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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 12h

Kate is here with an unboxing video of hats and totes for some of our subscriber levels! Want one of your own? You know what to do: www.draftingthepast.com#/portal

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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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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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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

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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"

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

DRAFTING THE PAST is expanding! Together, @katecarp.bsky.social and @mkn.bsky.social are creating a website and newsletter devoted to nonfiction history books. You'll find book reviews, craft essays, author interviews, publishing news, and more--plus the podcast you already know and love. 🗃️ 1/

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Hey! Drafting the Past is currently #200 on Apple Podcasts' history chart! I know this probably does not seem impressive to you (fair), but is an extremely big deal to me, so I'm celebrating!

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

How do I get this set up for my holidays??

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Find our full conversation here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Ep 75! I talked with @jlepler.bsky.social about her new book, CANAL DREAMERS, from (@uncpress.bsky.social). I loved hearing how she first started researching this book alongside her dissertation, and how she has supported other academics writing second books! draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

New! Listen to my interview w/ Mary Frances Phillips about her book BLACK PANTHER WOMAN (@nyupress.bsky.social), how the dissertation and book dramatically differ, and the tools she uses, from tech to office supplies. I love how she thinks about play in her process. draftingthepast.com?p=2789

Podcast graphic with a photograph of a smiling woman with very short black hair, glasses, and hoop earrings. Text on the right reads "Drafting the Past Episode 74: Mary Frances Phillips."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

New! I talked with Tyler Anbinder about his approach to writing and revising--plus, you'll learn about the person who told this celebrated historian he would never write trade book! We dug into his newest book, PLENTIFUL COUNTRY (@littlebrown.bsky.social). Listen: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast episode graphic. On the left, a smiling man wearing glasses and a blazer and collared shift. Text on the right reads: Drafting the Past Episode 73: Tyler Anbinder.

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

New! I had great fun talking w/ @drjoannepaul.bsky.social about how she embraces creativity and artistry and how she writes vividly about Tudor history. If you've ever dreamed of writing a history that reads almost like a novel, you're going to love this episode. draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast episode graphic with a photograph of a woman with brown hair looking toward the camera at an angle, smiling slightly. On the right, teal text reads "Drafting the Past Episode 72: Joanne Paul."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

New! I spoke with Raphael Cormack about his book Holy Men of the Electromagnetic Age (@wwnorton.com). Listen to find out how one historian wrestles with myth, unreliable (or inaccessible) sources, & what he's learned about writing from his mother (you may have heard of her). tinyurl.com/raphcormack

Podcast graphic with an image of a man wearing glasses and curly hair with a slight smile on the left, and text that reads "Drafting the Past Episode 71: Raphael Cormack" on a teal background on the right.

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

So fun to chat w/ @tracyslater.bsky.social about TOGETHER IN MANZANAR! Learn how she found her way to narrative history & how she stays with her characters as she tells their story. She also made me blush talking abt how podcasts are part of her writing community draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast graphic image. On the left is a photograph of a smiling blond woman, and on the right teal text reads "Drafting the Past Episode 70: Tracy Slater."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

Episodes two weeks in a row?! That should tell you how much great stuff there is. I was so happy to get to talk to @andrewhartman.bsky.social about KARL MARX IN AMERICA (@uchicagopress.bsky.social) and how he keeps going in the writing "grind." Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast episode graphic featuring a smiling man in a blazer and glasses in front of a bookshelf. The text on the right reads "Drafting the Past episode 69: Andrew Hartman."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Drafting the Past is back, and with a truly fantastic episode! I felt so fortunate to talk with Ruby Lal about her newest book(s), her transition to narrative history writing, and how she brings stories from hundreds of years ago so beautifully to life. Listen: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast episode graphic. On the left is a smiling woman with long graying black hair, a black shirt and a large necklace in front of a bookshelf. On the right, the text reads "Drafting the Past Episode 68: Ruby Lal."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

New! What a delight to talk with Stephanie Gorton about THE ICON AND THE IDEALIST (@harpercollins.bsky.social), a fascinating dual biography of Margaret Sanger and Mary Ware Dennett. We talked about revising (12!) drafts, what draws her to a subject, and more. Listen: draftingthepast.com/?p=2722

