Writers With Wrinkles
Whether you're an aspiring author, indie publisher, or career writer, Writers with Wrinkles is your essential guide to writing craft, book marketing, and the publishing industry. Hosted by authors Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid, we iron out the wrinkles of the business — from mastering novel writing and story structure to navigating literary agents, query letters, and KDP self-publishing. Each week, we bring you expert interviews with editors, publishers, and bestselling authors, plus practical advice on building your author platform and marketing your book. Whether you're drafting your first manuscript or preparing for a book launch, we have the guidance you need to thrive in today's competitive publishing landscape. Visit www.WritersWithWrinkles.net for resources. Follow us on TikTok: @writerswithwrinkles
Episodes
In this re-released conversation, developmental editor Joel Brigham returns to talk all things revision: how to approach your first editing pass, the most common pitfalls he sees in drafts, and how to know when a manuscript is truly ready to query. A great refresher as you set your summer writing goals. (Note: a recording glitch cut the original intro, which Beth explains at the top.)
What you'll learn in this episod...
Hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid cut through the noise of book marketing advice to spotlight what genuinely moves books: word of mouth. Nearly half of readers (47–48%) choose books based on personal recommendations — outperforming social media, platforms, and AI discovery tools combined. Beth and Lisa share three low-cost, actionable strategies to spark that word of mouth before and after your launch.
...
Joel Brigham runs Brigham Editorial (developmental edits, manuscript critiques, query help), teaches high school English in Illinois, and is an editor for RevPit — a community that gives away free developmental edits each spring.
REVPIT
• Free developmental editing contest — editors (not authors) mentor selected writers through full drafts
• Applications open April, winners announc...
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 you noticed, what gets a pass, and how to make the most of The Call.
Highlights
• Nikki runs monthly pitch parties on Threads — currently her only open submission path since she’s closed to general queries.
• ...
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 and missing tension. Plus a community book shout-out.
THE HARDBACK DEBATE
Beth shares a Guardian article arguing hardbacks are outdated — too expensive, they kill buzz before the paperback drops, and lead with the least accessible format. Beth and Lisa push back:...
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 lessons for any writer working on those critical first pages.
The Submission
Charlotte's Hunt for Glory follows 12-year-old Charlotte through a morning routine steeped in grief for her late grandmother and sibling envy — anchored by a rich exploration of hair as ident...
The One Where Nobody Ordered the Books | Beth McMullen & Lisa Schmid
Lisa Schmid shares a cautionary tale from the Sacramento Book Festival, where a series of logistical failures turned what should have been an exciting milestone — her first book festival — into a comedy of errors. A week before the event she discovered the bookseller had never ordered any books, resulting in last-minute s...
Imprint closures, layoffs, and reorganizations are rattling the publishing world. Literary agent and At-Home Author founder Vicki Weber joins Beth and Lisa for a candid conversation about what’s driving these changes—and what writers can do about it. From the surprising role Harry Potter played in the decline of middle grade to building an audience before you have a book deal, Vicki delivers practical st...
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 the industry feels increasingly "disposable" and "noisy."
Key Discussion Points
- The Shift to Content Management: Private equity firms are replacing veteran editors with "content managers" to prioritize franchises over literary prestige.
- The AI Explosion: Of the 4 millio...
Hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome award-winning author Amy Trueblood to discuss a transition many writers face but few discuss: life after parting ways with a literary agent. Amy shares her journey of being on her fourth agent, offering a refreshing look at why changing representation is a natural part of a long-term career.
About the Guest
Amy Trueblood is the author of the acclaimed YA historical novels No...
In this episode, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk about a recent publishing controversy sparked on Threads regarding the "legitimacy" of indie authors. They break down the evolving landscape of self-publishing, comparing the financial and creative realities of "indie" versus traditional publishing. Later, they critique the opening pages of a middle-grade mystery titled The Ravenspur Mystery, offering actiona...
In this episode, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome back author and literacy advocate Fleur Bradley. The discussion centers on the importance of mysteries in keeping kids reading, the structural "nuts and bolts" of writing for middle grade (MG) versus young adult (YA) audiences, and the release of Bradley’s new craft book designed to help writers navigate the genre.
Get A Clue is available for pr...
Episode Summary In this Season 5 bonus episode, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid clear out their "insanely long" laundry list of burning topics. The duo discusses the restorative power of community, starting with Lisa’s wildly successful brewery book swap on Reading Street. They dive into how simple, low-lift events can be the perfect antidote to a dark news cycle and offer tips on how you can start your own.
The ...
In this session, Beth and Lisa critique the opening of "Beyond the Moon," a middle-grade contemporary manuscript. The discussion focuses on refining the "hook," establishing a consistent tone, and leveraging character relationships to engage readers immediately.
Key Critique Points
- Establishing Tone and Mood: The opening combines a "creepy" atmosphere with a protagonist who is "giggling." The hosts recommend align...
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 fake "Silent Book Clubs" to fraudulent Amazon publishing offers—aimed at unsuspecting writers. We discuss why these emails are a weird sign of visibility, how we use the "48-hour rule" to vet opportunities, and why staying connected to the writing community i...
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 Hanna Habib pulls back the curtain on the publishing industry. Alia shares insights from her new book, Take It From Me, a practical guide for writers looking to navigate the complex journey from idea to bookshelf. Whether you are a debut author or a seasoned writer, this co...
Note: For the most up-to-date information on Erin’s submission status, interests, and availability, visit https://erincaseywestin.com.
Episode Summary
In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk with Erin Casey Westin, associate agent at Galt & Zacker Literary Agency, about the current kidlit market and how agents evaluate queries and manuscripts. Aspiring authors will gain i...
In this bonus season-finale episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid reflect on the end of the season, share a behind-the-scenes podcasting mishap, and dive into a First Pages critique of a cozy fantasy submission, The Village Mage. Along the way, they discuss why first pages are so hard to get right, how too much backstory can stall momentum, and what cozy fantasy readers expect from the very...
Query letters make even experienced writers panic—and for good reason. In this special Ask Beth & Lisa episode, we’re joined by author and educator Deborah Crossland for a deep, practical conversation about how to write a strong, effective query letter as we head into the 2026 querying season. Deborah breaks down what query letters are actually for, what agents want to see (and don’t), and how ...
For her encore episode, Lisa chose our interview with Brian Selznick—author and illustrator of some of the most innovative and emotionally powerful books in contemporary publishing. In this conversation, Brian reflects on creative process, patience, and trusting your reader. It was definitely a season four highlight!
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