The Manuscript Academy

We love this creativity-packed episode with Melissa Vogan (née Melissa Warten), former editor at Macmillan, current editor at Epic For Kids. We discuss: *“Just enough” art notes - and how they’re useful for every genre *How you can guide the focus of your reader through sensory language *How to get to the heart of your story *How to disagree with an editor or agent's feedback *How to create your first visual work after writing only text-based projects And much more! Transcript and timestamps here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-melissa-vogan Book a consultation with Melissa here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/melissa-warten Melissa Vogan (Warten) is an editor at Epic for Kids, the leading digital reading platform for children, where she works on IP comics development projects for readers ages 12 and under, including the smash hit series Cat Ninja. Prior to Epic, she spent more than five years on the editorial team at Farrar Straus Giroux Books working on picture books, middle grade, young adult, and select nonfiction and graphic novel projects. Her notable editorial work includes the popular Cat Ninja and Bright Family franchises, New York Times bestselling titles We Hunt the Flame and We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal, and award-winning titles by Maurene Goo, Barbara O’Connor, Sarah Allen, Hanif Abdurraqib, Tegan and Sara Quin, and Tillie Walden. Melissa is a graduate of Boston College and the Columbia Publishing Course. Find her on Twitter: @melissa_warten

You may remember Julia Alexandra from our episode in the fall when we went over three query versions with her (good, better, best): Well, she now has an agent! Ellen Goff (HG Literary) joins us with Julia to discuss balancing plot, character, and world--if your fantasy novel will hold up without your fantasy elements, which we're now calling "The Goff Test"--and how you can optimize your queries for your most likely success. Julia now not only has an agent but a book deal as well! Listen to her earlier episode here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-julia-alexandra Learn more about Ellen here: https://www.hgliterary.com/ellen

If you've ever had trouble with point of view in your work, wait until you hear the advanced logistical world author Nia Davenport had to navigate for her new novel, Out of Body, which she pitches as Freaky Friday meets Get Out. Not only does she have best friends, crushes, confused parents, and a villain on the loose--but she weaves it all into a story of identity, personal growth, and becoming an adult in a world where adults can't be trusted. This is a great work to study if you're struggling in any of these areas--plus, it's FUN. It's a new twist on something familiar, that formula so many in publishing love. Full transcript here: http://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-nia-davenport Learn more about Nia here: https://www.nedavenport.com TIMESTAMPS: **Character development and world-building (00:03:29)** Nia explains how she visualizes her character's journey and the unfolding of the plot like watching a movie. **Creating mystery in the opening chapter (00:06:12)** Nia discusses the decision to keep the first chapter mysterious and how it sets the tone for the story. **Maintaining character voice in different bodies (00:07:39)** Nia talks about the challenge of maintaining the character's voice regardless of the body she is in. **Nia's publishing journey (00:10:25)** Nia shares her journey from teaching to becoming a writer and the process of finding her agent, Caitie Flum. **Advice for aspiring writers (00:17:54)** Nia advises writers to breathe, take it slow, and keep perfecting their craft, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. **Developing character relationships (00:19:18)** Nia explains the power dynamic and genuine friendship between the characters Megan and Elsie. **Magic and Technology in the Story (00:22:54)** Nia discusses the use of magic and technology in her book, playing with the reader's perception. **Empathy and Societal Conversations (00:27:22)** Nia discusses the current generation's ability to have conversations about socio-emotional health and empathy. **Tension and Gaslighting (00:34:20)** Nia discusses the theme of gaslighting and the decision to leave the protagonist feeling isolated for a significant portion of the book. **Testing Safety and Vulnerability (00:36:33)** The protagonist's actions to test the safety of the people around her and the vulnerability of teenagers. **Identity, Race, and Kindness (00:39:09)** Nia talks about the theme of identity, race, and the importance of choosing kindness and compassion. **Writing Difficult Subjects (00:41:18)** Nia advises writers to write what they love and are passionate about, rather than trying to fit into trends. **Inclusivity in Publishing (00:43:33)** Nia encourages writers to find a supportive writing community and emphasizes the importance of diverse voices in traditional publishing.