Podcast episode graphic, featuring a photograph of a slightly smiling woman with long curly brown hair, looking off to the side. The text below reads "Episode 67: Stephanie Gorton."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

New episode out! I talked with Padraic Scanlan about his new book, Rot: An Imperial History of the Irish Famine. He makes the case for writing fast, messy first drafts and embracing editors. Listen now: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast episode graphic with a photograph of a smiling man with short brown hair and and a blue collared shirt. The text reads "Episode 66: Padraic Scanlan."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

New! A true pleasure to talk with @omarvaleriojimenez.bsky.social about his book Remembering Conquest and about his writing routine, the importance of exercise, and whether his engineering background translates to his writing (hint: a work log!). Listen: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast episode graphic with a photograph of a smiling man with short dark hair, glasses, and a goatee wearing a suit. The text below reads "episode 65: Omar Valerio-Jimenez."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Dig into my latest conversation with @emilyherring.bsky.social about her book, HERALD OF A RESTLESS WORLD! We talked about how she wrote an intellectual biography that is damn interesting, the quirks of French education, her shift from academia, and more! Listen: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast graphic with a photograph of a women with short brown hair smiling slightly, wearing a black collared shirt. The text reads "Drafting the Past Episode 64: Emily Herring."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

New episode! Historian @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social joined me to talk monsters, narrative structure, her new book HUMANS: A MONSTROUS HISTORY (@ucpress.bsky.social) and more. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast graphic with a photograph of a smiling woman with short curly dark brown hair and a striped shirt. The text reads "Drafting the Past episode 63: Surehka Davies"

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

ICYMI: New episode, with acclaimed historian Lyndal Roper about her new book, SUMMER OF FIRE AND BLOOD, on the German Peasants' War. This conversation was a delight, featuring lots of maps, bike rides, and the wisdom of a long and productive career! Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast graphic with a photograph in the left of a smiling woman with glass and long white hair. On the right, teal text reads "Drafting the Past episode 62: Lyndal Roper."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

New episode today, featuring Judy Giesberg and her new book, LAST SEEN. The book is so moving, and I loved talking with Judy about her approaches to writing it, how it emerged out of a DH project, and how public interactions shaped her work. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Episode graphic with a photograph of a smiling woman with short curly hair and glasses, wearing a denim jacket and white button up shirt. The text below reads: "Episode 61: Judith Giesberg"

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

New episode out! It was a delight to talk with @theotherrbg.bsky.social about her first book, DEAR MISS PERKINS, career shifts and nonexistent rules, and her strategies for marketing her book. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis... 🗃️

Podcast episode graphic featuring a photograph of a woman with straight brown hair and red lips, smiling slightly while resting her head on her hand and wearing a teal sweater. The text reads "Episode 60: Rebecca Brenner Graham."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

For ep 59, I was privileged to interview Dr. Marlene Daut. We talked how she pub'ed two monumental books in two years, including THE FIRST AND LAST KING OF HAITI. I promise it somehow remains a relatable interview! I esp like her revision file system. Listen: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis... 🗃️

Podcast episode graphic. On the left is a photograph of a smiling woman with dark curly shoulder length hair wearing a white blazer. On the right is a teal podcast graphic that reads "episode 59: Marlene Daut."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

New episode (and the last interview of 2024)! I talked with @sethrockman.bsky.social about his new book PLANTATION GOODS (@uchicagopress.bsky.social), the ongoing struggle of the writing process, the joy of archives (and necessity of deadlines), and more. Listen: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Episode graphic with an image of a man with short brown hair and a blue shirt smiling slightly at the camera. The text below reads "episode 57: Seth Rockman."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

New episode! Listen to my interview with James Chappel about his new book GOLDEN YEARS. I was especially interested in how he decided which details he decided to include in his narrative--and what gets left on the cutting room floor. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Episode graphic featuring a photograph of a man in glasses and a blazer with a background of autumn trees. The text below reads "episode 56: James Chappel"

