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Drafting the Past

@draftingthepast.bsky.social
2.8K followers 676 following 324 posts

History worth reading. Book reviews, publishing news, craft essays, podcast interviews, all about nonfiction books.

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 3h
We're sharing 12 October new releases in history that we can't wait to read! And boy, was it tough to stop at twelve: www.draftingthepast.com/12-new-books... 🗃️ #booksky #skystorians What are you looking forward to reading?
draftingthepast.com
12 New Books We Want to Read This October
A few of the new histories that caught our eye this month...
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 15h
Pssst...our first book reviews drop two weeks from today. Are you subscribed yet? www.draftingthepast.com
draftingthepast.com
Drafting the Past
Reviews, craft essays, news and more for readers and writers of history.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Ever wondered what it's like to write popular histories? Kate hosted Eric Jay Dolin, author of the WRECK OF THE MENTOR (and 16 other books!), to find out. They talked about how Eric writes so much, how he thinks about structure, and gossip a little about book advances and more. buff.ly/tk7DZ4i 🗃️
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Eric Jay Dolin Never Wants to Be Bored
In Episode 115 of the Drafting the Past podcast, Kate talks with the bestselling author about making a career as a popular historian.
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Ray E. Boomhower @rboomhower.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Another excellent interview. Lots of great stuff for anyone wanting to be a writer. Caution: It isn't easy, as Mr. Dolin notes.
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Theresa Kaminski @theresakaminski.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
From @draftingthepast.bsky.social, new history books for October. 🗃️ www.draftingthepast.com/12-new-books...
draftingthepast.com
12 New Books We Want to Read This October
A few of the new histories that caught our eye this month...
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Lissa Warren @lissawarren.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Exciting to see @drstaceypatton.bsky.social's STRUNG UP: How White America Learned to Lynch Black Children on @draftingthepast.bsky.social's list of "12 New Books We Want to Read This October." Love their taste in serious-minded history books! bit.ly/4jve5Vq @beaconpress.bsky.social
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12 New Books We Want to Read This October
A few of the new histories that caught our eye this month...
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Ever wondered what it's like to write popular histories? Kate hosted Eric Jay Dolin, author of the WRECK OF THE MENTOR (and 16 other books!), to find out. They talked about how Eric writes so much, how he thinks about structure, and gossip a little about book advances and more. buff.ly/tk7DZ4i 🗃️
buff.ly
Eric Jay Dolin Never Wants to Be Bored
In Episode 115 of the Drafting the Past podcast, Kate talks with the bestselling author about making a career as a popular historian.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Find Kate's entire conversation with Catherine Grace Katz here: buff.ly/PPzNPcV #booksky #skystorians 🗃️
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Ashlee @cluesandcontext.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
I may be behind in listening to recent episodes of @draftingthepast.bsky.social, but I've been listening all along pretty much since it started. The show accompanied me this summer when I drove about 600 miles between home & a visit to the parents. So I just put my money where my ears have been.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Updated with the designer credits that I could find. If you know the three missing cover designers, let us know please!
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We picked some of our favorite nonfiction history book covers in recent memory. See what made our list and why, and tell us what you would add! www.draftingthepast.com/12-history-b... #booksky
draftingthepast.com
12 History Book Covers We Love
The covers of history books don't always stand out for their design, but these do.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New episode! Catherine Katz joins Kate to talk about her newest book, SHADOW BEFORE THE FLAME: The Hindenburg Disaster and the Prelude to War. Listen to find out how Catherine wrote a riveting book without an outline and with a writing tool she found in her mom’s basement. buff.ly/PPzNPcV #booksky
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Catherine Grace Katz Can Just Feel It
In episode 114 of the Drafting the Past podcast, the author of Shadow Before the Flame talks to Kate about her research and writing process.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
New episode! Catherine Katz joins Kate to talk about her newest book, SHADOW BEFORE THE FLAME: The Hindenburg Disaster and the Prelude to War. Listen to find out how Catherine wrote a riveting book without an outline and with a writing tool she found in her mom’s basement. buff.ly/PPzNPcV #booksky
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https://buff.ly/PPzNPcV
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Megan Kate Nelson 📚 @mkn.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I might be biased because Catherine is a former student of mine, but this interview with @katecarp.bsky.social for @draftingthepast.bsky.social is fantastic. Take a listen! www.draftingthepast.com/catherine-gr...
