Ann Rose: What Agents Really Want (And What's Breaking Publishing)

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Writers With Wrinkles
Latest Episode

Literary Agent Ann Rose: What Your First Chapter Needs

Send us Fan Mail Literary agent Ann Rose (Marsal Lyon Literary Agency) returns to Writers With Wrinkles for a candid, funny, and reassuring conversation with Beth and Lisa about the current state of publishing—and how writers can keep going anyway. Ann is also the author of The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean and A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love. The episode opens with a frank look at an industry in flux. Ann and the hosts dig into why publishers have grown so risk-averse, wh...

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Literary Agent Ann Rose: What Your First Chapter Needs
17
June 22, 2026

Literary Agent Ann Rose: What Your First Chapter Needs

Send us Fan Mail Literary agent Ann Rose (Marsal Lyon Literary Agency) returns to Writers With Wrinkles for a candid, funny, and reassuring conversation with Beth and Lisa about the current state of publishing—and how writers can keep going anyway. Ann is also the author of The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean and A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love. The episode opens with a frank look at an industry in flux. Ann and the hosts dig into why publishers have grown so risk-averse, wh...
Listen to the Episode
How to Revise Your Novel: Developmental Editor Joel Brigham's Checklist (encore episode!)
18
June 17, 2026

How to Revise Your Novel: Developmental Editor Joel Brigham's Checklist (encore episode!)

Send us Fan Mail In this re-released conversation, developmental editor Joel Brigham returns to talk all things revision: how to approach your first editing pass, the most common pitfalls he sees in drafts, and how to know when a manuscript is truly ready to query. A great refresher as you set your summer writing goals. (Note: a recording glitch cut the original intro, which Beth explains at the top.) What you'll learn in this episode Joel revises in phases, and phase one is always structure....
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Stop Making Videos Nobody Watches — Here's a Way to Actually Sell Books
16
June 8, 2026

Stop Making Videos Nobody Watches — Here's a Way to Actually Sell Books

Send us Fan Mail Hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmidt cut through the noise of book marketing advice to spotlight what genuinely moves books: word of mouth. Nearly half of readers (47–48%) choose books based on personal recommendations — outperforming social media, platforms, and AI discovery tools combined. Beth and Lisa share three low-cost, actionable strategies to spark that word of mouth before and after your launch. 3 Strategies to Spark Word of Mouth 1. Build a Street Team • &nb...
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Back by Popular Demand: Words on the Page with editor Joel Brigham
15
June 1, 2026

Back by Popular Demand: Words on the Page with editor Joel Brigham

Send us Fan Mail Joel Brigham runs Brigham Editorial (developmental edits, manuscript critiques, query help), teaches high school English in Illinois, and is an editor for RevPit — a community that gives away free developmental edits each spring. REVPIT • Free developmental editing contest — editors (not authors) mentor selected writers through full drafts • Applications open April, winners announced early May; ~14–15 editors participate • Year-round min...
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Stop Querying Wrong: Agent Nikki Carrero Breaks It Down
May 25, 2026

Stop Querying Wrong: Agent Nikki Carrero Breaks It Down

Send us Fan Mail Beth and Lisa talk with literary agent Nikki Carrero, from The Rights Factory, to break down the querying process from the agent’s side — what gets you noticed, what gets a pass, and how to make the most of The Call. Highlights• Nikki runs monthly pitch parties on Threads — currently her only open submission path since she’s closed to general queries. • Biggest query red flags: word count outside genre norms, miscateg...
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How to Write Better Stakes & Tension in Your Novel (and some Taylor Swift!)
13
May 11, 2026

How to Write Better Stakes & Tension in Your Novel (and some Taylor Swift!)

Send us Fan Mail We tackle a publishing debate, draw writing wisdom from Taylor Swift, and dig into one of the most common craft problems in fiction — weak stakes and missing tension. Plus a community book shout-out. THE HARDBACK DEBATE Beth shares a Guardian article arguing hardbacks are outdated — too expensive, they kill buzz before the paperback drops, and lead with the least accessible format. Beth and Lisa push back: libraries and schools depend on durable formats, sprayed-edge editions...
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Recent Blog Posts

Literary Agent Ann Rose: What Your First Chapter Needs
June 22, 2026

Literary Agent Ann Rose: What Your First Chapter Needs

What Literary Agent Ann Rose Wants in Your First ChapterIf you're querying right now, you already know the truth: publishing is hard, and it feels harder than it did even a year ago. In a recent episode of Writers With Wrinkles, hosts Beth McMulle…
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How to Revise Your Novel: A Developmental Editor's Phase-by-Phase Checklist
June 17, 2026

How to Revise Your Novel: A Developmental Editor's Phase-by-Phase Checklist

Drafting a novel is hard. Revising it well is harder, and it's where most manuscripts either come alive or fall apart. In this re-released episode of Writers With Wrinkles, developmental editor Joel Brigham returns to break down exactly how he …
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Stop Making Videos Nobody Watches — Here's a Way to Actually Sell Books
June 8, 2026

Stop Making Videos Nobody Watches — Here's a Way to Actually Sell Books

WRITERS WITH WRINKLES  •  SEASON 5, EPISODE 16Stop Making Videos Nobody Watches — Here's How Authors Actually Sell Books If you've ever spent hours crafting the perfect Instagram reel, posted it to near-silence, a…
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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
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