By Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid
Authors Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid iron out the wrinkles in writing, publishing, and everything in between . . . One podcast at a time.
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The podcast currently has 108 episodes available.
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In this episode of Writers with Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid tackle the harsh realities of getting "orphaned" in publishing and offer practical tips for authors to navigate setbacks when their editors leave mid-project. They discuss proactive steps authors can take to protect their work, advocate for themselves, and manage expectations in an unpredictable industry.
Key Discussion Points
Conclusion
Beth and Lisa underscore that authors must take an active role in their publishing journey, stay realistic about industry limitations, and advocate persistently for their work. By understanding the industry’s constraints, authors can better navigate challenges and even consider alternative publishing routes if traditional paths fall short.
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Episode Summary:
In this episode of Writers with Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa chat with teenage literacy advocate and podcast host, E-Train, who founded E-Train Talks Inc. to combat "book deserts" and promote literacy among underrepresented communities. E-Train discusses his journey into reading advocacy, the books that inspire young readers, and the importance of diverse representation in middle-grade literature.
Guest Bio:
E-Train is a teenage literacy advocate, reading ambassador, and founder of E-Train Talks Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to promoting literacy and access to books for kids in underprivileged areas. He also hosts the E-Train Talks podcast, where he interviews authors and discusses books, aiming to spread “book joy” and support young readers.
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Conclusion:
E-Train inspires listeners to value literacy as a tool for social change and empathy building. His advocacy efforts are a call to action for aspiring authors to create books that authentically represent young readers’ lives.
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Episode Summary: In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa chat with Amy Nielsen, a literary agent at Purcell Agency and a published author, about her experiences with both. Amy shares invaluable tips for querying, editing, and how to handle the ups and downs of the publishing industry.
Guest Bio: Amy Nielsen is a literary agent with Purcell Agency, specializing in young adult and picture books. A former youth librarian with nearly two decades of experience, Amy penned her debut novel, Worth It, while working at her library’s circulation desk. In addition to being an author, she is a freelance editor and a passionate advocate for helping writers polish their submissions.
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Conclusion: Amy emphasizes perseverance in the querying process and the importance of building a support system within the writing community. She also highlights the role of agents as collaborators and champions for their authors' work. For those looking to improve their submissions, her editing resources are a must-see.
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In episode 37 of Writers With Wrinkles, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid answer listener questions about writing, with a focus on the differences between beta readers and critique partners, how to find critique partners, and advice on book comps for queries. Lisa also offers a PSA on dogs eating too many cupcakes.
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Conclusion:
The episode provides actionable advice for aspiring writers, helping them understand the critical role beta readers and critique partners play in the manuscript development process. Beth and Lisa emphasize the importance of feedback in refining a book and navigating the publishing landscape. They also prepare listeners for the next episode, featuring literary agent Amy Nielsen.
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In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid chat with Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong, literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Cathie discusses her journey in the publishing world, offering insightful tips on querying, writing from the heart, and maintaining professionalism on social media.
Guest Bio
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, author, and book lover. She began her writing career in 2014 with her debut historical fiction, The Edge of Nowhere, and later published the YA novel Roam, which addresses homelessness. With nearly a decade of experience as a literary agent, she’s passionate about championing fresh voices in publishing.
Key Discussion Points
Conclusion
Cathie offers invaluable advice to aspiring authors, stressing the importance of genuine, heartfelt writing, while also recognizing market needs. She highlights the significance of professionalism, both in submissions and online presence, for a successful literary career.
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In this episode, Beth and Lisa take a look at the challenges facing middle-grade publishing, from declining sales to changes in bookstore stocking strategies, that seem to be all anyone can talk about! They share insights on how aspiring authors can adapt to the shifting landscape and stand out in a saturated market.
Key Discussion Points:
Beth and Lisa encourage aspiring middle-grade authors to be strategic in their approach by writing shorter, punchier books that capture attention quickly. Despite the market challenges, they emphasize that there are still opportunities for success if authors remain adaptable and smart in their storytelling.
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Next Episode:
On September 30th, tune in for a conversation with literary agent Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
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In this listener Q&A episode of Writers with Wrinkles, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid answer a question about juggling multiple writing projects and staying focused. They share personal approaches to managing ideas and offer advice on how to prioritize projects for aspiring authors.
Key Discussion Points
This episode dives into the challenges of managing multiple writing ideas and staying focused. Whether you’re a multitasker like Beth or laser-focused like Lisa, the key takeaway is the importance of finishing projects and supporting fellow writers.
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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 passion for storytelling, she champions books with strong voices and unique concepts. Ann's latest book, The Seemingly Impossible Love Life of Amanda Dean, is set to release on September 17th.
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Conclusion:
Ann Rose provides actionable advice for aspiring authors on how to navigate the competitive publishing landscape, emphasizing the importance of a unique voice and understanding market trends.
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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
Conclusion
Beth and Lisa provide a mix of humor and practical advice for writers navigating the challenging and often slow query process. Listeners are encouraged to use downtime productively and to participate in the new "Ask Beth and Lisa" segment by submitting their own questions.
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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 at Disney Hyperion, known for editing award-winning books like Simon Sort of Says. They have also worked on launching Disney Hyperion's Kugali Ink imprint, which focuses on graphic novels by African creators. As a senior mentor with the Representation Matters Mentorship Program, Rachel aids people of color in gaining a foothold in the publishing industry.
Key Discussion Points
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with a message of resilience for authors, stressing the importance of continuously writing and evolving one's craft. Rachel provides encouragement by noting that despite market challenges, there is always a place for well-crafted and meaningful stories .
Links Mentioned
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Visit the Website
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!
The podcast currently has 108 episodes available.
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