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 05/11/2024

Need a distraction today? I have just the ticket -- a brand new episode of Drafting the Past! It's a delightful interview with Robin Bernstein, where we dig into how she wrote and revised FREEMAN'S CHALLENGE. Her love of writing is palpable! draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

A woman with short hair and glasses looks directly into the camera, smiling slightly. The text below reads "Episode 55, Robin Bernstein."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

NEW! I talked with Prithi Kanakamedala about her new book BROOKLYNITES, the connections between public history and writing, and the challenges and privileges of writing while working at a community college. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

An image of a smiling woman with short dark brown hair. The text below her reads "episode 54: Prithi Kanakamedala"

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 09/10/2024

New! I had a great time chatting with Andrew Kahrl about his book THE BLACK TAX (@uchicagopress.bsky.social). We talked how he restructured the book in revisions, history that has relevance, and why his dad told him to write like his sixth grade self. Listen: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast episode graphic with a photo of a smiling man wearing a blazer, with short brown hair and light skin. The text reads "episode 53: Andrew Kahrl."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 24/09/2024

New episode out now, featuring writing coach @helenbetya.bsky.social! I was delighted to ask Helen about her process as a coach, how she works with historians, and the types of questions she asks her clients to help them produce writing they value. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Episode graphic with a smiling woman with shoulder-length light brown hair. The text below readers "Episode 52: Helen Betya Rubinstein."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 10/09/2024

What a delight to interview @lmchervinsky.bsky.social for DTP! This conversation is so inspirational, from how she wrote a page-turner about the John Adams presidency (MAKING THE PRESIDENCY, out now) to how Taylor Swift inspired her editing process. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast graphic image with a photographic of a smiling woman with light skin and shoulder-length brown hair wearing a purple blazer. The text below reads "Episode 51: Lindsay Chervinsky"

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 27/08/2024

New episode is out (number 50!) with journalist Clara Bingham! It was so fun for me to hear about her approach to an oral history narrative, her move toward history (one of us!), and her gumshoe work in finding interview subjects for THE MOVEMENT. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Podcast graphic with a photograph of a white woman with blond hair, wearing tortoise-shell glasses and smiling at the camera. The text reads "Drafting the Past Episode 50 Clara Bingham."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 13/08/2024

New! For this episode I interviewed not one but three authors--Robert Alpert, @merleeisenberg.bsky.social and Lee Mordechai. Learn how they wrote and edited a book together and whether they all are still speaking! Listen now: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Graphics with three photographs of men looking looking at the camera and smiling. The man on the left is older than the other two. The text reads "Episode 49: Robert Alpert, Merle Eisenberg, Lee Mordechai"

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 30/07/2024

New episode out today! I spoke with @neiljyoung.bsky.social about his new book COMING OUT REPUBLICAN, and learned about overcoming oral history nerves, how he writes for character, and the writing advice he thinks about every day. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

A man with short blond hair looks directly at the camera. The text on teal below reads "Episode 48 Neil J. Young"

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 16/07/2024

Ep 47 with Kathleen Sheppard is out, as is her new book, WOMEN IN THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS! Listen to learn how she followed archival threads to each of her subjects, her old-school note-taking, and how her agent and editor helped her learn to write a trade book. draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Smiling woman with long brown hair. The text at the bottom of the graphic reads "Episode 47 Kathleen Sheppard."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 02/07/2024

New episode out now! I had a great time talking to Tore Olsson about how pandemic gaming changed (and didn't ruin!) his career, how he's reaching new audiences, and the fun of rediscovering some of his middle school writer's voice. Listen now: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis... 🗃️ #writingcommunity

Podcast graphic with a photograph of a pale man with some chin scruff slightly smiling at the camera. The text reads "episode 46: Tore Olsson."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 26/03/2024

Margaret O'Mara is one of the historians I most look up to, so I was thrilled that she agreed to join me on the new episode of Drafting the Past. She was just as smart, thoughtful, and full of practical writing advice as I'd hoped. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis... 🗃️ #writing #podcast

