Send us a text (PLEASE NOTE: All comments and opinions in this podcast are strictly Alonzo's own.) In this episode, co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmidt interview Alonzo Fuller, a marketing specialist for children's books at Andrews McMeel Publishing. They discuss marketing strategies, advice for introverted authors, and the importance of authenticity in book promotion. Guest Bio: Alonzo Fuller is a marketing specialist at Andrews McMeel Publishing, focusing on children's books. With experien...
Jul 22, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 30
Send us a text Episode Summary Beth and Lisa discuss their summer activities and insights from the ALA conference, emphasizing the need for shorter middle-grade books and adaptability in writing. They also announce changes to their podcast format for improved content quality. Key Discussion Points Summer Vacation Reflections : Beth and Lisa reminisce about their childhood summer vacations and discuss how the tradition of summer vacation reports in school can be exclusionary. ALA Conference Insig...
Jul 15, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Send us a text Episode Summary: Hannah Kimber, associate editor at Andrews McMeel Publishing, shares insights on making book submissions stand out and the detailed acquisitions process. She emphasizes the importance of sensitivity readers, understanding market trends, and open communication between authors and editors. Guest Bio: Hannah Kimber is an associate editor of children's books at Andrews McMeel Publishing. She acquires middle grade graphic novels and prose, as well as some young adult l...
Jul 08, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Send us a text Mychal Threets is a librarian currently collaborating with PBS Kids. He's known for his viral videos highlighting library joy. At the time of this recording he was the Supervising Librarian for Solano County Library. Mychal began his journey with libraries at a young age, getting his first library card and job at the same branch he eventually supervised. Raised in Solano County, Mychal has a passion for libraries and the role they play in communities. He is known for his engaging ...
Jul 01, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 27
Send us a text Hannah McKinnon is an award-winning author of eight women's fiction and beach read novels with Simon & Schuster. Her notable titles include The Summer Club , (July 23rd), Message in the Sand , The View from Here , Sailing Lessons , The Summer House , Mystic Summer , and The Lake Season . Her latest release, The Darlings , came out on May 2nd. Previously, she published two YA novels, Franny Parker and The Properties of Water , with FSG Macmillan. Hannah resides in Fairfield Cou...
Jun 24, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Send us a text ENCORE EDITION! (One of our favs from season 2!) Erinn Pascal is the Senior Editor for Kids Books and Licensing at Andrews McMeel Universal. She has previously held editorial positions at Scholastic, Disney, and Simon & Schuster. Erinn grew up in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and holds a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College. When she's not editing, Erinn enjoys veganizing family recipes, taking her mini Bernedoodle, Obi, to the dog park, practicing Pilate...
Jun 17, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 25
Send us a text ENCORE EDITION! (PLEASE NOTE: All comments and opinions in this podcast are strictly Sara's own.) In the latest episode of Writers with Wrinkles, we're thrilled to host Sara Schonfeld , an editor at HarperCollins, specializing in middle grade and YA literature. Our discussion spans the joys and challenges of editing, insights into the acquisitions process, and invaluable advice for writers on submissions, social media presence, and the evolving landscape of genre blending in liter...
Jun 10, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Send us a text Key Discussion Points: 1. Summer Slump in Writing: Beth and Lisa discuss how summer activities can lead to a writing slump and share personal experiences and tips for overcoming it. 2. Character Development: Lisa shares her struggle with her character's emotional journey and how understanding her character's background helped overcome writing challenges. 3. Author Accelerator Book Coaching: Beth talks about her experience with the Author Accelerator's book coaching certification, ...
Jun 03, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Send us a text In this episode, we welcome Joshua Pruett, a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, and Emmy Award winner. Pruett has written for both Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Doctor Who . He is currently a writer for the upcoming return of Phineas and Ferb and co-author of the Last Comics on Earth graphic novel series. His first solo middle-grade series, Gyro and the Argonauts , will be released by Andrews McMeel Kids in the summer of 2025. Key Discussion Points 1. Journey to...
May 27, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Send us a text This episode features co-host Lisa Schmid discussing her upcoming middle-grade novel "Hart & Souls." The focus is on the challenges of writing a second novel, known as the sophomore slump, and the unique pressures and expectations that come with it. Key Discussion Points: 1. Introduction to "Hart & Souls" - Lisa introduces her novel about Stix Hart, a sixth-grader dealing with anxiety from past bullying. He meets three ghosts with unresolved issues and helps them move on. ...
