Agent Alia Hanna Habib on Non Fiction Success

Writing for Children and Adults Posts

Love, Art, and Storytelling: Brian Selznick’s New YA novel Run Away With Me
May 5, 2025

Love, Art, and Storytelling: Brian Selznick’s New YA novel Run Away With Me

Episode SummaryIn this heartfelt episode, Beth and Lisa chat with Brian Selznick about his new YA novel Run Away With Me, a story of first love set in a nearly deserted Rome during the pandemic. Selznick shares how art, identity, and personal expe…
From Ghosts to Gatekeepers: Publishing Insights with Agent and Author Carey Blankenship-Kramer
April 28, 2025

From Ghosts to Gatekeepers: Publishing Insights with Agent and Author Carey Blankenship-Kramer

In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa talk with author and literary agent Carey Blankenship-Kramer about her debut novel Ghost Scout’s Honor and the evolving challenges in the publishing industry. From query tips to industry …
Wine, Spite & Shelf Wars? YES!
April 14, 2025

Wine, Spite & Shelf Wars? YES!

📝 Blog Post:🎧 Title: “Wine, Spite & Shelf Wars: A Writer’s Origin Story”Episode Summary:In this lively "Ask Beth & Lisa" episode of Writers With Wrinkles, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid share their writing o…
Ask Beth & Lisa: Bad Agents, Good Advice, and Book Coaching Wins
March 31, 2025

Ask Beth & Lisa: Bad Agents, Good Advice, and Book Coaching Wins

Episode Summary:In this special Saturday edition of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa field listener questions, discuss red flags when parting ways with a literary agent, and explore how external chaos seeps into writing. Beth also shares excitin…
Breaking Barriers in KidLit: How Michele McAvoy and The Little Press Empower Emerging Voices
March 17, 2025

Breaking Barriers in KidLit: How Michele McAvoy and The Little Press Empower Emerging Voices

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa sit down with award-winning children's book author, publisher, and attorney Michele McAvoy, the powerhouse behind The Little Press. Michele shares her journey from self-publish…
Cracking the Code: Middle Grade & YA Publishing Secrets with Meg Gaertner
March 3, 2025

Cracking the Code: Middle Grade & YA Publishing Secrets with Meg Gaertner

In this episode of Writers with Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome Meg Gaertner, managing editor at North Star Editions. Meg shares expert insights on the middle grade and young adult publishing landscape, the acquisitions process, and …
Breaking Out of the Writing Rut: Micro Goals, Fresh Eyes & Creative Hacks
Feb. 17, 2025

Breaking Out of the Writing Rut: Micro Goals, Fresh Eyes & Creative Hacks

Episode SummaryIn this Ask Beth & Lisa episode of Writers with Wrinkles, the hosts tackle one of the biggest challenges writers face—getting out of a creative rut. They share personal experiences, actionable strategies, and insights on h…
**"Mastering the Query and Navigating Publishing: Insights from Literary Agent Adria Goetz"**
Feb. 3, 2025

**"Mastering the Query and Navigating Publishing: Insights from Literary Agent Adria Goetz"**

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid sit down with Adria Goetz, a Senior Literary Agent at KT Literary, to discuss the secrets to crafting a standout query, navigating industry challenges, and …
Overcoming Writing Challenges & Building Community – Writers With Wrinkles
Jan. 20, 2025

Overcoming Writing Challenges & Building Community – Writers With Wrinkles

In this Ask Beth & Lisa episode, the hosts dive into the complexities of writing and publishing, addressing listener questions about rejections, crafting commercial hooks, and setting meaningful goals. They also highlight the importance of commu…
Unlocking the Secrets of Children’s Publishing: Insider Tips from an Industry Pro
Jan. 6, 2025

Unlocking the Secrets of Children’s Publishing: Insider Tips from an Industry Pro

In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa welcome Ivan Taurisano, Associate Editor at Abrams Books, to discuss the intricacies of children’s publishing. Ivan provides invaluable advice on creating standout submissions, navigating…
Encore Episode: Agent Kaitlyn Sanchez Tells You What You Need to Know
Dec. 23, 2024

Encore Episode: Agent Kaitlyn Sanchez Tells You What You Need to Know

Episode SummaryIn this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid sit down with literary agent Kaitlyn Sanchez to discuss the intricacies of the publishing industry. Kaitlyn shares practical advice on querying agents, c…
Author Jail? It's a thing.
Dec. 9, 2024

Author Jail? It's a thing.

