We speak with agent John M. Cusick of Folio Literary Management about great first lines, what they can do for your work--and how they can make a good first impression that will stick with your reader, whether in a bookstore or in the slush pile. John's class is available (with our full library of classes) at ManuscriptAcademy.com. You can find him online at JohnMCusick.com, or at https://twitter.com/johnmcusick
Grab your favorite drink, maybe a nice pot of hot oolong tea, or a dry martini with a twist. If you’re in the autumn mood, pour a nice glass of fresh-squeezed cider or a hot toddy complete with a cinnamon stick. No matter the choice, you’ll enjoy today’s podcast about drinks and books, writing and relationships. Agent Andrea Somberg of the Harvey Klinger Literary Agency and her fabulous client Amira K. Makansi join us to discuss Literary Libations: What to Drink with What You Read. We’ll chat ab...
Agent Roseanne Wells of The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency goes through her query inbox, narrating for us both what's in there and what writers can learn from these works. We discuss everything from picture books to adult sci fi, tropes (for queries and in books) that work and are best avoided, and personalization that reads as such--and how we can tell if it's a simple cut and paste to all the agents on your list. We also talk about what works for illustrators, and styles in query sentences...
Julie talks with award-winning author-illustrator Jennifer Thermes about the relationship between text, images, and the picture book process--why it takes so many hours to find your creative voice--and how focusing on the long game is what will get you through the ups and downs of publishing. JENNIFER THERMES is a children’s book author, illustrator, and map illustrator. She graduated from Parsons School of Design with a degree in Communication Design. Her books have received a Kirkus starred re...
We talk with agent Whitney Ross at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency about why she never says she *doesn't* want something in her inbox, the different levels of editors and why they matter--why you don't need a master's to work in publishing. Then we veer into delicious territory, talking about the best chocolate chip cookies, how to hide the taste of cake mix, and Whitney's husband's winemaking abilities. We also talk about television reboots, including Jessica's favorite, Daria. We discuss com...
Please note: This episode contains adult language, but because Jen uses it so artfully, we couldn't stand to bleep it out. If you're listening around children, you may wish to grab some headphones and/or prepare your explanations for what those words mean. Jessica Sinsheimer went into the Tor/Macmillan offices to speak with the intrepid editor Jen Gunnels. We talk about why she never sends an editorial letter without a phone call, why authors need to trust their teams--and how writers can someti...
We spoke with Lilly Dancyger, writer, editor of Narratively, and creator of Memoir Monday, a weekly newsletter and monthly reading series co-curated by Narratively, Catapult, Granta, Guernica, The Rumpus, Longreads and Tin House. She has bylines all over town, a great sense of where to find the best fun in NYC (hint: it involves tens of thousands of people dressed up as sea creatures), and an anthology of women's anger called BURN IT DOWN coming out with Seal Press in 2019. If you've ever wonder...
Join Kelly Van Sant, literary agent at Red Sofa Literary, to analyze ten random queries in her inbox. Along the way, learn how she decides when to say yes, when to say no, and when to decide later--how common it is that people don't even get her name right--and why a query doesn't have to be perfect (but does have to be great) to get a yes. You can book time to go over YOUR query at http://manuscriptacademy.com/kelly-van-sant/. Kelly Van Sant has a decade of experience in the publishing industry...
We speak with the amazing Hanna Alkaf, author of THE WEIGHT OF OUR SKY, (Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster, 2019), about multiple offers--managing your writing career and writing friendships when you don't live in the United States--and the amazing story of her role in Malaysia's most recent election. We left this talk feeling so hopeful for the world--and trust you will, too. You can follow Hanna here: https://twitter.com/yesitshanna or visit her site here: https://hannaalkaf.com/. Here's the a...
We join Jessica to talk #TenQueries in her inbox, and what we can learn from them--and from submissions in general. In addition to common mistakes and inbox trends, you'll learn why you shouldn't overestimate your competition--and why all of Jessica's interns end up feeling better about their own writing after reading queries. (Hint: If you're doing ANY research, you're in the top 50%. This podcast counts as research! Feel good about yourself.)
