Episodes

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, we welcome Joshua Pruett, a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, and Emmy Award winner. Pruett has written for both Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Doctor Who. He is currently a writer for the upcoming return of Phineas and Ferb and co-author of the Last Comics on Earth graphic novel series. His first solo middle-grade series, Gyro and the Argonauts, will be released by Andrews McMeel Kids in the summer of 2025. Key Discussion Points 1. Journ...

Send us a Text Message. This episode features co-host Lisa Schmid discussing her upcoming middle-grade novel "Hart & Souls." The focus is on the challenges of writing a second novel, known as the sophomore slump, and the unique pressures and expectations that come with it. Key Discussion Points: 1. Introduction to "Hart & Souls" - Lisa introduces her novel about Stix Hart, a sixth-grader dealing with anxiety from past bullying. He meets three ghosts with unresolved issues and helps them move o...

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...

Welcome to another Top Five Deep Dive episode! (who doesn't love a top five list?!?!) Today, we delve deep into the captivating world of writing voice. Key takeaways will help you refine your writing voice and elevate your storytelling to new heights. Whether you're just starting your writing journey or are a seasoned author, there's something here for everyone. Remember to subscribe and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform to stay updated with our latest episodes. Be sure to co...

Do the words 'book marketing' make you cry? Yeah, we get that. On today's episode, we start to navigate that terrifying world, but we're doing it together and it's going to be fun! Once a month, we'll go deep into a marketing topic and figure out the ways you can implement it into your overall strategy without becoming overwhelmed and paralyzed. Join us for the premier of Marketing Monday! Support the showTwitter: @BethandLisaPod Insta: @WritersWithWrinkles Threads: @WritersWithWrinkles Blues...

Prepare to be enchanted as we chat with Eric Geron, a masterful storyteller and New York Times bestselling author. In this candid conversation, Eric takes you on his journey of becoming an author, while shedding light on the often mysterious process of creating a graphic novel. Even if you're not an illustrator, Eric's insights on the genre and crafting his debut graphic novel, Fry Guys, will inspire you to pen your own visual story - mad drawing skills or not! Join us for this memorable chat a...

Want to hear the secret sauce for writing compelling dialogue? We've got the recipe! This episode is your golden ticket to mastering the art of authentic and engaging dialogue that rings true for your characters. We delve into how written dialogue differs from everyday conversation, and how to ensure that each line uttered by your characters enhances your narrative. We talk about regional language, slang and dialects and how to use them best, as well as how eavesdropping might be good after all...

Are you wondering how to navigate the tricky waters of querying agents with your fabulous new manuscript? Imagine the insight you could gain from picking the brain of a senior agent from a top literary agency. That's exactly what we've done in this episode. Jennifer March-Soloway from the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, answers questions like: when is your manuscript ready for querying? Do you run the risk of querying too early? What is the best way to start your story to be sure the agent will tu...

Books on Botox is back! This week we take a look at Yours Truly, a contemporary romance by Abby Jimenez as an example of how to succeed with dual Points Of View. And why Jake Burt's novel The Tornado is a dazzling example of how to write authentically about bullying in middle school. Don't miss it! Support the showTwitter: @BethandLisaPod Insta: @WritersWithWrinkles Threads: @WritersWithWrinkles Bluesky: @bethandlisapod.bsky.social Support Writers With Wrinkles - become a subscriber Email: B...

Are you stuck trying to figure out whether your work in progress is middle grade or young adult fiction? Are you stressed out that you don't know where your book fits on the shelf? This episode with industry-savvy editor Sangeeta Mehta, tackles the rules to follow about where a book fits, from character ages and topics discussed, to book length and protagonist's voice. We discuss regional sensibilities and how they impact bookstore decisions; whether the industry should embrace an upper middle ...

Writing a series is no joke! It's hard enough to write one novel, but 2 or 4 or 8? You're going to want to listen to this list of tips critical to creating a sustainable series. 1. Pick your genre carefully 2. Consider type 3. Setting is crucial. 4. Have a plan 5. Use secondary characters Bonus: Know when to say peace out and move on! Make sure to tune in for all the gory details! Support the showTwitter: @BethandLisaPod Insta: @WritersWithWrinkles Threads: @WritersWithWrinkles Bluesky: ...

Are book covers important for an author? How about platform building? Are school visits a viable author side hustle? How do you make that a success? On Episode 40, we dig into these questions, and so many more, with award winning author Lindsay Currie. Don't miss it! Visit Lindsay (and see the cover for It Found Us!) at www.lindsaycurrie.com Pre-order a signed copy of Lindsay's forthcoming book - It Found Us. About Lindsay Currie Lindsay is the award winning author of 4 spooky middle grade n...

This week on Writers With Wrinkles Books on Botox we look at the critical ingredient to making a series succeed. And how humor in the first person can keep a reader turning pages. Don't miss it! Books discussed: The Bullet That Missed, by Richard Osman The Polter-Ghost Problem, by Betsy Uhrig PS: we are moving most of our activity to Instagram, so please visit us there! @WritersWithWrinkles Support the showTwitter: @BethandLisaPod Insta: @WritersWithWrinkles Threads: @WritersWithWrinkles Bl...

Have you been wondering why horror is so popular right now? Do you want to know what is selling in YA and why? How about ways to make your story stand out to acquiring editors in a crowded field? Or maybe you want insight into why an agent passed on your manuscript? On episode 38, we get into the details with agent and author Eric Smith and answer these questions. We also look at what to include in a query letter to get Eric's attentiona nd why you should stop obsessing over including the incit...

Join us as we test drive a new format! Our NEW Top Five Deep Dive is a list of writing tips you will want to keep handy as you journey through your manuscript (believe us, it IS a journey!) This week, we talk about spooky middle grade, a very hot segment of book sales right now. Tips include: 1. Start with a great hook - attention spans are limited! 2. Keep the pace fast. Building suspense throughout the story is critical to keeping the young reader’s interest. 3. Use humor to offset scary s...