Episodes

Season 3, Episode 13 - Embracing Rejection and Failure in Your Writing Journey Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid Episode Theme: Navigating Failure and Rejection in Writing Key Discussion Points: 1. Personal Experience with Rejection: - Shared a recent rejection of their Cat’s Rule picture book. - Importance of closure in rejections, even without feedback. 2. Interpreting Rejection: - Sometimes, rejections hide internal conflicts within publishing companies. - Creating narratives arou...

(PLEASE NOTE: All comments and opinions in this podcast are strictly Sara's own.) In the latest episode of Writers with Wrinkles, we're thrilled to host Sara Schonfeld, an editor at HarperCollins, specializing in middle grade and YA literature. Our discussion spans the joys and challenges of editing, insights into the acquisitions process, and invaluable advice for writers on submissions, social media presence, and the evolving landscape of genre blending in literature. Sara's passion for nurt...

What is Pacing? More about rhythm than speed Reader engagement is key - avoid sections that feel like a slog Different genres have different pacing expectations (e.g., thrillers vs. literary fiction) Crafting Pacing Sentence Length: Short = fast, Long = slow Active Voice & Description: "Show, don't tell" keeps things moving Paragraph Length: Vary length and break up long blocks of text Formatting: Use sparingly - long quotes, italics, footnotes Series Writing: Consider ongoing elements th...

Writers With Wrinkles: Patience Bloom on Romance Writing Patience Bloom, a freelance book editor with 26 years of experience in romance publishing, joins Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid on the podcast Writers With Wrinkles. Key points: Elements of a captivating romance protagonist:Likable, even if flawed. Human and relatable. Vulnerable but strong. Possesses expertise in a specific area. Common pitfalls in portraying romantic relationships:Lack of conflict. Unrealistic or drawn-out conflict...

Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid tackle the art of writing flashbacks, offering insight into integrating them effectively into your narrative. The episode focuses on making flashbacks seamless and impactful, avoiding common pitfalls that can distract or confuse readers. Flashbacks: A Double-Edged Sword - Flashbacks can enrich your story by providing backstory and depth to characters. - However, misused flashbacks can disrupt the flow and pull readers out of the story. Five Key Tips for Effective ...

Join Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid as they welcome Andrew Auseon, a talented author and video game writer. Dive into Andrew's journey across the realms of video games and kids books, exploring the creative synergy between these two worlds. Spellbinders Series: Discover the magic behind Andrew Auseon's middle-grade series, starting with Spellbinders: The Not So Chosen One and the upcoming sequel Spellbinders: Break the Game. Follow Ben's adventures as he navigates personal challenges and a fanta...

This week we dived deep into the picture book publishing process. Whether you're at the beginning of your journey, stuck in the middle, or just looking for that extra nudge, we've covered everything you need to know to navigate this challenging yet rewarding path. Our Picture Book Journey: We share the latest on Cat's Rule and the unagented submission process. Despite the silence from publishers, we're just at the beginning! Dealing with Submissions: We talked about the submission process's hi...

In the latest episode of Writers With Wrinkles, join hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid as they talk with Kaitlyn Sanchez, a figure who has rapidly become a beacon in the world of children's literature. Kaitlyn, a literary agent at Bradford Literary, shares her unique story that transitions from a passion for mathematics to a growing influence in children's book publishing. Listeners will be treated to an in-depth conversation that delves into the competitive landscape of picture book publishi...

How to write an effective synopsis for your novel.

In this episode, Beth and Lisa welcome Ben Fox, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Shepherd.com, an innovative platform aiming to revolutionize online book discoverability. As avid readers and critics of Goodreads, the hosts delve into Shepherd.com's unique approach to connecting readers with books through curated lists and positive recommendations. Key Topics Discussed: 1. Introduction to Shepherd.com: Ben explains how Shepherd.com introduces curiosity and serendipity into the onlin...

In Season 3, Episode 3, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid, the co-hosts of Writers with Wrinkles, continue their Big Picture series. They delve into the process of writing and trying to sell a picture book, sharing their journey in real-time with listeners. The episode covers a variety of topics, including the challenges of the book publishing process, the importance of organization in querying, and practical advice on pitch preparation and manuscript submission. Key Highlights: 1. Revise. Revise....

Season 3 launches with Kathleen Schmidt, an accomplished vet in the book publishing world. This episode, rich with insights from Kathleen's extensive background as a publicist, literary agent, acquisitions editor, and ghostwriter, is a must-listen for authors navigating the complexities of publishing. Our discussion, full of practical advice and industry secrets, is perfect for those searching for content on authorship, publishing success, and marketing strategies. Key Discussions: Kathleen ...