Tennessee, 1960. One extraordinary team of women--and the first all-Black women’s track team--found glory at the Olympic games in Rome. Here in America, their success was "an impossible dream come true." Now, author Aime Alley Card tells us her personal connection to the team, how she did her astonishing amount of research, and how she found agent Leticia Gomez to represent the work, now available from Lyons Press: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-tigerbelles-the-american-team-that-changed-the-face-of-women-s-sports-aime-alley-card/18574403?ean=9781493073887 Learn more about Aime here: https://www.aimecard.com Learn more about Leticia here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/leticia-gomez Episode transcript here: http://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-leticia-gomez-aime-alley-card

Join our interactive Says/Does Activity + view transcript here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/sara-schonfeld We discuss editing with love and patience, acquiring in the age of book bans (let's just say Florida doesn't get to choose what the rest of the country reads), how to make your book feel "fresh"--and why so many editors ask for "a new twist on something familiar." Book a meeting with Sara here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/sara-schonfeld Timestamps: **Sara's Journey into Publishing (00:00:40)** Sara shares her accidental entry into publishing and the influence of her professors. **What Editors Look for in Manuscripts (00:03:37)** Sara discusses her preference for manuscripts and the importance of compelling writing. **Creating Compelling First Pages (00:04:58)** The challenges and advice for authors in creating engaging first pages. **Balancing Worldbuilding and Character Development in Fantasy (00:06:54)** Sara's perspective on worldbuilding and character-driven fantasy stories. **Freshness in Writing (00:12:14)** Sara discusses the concept of freshness in writing and the balance between familiarity and authenticity. **Revising and Streamlining Writing (00:15:32)** Sara's tips for effective revision and streamlining of storytelling elements. **Interconnectedness in storytelling (00:24:19)** Julie and Sara discuss the interconnectedness of different elements in a story and how changes affect the overall narrative. **Flexibility in story revision (00:25:13)** Sara emphasizes the importance of being flexible during story revision and trying out different approaches. **The "says/does" outline (00:26:15)** Sara explains the "says/does" outline as a helpful tool for authors to reflect on their writing and ensure effective communication of the story. **Reading recommendations (00:30:41)** Sara shares her current reading list and recommends a book she finds relatable. **Creativity and self-doubt (00:34:25)** Sara discusses the challenges of maintaining creativity and self-belief in a competitive publishing industry. **Humor in storytelling (00:37:00)** Sara discusses the refreshing humor in "Murder on a School Night" and the importance of originality in storytelling. **Book Banning and Publishing (00:38:50)** Discussion on book banning, including the pushback faced and examples of flagged content, and the importance of not letting it influence acquisitions. **Reading and Writing with Love (00:43:25)** The significance of reading as a writer, advice to read with joy and love, and the act of writing as an invitation to share one's experience and heart. **Where to Find Sara Online (00:44:39)** Sara's online presence, including her Twitter handle, website, and involvement with the Manuscript Academy. Sara Schonfeld is an editor at HarperCollins Children’s, working on picture books, middle grade, and teen. After starting her publishing career at Penguin Random House, she joined HarperCollins in 2019. She lives in New York City, and spends most of her time reading, kickboxing, baking, or generally pretending she’s in a Nora Ephron film. As an author and an editor, she approaches each project with curiosity. Her goal is to ask the questions that get an author inspired and help them uncover the heart of their story—whatever feeling inspired them to put words to paper, and whatever feeling they hope readers take away from the final book.

Sometimes publishing your novel takes an unexpected route. In today's episode, Jessica and Julie speak with author JB Harris to discuss how she pivoted when agents told her the manuscript she'd been working on for 11 years would be hard to break out during COVID. We cover querying, finding the right small traditional publisher, and how to market yourself as a published author without an agent. Transcript here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-jb-harris Learn more about JB here: https://www.jbharrisbooks.com/historical-fiction TIMESTAMPS: Researching historical details (00:07:40) JB Harris talks about her research process and how she incorporated historical details into her novel to create a sense of time and place. Real-life inspiration (00:10:57) JB Harris shares the personal story behind her novel and how she discovered a family mystery that inspired the book. Navigating writing about real people (00:13:41) JB Harris discusses the transition from non-fiction to fiction and offers advice on navigating the sensitivities of writing about real people. The marketing plan (00:20:41) JB Harris talks about her unique marketing plan, including guerrilla marketing and reaching out to bookstores. Publishing without an agent (00:21:03) JB Harris explains her decision to publish without an agent and the challenges she faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Crafting emails and bookstore visits (00:24:35) JB Harris discusses her approach to contacting bookstores and the tactics she uses to promote her book. Targeted marketing and meta tags (00:29:29) The hosts discuss the use of meta tags and targeted marketing to reach specific audiences for JB Harris's book. Navigating small press publishing (00:33:50) JB Harris provides advice for authors considering publishing with a small press, emphasizing the importance of research and contract review. The pressure of setting books in different time periods (00:40:38) Authors discuss the saturation of historical fiction around World War II and the excitement of exploring lesser-known historical periods. Perseverance and growth as a writer (00:44:30) The importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and personal growth in the journey of becoming a successful writer.