May 20, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Send us a text Lindy Ryan, anthologist and horror author, discusses her debut horror novel Bless Your Heart , which explores themes of family, loss, and confronting monsters. She also discusses the intricacies of bringing an anthology to market. Key Discussion Points: Writing as Therapy: Ryan shares the personal beginnings of her writing journey, using her narratives as a means to cope with the loss of her grandmothers and to celebrate the women in her family. Anthology Curating: The process of ...
May 13, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Send us a text Hosts : Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid Theme : The 31-Day Platform Challenge For : Aspiring authors looking for practical advice on building and enhancing their author platform. Key Discussion Points : Overview of the 31-Day Challenge : Aimed at building author platforms through daily, manageable tasks starting June 1st. Hosted in partnership with Bitsy Kemper. Details can be found on their blog at Writers with Wrinkles . Importance of Author Platforms : Both hosts emphasized the n...
May 06, 2024•21 min•Season 3Ep. 19
Send us a text In this episode, we interview Bitsy Kemper, a prolific author of children's books and a passionate advocate for authors navigating the publishing industry. The theme of this episode revolves around the resilience required in the publishing industry, including the personal challenges and triumphs of maintaining a career in writing over time. The discussion also touches on ghostwriting and practical advice for aspiring authors. Key Discussion Point 1. Bitsy Kemper's Journey: From ma...
Apr 29, 2024•38 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Send us a text Hosts: - Beth McMullen - Lisa Schmid Theme: The importance of secondary characters in storytelling. Key Discussion Points: - Secondary characters add depth, complexity, and enrich the narrative. - They contribute to the world-building, provide subplots, conflicts, and challenges. - Effective secondary characters are distinct from main characters and have their own development arc. - They can reflect, challenge, and highlight aspects of the protagonist, aiding in their growth. - Se...
Apr 22, 2024•23 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Send us a text Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid Theme: Writer Resilience, Success Key Discussion Points: Matt Eicheldinger's Background: Transition from childhood interests to writing. Teaching career and its role in storytelling. Path to self-publishing and eventual traditional publishing success. Celebrating Recent Successes: Matt's book, "Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes," hits bestseller lists. Discussion on dealing with imposter syndrome and the overwhelming nature of s...
Apr 15, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Send us a text Coping with imposter syndrome as a writer. Key Discussion Points: - We delve into the concept of imposter syndrome, defined as doubting one's abilities and feeling like a fraud despite success. - Discussion of the commonality of imposter syndrome among writers, with anecdotes of even well-known authors feeling it. - The role of social media in amplifying feelings of inadequacy and strategies for writers to manage this influence. - The importance of a supportive community and const...
Apr 08, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Send us a text Hosts: Beth McMullen Lisa Schmid Themes: Exploring the nuances of writing rhyming picture books with guest Lisa Riddiough , a Northern California based writer and author of the newly released picture book, Pie-rats . Key Discussion Points: 1. The Art of Rhyme in Picture Books: Discussion on the industry's view on rhyming picture books and the common misconceptions that surround them. 2. Natural Rhymers vs. Learned Technique : Insight into the natural ability of rhyming versus the ...
Apr 01, 2024•28 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Send us a text Season 3, Episode 13 - Embracing Rejection and Failure in Your Writing Journey Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid Episode Theme: Navigating Failure and Rejection in Writing Key Discussion Points: 1. Personal Experience with Rejection: - Shared a recent rejection of their Cat’s Rule picture book. - Importance of closure in rejections, even without feedback. 2. Interpreting Rejection: - Sometimes, rejections hide internal conflicts within publishing companies. - Creating narrative...
Mar 25, 2024•19 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Send us a text (PLEASE NOTE: All comments and opinions in this podcast are strictly Sara's own.) In the latest episode of Writers with Wrinkles, we're thrilled to host Sara Schonfeld , an editor at HarperCollins, specializing in middle grade and YA literature. Our discussion spans the joys and challenges of editing, insights into the acquisitions process, and invaluable advice for writers on submissions, social media presence, and the evolving landscape of genre blending in literature. Sara's pa...
Mar 18, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Send us a text What is Pacing? More about rhythm than speed Reader engagement is key - avoid sections that feel like a slog Different genres have different pacing expectations (e.g., thrillers vs. literary fiction) Crafting Pacing Sentence Length: Short = fast, Long = slow Active Voice & Description: "Show, don't tell" keeps things moving Paragraph Length: Vary length and break up long blocks of text Formatting: Use sparingly - long quotes, italics, footnotes Series Writing: Consider ongoing...
