Writers With Wrinkles
Authors Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid iron out the wrinkles in writing, publishing, and everything in between . . . One podcast at a time. Writers With Wrinkles is the go-to podcast for aspiring authors, and those in the trenches, who want to successfully publish a novel...or ten! Join us each week as we dive deep into writing and the publishing industry, providing expert interviews, insightful discussions, and practical tips. With our engaging and informative format, you'll get the guidance you need to navigate the complex world of publishing. Start your journey today! Visit www.WritersWithWrinkles.net for more info.
Episodes
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...
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 Wri...
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 practic...
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 ow...
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,"...
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 s...
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 sur...
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, rejecti...
(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 sub...
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 tex...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 wil...
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, p...
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....
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 ad...
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 conte...
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...
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