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Joel Brigham runs Brigham Editorial (developmental edits, manuscript critiques, query help), teaches high school English in Illinois, and is an editor for RevPit — a community that gives away free developmental edits each spring.

REVPIT

•    Free developmental editing contest — editors (not authors) mentor selected writers through full drafts

•    Applications open April, winners announced early May; ~14–15 editors participate

•    Year-round mini-event: 10 Queries — public feedback on first 5 pages + query letters

THE FIRST DRAFT

•    One goal: words on the page. Momentum beats perfection — always

•    Psychology backs this up: Goal Gradient Effect, Zeigarnik Effect, and Commitment Principle all support just keeping going

•    Comparing your messy first draft to your last polished book is a trap — every published book started the same way

5 DRAFTING HINDRANCES

•    Starting slow — avoid waking-up scenes, mirror descriptions, dream openers. Try dropping into the middle of something (*in medias res*)

•    Perfectionism — editing as you go wastes time on scenes that may not survive. Grammar is the last step

•    Weak character foundation — know their goal, fear, flaw, and wound as early as possible

•    No tension — even “everyday life” chapters before the inciting incident need friction, stakes, or a ticking clock

•    Info dumping — no backstory or flashbacks in chapters 1–2. Backstory is a breadcrumb, not a full loaf

FOR DISCOVERY / PANTSER WRITERS

•    Check in every 15–20k words — assess without forcing rigid plot beats

•    By 20k: your character should have a clear want and be on the book’s core journey

•    Made a change mid-draft? Drop a note and keep writing forward as if it’s always been that way — don’t stop to rewrite

LINKS

Joel’s services: brighameditorial.com  •  RevPit: reviseresub.com  •  Show notes: writerswithwrinkles.net

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Beth and Lisa talk with literary agent Nikki Carrero, from The Rights Factory, to break down the querying process from the agent’s side — what gets you noticed, what gets a pass, and how to make the most of The Call.

 

Highlights

•       Nikki runs monthly pitch parties on Threads — currently her only open submission path since she’s closed to general queries.

•       Biggest query red flags: word count outside genre norms, miscategorized genre, and sending to agents who don’t rep your category.

•       Personalization? Just use her name. “Dear Agent” won’t auto-reject you, but do double-check pronouns.

•       Multiple passes don’t always mean bad writing — it may be wrong agents, weak hook, or pacing issues in the opening pages.

•       Nikki is an editorial agent: developmental notes, line edits, and reader reactions all in the margins.

•       Watch your social media. Agents notice public venting in the query trenches — keep it in private group chats.

 

Questions to Ask on The Call (with prospective agent!)

•       How editorial are you, and what does your revision process look like?

•       Will I see the pitch letter and submission list?

•       What happens if the book doesn’t sell — do you stay with me?

•       Always ask for a boilerplate contract before signing.

 

Nikki’s Parting Advice

Patience and persistence. Self-publishing is not a fallback. Keep writing new books — voice and craft develop over time, and the writers who stick with it are the ones who break through.

 Nikki Carerro Substack

Nikki Carerro Threads

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We tackle a publishing debate, draw writing wisdom from Taylor Swift, and dig into one of the most common craft problems in fiction — weak stakes and missing tension. Plus a community book shout-out.

THE HARDBACK DEBATE

Beth shares a Guardian article arguing hardbacks are outdated — too expensive, they kill buzz before the paperback drops, and lead with the least accessible format. Beth and Lisa push back: libraries and schools depend on durable formats, sprayed-edge editions have made hardcovers a Gen Z collector's item, and paperbacks consistently outsell. Lisa made hardcover a deal-breaker when negotiating Heart and Souls to protect library access.

Read the article here.

TAYLOR SWIFT AS A WRITING TEACHER

Swift is a master of show-don't-tell — capturing massive emotion in a single precise phrase without ever stating it outright. Beth recommends the New York Times in-depth interview on her songwriting process as required reading for any fiction writer.

CRAFT DEEP DIVE: STAKES, TENSION & CONSEQUENCES

Every story lives or dies on what is at risk. There are always two levels and you need both — external stakes (plot consequences) and internal stakes (identity, belief, sense of self). They must be connected or the story falls flat.

