In the world of publishing, we often celebrate the "big win": signing with that first literary agent. But there is a quieter, more daunting topic that many authors face but few discuss openly—what happens when you and your agent part ways? Whethe…
When an agent recently claimed on social media that indie authors aren't "real" authors, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid had a lot to say about it — and the numbers back them up. The Business Case for Going Indie The royalty gap between tradit…
In our latest episode of Writers with Wrinkles, we were thrilled to welcome back author and literacy advocate Fleur Bradley. Fleur joined us to dive deep into the world of middle grade (MG) and young adult (YA) mysteries, sharing her expert insights…
In our latest Season 5 bonus episode, we decided it was finally time to clear out our "insanely long" laundry list of burning topics. From the magic of local book swaps to the shifting landscape of digital hangouts, we’re diving into how to find you…
Mastering the Middle Grade Opening: Lessons from "Beyond the Moon" Capturing the attention of a middle-grade reader is a unique challenge. You aren’t just competing with other books; you’re competing with short attention spans, school schedules, an…
In the world of publishing, there are certain milestones we all expect: finishing that first draft, getting your first request for a full manuscript, and eventually seeing your book on a shelf. But according to our latest episode of Writers with Wri…
In the world of publishing, non-fiction is often treated like fiction’s mysterious cousin. Many writers assume the process is the same: write the book, find the agent, sell the manuscript. But as literary agent and author Alia Hanna Habib shared o…
If you’re querying literary agents—or getting ready to—you already know how confusing the process can feel. What actually makes a query letter work? Why do some manuscripts move forward while others stall? And what is really happening right now in t…
Ending a season always feels strange. Equal parts relief, disbelief, and “wait, how did we get here already?” That mix of emotions shaped this Writers With Wrinkles bonus episode, where we wrapped up the season, shared a behind-the-scenes podcasting…
Query letters make even experienced writers panic—and for good reason. A single page has to represent years of work, convince a literary agent to keep reading, and stand out in an inbox crowded with hundreds of submissions. In this Ask Beth & Lisa …
If you’ve ever wondered how book packagers really work, what editors look for beyond sales numbers, or which trends will shape publishing in 2026, this week’s Writers With Wrinkles delivers exactly the kind of insider clarity writers crave. Beth and…
In this bonus episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Lisa and I dig into the first page of a brand-new upper middle grade fantasy, Kiki Won’t Be Goddess of the Underworld. If you're revising your opening chapters, trying to strengthen your character voic…
Every once in a while a topic sweeps through the writing community with enough force that it stops us mid-scroll. Lately, that topic has been the growing concern about how the publishing industry treats debut and midlist authors—and whether the syst…
Middle grade readers are living in a complicated world. They’re navigating big feelings, uncertainty, and a landscape full of noise and screens. But if there’s one thing today’s kids want from their books—and Adam Rosenbaum sees this firsthand—it’s …
In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa sit down with Alison Romig, Associate Editor at Delacorte Press, to talk about what editors really look for when reviewing submissions. From crafting irresistible first pages to choosing the ri…
Want to watch the video? Click here. In this Ask Beth & Lisa episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid offer honest, constructive feedback on two listener-submitted first pages—one a rom-com set in Prague, the other a middle g…
🎧 Episode Summary In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, literary agent Leslie Zampetti returns to discuss what really makes a lasting, successful author-agent relationship. From how to spot red flags to tips on pivoting your writing career, …
n this Ask Beth & Lisa episode of Writers With Wrinkles, cohosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid open up about their latest writing challenges while tackling some urgent industry issues. From overlooked copyrights and AI lawsuits to trademark use in f…
In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid chat with literary agent Sheyla Knigge of Highline Literary Collective about what makes a strong, lasting author-agent partnership. Sheyla shares her personal path into publishi…
Episode Summary Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid react to Taylor Swift’s engagement and explore how love, upheaval, and emotion shape creativity. They also unpack the power of “first pages,” share stories from SCBWI, and reveal details about their 202…
In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, we dive into the world of self-publishing adult fiction. Authors Barb Hopkins and Kelly Garcia share how they turned frustration with traditional publishing into indie success, building their paranormal myst…
Episode Summary:In this “Ask Beth & Lisa” episode of Writers with Wrinkles, Beth McMullen steps into the guest seat to discuss what book coaching really is and how it helps writers get submission-ready. Lisa dives into the emotional and practical be…
Episode Summary:In this insightful episode of Writers With Wrinkles, literary agent and author Joyce Sweeney shares her perspective on the challenges and possibilities within the world of traditional publishing. From query red flags to the resilienc…
In this Ask Beth & Lisa episode, the hosts tackle one of the most talked-about subjects in publishing: artificial intelligence. They share how writers can ethically and effectively incorporate AI into their creative process without compromising voic…
