Courtney Summers - author of SOME GIRLS ARE, CRACKED UP TO BE, ALL THE RAGE, and more - breaks down getting published with her spite novel, consistently wanting it all, writing a book that fits around a feeling, and never really moving on from her books.
Margaret Stohl 2.0
Join me for a second go-round with Margaret Stohl, New York Times best-selling co-author of the Beautiful Creatures series and the YA adaptations of Marvel’s Black Widow, whose most recent novel, Royce Rolls, is out now! We discuss writing this book as a joke, the Kardashians as a delivery system, the reverse-outlining method, and overcoming inherited ways of thinking.
Sara Zarr
Listen to YA superstar Sara Zarr (whose newest novel, GEM & DIXIE, is out now!) talk about the first time she encountered “smart” as an epithet, getting career advice from Chris Crutcher, and very nearly giving up on writing altogether.
Arden Rose
Hang with me and YouTube star, actress, and debut author Arden Rose (ALMOST ADULTING is out now!) about the sometimes insidious nature of the beauty industry, things we wish we could tell our younger selves, the scourge of tribalism, and more!
Kayla Cagan
Kayla Cagan, whose debut novel PIPER PERISH is out now, on fighting the green monster, the ultimatum that led to her first book deal, and how she wrote a book one day at a time (30 minutes a day).
North Texas Teen Book Festival Special Episode
The 100th episode of the First Draft podcast—wow!! Several of the amazing authors who attended the North Texas Teen Book Festival answer lightning-round questions from listeners!
Sarah Nicole Lemon
Get a hot weather beverage and relax on a porch with me and Sarah Nicole Lemon, whose debut novel DONE DIRT CHEAP (out now!) talks about being a 14-year-old high school junior, writing books in secret, motorcycle clubs, and Appalachian female revenge.
Special Episode with Sara of Adventures in YA
A special co-episode with Sara from Adventures in YA where we talk about the podcasting process. Sara and I discuss our equipment, software, workflow, and promo processes, and touch a bit on feeling like we’re shouting into the void, and also tips for moderating at book festivals and other events.
Lilliam Rivera
Renée Watson
The super-savvy, super-smart author Renée Watson (her most recent young adult novel, PIECING ME TOGETHER, is out now!) and founder of the I, Too Arts Collective, talks taking herself seriously as a writer from a young age, creative therapy for young people, and finding people who are about something.










