Bestselling author Wendelin Van Draanen on patience, and working with the late Rob Reiner

🚀 Launch Countdown!

A new chapter begins soon…

--
Days
--
Hours
--
Minutes
--
Seconds
Latest Episode

The 4 First-Page Mistakes That Get You Rejected Fast, with editor Joel Brigham

Your opening pages have about 30 seconds to keep a literary agent reading — and most manuscripts lose that fight before the first paragraph ends.
Developmental editor Joel Brigham returns to unpack exactly what makes an agent stop reading (and what makes them keep going): the four ingredients — tension, suspense, mystery, and unfairness — that hook a reader in the first few pages. He breaks down why agents almost universally reject prologues, the two-highlighter trick for catching your own info-

Play Latest Episode

Recent Episodes

View all
The 4 First-Page Mistakes That Get You Rejected Fast, with editor Joel Brigham
Aug. 17, 2026

The 4 First-Page Mistakes That Get You Rejected Fast, with editor Joel Brigham

Your opening pages have about 30 seconds to keep a literary agent reading — and most manuscripts lose that fight before the first paragraph ends. Developmental editor Joel Brigham returns to unpack exactly what makes an agent stop reading (and what makes them keep going): the four ingredients — tension, suspense, mystery, and unfairness — that hook a reader in the first few pages. He breaks down why agents almost universally reject prologues, the two-highlighter trick for catching your own info-
Listen to the Episode
10 Years of Rejection, 40 Books Later
23
Aug. 3, 2026

10 Years of Rejection, 40 Books Later

Wendelin Van Draanen spent 10 years collecting rejections before anyone said yes to her Sammy Keyes mystery series — she just kept writing the next one anyway. Now, 40 books and 30 years later, she's still with the same editor who finally did. If you've ever wondered whether to keep pitching a project nobody wants yet, or whether staying loyal to one editor for decades is a mistake in an industry that rewards jumping ship — this conversation is the counter-argument. Wendelin also gets candid ab
Listen to the Episode
Tired of Waiting 2 Years to Publish? Go Hybrid
22
July 26, 2026

Tired of Waiting 2 Years to Publish? Go Hybrid

You could finish four books this year and only ever get to publish one of them. That's the traditional publishing timeline in a nutshell — and it's why more authors are quietly going hybrid: keeping one foot in a trad deal and self-publishing everything else on their own schedule, without waiting on anyone's calendar. In this episode, Beth and Lisa break down what a hybrid author actually is (not to be confused with a hybrid publisher — totally different thing), why it's suddenly everywhere i...
Listen to the Episode
Why Bestselling Author Jason June Shares Every Book Advance He's Ever Gotten
21
July 20, 2026

Why Bestselling Author Jason June Shares Every Book Advance He's Ever Gotten

Send us Fan Mail New York Times bestselling author Jason June (Out of the Blue, Jay's Gay Agenda) returns to Writers With Wrinkles for a wide-ranging conversation covering his growing acting career, the current state of the publishing industry, and his upcoming adult rom-com Santa and Krampus' Cozy Killer Christmas, out fall 2027. Jason is refreshingly candid — about book advances, about the anxiety running through publishing right now, and about finding joy in the work when the business side...
Listen to the Episode
Back in the Query Trenches: Author Lisa Frenkel Riddiough on Losing an Agent and Starting Over
19
July 6, 2026

Back in the Query Trenches: Author Lisa Frenkel Riddiough on Losing an Agent and Starting Over

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome back returning guest Lisa Frenkel Riddiough to discuss her brand-new picture book, Furious Turtle (Disney Hyperion), book two in the Forest School of Big Feelings series. The conversation quickly moves into the heart of the episode: Lisa's experience losing her longtime literary agent to retirement and having to re-enter the query trenches after years of being represented. Li...
Listen to the Episode
How to Publish Nonfiction: Agent Alia Hanna Habib's Guide (summer encore series!)
18
June 30, 2026

How to Publish Nonfiction: Agent Alia Hanna Habib's Guide (summer encore series!)