Mar 11, 2024•21 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Send us a text Writers With Wrinkles: Patience Bloom on Romance Writing Patience Bloom , a freelance book editor with 26 years of experience in romance publishing, joins Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid on the podcast Writers With Wrinkles. Key points: Elements of a captivating romance protagonist: Likable, even if flawed. Human and relatable. Vulnerable but strong. Possesses expertise in a specific area. Common pitfalls in portraying romantic relationships: Lack of conflict. Unrealistic or drawn-o...
Mar 04, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Send us a text Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid tackle the art of writing flashbacks, offering insight into integrating them effectively into your narrative. The episode focuses on making flashbacks seamless and impactful, avoiding common pitfalls that can distract or confuse readers. Flashbacks: A Double-Edged Sword - Flashbacks can enrich your story by providing backstory and depth to characters. - However, misused flashbacks can disrupt the flow and pull readers out of the story. Five Key Tips f...
Feb 26, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Send us a text Join Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid as they welcome Andrew Auseon, a talented author and video game writer. Dive into Andrew's journey across the realms of video games and kids books, exploring the creative synergy between these two worlds. Spellbinders Series : Discover the magic behind Andrew Auseon's middle-grade series, starting with Spellbinders: The Not So Chosen One and the upcoming sequel Spellbinders: Break the Game . Follow Ben's adventures as he navigates personal challe...
Feb 19, 2024•22 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Send us a text This week we dived deep into the picture book publishing process. Whether you're at the beginning of your journey, stuck in the middle, or just looking for that extra nudge, we've covered everything you need to know to navigate this challenging yet rewarding path. Our Picture Book Journey : We share the latest on Cat's Rule and the unagented submission process. Despite the silence from publishers, we're just at the beginning! Dealing with Submissions : We talked about the frustrat...
Feb 11, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Send us a text In the latest episode of Writers With Wrinkles, join hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid as they talk with Kaitlyn Sanchez, a figure who has rapidly become a beacon in the world of children's literature. Kaitlyn, a literary agent at Bradford Literary, shares her unique story that transitions from a passion for mathematics to a growing influence in children's book publishing. Listeners will be treated to an in-depth conversation that delves into the competitive landscape of picture...
Feb 05, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Send us a text Mastering the Art of the Synopsis Season 3, Episode 5 Hello, aspiring authors! It's Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid, your trusty navigators on the sea of publishing. In our latest episode,we dive deep into a territory that even the bravest writers often fear to tread—the dreaded synopsis. Crafting a compelling synopsis is no less than an art. It's often the first window into your work for agents, publishers, and readers. So how do you distill the essence of your novel into a single ...
Jan 29, 2024•24 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Send us a text In this episode, Beth and Lisa welcome Ben Fox, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of Shepherd.com , an innovative platform aiming to revolutionize online book discoverability. As avid readers and critics of Goodreads, the hosts delve into Shepherd.com's unique approach to connecting readers with books through curated lists and positive recommendations. Key Topics Discussed: 1. Introduction to Shepherd.com: Ben explains how Shepherd.com introduces curiosity and serendipity into...
Jan 22, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Send us a text In Season 3, Episode 3, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid, the co-hosts of Writers with Wrinkles, continue their Big Picture series. They delve into the process of writing and trying to sell a picture book, sharing their journey in real-time with listeners. The episode covers a variety of topics, including the challenges of the book publishing process, the importance of organization in querying, and practical advice on pitch preparation and manuscript submission. Key Highlights: 1. Re...
Jan 15, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Send us a text Season 3 launches with Kathleen Schmidt , an accomplished vet in the book publishing world. This episode, rich with insights from Kathleen's extensive background as a publicist, literary agent, acquisitions editor, and ghostwriter, is a must-listen for authors navigating the complexities of publishing. Our discussion, full of practical advice and industry secrets, is perfect for those searching for content on authorship, publishing success, and marketing strategies. Key Discussion...
Jan 08, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Send us a text Join us as we delve into the dynamic world of Young Adult (YA) publishing with literary agent and author, Eric Smith. In this must-listen for aspiring authors and YA enthusiasts, Eric sheds light on why horror is making a big comeback and what genres are currently dominating the YA scene. Whether you're grappling with how to make your manuscript stand out or seeking insights into the latest market trends, this episode is a treasure trove of advice. Dive into topics like crafting c...
Jan 01, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 1
