First Draft - Tom Perrotta

First Draft - Tom Perrotta

From First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing by Mitzi Rapkin

May 11, 2026 · 1h 6m

About this episode

Tom Perrotta discusses his career as a bestselling author and his latest novel, Ghost Town.

Tom Perrotta is the bestselling author of eleven works of fiction, including Election and Little Children, both of which were made into Oscar-nominated films, and The Leftovers, which was adapted into a critically acclaimed, Peabody Award-winning HBO series. His other books include Bad Haircut, The Wishbones, Joe College, The Abstinence Teacher, Nine Inches, Mrs. Fletcher, and Tracy Flick Can’t Win. His new novel is Ghost Town. His work has been translated into a multitude of languages. Perrotta grew up in New Jersey and lives outside of Boston. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Mitzi Rapkin

Guest: Tom Perrotta

Topics covered

  • fiction
  • writing
  • adaptations
  • bestselling authors
  • literature

Keywords

  • Tom Perrotta
  • fiction
  • Ghost Town
  • Election
  • Little Children
  • The Leftovers
  • writing

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Election, Little Children, The Leftovers, Ghost Town

Places: New Jersey, Boston

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