In this special Ask Beth & Lisa episode, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid tackle two burning listener questions: the need for illustrations when querying a manuscript and navigating the fallout of poor book sales. They share candid insight…
Surviving the Orphaned Author Experience – Navigating Setbacks in the Publishing World
Nov. 11, 2024

Surviving the Orphaned Author Experience – Navigating Setbacks in the Publishing World

 Episode SummaryIn this insightful episode of Writers with Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid explore the challenges of being "orphaned" in publishing when an author’s editor leaves mid-project. They s…
Inspiring Young Readers: E-Train's Mission to Bring Books AND Empathy to Kids Everywhere
Nov. 4, 2024

Inspiring Young Readers: E-Train's Mission to Bring Books AND Empathy to Kids Everywhere

In this inspiring episode of Writers with Wrinkles, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid speak with teenage literacy advocate E-Train, founder of E-Train Talks Inc., about his mission to bring books and reading joy to underserved communi…
Mastering the Query: Amy Nielsen’s Essential Tips for Aspiring Authors
Oct. 28, 2024

Mastering the Query: Amy Nielsen’s Essential Tips for Aspiring Authors

Mastering the Query Process: Insider Tips from Literary Agent Amy NielsenAre you stuck in the querying trenches, feeling the weight of rejections (or as Amy Nielsen calls them, "passes") piling up? Fear not! In this episode of Writers With Wrinkle…
Beta Readers, Book Comps and Barley's Cupcake Crisis
Oct. 14, 2024

Beta Readers, Book Comps and Barley's Cupcake Crisis

In episode 37 of Writers With Wrinkles, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid answer listener questions about writing, with a focus on the differences between beta readers and critique partners, how to find critique partners, and advice on boo…
Behind the Scenes with Literary Agent Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong
Sept. 30, 2024

Behind the Scenes with Literary Agent Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong

In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid chat with Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong, literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Cathie discusses her journey in the publishing world, offering insightful tips on q…
What is Going ON in the Middle Grade Market?
Sept. 20, 2024

What is Going ON in the Middle Grade Market?

In this special episode of Writers with Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid dive into the challenges facing middle-grade publishing, including declining sales and shifting industry trends. They offer practical advice for aspiring authors on how …
How to Juggle Multiple Writing Projects...Or Not?
Sept. 16, 2024

How to Juggle Multiple Writing Projects...Or Not?

In this listener Q&A episode of Writers with Wrinkles, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid answer a question about juggling multiple writing projects and staying focused. They share personal approaches to managing ideas and offer advice …
Navigating the Publishing World: Insights from Agent and Author Ann Rose
Sept. 2, 2024

Navigating the Publishing World: Insights from Agent and Author Ann Rose

In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa chat with Ann Rose, a literary agent at Tobias Literary Agency and an author writing under the pen name A.M. Rose. They dive into the current state of the publishing market, discuss Ann's upcom…
Navigating the Query Trenches: Tips for Writers from the Writers with Wrinkles podcast
Aug. 19, 2024

Navigating the Query Trenches: Tips for Writers from the Writers with Wrinkles podcast

In this episode of Writers with Wrinkles, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid introduce a new segment called "Ask Beth and Lisa." They dive into the challenges of surviving the query trenches, offering practical advice on managing the emotional…
Insider Insights with Disney Hyperion Editor Rachel Stark
Aug. 5, 2024

Insider Insights with Disney Hyperion Editor Rachel Stark

Episode SummaryIn this episode of "Writers With Wrinkles," hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid sit down with Rachel Stark, an editor at Disney Hyperion, to discuss the evolving landscape of middle-grade and graphic novels. Rachel provides invaluab…
Unlocking Book Marketing Success: Authentic Tips from Alonzo Fuller
July 22, 2024

Unlocking Book Marketing Success: Authentic Tips from Alonzo Fuller

In this episode, cohosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmidt interview Alonzo Fuller, a marketing specialist for children's books at Andrews McMeel Publishing. They discuss marketing strategies, advice for introverted authors, and the importance of authe…
From ALA Insights to Writing Trends: A Summer So Far Recap
July 15, 2024

From ALA Insights to Writing Trends: A Summer So Far Recap

Episode SummaryIn this episode, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid discuss their summer activities and key takeaways from the ALA conference. They highlight the current trends in middle-grade fiction and announce changes to the podcast format.…