Join us as we delve into the dynamic world of Young Adult (YA) publishing with literary agent and author, Eric Smith. In this must-listen for aspiring authors and YA enthusiasts, Eric sheds light on why horror is making a big comeback and what genres are currently dominating the YA scene. Whether you're grappling with how to make your manuscript stand out or seeking insights into the latest market trends, this episode is a treasure trove of advice. Dive into topics like crafting compelling YA r...

In this encore episode of "Writers with Wrinkles," hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk to Leslie Zampetti, a seasoned literary agent and founder of Open Book Literary. Leslie shares her unique perspectives on the publishing industry, emphasizing underrepresented voices and providing invaluable tips for aspiring authors. Dive into an discussion on querying, submission strategies, and the post-COVID publishing landscape. Key Takeaways: - Importance of professionalism and research in querying...

In our season finale, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid take a stroll down memory lane, sharing laughs, insights, and valuable lessons from the year 2023. Join us for a quick journey through our favorite episodes, guest highlights, and the wisdom we've gathered along the way. Perfect for aspiring authors, seasoned writers, and literary enthusiasts alike, this episode is a treasure trove of inspiration and practical advice. Mentioned in This Episode: - "Writing Spooky Middle Grade Fiction" episode -...

NYT Bestselling Author Jason June joins us to talk about an early career pivot that led to great success, how to successfully think about and write across different genres, and what he wishes he'd known when he started out. About Jason June Jason June is a best-selling author of young adult novels that celebrate queer love and lust and chaotically gay shenanigans. His works include Jay’s Gay Agenda, Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball, The Spells We Cast, and the instant New York T...

With episode 57, we kick off "The Big Picture," a new segment where we walk you through the process of preparing and submitting a picture book for publication. Today we talk about receiving, digesting, and implementing feedback. Our special highlight is an exclusive insight into the valuable critiques provided by Lynn Marie, the founder of "Rate Your Story." Her expert feedback is instrumental in refining our picture book project, offering a unique perspective on the manuscript's development. ...

Get ready to dive into the enchanting world of children's literature with Heather Macht and Lynne Marie, the creative minds behind the hit platform, 'Seasons of Kidlit'. Discover how their shared passion for festive holidays, especially the allure of Halloween, transformed into a thriving platform promoting children's books. This episode offers a deep dive into their collaborative journey, highlighting key strategies in author marketing and community building. Learn how they've made a mark in ...

Can you use AI to augment and amplify your creative endeavors? Can you use it to do stuff you don’t want to? Yes!! Tune in to hear about an experiment in creating a mini-marketing effort around holiday sales of Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls trilogy using AI to create content and produce a list of independent bookstores. (to go deeper, visit the You CAN Write a Book! Substack) Also, GoodReads sucks and you’ll want to know why. :) Join us for episode 55! Support the showTwitter: @BethandL...

Erika Lewis has written novels, comics and graphic novels. She has deep experience collaborating with other creators. What we talked about: how her childhood riding dirt bikes and roller skates shape the adventurous world of Kelcie Murphy how her books like "Game of Shadows" and "The Color of Dragons" compare to the Kelcie Murphy series the nuts and bolts of collaboration with outer authors and how she makes sure it works! the challenges of working across multiple mediums and what keeps her ...

Welcome to another Top Five Deep Dive episode! Today, we dive deep into creating a strong opening for your novel. Key takeaways: Start with Action or Intrigue Introduce a Relatable Character Pose Questions or Create Conflict Use Vivid Description and Sensory Detail Craft an Engaging First Line (listen for our examples) Listen for all the important details! Whether you're just starting your writing journey or are a seasoned author, there's something here for everyone. Remember to subscri...

Have you ever dreamed of writing a book with a friend or an author you admire? How do you make it work? What are the most important elements of the relationship? Today we peek inside a successful collaborative writing partnership of acclaimed authors E.E. Charlton-Trujillo and Pat Zietlow Miller. We'll take you through their extraordinary partnership, from their initial meeting, to their joint ventures, including the Lupe Lopez series and A Girl Can Build Anything books. Pat and E.E. share thei...

Ready to unlock the full potential of Substack? We're here to answer WHAT, WHY and HOW of this platform, where independent publishing meets community building. Discover the features offered, including content creation and promotion, subscription models, monetization, and more. We're going to help you answer a critical question – is Substack the right fit for you? Remember, there's no wrong answer here, only exciting opportunities! Next, we get into the HOW of building and promoting a successfu...

Ever wondered how an idea evolves into a complete picture book? Tune into our conversation with the New York Times bestselling author Ame Dyckman as she pulls back the curtain on the magical world of picture book writing. Ame shares her process and offers priceless tips on story development, the art of collaboration and the importance of knowing the marketplace. Ame also underscores the vital role of genuine emotions in picture books for them to resonate with young readers. If you're a seasone...