draftingthepast.com
Catherine Grace Katz Can Just Feel It
In episode 114 of the Drafting the Past podcast, the author of Shadow Before the Flame talks to Kate about her research and writing process.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
New episode! Catherine Katz joins Kate to talk about her newest book, SHADOW BEFORE THE FLAME: The Hindenburg Disaster and the Prelude to War. Listen to find out how Catherine wrote a riveting book without an outline and with a writing tool she found in her mom’s basement. buff.ly/PPzNPcV #booksky
buff.ly
https://buff.ly/PPzNPcV
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Hayden L. Nelson 🌲🐺🦫🔥🪵 @haydenlnelson.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Get yours today from @univpressofkansas.bsky.social here: kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700641994/ And check out the recent @draftingthepast.bsky.social episode featuring editors/contributors Tai Edwards and Charlee Huffman!
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Ooh, it's here! www.nationalbook.org/longlist-for...
nationalbook.org
Longlist for the 2026 National Book Award for Nonfiction - National Book Foundation
The ten contenders for the National Book Award for Nonfiction The National Book Foundation today announced the Longlist for the 2026 National Book Award for Nonfiction with The New Yorker. The Finalists in all five categories will be revealed on Tuesday, October 6 with the New York Times; Winners will be announced live at the 77th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. For more information and to register to watch the livestream, please visit nationalbook.org/awards. The 2026 Nonfiction Longlist includes emerging and established writers, and features works of criticism, reportage, memoir, science writing, and more. Nine of the authors on the 2026 Nonfiction Longlist are first-time National Book Award honorees, and one has been previously honored: Camonghne Felix, a Longlister for the 2019 National Book Award for Poetry for her collection Build Yourself a Boat. This year’s Longlist includes Fellows from the Guggenheim Foundation, the … Continue reading "Longlist for the 2026 National Book Award for Nonfiction"
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Anyone else constantly refreshing the @nationalbook.bsky.social website today while we wait for the nonfiction longlist to drop?
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PHANZA Professional Historians of New Zealand / Aotearoa @phanza.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Congrats to PHANZA member Jared Davidson @anrchivist.bsky.social who gave a great interview to @draftingthepast.bsky.social about how his experience as an archivist helps him uncover overlooked histories. He's also the first NZ historian to feature on the show! Listen online or your fav podcast app
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This podcast ep is about a book that's hard to define! Kate talked to editors Tai Edwards and Charlee Huffman on the collab to create Shokhí (@univpressofkansas.bsky.social), a book that's part history, part account of activism, part poetry and more. Listen: www.draftingthepast.com/tai-edwards-... 🗃️
draftingthepast.com
Tai Edwards and Charlee Huffman Let the Land Tell the Story
In episode 113 of the Drafting the Past podcast, Kate Carpenter interviews the authors and editors of a collective history.
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Benjamin L. Clark @benjaminlclark.com · 15/09/2026
If you're a professional historian in any capacity, you'll want to check this out. If you want to nerd out over behind-the-scenes nuts-and-bolts of *doing* history, this is also for you.
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Josh Lappen @jlappen1.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I've been listening to Drafting the Past for years - it's rare to have an open, field-wide venue for discussing historical methods in such granularity and with such love. You should subscribe!
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Jeva Lange 🫎 @jeva.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Never hit subscribe so fast. Does this exist just for me???
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Confession: we're aiming for 1,000 subscribers before our first book reviews go live in 4 weeks! If you're not already subscribed, what are you waiting for? If you are, please share! Together, we're creating a home for nonfiction history books and the people who love them. www.draftingthepast.com
draftingthepast.com
Drafting the Past
Reviews, craft essays, news and more for readers and writers of history.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This podcast ep is about a book that's hard to define! Kate talked to editors Tai Edwards and Charlee Huffman on the collab to create Shokhí (@univpressofkansas.bsky.social), a book that's part history, part account of activism, part poetry and more. Listen: www.draftingthepast.com/tai-edwards-... 🗃️
draftingthepast.com
Tai Edwards and Charlee Huffman Let the Land Tell the Story
In episode 113 of the Drafting the Past podcast, Kate Carpenter interviews the authors and editors of a collective history.