So Jessica threw a party. For interns--sixty of them, recommended by agents and editors. With a small recorder and a lot of luck, she asked them YOUR questions from the Facebook group--most of them fitting into one of three categories: 1) What advice do you have for interns? 2) What advice do you have for writers? 3) How would you change the industry, if you had all the money and power in the world? We love their answers, and talk about what it means to be the least cynical people in publishing ...
Melissa Edwards (agent at Stonesong Literary, former lawyer, and founder of MLE Consulting) joins us to talk contracts, specialties, and what happens when another kind of lawyer attempts to negotiate a publishing contract. You'll learn the worst clause she's ever seen (it's so bad you guys), what will stay the same pretty much no matter what--and why these rights matter. You'll also learn about why you don't HAVE to have an agent to get a good deal--and how Melissa's new venture, MLE Consulting,...
Longtime critique partners Julie Kingsley and Cameron Rosenblum dive into another first page for The Manuscript Academy Podcast. Join them for a quick reading and review of contemporary YA first page. Repped by the fabulous Brianne Johnson, a Senior Agent at Writer’s House, Cameron is a school librarian, who served as a judge for the CYBIL’s Award and was a guest blogger for the Nerdy Book Club. This page by author Lauren Shade. CHAPTER ONE SADIE I can't get caught. My stomach turns as I unclenc...
We speak with agent Erik Hane of Red Sofa Literary about how he got his start, how he used to think fiction writers were hired--and the programs he'd build if given the funding. We also spend a brief moment talking about how #MeToo has come to publishing. Plus, some dangerous-sounding winter sports Erik and Julie seem to know way too much about. (We're glad they're safe, and hope Erik gets a sled dog soon.) You can listen to the Print Run episode we mentioned (episode 60) here and see all of the...
We speak with author Carrie DiRisio, the voice behind Brooding YA Hero, plus her agent, Melissa Edwards at Stonesong Literary, and her editor, Alison Weiss at Sky Pony Press. Together, we discuss the creation of Brooding YA Hero, and how it became a book that is so much more than a Twitter feed. (Plus, of course, we talk about how platform can help your work--and what to do if it's uncomfortable for you.) PLUS we introduce Carrie's new class--all about tropes, and how you can use them, twist the...
We speak with literary agent Kiana Nguyen of Donald Maass Agency about being a writer AND agent, her days as a park ranger in California and New York, and what she'd do with a Ph.D. in Anthropology. PLUS, we talk about her unusual journey into publishing--which involved Twitter networking, a contest, and getting killed in a work of fiction, The Intern's Handbook by Shane Kuhn: http://www.shanekuhn.com/the-intern-s-handbook.html We also discuss why a form letter is just a form letter--but that st...
Happy 2018! We're here to talk about your goals, and how best to accomplish them. NEW FEATURE: You can now *watch* this podcast as a video. In fact, it will make a lot more sense if you do! Just head on over to http://manuscriptacademy.com/videopodcast/ to view. It'll work on your phone, just like a podcast--but with a behind-the-scenes look at how we make these. To vote for donkey or camel, please visit: http://manuscriptacademy.com/donkey-or-camel/ The books we mentioned; Big Magic by Elizabet...
We talk with agent Kurestin Armada (P.S. Literary) and her client, Amy Schaefer, who not only got an offer of representation while in another country--but while on a boat near Papua New Guinea. Without wifi. Or phones. Just one radio. Many writers worry about whether they can possibly get an agent's attention, and sell books in the US, if they live abroad. For all of the writers out there, we hope this episode puts you at ease. If Kurestin and Amy can do it with a single sideband radio, an old N...
Join us December 11, at 8:00pm EST, for a happy hour featuring writers, agents, editors--all coming together to celebrate the season. PLUS there will be prizes, giveaways, and more. Listen in for tips on what to bring, what to drink--and how to make the most of this annual event.
