Need a little inspiration? 🤗 For 10 years, Wendelin Van Draanen collected rejection letters while happily writing the next Sammy Keyes mystery anyway. Eventually, one editor said yes. Sometimes persistence pays off. #amquerying #writingcommunity www.writerswithwrinkles.net/10-years-of-...

10 Years of Rejection, 40 Books Later

Wendelin Van Draanen spent 10 years collecting rejections before anyone said yes to her Sammy Keyes mystery series — she just kept writing the next one anyway. Now,…

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Happy Monday! If you're in the query trenches, you definitely want to give this a listen. Lisa offers up practical advice, encouragement, and delivers the goods on writing a killer query letter. #amquerying #writingcommunity www.writerswithwrinkles.net/back-in-the-...

Back in the Query Trenches: Author Lisa Frenkel Riddiough on Los…

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome back returning guest Lisa Frenkel Riddiough t…

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Literary agent Ann Rose with Marsal Lyon Literary Agency returns to Writers With Wrinkles for a candid, funny, and reassuring conversation about the current state of publishing, first pages, what's at the top of her MSWL, and more! #amquerying www.writerswithwrinkles.net/literary-age...

Literary Agent Ann Rose: What Your First Chapter Needs

Send us Fan Mail Literary agent Ann Rose (Marsal Lyon Literary Agency) returns to Writers With Wrinkles for a candid, funny, and reassuring conversation with Beth a…

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The Launch Countdown has begun . . . Keep an eye on our website. #ticktock #newchapter #bighappenings www.writerswithwrinkles.net

Writers With Wrinkles: Essential Intel for Aspiring Authors

Join Writers With Wrinkles podcast for in-depth insights into writing and publishing. Expert advice, interviews, and tips for authors on their publishing journey.

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NEW EPISODE! Today we cut through the noise of book marketing advice to spotlight what genuinely moves books: word of mouth. We share three low-cost, actionable strategies to spark that word of mouth before and after your launch. #authors #writingcommunity www.writerswithwrinkles.net/stop-making-...

Stop Making Videos Nobody Watches — Here's a Way to Actually Sel…

Send us Fan Mail Hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmidt cut through the noise of book marketing advice to spotlight what genuinely moves books: word of mouth. Nearly …

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NEW EPISODE! Beth & Lisa talk with literary agent @nikkigetsliterary.bsky.social, from The Rights Factory, to break down the querying process from the agent’s side. What gets you noticed, what gets a pass, & how to make the most of The Call. ☎ #amquerying www.writerswithwrinkles.net/stop-queryin...

Stop Querying Wrong: Agent Nikki Carrero Breaks It Down

Send us Fan Mail 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…

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Thanks to our amazing listeners, we’ve landed in the top 10% of podcasts! 🎉 We’re incredibly grateful to our community for showing up, tuning in, and making this journey so special. We're so grateful for each and every one of you. ❤️ Here's to 50,000 more downloads! 🥳 Write on! ~Beth & Lisa. 😎😎

NEW EPISODE! Weak stakes are the #1 reason agents pass on manuscripts — and on this week's episode of Writers With Wrinkles, we share a simple "So What" stress test to make sure every scene in your book is pulling its weight. #amquerying #writingcommunity www.writerswithwrinkles.net/how-to-write...

How to Write Better Stakes & Tension in Your Novel (and some Ta…

Send us Fan Mail 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 a…

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First Pages: 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. Link in Bio. #Podcast #writingcommunity www.writerswithwrinkles.net/we-read-your...

We Read Your First Pages So You Don't Have To Guess

Send us Fan Mail 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 les…

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Bonus Episode! 🎉 The day in the life of an author isn't always smooth sailing. 😭 Lisa shares her recent experience at a book festival that was disappointing and more than a little frustrating. It's a sad cautionary tale . . . #authorslife www.writerswithwrinkles.net/rolling-with...

Rolling With It (And Then Not)

Send us Fan Mail The One Where Nobody Ordered the Books | Beth McMullen & Lisa Schmid Lisa Schmid shares a cautionary tale from the Sacramento Book Festival, wh…

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New Episode! 🎉 Imprint closures, layoffs, & reorganizations are rattling the publishing world. Literary agent and At-Home Author founder @vickyweberbooks.bsky.social joins Beth & Lisa for a candid conversation about what’s driving these changes. #writers www.writerswithwrinkles.net/publishing-i...

Publishing Is Changing Fast! Literary Agent Vicki Weber on What'…

Send us Fan Mail Imprint closures, layoffs, and reorganizations are rattling the publishing world. Literary agent and At-Home Author founder Vicki Weber joins Beth …

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Middle grade has been a wild ride the last few years. If you're looking for insight, you do not want to miss the Vicky Weber episode dropping on Monday! 🎉 Vicky also offers up her take on publishing, querying, and bad sales track. Mark your calendar! It's a GOOD one. 😍 #middlegrade #writers

Join me in celebrating Independent Bookstore Day at Old Haunts Bookshop—the perfect home for my ghost stories. I’ll be signing copies of Ollie Oxley and the Ghost and Hart & Souls. Stop by, say hello! 👻 #independentbookstoreday #granitebay @jollyfishpress.bsky.social

Hey, NorCal friends! 😍 If you are in the neighborhood stop by and see me at the Sacramento Book Festival 📚 I will be on a middle grade panel & signing books immediately after.🖋️ I hope to see you there! 😍 #sacramentobookfestival @andrewsmcmeelkids.bsky.social @jollyfishpress.bsky.social

It's a sad day for the Nor Cal book community. 😭 Face in A Book you will be missed. Thanks for the sweet memories. ♥

Bonus Episode! 🎉 These days, publishing feels like the Wild, Wild West. 🧐 We could easily devote an entire podcast to the daily scandals and upheaval in the industry. 😟 Sigh. Just trying to keep up one day at a time. #writingcommunity www.writerswithwrinkles.net/what-the-hec...

