The First Draft Club

By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach
  • 4.9 (121)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

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 podcast is now your weekly coffee date on your journey to finish your first draft. Visit maryadkinswriter.com for more resources.

  1. 6d ago

    S11 E05 Rufi Thorpe and I Talk About How, Why, and What We Teach (Part 2)

    This is Part 2 of Mary's conversation with Rufi Thorpe, where they finally try to take on the question everyone in this world pretends is already settled: can writing actually be taught?  Mary and Rufi get into what they think genuinely is teachable — permission to chase your obsessions, the "rules" of story that work more like physics than commandments, the tools of craft — and what isn't: taste, the courage to sit in the mess of a bad first draft, whatever it is that gives a story its blood and heart. Rufi also makes the case that teaching craft this way, stripped of mystique, is actually a feminist act — that refusing to treat writing as some untouchable, born-with-it talent is its own kind of empowerment, especially for the writers (moms, career-changers, anyone without three years and $100k for an MFA) that traditional programs weren't built for.  And they get honest about the fear that comes with being someone's teacher: how do you hand a writer tools without accidentally handing them your taste instead? Rufi Thorpe is the author of the novels The Knockout Queen (a PEN/Faulkner Finalist), Dear Fang, With Love, The Girls from Corona del Mar (longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize and the First Novel Prize), and Margo's Got Money Troubles (a finalist for the 2024 Kirkus Prize for Fiction, winner of the Clark Fiction Prize, and now an Apple TV+ miniseries).  She grew up in Southern California, got her MFA in Creative Writing from UVA, and taught academic writing before joining The Book Incubator, where she and Mary share the belief that writing is a teachable skill — not a rare gift, but something anyone who loves stories can learn. She lives in California with her husband, two sons, and a highly opinionated bull terrier named Coco. Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com. Want to watch the video episodes? Visit https://www.youtube.com/@maryadkins Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator  Happy writing! — Mary ======================== RESOURCES: Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator with no obligation to enroll and get my free training HOW TO WRITE AN (ACTUALLY) GOOD BOOK IN 45 MINUTES A DAY: https://www.thebookincubator.com/ A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel: https://www.thebookincubator.com/novel-in-52-prompts ======================== Hi, I'm Mary! I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025. My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!).  When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV. ======================== Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book.incubator

  2. Jul 29

    S11 E04 Rufi Thorpe and I Talk About How, Why, and What We Teach (Part 1)

    If you've ever wondered whether creative writing can actually be taught—or felt discouraged by a workshop, MFA program, or critique group—this conversation is for you. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Mary Adkins sits down with bestselling novelist and Book Incubator instructor Rufi Thorpe to unpack the writing education they wish they'd had. They discuss why traditional workshop models often fall short, what makes great writing instruction, and why no teacher can tell you whether you "have what it takes" to become a writer. Whether you're just starting your first novel or deep into revisions, this episode offers an honest look at what actually helps writers grow. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why many creative writing workshops fail to teach craft • How teaching has made both Mary and Rufi better novelists • Why talent is overrated—and persistence matters more • How to identify what makes your writing uniquely yours • Why commercial and literary fiction have more in common than most people think This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss Part 2, where Mary and Rufi discuss what *can't* be taught about writing, the biggest fears they have as writing teachers, their favorite writing advice, and why revision isn't what most writers think it is. Rufi Thorpe is the author of the novels The Knockout Queen (Pen/Faulkner Finalist); Dear Fang, With Love; The Girls from Corona Del Mar (long listed for Dylan Thomas Prize & First Novel Prize); and Margo’s Got Money Troubles (finalist for the 2024 Kirkus Prize for Fiction, winner of the Clark Fiction Prize, and now an AppleTV mini-series). She's also the revision instructor inside The Book Incubator. Come learn from Rufi! thebookincubator.com Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com. Want to watch the video episodes? Visit https://www.youtube.com/@maryadkins Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator  Happy writing! — Mary ======================== RESOURCES: + Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator with no obligation to enroll and get my free training HOW TO WRITE AN (ACTUALLY) GOOD BOOK IN 45 MINUTES A DAY: https://www.thebookincubator.com/ + A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel: https://www.thebookincubator.com/novel-in-52-prompts  ======================== Hi, I'm Mary! I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025. My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!).  When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV. ======================== Social: + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book.incubator ========================

  3. Jul 22

    S11 E03 Redefining “Success” as a Writer and Author: Interview with Crime Novelist & Fellow Texan Mary Lowry