We’ve never seen a romantic comedy like this one! Happily Never After breaks ALL* the rom com rules, while still maintaining tension, interest, narrative arcs, and everything you need in a satisfying read. Learn the rules our favorite way—by watching Lynn breaks them, succeed, and tell you how she did it. Whatever your genre, a romantic element adds emotional range, a break from anything difficult in your narrative, and something we can understand—even if the rest of your story could never happen on Earth. Learn more about Lynn and Happily Never After at https://lynnpainter.com. Transcript here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-lynn-painter Timestamps Modern Rom-Com Trends (00:00:33) Discussion about the modern and timely aspects of Lynn Painter's rom-com book and the trend in rom-coms. Lynn Painter's Writing Journey (00:01:14) Lynn shares her 15-year writing journey, including switching to young adult (YA) and contemporary romance, and finally finding success during the pandemic. Understanding Option Clause (00:02:39) Lynn explains the option clause in book contracts and how it impacted her writing process. The Long Game of Writing (00:04:17) Discussion about the 15-year journey and the importance of continuous writing and learning in the process. Challenges of Querying (00:08:18) Lynn shares her experience with querying, the importance of a unique story, and the challenges of finding an agent. Writing within Romance Genre (00:10:51) Exploration of how to make contemporary romance stand out within the genre's constraints and the significance of adding urgency and uniqueness to the story. The Genesis of "Happily Never After" (00:12:03) Lynn discusses the origin of her book's idea and how it evolved into "Happily Never After." Dual Point of View in Romance (00:16:44) Lynn explains her preference for dual point of view in writing romance and how it helps to show what makes the other person attractive. Maintaining Tension (00:24:45) Lynn shares her struggle with pacing and the use of tension in romance novels. Revealing Subtext (00:25:39) The discussion on maintaining tension and revealing just enough information in the romance genre. Micro Moments (00:35:51) The joy of incorporating small details to enhance the story and character dynamics. Rom Com Genre Advice (00:38:12) Lynn advises aspiring rom com writers to focus on incorporating humor and visualizing their stories as rom com movies. The importance of writing what you love (00:39:26) Advice on finding joy in writing, aligning with personal traits, and avoiding mismatched genres. The role of critique partners and writing support (00:46:29) Discussion of the author's experience with a supportive writing group and the impact of having trusted critique partners. Empowerment in expressing personal desires in romance (00:54:02) Exploration of a character's empowerment in expressing personal desires in a romantic context. Advice for writers (00:57:27) The importance of setting aside regular time to write and its impact on the author's writing journey. *Ok, there are probably some we forgot about that she doesn’t break, but it’s definitely an outside of the box read in the very best way.