What The Heck Is Going On With Publishing?

Send us Fan Mail 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…

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Bunnies for democracy. #nokings

Welp . . . We have joined Tik Tok. 😵‍💫 If you're on there, please give us a follow. I can't find anyone. 😳 It's very chaotic. I think I need to lie down. lol.

NEW EPISODE! 🎉 Breaking up is hard to do . . . But it doesn't have to be. 🤗 Today we welcomed award-winning author @atruebooks.bsky.social to discuss a transition many writers face but few discuss: life after parting ways with a literary agent. #amquerying #writers www.writerswithwrinkles.net

Writers With Wrinkles: Essential Intel for Aspiring Authors

Join Writers With Wrinkles podcast for in-depth insights into writing and publishing. Expert advice, interviews, and tips for authors on their publishing journey.

writerswithwrinkles.net

I chatted with @fleurbradley.bsky.social about her new book GET A CLUE, a practical guide to writing MG & YA mysteries. If you're writing a mystery you want this book! . 🔍 You need this book! 😁 Check it out! 🧐 fromthemixedupfiles.com/get-a-clue-w... #ya #mg #writers #writingcommunity #kidlit

GET A CLUE with Author Fleur Bradley - From The Mixed Up Files

I’m delighted to welcome award-winning author Fleur Bradley to the blog. I first discovered Fleur when I devoured her middle grade mystery Midnight at the Barclay Hotel. With its clever clues and spec...

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Calling all Sacramento area educators! 🍎 I will be at @clairelynnbone.bsky.social signing books and chatting about all things middle grade! 🎉 I hope to see you there. ❤️ #teachers #librarians #sacramento @jollyfishpress.bsky.social @andrewsmcmeel.bsky.social

New Episode! 🎉 Today we tackle the explosion of predatory emails. From fake "Silent Book Clubs" to fraudulent Amazon publishing offers aimed at unsuspecting writers. #writingcommunity #authors #writers www.writerswithwrinkles.net/youre-not-a-... #writingcommunity #authorlife #writingpodcast

You’re Not a Real Author Until You Get Scam Emails

Send us a text Is your inbox is bursting with slop from bots and scammers? In this "Ask Beth & Lisa" episode, we tackle the explosion of predatory emails—from f…

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Let's support our friends in Minnesota. ❤️ I have donated a signed copy of OLLIE OXLEY AND THE GHOST (@jollyfishpress.bsky.social) with an mg critique. There are so many wonderful items I have my eye on. Please take a moment to check it out, bid, support, and spread the word! #publishingforminnesota

Does anybody have a referral for a book pr person? I have a friend about to launch an indie book. Thanks! #writingcommunity #selfpublishing #indie #writers

New Episode! 🥳 In this episode, literary agent/author Alia Hanna Habib pulls back the curtain on the publishing industry. Alia shares insights from her new book, Take It From Me, An Agent's Guide to Building a Non-Fiction Writing Career From Scratch. www.writerswithwrinkles.net/navigating-n...

Navigating Non-Fiction Publishing with Literary Agent Alia Hanna…

Send us a text Episode Summary What does it actually take to get a non-fiction book published in today's market? In this episode, literary agent and author Alia Han…

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New Episode! 🎉 We're kicking 2026 off with a bang! Beth & Lisa chat with @erincaseywestin.bsky.social, associate agent at Galt & Zacker Literary Agency, about the #kidlit market and how agents evaluate queries. Hot topic: What's up with middle grade? 😁 www.writerswithwrinkles.net/what-literar...

What Literary Agents Look for in Kidlit Submissions, with Erin Casey Westin

What Literary Agents Look for in Kidlit Submissions, with Erin Casey Westin page for Writers With Wrinkles

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Happy New Year! 🥳 We wrapped up 2025 with the biggest download month in our four-season history. 😍 Thank you so much for your incredible support. 🍾 We’re beyond excited for the New Year and all that’s ahead! 📚 Cheers to a fantastic 2026 and plenty of bookish wins for everyone! #writers

In this season finale episode, we reflect on the end of the season, share a behind-the-scenes podcasting mishap (it happens), and dive into a First Pages critique of a cozy fantasy. It's another fantastic submission! #firstpages #writers www.writerswithwrinkles.net/season-final...

Season Finale Bonus: First Pages Cozy Fantasy

Season Finale Bonus: First Pages Cozy Fantasy page for Writers With Wrinkles

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New Episode! Beth & Lisa chat about the publishing industry gambling problem, and it's not pretty. #writingcommunity #writers www.writerswithwrinkles.net/inside-publi...

Inside Publishing’s High-Stakes Reality: What Writers Need to Know

Send us a text In this Ask Beth & Lisa episode, Beth and Lisa discuss one of the most active conversations happening among writers: the growing concern about how th…

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