Writers With Wrinkles

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles , Beth and Lisa welcome literary agent and author Ann Rose to discuss the state of the publishing industry, what makes a debut novel stand out, and how to balance writing for the heart and the market. Guest Bio: Ann Rose is a literary agent at Tobias Literary Agency and an author of young adult novels under the pen name A.M. Rose. With a pa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Writers with Wrinkles , co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid introduce a new segment called "Ask Beth & Lisa." They jump right into the challenges of surviving the query trenches, offering practical advice on managing the emotional rollercoaster that comes with seeking literary representation. Key Discussion Points Coping Strategies for Querying:...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Beth and Lisa chat with Rachel Stark, an editor at Disney Hyperion, discussing the state of middle grade and graphic novels, and providing insights into the publishing industry's inner workings. They also delve into how authors can craft compelling submissions and navigate the complexities of book acquisitions. Guest Bio Rachel Stark is an experienced editor...

Send us Fan Mail (PLEASE NOTE: All comments and opinions in this podcast are strictly Alonzo's own.) In this episode, co-hosts 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 authenticity in book promotion. Guest Bio: A...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary Beth and Lisa discuss their summer activities and insights from the ALA conference, emphasizing the need for shorter middle-grade books and adaptability in writing. They also announce changes to their podcast format for improved content quality. Key Discussion Points Summer Vacation Reflections : Beth and Lisa reminisce about their childhood summer vacations and di...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary: Hannah Kimber, associate editor at Andrews McMeel Publishing, shares insights on making book submissions stand out and the detailed acquisitions process. She emphasizes the importance of sensitivity readers, understanding market trends, and open communication between authors and editors. Guest Bio: Hannah Kimber is an associate editor of children's books at A...

Send us Fan Mail Mychal Threets is a librarian currently collaborating with PBS Kids. He's known for his viral videos highlighting library joy. At the time of this recording he was the Supervising Librarian for Solano County Library.  Mychal began his journey with libraries at a young age, getting his first library card and job at the same branch he eventually supervised. Raised in Solano Cou...

Send us Fan Mail Hannah McKinnon is an award-winning author of eight women's fiction and beach read novels with Simon & Schuster. Her notable titles include The Summer Club , (July 23rd), Message in the Sand , The View from Here , Sailing Lessons , The Summer House , Mystic Summer , and The Lake Season . Her latest release, The Darlings , came out on May 2nd. Previously, she published two...

Send us Fan Mail ENCORE EDITION! (One of our favs from season 2!) Erinn Pascal is the Senior Editor for Kids Books and Licensing at Andrews McMeel Universal. She has previously held editorial positions at Scholastic, Disney, and Simon & Schuster. Erinn grew up in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and holds a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College. When she's not editing, E...

Send us Fan Mail ENCORE EDITION! (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 invaluabl...

Send us Fan Mail Key Discussion Points: 1. Summer Slump in Writing: Beth and Lisa discuss how summer activities can lead to a writing slump and share personal experiences and tips for overcoming it. 2. Character Development: Lisa shares her struggle with her character's emotional journey and how understanding her character's background helped overcome writing challenges. 3. Author Accele...

Send us Fan Mail 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 Argonau...

Send us Fan Mail 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 H...

Send us Fan Mail Lindy Ryan, anthologist and horror author, discusses her debut horror novel Bless Your Heart , which explores themes of family, loss, and confronting monsters. She also discusses the intricacies of bringing an anthology to market. Key Discussion Points: Writing as Therapy: Ryan shares the personal beginnings of her writing journey, using her narratives as a means to cope with the...

Send us Fan Mail Hosts : Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid Theme : The 31-Day Platform Challenge For : Aspiring authors looking for practical advice on building and enhancing their author platform. Key Discussion Points : Overview of the 31-Day Challenge : Aimed at building author platforms through daily, manageable tasks starting June 1st. Hosted in partnership with Bitsy Kemper. Details can be found...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we interview Bitsy Kemper, a prolific author of children's books and a passionate advocate for authors navigating the publishing industry. The theme of this episode revolves around the resilience required in the publishing industry, including the personal challenges and triumphs of maintaining a career in writing over time. The discussion also touches on ghos...

Send us Fan Mail Hosts: - Beth McMullen - Lisa Schmid Theme:   The importance of secondary characters in storytelling. Key Discussion Points:   - Secondary characters add depth, complexity, and enrich the narrative. - They contribute to the world-building, provide subplots, conflicts, and challenges. - Effective secondary characters are distinct from main characters and have their own development...

Send us Fan Mail Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid Theme: Writer Resilience, Success Key Discussion Points: Matt Eicheldinger's Background: Transition from childhood interests to writing. Teaching career and its role in storytelling. Path to self-publishing and eventual traditional publishing success. Celebrating Recent Successes: Matt's book, "Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the T...

Send us Fan Mail Coping with imposter syndrome as a writer. Key Discussion Points: - We delve into the concept of imposter syndrome, defined as doubting one's abilities and feeling like a fraud despite success. - Discussion of the commonality of imposter syndrome among writers, with anecdotes of even well-known authors feeling it. - The role of social media in amplifying feelings of inadequac...

Send us Fan Mail Hosts: Beth McMullen Lisa Schmid Themes: Exploring the nuances of writing rhyming picture books with guest Lisa Riddiough , a Northern California based writer and author of the newly released picture book, Pie-rats . Key Discussion Points: 1. The Art of Rhyme in Picture Books: Discussion on the industry's view on rhyming picture books and the common misconceptions that surrou...

Send us Fan Mail 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. Interpreti...

Send us Fan Mail (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 wri...

Send us Fan Mail 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 brea...

Send us Fan Mail 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 specifi...

Send us Fan Mail 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....