Writers With Wrinkles

Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid

Theme: Writer Resilience, Success

Key Discussion Points:

1. 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.
2. Celebrating Recent Successes:
   • Matt's book, "Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes," hits bestseller lists...

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 t...

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.
   

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 confl...

(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 ...

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 sparin...

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 ...

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 ...

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: Br...

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 ...

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-d...

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....

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 S...

 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 preparati...

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, publi...

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 tre...

In this encore episode of "Writers with Wrinkles," hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk to Leslie Zampetti, a seasoned literary agent and founder of Open Book Literary. Leslie shares her unique perspectives on the publishing industry, emphasizing underrepresented voices and providing invaluable tips for aspiring authors. Dive into an discussion on querying, submission strategies, and the post-COVID publishing landscap...

In our season finale, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid take a stroll down memory lane, sharing laughs, insights, and valuable lessons from the year 2023. Join us for a quick journey through our favorite episodes, guest highlights, and the wisdom we've gathered along the way. Perfect for aspiring authors, seasoned writers, and literary enthusiasts alike, this episode is a treasure trove of inspiration and practical advice.

NYT Bestselling Author Jason June joins us to talk about an early career pivot that led to great success, how to successfully think about and write across different genres, and what he wishes he'd known when he started out.

About Jason June

 Jason June is a best-selling author of young adult novels that celebrate queer love and lust and chaotically gay shenanigans. His works include Jay’s Gay Agenda, Riley Weaver Needs...