Practical Tips & Writing Wisdom
Hi! Last newsletter I said that I'd be able to announce exciting things this month, and... Well. I lied. SORRY!! But I am *really, really* close to being able to talk about a big podcast project. You're gonna love it, I just know, so please stay tuned!
I'm writing this newsletter in a LGBTQ+ celebrating bar in Brooklyn. To my right, the Brooklyn Bridge. I haven't even been in NYC a week, but I've already conducted eight interviews (some for OG First Draft, some for ~*~*Secret New Project*~*~), and it's been enormously gratifying.
For me, 2020 is the year of going ALL IN. It felt like I was giving things my all for a long time, but thanks to a lot of concentrated soul searching in late 2019 and early this year, I have new clarity on all my projects, my passions, and the people who help me realize them. Making a conscious choice to rip away the safety net and go balls-to-the-wall felt scary for .02 seconds, but then completely right. Have you ever felt that?
I'm excited for me. I'm excited for you. There's a lot of fun stuff in this newsletter, and I promise even funner stuff is on the horizon.
Read on for...
📚 An update on my #FirstDraftReadingChallenge progress
🎧 Recent can't-miss First Draft episodes
📝 Re-discover eps with these recently-posted transcripts
✔️ Recs for ALL the media I consumed in February
💎 Plenty of links for you to buy TELL ME EVERYTHING
📚 The 2020 #FirstDraftReadingChallenge 📚
How are you guys doing on your 2020 reading goals so far? I've been doing a TON for upcoming First Draft episodes, which I love because it means reading widely. It led me to Morgan Jerkins's lauded and New York Times bestselling essay collection, THIS WILL BE MY UNDOING.
I also managed to sneak a craft book in there: READING LIKE A WRITER by Francine Prose. Fun fact: Francine is a celebrated, New York Times bestselling author who told upcoming podcast guest, TV writer and host of The Writers Panel podcast Ben Blacker, that he'd never be a writer!! Lesson: take all profoundly knowing statements made about you with some pink Himalayan salt.
🎧 Recent First Draft Episodes 🎧
📬 Mailbag: You Are Part of a Larger Conversation with Somaiya Daud and Sarah Enni
This week is another mailbag episode, where I--along with a very special guest--answer listener questions! Somaiya Daud, debut author of YA sci-fi book Mirage, and its forthcoming sequel Court of Lions, August 2020) talks about coffee shop etiquette, focusing with ADHD, and she reflects on writing for publication while earning her PhD.
Listen to our interview here, on iTunes, or on Spotify!
Jollying Yourself Along with Kate DiCamillo
Kate DiCamillo is one of six people to win two Newbery Medals, for her novels The Tale of Despereaux and Flora & Ulysses, and author of Newberry Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie, National Book Award finalist The Tiger Rising, as well as New York Times bestselling novels The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Magician’s Elephant, the Mercy Watson series, and more. DiCamillo was the U.S. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature for 2014 and 2015. Her most recent novel, Beverly, Right Here completes the trilogy of Raymie Nightingale and Louisiana’s Way Home.
Listen to our interview here, on iTunes, or on Spotify!
Love and Life in the Time of Bouncy Houses with Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed
Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Leah on the Offbeat, and co-author of What if it’s Us, and Aisha Saeed, New York Times bestselling author of Written in the Stars and Amal Unbound, teamed up to write Yes No Maybe So.
Listen to our interview here, on iTunes, or on Spotify!
Being Your Own Gatekeeper with Maggie Levin
Maggie Levin is a director and screenwriter whose debut feature, My Valentine, is out now on Hulu as part of Blumhouse’s Into the Dark horror anthology series. She worked as a director and staff writer on Season 2 of Miss 2059, and is the director of The Friendless Five and more.
Listen to our interview here, on iTunes, or on Spotify!
Maureen Johnson is
On the Case
Maureen Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of of several YA novels, including 13 Little Blue Envelopes, Suite Scarlett, The Name of the Star, and Truly Devious: A Mystery. She has also done collaborative works, such as Let It Snow (with John Green and Lauren Myracle), and The Bane Chronicles (with Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan).
Listen to our interview here, on iTunes, or on Spotify!
📝 Recently Posted Transcripts 📝
Ryan La Sala, debut author of fantasy YA novel Reverie.
Janet Varney, Emmy-Nominated actor, comedian, writer, producer, and podcaster. She has appeared in dozens of TV shows, including You’re the Worst, Take My Wife, Burning Love, Stan Against Evil, and Fortune Rookie, and the voice of Korra in The Legend of Korra.
Kyle Flynn is the keyboardist with indie rock group Father John Misty, as well as writer of television and movies.
Ruta Sepetys, #1 New York Times bestselling and Carnegie-winning author of Between Shades of Gray, Out of the Easy, and Salt to the Sea, talks about her newest novel, Fountains of Silence.
Leigh Barudgo, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shadow and Bone series, the Six of Crows duology, and the King of Scars duology, discusses her first adult novel, Ninth House.
Kass Morgan, New York Times bestselling author of The 100 and Light Years.
Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of critically acclaimed books, including Ghost, Long Way Down, and his latest, middle grade Look Both Ways.
Jen Wang, Eisner Award-winning author and illustrator of The Prince and the Dressmaker, talks about her new middle grade graphic novel, Stargazing.
📌 Recommendations 📌
🔊 Podcasts 🔊
Drag Her! A RuPaul's Drag Race Podcast Actually this is (according to them), the ONLY RuPaul's Drag Race podcast! And while that may be a dubious claim, it is IMO the funniest. With Season 12 starting IMMINENTLY, now is the time to jump on board with this fun, silly, inappropriate, amazing podcast where improv comedians, drag amateurs, and RuPaul's Drag Race superfans break down the episodes every week!
📽️ Film & TV 📽️
No-review list of television, movies & documentaries I've watched recently!
💅 ICYMI 💅
