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 of 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 Conver

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 Unsin

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, illustr

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 v

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

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.

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!