Before I get to the real meat of today’s email, I wanted to make sure you knew that the show is back after my short break. Don’t miss the two episodes I’ve posted this month, Chris Hodson and Brett Rushforth Upend History in 1.2 Voices and Amy Stanley Would Rather Be Writing.

And if you click those links, you’ll notice that things are looking…a little different.

The Next Chapter of Drafting the Past Starts Today

If you listened to my episode with Megan Kate Nelson this spring, or read my email about it then, you know that change has been afoot at Drafting the Past for a while.

Almost since I launched the show, I’ve been thinking of how I could do even more to promote great nonfiction history books, help readers find them, and help writers learn more about writing them. But I knew I couldn’t do more by myself, so I asked Megan if she was interested in joining me.

We agreed that there weren’t enough really good, engaging reviews of history books out there in newspapers and magazines. And then, over the last year, many of these publications began to reduce or eliminate their book review sections, making the problem even worse. 

The time seemed right to create a new outlet, a place where readers can find history books and talk about them together. 

Where people writing history can turn for inspiration and ideas. 

And where scholars and critics can talk about new books (and maybe even some classics) and take them seriously. 

This new iteration of Drafting the Past is dedicated to the idea that compelling history writing matters, especially now.

New Look Now, New Writing Coming Soon

Today, we’re unveiling the new look and branding of Drafting the Past, with a new website and subscription newsletter. Right now, it holds the podcast archive, but soon it will have book reviews, publishing news, articles, craft essays, and more. We already have some great contributors lined up (and yes, we’re paying our writers!).

We’ll launch with our first book reviews, posted to the site and sent via newsletter, on October 13. In the weeks leading up to that date, though, we’re focused on spreading the word and getting people to subscribe. You can sign up for free and read all the book reviews (plus you’ll still get the podcast you already know and love). Or, you can support this work by signing up for a paid subscription, which will get you access to more content and some extra perks. Read all about the subscription options here.

Today, I’ll be importing all of the email addresses who are signed up to this newsletter to the new platform, so you’ll automatically be a free subscriber. You can upgrade from there if you want to!

There will be lots more in the weeks to come, but I want to thank you now for being such great supporters of Drafting the Past already. We wouldn’t be here without your commitment to great history writing. I can’t wait to turn the page with you.

— Kate

P.S. If you’re a big believer in nonfiction history writing and you’re someone with extra cash to spend, I also want to draw your attention to a very limited time FOUNDING MEMBER option. This is a subscription for people who are as excited as we are, want to invest in this work, and want to help us find our way in the first year. Find all the details here.

P.P.S. Questions/comments/concerns? Just reply to this email!