Beth's "So What?" Stress Test — apply to any scene or chapter:

1. State what is happening in one plain sentence.
2. Ask: So what? Readers ask this unconsciously on every page.
3. Answer with a specific consequence — not "things get harder" but something like "she'll spend the rest of her life wondering if he ever really knew her."
4. Ask "so what?" once more. What does this cost the character in terms of who they ARE? That second layer is where the real stakes live.

The Index Card Method: Write one sentence per chapter, lay the cards out, and ask what the stakes are in each. Any blank card is a dead zone — and dead zones lose readers.

COMMUNITY BOOK SHOUT-OUT

Double Crossed by Rebecca Barone — out April 28th. Middle grade narrative nonfiction about Operation Bodyguard, the Allied WWII mission to fool the Nazis about the true location of D-Day. Reads like a spy thriller. Every word is true.

Buy it here.

Join The Waiting Room, our private Facebook community for writers, to connect with authors like Rebecca and get your upcoming release featured in a future shout-out.

NEXT EPISODE: Agent Nikki Carrero from The Rights Factory joins us May 25th!

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First Page Feedback: Charlotte's Hunt for Glory

Beth and Lisa critique the opening page of a middle grade fantasy submission and pull out craft lessons for any writer working on those critical first pages.

The Submission

Charlotte's Hunt for Glory follows 12-year-old Charlotte through a morning routine steeped in grief for her late grandmother and sibling envy — anchored by a rich exploration of hair as identity.

What's Working

• A strong, warm first-person voice with real overall potential
• Efficient emotional layering: grief, envy, and identity all on page one
• Small character moments (sticking her tongue out at the mirror) that do big work

What to Work On

• No fantasy signal. MG fantasy readers expect an early hint of the fantastical — even one small touch. It needs to appear quickly.
• The "why now" test. Nothing distinguishes this morning from any other. Signal that this day changes everything (or something).
• Too much telling. The sister and family dynamics can be revealed through action and dialogue rather than description.
• Watch the clichés. Cascading down her back and stab of envy undercut an otherwise fresh voice.

Craft Takeaways

• Every sentence in your opening must earn its place — if it's not doing work, cut it.
• Most writers warm up in their first chapter. In revision, the real story usually starts later than you think.
• Don't delete cut material — save it. It may fit somewhere else (and if it doesn't, that's okay too).

Next episode: Ask Beth and Lisa — send in your questions!

Writers with Wrinkles is hosted by Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid.

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The One Where Nobody Ordered the Books  |  Beth McMullen & Lisa Schmid

Lisa Schmid shares a cautionary tale from the Sacramento Book Festival, where a series of logistical failures turned what should have been an exciting milestone — her first book festival — into a comedy of errors. A week before the event she discovered the bookseller had never ordered any books, resulting in last-minute scrambling, one copy secured, and Lisa packing 20 of her own into her son’s little blue racing-sticker suitcase. She then had to park seven blocks away and roll it through the crowds just to get in the door.

The takeaway from both hosts: never assume logistics are handled — confirm book orders, ask who’s responsible for what, and follow up all the way through. Beth admitted she’s largely stopped accepting event invitations after too many similar experiences. On a positive note, Lisa previews an upcoming signing at Old Haunts Bookshop in Granite Bay — a model of how it should be done. Next week: guest Kolby Sharp, booked as a “palate cleanse” and described as a breath of fresh air for book lovers.

Key Takeaways

• Confirm your books have been ordered — don’t assume
• Ask who’s handling logistics and follow up close to the event
• Bring your own copies as backup if you can
• Check the organizer’s track record before you commit
• One person’s decision can have a major ripple effect on authors, organizers, and readers

YouTube video version

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Imprint closures, layoffs, and reorganizations are rattling the publishing world. Literary agent and At-Home Author founder Vicki Weber joins Beth and Lisa for a candid conversation about what’s driving these changes—and what writers can do about it. From the surprising role Harry Potter played in the decline of middle grade to building an audience before you have a book deal, Vicki delivers practical strategies for navigating today’s shifting landscape.