    Mary Pauline Lowry is a crime writer and fellow Texan who just published her debut novel LAST NIGHT WAS KILLER. In this interview, we talk about what success actually looks like when you're a working writer. In this episode, Mary Pauline shares: • The messy reality of publication week • How she found a funny voice in crime writing • What "literary citizenship" actually means  • Why having a writer community is everything • The honest truth about writing visibility and "platform" If you're writing because you think success looks a certain way, this episode might change your mind...in a good way. You can find Mary Pauline's new book, LAST NIGHT WAS KILLER, here: http://harpercollins.com/products/last-night-was-killer-mary-pauline-lowry Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com. Want to watch the video episodes? Visit https://www.youtube.com/@maryadkins Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator  Happy writing! — Mary ======================== RESOURCES: + Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator with no obligation to enroll and get my free training HOW TO WRITE AN (ACTUALLY) GOOD BOOK IN 45 MINUTES A DAY: https://www.thebookincubator.com/ + A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel: https://www.thebookincubator.com/novel-in-52-prompts  ======================== Hi, I'm Mary! I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025. My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!).  When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV. ======================== Social: + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book.incubator

  4. Jul 15

    S11 E02 Hey Plot-Haters! This Just In: People Only Change

    I used to hold two competing ideas in my head. I believed "people don't change"—I sort of prided myself on this vaguely cynical outlook. But then I'd teach the definition of story, which is that a story is about someone changing.  So I harbored this two-clause belief: people mostly don't change, but stories are about when they do. But in practice, it meany that making a character change on the page was always uphill. It felt like dragging a kid who refuses to walk. If you believe people don't change, but your job as a writer is to make them, there's always inertia. Then I had an epiphany on the train, which is what brought about this episode. Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com. Want to watch the video episodes? Visit https://www.youtube.com/@maryadkins Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator  Happy writing! — Mary ======================== RESOURCES: + A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel: https://www.thebookincubator.com/novel-in-52-prompts  + Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator with no obligation to enroll and get my free 60-minute training! https://www.thebookincubator.com/ ======================== Hi, I'm Mary! I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025. My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!).  When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV. ======================== Social: + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book.incubator

  5. Jul 8

    S11 E01 How I Deal with Rejection and Negative Feedback: Why “Thick Skin” Isn’t Realistic or Helpful

    Let’s talk about what all of us face as writers, all the time: disappointing reactions to our work. I'm talking about more than just rejections from agents or publishers. I mean ALL of it—the negative feedback from people who read our work as we’re writing it. The negative reviews that come in after it’s published. And yes, the rejections that come as we’re pitching it. All over the internet, you'll find admonishments to aspiring authors and authors to have thick skin, reminders that rejection is part of the process. And it IS. Rejection and negative feedback are baked into the process at ALL stages of being writer, which is why, today, I wanted to do a deep dive into how to actually deal with it, psychologically. Not “let it roll off” or “cultivate thick skin,” because honestly, those have never worked for me. How do we handle all the disappointing responses to our work when we are thin-skinned writers who will always keep putting our work out there, because we love it, and we love the work and connecting with people and aren’t going to give up our dream? THAT’S what I want to talk about today. • Why "having thick skin" is overrated advice • The difference between feedback that matters and feedback you can ignore • How to tell if a critique actually has something legitimate in it (and what to do if it does) • The cost of every creative choice • The bigger reason we write books in the first place Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com. Want to watch the video episodes? Visit https://www.youtube.com/@maryadkins Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator Happy writing! — Mary ======================== RESOURCES: + Learn my Four Notebooks Method & get your free template: http://bit.ly/3wGmMTc + A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel: https://www.thebookincubator.com/novel-in-52-prompts + Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator in just 5 minutes with no obligation to enroll and get my free 60-minute training HOW TO WRITE YOUR DREAM BOOK WITH A FULL-TIME JOB (AND A LIFE): https://bit.ly/3wEwrJQ ======================== Hi, I'm Mary! I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025. My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!). When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV. ======================== Social: + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book.incubator

  6. Jul 1

    S10 E24 How to Write a Great Query Letter: Interview with Hannah Brattesani, our New In-House Literary Agent at The Book Incubator

