memoir
In Health and Safety, Emily Witt Writes the First Draft of Recent History
September 19, 2024
The author joined us to talk about her new book, “Health and Safety,” a memoir of her time in Brooklyn’s vibrant, drug-fueled underground party scene.
LIT
Yiyun Li on Comic Books, First Drafts, and Writing Children
September 7, 2023
“I do think literature abuses children a little. They prove them dumb, right?”
Rough Draft
The NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony’s New Memoir Is Brought to You by Wine and Cigars
September 15, 2021
The ten-time NBA All-Star peels back the layers of his new memoir “Where Tomorrows Aren’t Promised.”
REQUIRED READING
Gabriela Garcia’s Debut Novel Tells an Immigrant Story That Echoes Through Time
April 7, 2021
In “Of Women and Salt,” the award-winning poet plumbs deeper than the diaspora.
David Gordon’s First Draft
August 1, 2013
David Gordon’s Mystery Girl is not an easy novel to follow. You’re not sure what’s coming next, but you know you’re in for a heck of a ride.
IN STUDIO
The Girls Of SC103 Take Us Behind The Scenes Of Their Solo Show At Theta
July 12, 2024
Shortly after “Chimera” opened, the duo behind the indie fashion brand got on the phone to tell us about transforming their scraps and studies into a gallery show.
ART
Drake Carr on Horny Art, Dive Bars, and Samuel R. Delany
August 24, 2022
The Brooklyn-based artist talks to curator Tony Jackson ahead of his salacious solo show at Fierman and Situations.
rough draft
The Writer and Cultural Critic Zeba Blay is Putting Her Shadows on the Page
October 19, 2021
The writer and cultural critic discusses her new essay collection, “Carefree Black Girls,” chain smoking, and why she loves a good Voice Memo.
rough draft
The Vigorous Vulnerability of Robert Jones, Jr.’s Debut Novel The Prophets
October 5, 2021
“I believed that if I wrote about this, I could give voice to the Black queer and trans people who have been erased, overlooked, or ignored.”
rough draft
Inside Phoebe Robinson’s ASMR- And Diet Coke-Fueled Writing Process
September 28, 2021
“Please, for the love of Michelle Obama’s arms, have a unique way of presenting your ideas.”
ROUGH DRAFT
Inside Marlowe Granados’ Glitzy Debut Novel, Happy Hour
September 7, 2021
“Writers should really live, but in all directions.”
rough draft
The Debut Author Jo Hamya Writes as Little as Possible
August 31, 2021
I smoke copiously while I write. To my chagrin. I drink copiously when I’m not writing. To my chagrin.
rough draft
How Home Depot Made Jasmine Mans a Better Writer
August 24, 2021
The “Black Girl, Call Home” author takes us beyond the blank page and into her process.
ROUGH DRAFT
“Writing Can Be a Spell”: Nichole Perkins on Total Literary Immersion
August 17, 2021
“My advice: adopt a cat and name it after a Greek muse.”
rough draft
“I Think the Best Writing Destroys the World”: Da’Shaun L. Harrison Breaks Down Their Creative Practice
August 10, 2021
The “Belly of the Beast” author takes us beyond the blank page and into their process.
rough draft
Melissa Broder Likes to Write at Funerals
August 3, 2021
The “Milk Fed” and “Superdoom” author takes us beyond the blank page and into her process.
Rough Draft
Zakiya Dalila Harris on Goosebumps, Toni Morrison, and Her Favorite Writing Cocktails
July 27, 2021
“The Other Black Girl” author takes us beyond the blank page and into her process.
rough draft
Amanda Montell is One of Those (Occasionally High) Coffee Shop Writers
July 20, 2021
The “Cultish” author takes us beyond the blank page and into her process.
rough draft
Kristen Radtke on Why She Won’t Read the Classics
July 13, 2021
The “Seek You” author takes us beyond the blank page and into her process.
rough draft
Ashley C. Ford Wants to Have Dinner with Zora Neale Hurston and Faith Ringgold
July 6, 2021
The “Somebody’s Daughter” author takes us beyond the blank page and into her process.