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David M. Perry @lollardfish.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Note: unlike other people in the public humanities space, they pay their writers. I recommend.* *me. I wrote a thing.
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Adam M. Sowards @adamsowards.net · 10/09/2026
A good investment, or rather, an investment in something good. Please considering becoming a Founding Member for Drafting the Past.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
These are a bit cheeky, but in all seriousness we invite you to become a Founding Member of Drafting the Past, if you're in the position to do so. If you believe in our mission to bring more attention to history books, joining this limited time special group is an amazing way to invest. 1/
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Passing Strange At Present @chimaera.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Hey readers, Drafting takes you to Bookshop.org where you can prowl through all their fascinating recommendations! Very tidy, great stuff, recommended.
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Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 09/09/2026
Not to brag, but our product has been foldable since 1828.
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Jared Davidson @anrchivist.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
So thrilled to have been featured on Drafting the Past. If you like hearing about *how* people write and organise their craft (as well as geek out on books), this is the podcast for you
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
New Zealand archivist and indie historian Jared Davidson @anrchivist.bsky.social joined Kate to talk about his punk ethos, writing around his day job, and how he finds evidence to write about the oppressed and overlooked in his home country, incl in his new book BLOOD & DIRT. buff.ly/k8zhJzw
Podcast episode graphic. On a yellow background, text reads Episode 112: Jared Davidson. There is also a quote from the episode: "Even though I'm writing narrative nonfiction and bringing people along with the story, there is a deeper, rigorous, and often political argument through the book as well." On the right, a cutout image of Jared with his arms folded across his chest, looking at the viewer. The Drafting the Past podcast logo of a burrowing owl wearing headphones and standing on a stack of books is in the lower left corner.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
New Zealand archivist and indie historian Jared Davidson @anrchivist.bsky.social joined Kate to talk about his punk ethos, writing around his day job, and how he finds evidence to write about the oppressed and overlooked in his home country, incl in his new book BLOOD & DIRT. buff.ly/k8zhJzw
Podcast episode graphic. On a yellow background, text reads Episode 112: Jared Davidson. There is also a quote from the episode: "Even though I'm writing narrative nonfiction and bringing people along with the story, there is a deeper, rigorous, and often political argument through the book as well." On the right, a cutout image of Jared with his arms folded across his chest, looking at the viewer. The Drafting the Past podcast logo of a burrowing owl wearing headphones and standing on a stack of books is in the lower left corner.
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Erika Is Still Writing @bluetit24.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Listening to @laurenworking.bsky.social talking about her book A GOLDEN WORLD - recommended 💛
Picture of the book “A GOLDEN WORLD: How the Americas Transformed Renaissance England” by Lauren Working
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
We made a few updates to our "pitch us" page for potential reviewers in an effort to save our sanity/inboxes. www.draftingthepast.com/pitch-us/
draftingthepast.com
Pitch Us
If you want to write a book review, want us to review your book, or want to be a guest on the podcast, please follow the guidelines below.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
In case you missed it, we're adding to your September TBR with some intriguing books we spotted coming out this month: www.draftingthepast.com/books-were-l... #booksky #skystorians 🗃️
draftingthepast.com
New History Books We're Looking Forward to in September
Ten history books coming out this month that caught our eye
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Kate Carpenter @katecarp.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I have a meeting with a merch co today for @draftingthepast.bsky.social and I'm getting excited about the possibilities! We've got hats coming for member-plus subscribers, and exclusive totes for founding members. What else do you want to see? Personally, I'm dying for a cozy writing sweatshirt.
