

S02 E03 When should I hit “pause” on writing to research more? [Reissue] 16.10.2020 11:53

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.

Is it bad to start a new book before I finish writing this one? 09.10.2020 9:21

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

S02 E02 Is it bad to start a new book before I finish writing this one? [Reissue] 09.10.2020 9:21

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.