For the first in this series (all about live meetings!), we talk with agent Melissa Edwards at Stonesong about live pitches, e-consultations, and what works—and doesn’t—in each. What makes a writer successful in these meetings? How do they best get answers that move their work forward? And what’s the difference between pitch and summary—and what blend helps you the most? (And yes, that super long, awkward pause is on purpose. Form matching content. You'll see.) Learn all this--and more--with Mel...
We asked Rachel Ekstrom Courage to talk about comp titles--comparative and competitive works that can, when used correctly in your pitch, give an agent a quick (and useful) idea of what your work is like, where it would fit in the marketplace, and who would read it. When used badly, comps can read like "This is Harry Potter meets The DaVinci Code meets Eat, Pray, Love"--both vague and an indicator of a lack of research. How do you use them to your advantage? Listen in!
We asked agent John Cusick at Folio Literary to narrate his inbox, #TenQueries style. Just like #TenQueries on Twitter, he described what he was seeing--but you can hear in his voice when he gets surprising mistakes (and great queries!). If you've ever wondered if agents are making up the stories of what's in their inbox (hint: if anything, they don't talk about the strangest things they receive), this is the episode series for you! While we had him, we asked about his experiences with live pitc...
In our Season Two launch, Jessica and Julie talk about the Academy's plans for our second year of business (wooo!). We'll tell you a bit about our new types of episodes, new services, workshops, author experts--and more! Plus, we discuss the superpowers necessary for publishing, and what we'd do with (more than) a million dollars, if we could.
Jessica and Julie are melting. It's over 100 degrees, and it's August--that mythical time that Publishing slows down (even more) for a month. In this season one finale, we discuss why August became this slower season--how a writer can best to spend that time--and what's coming up for this year in the Academy.
We talk with agent Stephanie Fretwell-Hill of Red Fox Literary about what happens when things go wrong during international work travel--and how the publishing community will often come together make sure everyone's okay. (You don't want to miss Stephanie's story--it's a very "Agents are people too" moment that had Jessica terrified on Stephanie's behalf. Don't worry--she ends up fine!) We also talk about the difference between our IDEA of what a career is like, versus the reality. (Hint: We alm...
We talk with editor Jaime Coyne, of St. Martin's Press/Macmillan, about the joys and stresses of being and editor who also writes--or did also write--or now speculates about how many editors and agents secretly write. Meanwhile, plenty of tips on how Jessica imagines that going (catastrophically) with social fallout (and awkward run-ins at corner stores in yoga pants after having been editorially torn apart). Back in the real world, we discuss how different edits can lead you to the same place (...
You heard it here first! Join The Manuscript Academy--along with editors and agents from top houses and agencies--for five daily lessons, five videos, a supportive critique group, AND a LIVE first pages panel--all for $25. Just head to ManuscriptAcademy.com/Five to learn more.
We speak with the lovely and talented Kelly Van Sant, agent at D4E0 Literary, about a new first page from author Erin Shachory. If you'd like to submit your first page for this podcast, please send it to Academy@ManuscriptWishList.com as a Word document, with "First Page Podcast" in the subject line. Here's Erin's first page, so you can follow along at home: My new life begins with a spark. First, a pinch in the center of my forehead, sharp enough to make me close my eyes. Then my skin tingles a...
We talk with Lindsey Danis about her experience being workshopped on our podcast, the changes she's implemented, and whether she wanted to reach through the screen and shake us for not getting it. We also answer Lindsey's questions and talk about how much self-deprecation can work on the page (versus in real life) and how to create (and why you should try to create) an emotional and aesthetic range. Want to volunteer as tribute? Submit your page for consideration by sending it to Academy@Manuscr...
In this episode, we talk with literary agent Caitie Flum of Liza Dawson Associates about online communities (and where to find your people), teleporting powers (which we would use to get lunch in Paris), and why agents do so many things for free (hint: we love the work, but it's still unpaid). We also talk about how agents can tell you haven't read enough in your genre--and why that matters. PLUS Caitie's best tips for a writer just starting out. You can also find Caitie in episode fourteen, our...