Podcast episode graphic with a photograph of a blond woman wearing a white button up shirt, arms crossed in front of her and smiling. The text reads "Episode 43: Margaret O'Mara."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 12/03/2024

It was a joy to talk with Kimberly Harper about her book Men of No Reputation! If you're interested in writing from an academia-adjacent job, the impact an undergrad history prof can have on a rural kid, and how to deal with lying sources, this one's for you. draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis... 🗃️

Episode graphic featuring a book cover with a man in bow tied and bowler hat, his face blacked out with the title "Men of No Reputation: Robert Boatright, the Buckfoot Gang, and the Fleecing of Middle America." Beneath, the graphic reads "Episode 42: Kimberly Harper"

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 27/02/2024

New episode! Hear from Nathan Perl-Rosenthal about his new book, THE AGE OF REVOLUTIONS, why he envies fiction writers, the choice that made a senior scholar think he was doomed, and how writing this book was like making good cheese. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Episode graphic with a photograph of a fair-skinned man with short dark hair looking straight at the camera. The text below reads "Episode 41: Nathan Perl-Rosenthal."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 13/02/2024

A new episode is out today! Grace Elizabeth Hale takes the writing craft seriously, and it shows in her beautiful prose. But she's also a fantastic researcher who follows her curiosity about big questions. Listen to our convos here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis... 🗃️ #writingcommunity

Episode graphic featuring a woman with light skin and long dark hair, wearing black with her arms crossed in front. The text reads "Episode 40: Grace Hale"

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 30/01/2024

Drafting the Past is back, and we're kicking off season 3 with a fascinating interview with Benjamin Park, author of AMERICAN ZION! Listen now: chrt.fm/track/F61672... 🗃️

Photo of a smiling bald man with beard and glasses. He is wearing a blue suit with yellow tie and pocket square and standing in front of yellow leaves. The text reads: "Episode 39 Benjamin Park."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 19/12/2023

The last episode of the year is out now, and it features YOU! Listeners called in with the best history books they read this year, and they have some great suggestions for your reading list. Check it out here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis... 🗃️ #writingcommunity

Graphic illustration of a stack of yellow books against an orange background. The text below reads "Episode 38: Best books you read this year."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 05/12/2023

New! For the last interview of the year, I spoke with Martha Hodes about her book MY HIJACKING. It was a fascinating conversation about turning her historian's tools on herself, the specificity of perspective, and careful attention to each sentence. Listen here: draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis... 🗃️

A smiling woman with light brown hair holding her hand against her chin. The text reads "Episode 37: Martha Hodes."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 21/11/2023

NEW! I might have alarmed Catherine McNeur with my enthusiasm, because I love her work so much -- including her new MISCHIEVOUS CREATURES. In this ep, I asked how she writes beautifully about place and learned this book resulted from multiple archival surprises. 🗃️ draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis...

Smiling woman with blond curly hair against a backdrop of greenery. Text reads: Episode 36, Catherine McNeur.

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 21/11/2023

Smiling woman with curly blond hair in front of greenery. The text reads "Episode 36: Catherine McNeur."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 07/11/2023

New episode out, featuring the brilliant and fabulous Tanisha C. Ford. We talked about her new book OUR SECRET SOCIETY, her "oldest of old school" methods, and how to find a voice that fits each project. Listen here, and share with a friend! draftingthepast.com/podcast-epis... 🗃️ #writingcommunity

Smiling woman with curly black shoulder length hair wearing a white blazer and yellow blouse. The text below reads "Episode 35: Tanisha C. Ford."

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Drafting the Past @draftingthepast.bsky.social · 24/10/2023

If you're curious about writing historical true crime (I am!), Episode 34 is perfect for you: Bruce Dorsey talks with me about his book MURDER IN A MILL TOWN, using "parallel stories" to fill in archival gaps, and weaving drama with analysis. Listen now: chrt.fm/track/F61672... 🗃️ #WritingCommunity

A man with fair skin and a gray goatee wearing a black hit smiles slightly as he stands against a stone wall. The title card below reads "Episode 34: Bruce Dorsey"

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