The First Draft Club

How many literary agents am I going to have to query?

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]

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?

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]

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?

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]

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?

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]

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?

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]

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.