About Our Guest
Vicki Weber is a literary agent, bestselling children’s book author, and founder of At-Home Author. She helps writers craft, publish, and market books across traditional and self-publishing, and shares industry analysis on her popular Substack.

What We Cover

•       The wave of imprint closures (Roaring Brook, Dial) and editorial cuts at Simon & Schuster

•       How Harry Potter’s escalating length contributed to middle grade’s long-term decline

•       Why acquisitions are harder than ever—and why an editor loving your book is just the beginning

•       The industry push toward commercial fiction and what that means for querying writers

•       Vicki’s #1 querying tip: write another book and build a portfolio

•       Reading between the lines of agent wishlists to craft standout queries

•       Self-publishing vs. traditional: rising standards and honest pros/cons

•       Overcoming bad sales track with pen names, pivots, and reframing your story

•       Building an email list pre-publication with free stories, newsletter swaps, and cheap ads

•       Vicki’s wishlist: adult psychological horror, horror-tinged thrillers, genre mashups with social commentary

Loved this episode? Subscribe wherever you listen, visit writerswithwrinkles.net, and send your questions for the next Ask Beth & Lisa episode. Until next time—happy reading, writing, and listening!

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Beth and Lisa discuss the 2026 publishing landscape. From the end of prestige imprints like Dial Books to the flood of AI content, they explore why the industry feels increasingly "disposable" and "noisy."

Key Discussion Points

• The Shift to Content Management: Private equity firms are replacing veteran editors with "content managers" to prioritize franchises over literary prestige.
• The AI Explosion: Of the 4 million books published in 2025, approximately 3.5 million were AI-generated, burying human authors in the Amazon ecosystem.
• The "Trope" Trap: Acquisitions often require specific TikTok hashtags—like "Enemies to Lovers"—to ensure easier, data-driven marketing.
• Indie Press Opportunities: Smaller houses are thriving by focusing on niche audiences, such as middle-aged readers, that the "Big Five" often overlook.
• No More Developmental Edits: Overworked editors no longer have time to "fix" books; manuscripts must be 100% publication-ready before querying.

Tips for Authors

• Build Early: Identify and connect with your audience directly rather than relying on a publishing house to do it for you.
• Polish Fully: Use your community or coaches to ensure your work is flawless before submission, as agents and editors are spread too thin to provide heavy revisions.

Next Guest: Author and 5th-grade teacher Colby Sharp joins the show on April 27th.

Connect with Us

• Submit your "First Pages" for an on-air critique!
• Follow Writers with Wrinkles on Threads (our new crystal ball) and TikTok.

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Hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome award-winning author Amy Trueblood to discuss a transition many writers face but few discuss: life after parting ways with a literary agent. Amy shares her journey of being on her fourth agent, offering a refreshing look at why changing representation is a natural part of a long-term career.

About the Guest

Amy Trueblood is the author of the acclaimed YA historical novels Nothing But Sky and Across a Broken Shore. Writing as Amy True, she also authored the speculative romance series Clearly Charmed.

Key Discussion Points

• Normalizing Transitions: Agent changes due to retirement, agency closures, or genre shifts are standard industry "ebbs and flows."
• Re-Querying Strategy: Authors returning to the "trenches" should lead with their published credits to signal professional experience to new agents.
• Market Realities: The trio discusses the current high volume of submissions and why authors must exercise increased patience in today’s slower market.
• Overcoming "Baggage": Professionalism and a solid reputation are the best ways to counter fears that changing agents looks negative.
• Creative Evolution: Amy discusses her shift into romance and the experience of working with UK-based publishers.

Actionable Advice

• Be Transparent: Sharing industry struggles helps the wider writing community.
• Leverage Credentials: Use your history to establish immediate credibility.
• Stay Professional: Agents value reliable partners who understand the business.

Links

Amy Trueblood website

Amy Trueblood Insta

Amy Trueblood Threads

Amy Trueblood Bluesky

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In this episode, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk about a recent publishing controversy sparked on Threads regarding the "legitimacy" of indie authors. They break down the evolving landscape of self-publishing, comparing the financial and creative realities of "indie" versus traditional publishing. Later, they critique the opening pages of a middle-grade mystery titled The Ravenspur Mystery, offering actionable advice on voice, world-building, and establishing character motivation.