Send us Fan Mail Beth and Lisa welcome literary agent and debut author Alia Hanna Habib, whose book Take It From Me is a practical behind-the-scenes guide to getting a nonfiction book published. Alia represents acclaimed writers including Clint Smith and Nicole Hannah-Jones, was named one of New York Magazine's most powerful New Yorkers you've never heard of, and writes the Substack newsletter Delivery and Acceptance. WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE TO BE A WRITER (WHEN YOU'RE ALSO AN AGENT) Alia share...
Listen to the Episode
View all Episodes

Recent Blog Posts

The 4 First-Page Mistakes That Get You Rejected Fast
Aug. 17, 2026

The 4 First-Page Mistakes That Get You Rejected Fast

Literary agents are rejecting most submissions in under a minute — sometimes in under thirty seconds. Not because your story is bad, but because your first few pages are doing the wrong job. That's the topic developmental editor Joel Brigham tackle…
Read the Blog Post
Author Wendelin Van Draanen on Rejection, Flipped & Ghosted
Aug. 3, 2026

Author Wendelin Van Draanen on Rejection, Flipped & Ghosted

It Took Her 10 Years and 4 Rejected Books Before Anyone Said Yes. Here's What Kept Her Writing Anyway. Wendelin Van Draanen had already written and shelved four rejected manuscripts by the time an editor finally said yes. Not one book she kept revi…
Read the Blog Post
What Is a Hybrid Author? (And Why It's Suddenly Everywhere)
July 26, 2026

What Is a Hybrid Author? (And Why It's Suddenly Everywhere)

You could finish four books this year and only ever get to publish one of them. That's the reality of traditional publishing timelines — and it's exactly why more authors are quietly building a different kind of career. Not quitting traditional pub…
Read the Blog Post
View all posts

About the Hosts

Beth McMullen Profile Photo
Beth McMullen

Author

Beth McMullen is the author of the Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls series , the Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter series, and The Secret of the Storm series (Aladdin/S&S).

She is also the author of the Spy Mom series (Hyperion).

Beth lives in Northern California with her husband, kids, and very grumpy cats. She's obsessed with podcasts and might give up writing in order to have more time to listen. Could happen.

Lisa Schmid Profile Photo
Lisa Schmid

Author

Lisa is the author of OLLIE OXLEY AND THE GHOST and HART & SOULS.

When not scaring up ghostly adventures, she visits schools and libraries to discuss writing and books. She lives in Northern California with her husband, son, two dogs, and one very sneaky hamster.

Reviews

Funny, Entertaining & Accurate

"I love listening to Lisa & Beth! Not only do they have great guests but they tackle real issues in the publishing industry and really look to help querying authors. Keep going ladies!"

Jocelyn Watkinson | Jan. 15, 2024

Like getting incredible children’s publishing advice from friends!

"Listening to Beth and Lisa is like getting insight into the children’s publishing industry from good friends. As seasoned authors who are still submitting and selling their work, their perspective br…"

Jill Terlep | Feb. 18, 2024

Such generous and knowledgeable hosts

"Two highly successful authors of both adult and children’s books share their deep knowledge of the industry from an idea to the sell. And they are in your corner each step of the way. If you are thin…"

Country Girl | Feb. 27, 2024

Love these ladies!

"I stumbled upon Writers With Wrinkles purely by accident, and I’m so glad I did. As a writer I love listening to them chat and laugh about this crazy career, and the author interviews are fantastic.…"

lvanweel | March 22, 2024

Top notch podcast on all things Kidlit

"Beth and Lisa are the real deal - and genuine in every way. In the know on craft, on top of trends, interviews and more, both writers share their insights, inform and engage listeners who leave feeli…"

Deb S. | Sept. 25, 2024
See all reviews