    This is the season finale of The First Draft Club—and we have huge news. The Book Incubator has a new in-house literary agent! Her name is Hannah Brattesani. She's worked at the Friedrich Agency and Folio Literary Management and is now at Simon & Schuster. She's represented some of the best writers writing today. And now she's on our team to help you turn your manuscript into a sellable pitch. In this episode, Hannah reveals: • The #1 mistake she sees in query letters (and how to fix it) • Why your comp titles matter more than you think • A framework from Pixar that will change how you write your logline • How to figure out if your book is "commercial" or "literary"—and why it matters • What agents actually look for when they open your email • The truth about rejections • The one piece of querying advice she disagrees with If you're thinking about querying agents, or you will be someday, this episode is essential listening. Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com. Want to watch the video episodes? Visit https://www.youtube.com/@maryadkins Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator  Happy writing! — Mary ======================== RESOURCES: + Learn my Four Notebooks Method & get your free template: http://bit.ly/3wGmMTc + A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel: https://www.thebookincubator.com/novel-in-52-prompts  + Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator in just 5 minutes with no obligation to enroll and get my free 60-minute training HOW TO WRITE YOUR DREAM BOOK WITH A FULL-TIME JOB (AND A LIFE): https://bit.ly/3wEwrJQ ======================== Hi, I'm Mary! I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025. My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!).  When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV. ======================== Social: + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book.incubator

  7. Jun 24

    S10 E23 Hearing “No” is Part of the Process: How 150+ Rejections Led to a "Big 5" Book Deal at Auction

    Stephanie Webb, our marketing director at The Book Incubator, just got a dream book deal with Simon & Schuster. But it didn't come easily—or quickly. In this episode, we talk about: • Why rejection is completely baked into publishing • The psychology of almost quitting (and why it happens right before the breakthrough) • The one editor's insight that changed everything • How book auctions actually work • The query letter that got her a literary agent Find Stephanie Webb and hear more about her writing journey on Instagram @heystephwebb : https://www.instagram.com/heystephwebb/ Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com. Want to watch the video episodes? Visit https://www.youtube.com/@maryadkins Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator  Happy writing! — Mary ======================== RESOURCES: + Learn my Four Notebooks Method & get your free template: http://bit.ly/3wGmMTc + A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel: https://www.thebookincubator.com/novel-in-52-prompts  + Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator in just 5 minutes with no obligation to enroll and get my free 60-minute training HOW TO WRITE YOUR DREAM BOOK WITH A FULL-TIME JOB (AND A LIFE): https://bit.ly/3wEwrJQ ======================== Hi, I'm Mary! I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025. My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!).  When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV. ======================== Social: + Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book.incubator ======================== #writingtips #bookwriting  #writer #authortube

  8. Jun 17

    S10 E22 When to Tell and When to Show: Lessons from Rufi Thorpe & Shel Silverstein

    Of all the writing adages I tend to whine about, "show, don't tell" is probably at the top of the list—because it just isn't true. Good writing involves plenty of telling. The actual craft question is: When is it best to tell, and when is it best to show? My colleague Rufi Thorpe—author of Margo's Got Money Troubles and the best writing teacher I've ever had—came up with an amazing answer. And that's what this episode is all about. Love the show? Share it with a fellow writer or leave a review! For more resources, visit thebookincubator.com. Want to watch the video episodes? Visit https://www.youtube.com/@maryadkins Let's connect! Come say hi on Instagram: @book.incubator  Happy writing! — Mary ======================== RESOURCES: Learn my Four Notebooks Method & get your free template: http://bit.ly/3wGmMTc A Novel in 52 Prompts - A scene-by-scene blueprint for writing your novel: https://www.thebookincubator.com/novel-in-52-prompts Ready to write your dream book? Apply for The Book Incubator in just 5 minutes with no obligation to enroll and get my free 60-minute training HOW TO WRITE YOUR DREAM BOOK WITH A FULL-TIME JOB (AND A LIFE): https://bit.ly/3wEwrJQ ======================== Hi, I'm Mary! I'm the author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick and “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read”), and Palm Beach (New York Post “Best Book of 2021” and “like a sandy beach, equal parts beautiful and uncomfortable” according to the Associated Press). My memoir, You Might Feel A Little Pressure, was released by Third Rail Press in 2025. My books have been published in 13 countries, and I've written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. I founded an MFA-alternative, The Book Incubator, which has now helped hundreds of writers finish their books over 12 months and continues supporting them through publication (yes, forever!).  When I’m not writing, I’m probably building a fort with my 7-year-old son Finn or bathing with an overpriced Lush bath bomb. I live in Dallas, where I spend my free time trying to domesticate a stubborn tabby and shamelessly watching reality TV. ======================== Social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/book.incubator

See All (168)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
121 Ratings

About

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 podcast is now your weekly coffee date on your journey to finish your first draft. Visit maryadkinswriter.com for more resources.

Information

  • Creator
    By Mary Adkins | Author & Book Writing Coach
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The First Draft Club

You Might Also Like