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
We're six weeks away from publishing our first reviews, and we're already overwhelmed by the incredible books coming out. Here are 10 history books that we're excited to read in September--not including the ones we're covering in reviews/interviews! www.draftingthepast.com/books-were-l... #booksky 🗃️
draftingthepast.com
New History Books We're Looking Forward to in September
Ten history books coming out this month that caught our eye
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
New! Kate talked to @laurenworking.bsky.social abt her vibrant book A GOLDEN WORLD and the pleasures and frustrations of writing history through objects. Lauren shared advice about evoking the sensory experience of objects (even those long gone) on the page. www.draftingthepast.com/lauren-worki... 🗃️
draftingthepast.com
Lauren Working Communes with the Objects
In episode 111 of the Drafting the Past podcast, Kate Carpenter interviews Dr. Lauren Working about how she used objects to tell a new history of England and the Americas in the sixteenth and seventee...
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Have you subscribed? Join us and don't miss the first book reviews in your inbox when they drop October 13! www.draftingthepast.com#/portal
Burrowing owl illustration on yellow background with text that reads "I want YOU to be a subscriber"Text: Subscribe at any level! Free: weekly book reviews direct to your inbox *first newsletter on October 13*. Member ($50/year): reviews and Friday exclusives to your inbox, ad-free podcast, newsletter and website, ability to comment on posts. Member plus ($100/year): all of the above + a logo hat and invitations to exclusive events. And for a limited time only...Text: Founding member ($300 one-time): all of the above, exclusive "founding member" logo tote bag, and invitation to a quarterly advisory conversation."
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Rick Jobs @richardivanjobs.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Steven and I had a great conversation with Kate about process, collaboration, writing, drawing, reading, and the Avatar Rick origin story! Give it a listen and please share. 🗃️🏺 #skystorians
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
On the podcast, Kate talked to @richardivanjobs.bsky.social and @stevenvanwolputte.bsky.social about their genre-defying IN THE LAND OF THE LACANDON. Hear about creating graphic history, exploring what's possible in history narratives, and collaborating. www.draftingthepast.com/richard-ivan... 🗃️
draftingthepast.com
Richard Ivan Jobs and Steven Van Wolputte Figure It Out As They Go
Episode 110 of the Drafting the Past podcast
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Maura Elizabeth Cunningham @mauracunningham.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I always enjoy @draftingthepast.bsky.social episodes on new books, but I'd love to see more like this one with @astanley711.bsky.social, in which she looks back with a few year's distance on her magnificent 2020 book, STRANGER IN THE SHOGUN'S CITY.
draftingthepast.com
Amy Stanley Would Rather Be Writing
Episode 108 of the Drafting the Past podcast
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
We're taking pitches for freelance book reviews! Find all the details here: www.draftingthepast.com/pitch-us/
draftingthepast.com
Pitch Us
If you want to write a book review, want us to review your book, or want to be a guest on the podcast, please follow the guidelines below.
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Megan Kate Nelson 📚 @mkn.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Calling all nonfiction history reviewers! Write for us at @draftingthepast.bsky.social! cc: @katecarp.bsky.social
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Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her) @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
I loved this episode and loved the book, which I read a couple of years ago. It was inspiring to hear how Amy decided to launch herself at the hard tasks at the edge of her existing expertise, and thus expanded the horizons of what she could do. 🗃
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
In case you caught it during our outage, draftingthepast.com is back up! Huge shout out to the folks at Reclaim Hosting and their fantastic support team.
draftingthepast.com
Drafting the Past
Reviews, craft essays, news and more for readers and writers of history.
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Ben Gross @bhgross144.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
This afternoon’s #histSTM hammock read: Jessica Riskin’s new biography of Lamarck! Listen to Riskin discuss her writing process in this @draftingthepast.bsky.social interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdrh... #histSTM #histbio #booksky 📚🗃️📜
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Kate Carpenter @katecarp.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Plus, how she stuck it out when her first biography took 20 years ...
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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
This week on the DTP podcast, award-winning biographer Megan Marshall talked to Kate about how she helps readers see the world through her subjects' eyes, how she structured her books, and her recent turn to essays. www.draftingthepast.com/megan-marsha... 🗃️ #booksky @biographersintl.bsky.social
draftingthepast.com
Episode 109: Megan Marshall on Writing About Exemplary Lives
In Episode 109 of the Drafting the Past podcast, Kate Carpenter interviews award-winning biographer Megan Marshall
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