Publishing Pals

Hello! In this episode we’re talking about notes from the SCBWI mid-atlantic 2026 conference, as well as a few notes from past conferences.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a whil...

Hello! In this episode we’re talking about Procreate brushes! Our favorites, some basic Procreate tips, and packs and edits we’d recommend.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a whil...

Hello! In this episode we’re talking about the state of the publishing industry, going over a talk and an article on some of the recent imprint closures and changes expected in the coming months. Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we...

Hello! In this episode we’re interviewing author Dana Swift! Dana Swift is a YA fantasy author repped by Kelly Dyksterhouse of Tobias Literary. She is the author of the Cast in Firelight duology, as well as the forthcoming When Dealing With Dragons , a YA Romantasy set for release this July. Dana got her degrees in English and Advertising at UT Austin, where she fenced saber and met her husband. W...

Hello! In this episode we’re talking about author and illustrator websites. When to make one, what to put on it, and where to find resources for those things.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are reme...

Hello! In this episode we’re talking about money: How writers make it, how payments are broken down, and how to deduct things for taxes.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while a...

Hello! In this episode we’re talking about reads and recs of 2025 - what we read this past year, what we loved, and what we’d recommend.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while a...

Hello! In this episode we’re interviewing Raissa Figueroa Raissa Figueroa is a self-taught artist of both digital and traditional media repped by Natascha Morris of Tobias Literary. She has illustrated nearly 30 books for publishing houses such as Viking Books for Young Readers, Harper Collins, Little Simon, and more. Her book series Oona not only earned out, but earned a glowing review from Kirku...

Hello! In this episode we’re talking about R&Rs (revise and resubmits). What they are, how to handle them, and our experience with them.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a whi...

Hello! In this episode we’re talking about critique groups! How to find one, what to expect, and how to have a healthy relationship with yours.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a...

Hello! In this episode we’re talking about comp titles! What they are, how to use them, and why they’re important.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from...

Hello! In this episode we’re interviewing Erica Wood, the regional advisor for SCBWI.  Erica Wood is a middle grade, YA, and poetry writer, long time member of SCBWI, and since 2020 has been the regional advisor for SCBWI’s Carolinas region. Erica studied English, Theater, and Creative Writing at Queens University, and has a Masters of Science in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.  Erica’s Substack li...

Hello! In this episode we discuss blurbs: what they are, why you need one, and how to write one for your book!  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from othe...

Hello! In this episode we’re talking all about the future of publishing, from word counts to what genres publishers are looking for, and summarizing some webinars, stats, etc. we’ve seen lately. Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we a...

Hello! In this episode we’re talking all about A.I. - how it’s used, whether it’s ethical, and how to approach it.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from...

Hello! We are so excited for this episode to interview Kelly Dyksterhouse, an agent at Tobias Literary Agency.   Kelly is an agented writer as well as an agent at The Tobias Literary Agency, a boutique agency that stresses collaborative culture where writers and artists feel comfortable to explore and perfect their craft while helping them reach their career goals.  Kelly represents a wide range o...

Hello! In this episode we talk about writer conferences. What they are, why you should go or not, and which ones are worth the investment.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while...

Hello! In this episode we talk all about loglines! What they are, how to write one, and what to pay attention to. Here are some of the things we brought up during the episode. Please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and It’s always important to do your own research! If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to corr...

Hello! In this episode, we go over writer resources. Wanna hear us word vomit as many helpful things as we can? This is the episode.  Aaaaah I ran out of characters so I wasn't able to link everything, but reach out if you need a link for something we mentioned that isn't on here! Links for Jessica Mielo:   https://inkwellmanagement.com/staff/jessica-mileo Query section of inkwell’s page...

Hello! In this episode we interview Katie Dwyer, a picture book author/illustrator repped by Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary. Her debut picture book, Bear’s Friend, is slated for publication in 2027 by Rise, an imprint of Penguin. Katie is a mom of both kids and dogs and works out of her home in Ashville, N.C.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the e...

Hello! In this episode we talk about building your query list. What ways can and should you track agents you’ve queried? What sort of research should you do on an agent beforehand? What do partial and full requests mean? All explained in this episode of Publishing Pals :) Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not tak...

Trigger Warning: At 45:19 we talk about a book in which attempted SA occurs. If this is triggering for you, please resume at 46:13 if you would like to skip that part.  In this episode we talk all about agents! What is an agent? Where do you look for one? How can you tell if one is reputable? Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaime...

Hello! In this episode, meet the pals! Maria and Suzanne, who will be talking you through the ups and downs of the traditional publishing industry. Please do not take our word as fact. While the agent deep dive is always fact checked, we do not prep for these episodes or look up other information beforehand. If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to co...