Key Discussion Points

The hosts react to a social media thread where an agent reportedly claimed indie writers are not "legit" authors.

• Financial Realities: While the top 10% of traditional authors make significant money, the hosts argue that for most authors, indie publishing offers a better return on value.
• Royalty Gaps: The difference in what an author pockets can be $5 per book.
• The Direct Pipeline: Indie authors have built powerful direct-to-reader relationships through email lists that traditional publishers often struggle to replicate.
• Speed to Market: The traditional pipeline takes about two years, but indie authors are able to release new books every 4 to 6 months to keep their pipeline full.
• Business Savvy: Successful indie authors often earn between $50,000 as a midlist author.

Creative Control & Traditional Pitfalls

• Losing Your Champion: In traditional publishing, an author's original editor may leave, leaving the book in the hands of someone less invested in the project.
• Full Autonomy: Self-publishing allows the author to retain creative control over everything from the editing process to cover design and formatting.
• The "Vanity" Myth: The hosts argue that the old idea of self-publishing as mere "vanity publishing" is dead; it is now a highly viable and sophisticated business route.

First Pages Critique: The Ravenspur Mystery

The hosts review the opening of a middle-grade mystery, praising its "old-school Nancy Drew" feel.

• Strengths: They highlight the strong opening hook that drops readers into the action and a voice that is observational, competent, and slightly wry.
• Critique on Filtering: Beth suggests that descriptive language should be filtered through the protagonist's specific perspective rather than sounding like neutral stage directions.
• Defining the "Want": A key recommendation is to establish the protagonist's internal "want" early on to ensure the reader is fully invested in her journey.

Mentions & Resources

• Books: Going Ghost (Cozy Mystery Series); Behind the Bookcase by Mark Steensland
• Bookstores: Bloodstone Books in Sacramento.
• Upcoming Guest: Award-winning author Amy Trueblood will join the next episode to discuss querying.
• Lisa's New Website!

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In this episode, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome back author and literacy advocate Fleur Bradley. The discussion centers on the importance of mysteries in keeping kids reading, the structural "nuts and bolts" of writing for middle grade (MG) versus young adult (YA) audiences, and the release of Bradley’s new craft book designed to help writers navigate the genre. 

Get A Clue is available for preorder right now! Releases April 7th.

Key Discussion Points

Addressing the Literacy "Drop-off"

• Statistics show a significant decline in reading for pleasure as children move from 3rd grade into middle school.
• Middle grade and YA mysteries act as a "hook" to keep reluctant readers engaged because of their high stakes and interactive nature.
• Mysteries foster critical thinking and deductive reasoning, making the reader an active participant in the story.

Crafting the MG and YA Mystery

• The "Fair Play" Rule: In a successful mystery, the reader must be given all the clues necessary to solve the crime alongside the protagonist.
• Pacing and Momentum: Unlike contemporary fiction, which may focus heavily on internal character arcs, mysteries require constant external momentum and "beats" to keep the reader turning pages.
• Revision Strategies: Using a structural approach during the revision process can help identify "sagging middles" and ensure clues are properly planted.

Defining the Crime by Age Category

• Middle Grade (MG): * The focus is on the puzzle and the "how."
  • While murder can be a plot point, it should be handled with a "cozy" sensibility—minimal gore and focused on the intellectual challenge.
• Young Adult (YA): * Allows for more "grit," darkness, and emotional complexity.
  • Authors have more flexibility regarding the types of crimes and the level of peril involved.

Practical Advice for Aspiring Authors

• Writers are encouraged to focus on the "nuts and bolts" of plotting early on.
• Implementing "Your Turn" exercises—taking a specific craft lesson and immediately applying it to a current manuscript—is the most effective way to learn the genre.
• Character voice is paramount; testing a character’s voice through short scenes can determine if they are strong enough to carry a full-length mystery.

Key Takeaways

• Mysteries are essential tools for literacy because they turn reading into a game or puzzle.
• Structure is the backbone of the genre; without a solid plot and well-timed clues, a mystery will lose its audience.
• Understanding the specific expectations of the MG vs. YA market is crucial for publication success.

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