We are thrilled to welcome Emmy Nordstrom Higdon, agent at Westwood Creative Associates, to talk with us about the red and green flags when querying agents--how you can show (mostly) green flags, recognize agent red flags, and give yourself the best odds of a positive, productive working relationship. Learn more about Emmy and book a consultation here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/emmy-nordstrom-higdon Transcript at: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-emmy-nordstrom-higdon-agent-red-flags Timestamps: **Emmy's #MSWL (00:00:35)** Emmy discusses their soft opening to queries, their genre preferences, and the type of writing they're looking for this year. **Top Reasons For Rejection (00:07:07)** The challenges faced by authors in querying, including the lack of research and the competitive nature of the process. **Query Letter Length and Precision (00:13:31)** Emmy and the hosts discuss the ideal length and precision of query letters to capture an agent's interest. **Query Letter and Comps (00:19:50)** Importance of query letter personalization and clever comp selections. **Agency Agreement and Communication Style (00:28:54)** Discussion on agency agreements and the importance of effective communication style between authors and agents. **Online Presence Expectations (00:34:03)** The significance of an author's online presence and the issue of leveraging agents during the query process. **Editorial Style As A Red Or Green Flag (00:38:38)** Agents and authors discussing editorial changes and flexibility, green flag indicators. **Honest Communication (00:40:21)** Importance of honest communication in the author-agent relationship and the manifestation process for finding the right fit. **Author-Agent Questions (00:42:32)** The significance of authors asking targeted, specific questions, and the red flag of excessive or generic queries. **Agent's Questions and Interest (00:43:26)** The importance of agents asking relevant questions and showing interest in an author's goals, with red flag indicators. **Author Vulnerability (00:46:42)** The value of authors expressing fears and concerns, and the agent's response as a green or red flag indicator. **Unrealistic Promises (00:49:13)** Discussion on agents making unrealistic promises and the red flag it presents for authors. **Decision Timeframe (00:49:59)** The reasonable timeframe for authors to make a decision when receiving an offer from an agent. **Nudge Process (00:55:20)** The nudge process, its impact on agents, and the balance between author's anxiety and clear communication. **The timestamp's title (time it starts)** short description, with max 20 words, of what is covered in this topic. **Agent's Response Time and Prioritization (00:57:11)** Discussion about agents' response time and prioritization of manuscripts based on genre and offers. **Communication and Politeness with Agents (00:58:15)** Advice on maintaining friendly and polite communication with agents and understanding their workload and time constraints. **Editorial Expectations and Red Flags (00:59:52)** Exploring editorial expectations, red flags related to agent's editorial approach, and the importance of aligning expectations. **Expectations and Realistic Publishing Goals (01:02:07)** Discussion on setting realistic publishing goals, understanding audience expectations, and potential red flags. **Agent-Author Relationship and Expectations (01:06:02)** Managing expectations, dealing with rejection, and ensuring the agent's support during challenging situations. **Agent-Author Communication and Feedback (01:08:15)** Advice on maintaining open communication, avoiding scarcity mentality, and addressing concerns with agents in a constructive manner. **Understanding Agents' Logic and Communication (01:12:13)** Importance of understanding agents' reasoning and maintaining open communication for a successful author-agent relationship.

Even our podcast editor describes author Karen Outen as "a breath of fresh air." After twenty years of work, her book, Dixon Descending, features two brothers with a seemingly impossible goal: To be the first Black American men to summit Everest. We discuss how Karen learned to write realistic dialogue that jumps off the page, her publishing journey of more than 20 years, and how to pitch complicated ideas--and know when they're ready to send to agents. Karen Outen’s fiction has appeared in Glimmer Train, The North American Review, Essence, and elsewhere. She is a 2018 recipient of the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers Award and has been a fellow at both the Institute for the Humanities at the University of Michigan and the Pew Fellowships in the Arts. She received an MFA from the University of Michigan. She lives in Maryland. Transcript here: http://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-karen-outen The journey to Everest (00:00:43) Karen discusses the audacious journey of Dixon and Nate to summit Mount Everest, the challenges they face, and the consequences of their actions. The fascination with Mount Everest (00:02:15) Karen and the unnamed guest discuss the allure of writing about Mount Everest and the unique experience of researching and writing about mountain climbing. The concept of "second-tier fun" (00:04:29) The guests delve into the concept of "second-tier fun," discussing the challenges and rewards of writing and mountain climbing, and the enjoyment found in retrospect. The mountain as a living force (00:05:39) Karen and the hosts explore the idea of Mount Everest as an embodied force, discussing the climbers' relationship with the mountain and its impact on their experiences. Karen's publishing journey (00:07:10) Karen shares her long journey to publishing her novel, including the challenges, rejections, and the support she received from the writing community. The importance of writer friends (00:10:04) The discussion revolves around the significance of having a supportive community of writer friends and the impact of their encouragement and guidance. Finding inspiration for the book (00:11:17) Karen reads the opening page of "Dixon Descending" and discusses the process of refining the first page and the structure of the novel. The journey of character development (00:13:24) Karen shares her process of discovering the central theme of the book and the challenges of structuring the narrative to balance the present and the past. Exploring consequences and character stakes (00:16:17) The conversation focuses on the development of character stakes, the consequences faced by Dixon, and the complexities of his relationships and responsibilities. The dynamics of dialogue (00:22:36) The discussion centers on the distinct and vivid dialogue in the book, and Karen shares insights and tips on writing compelling dialogue. Revision Process (00:31:28) Insights into the author's revision process, including techniques and the role of feedback from readers. Bravery in Publishing (00:34:30) The author's perseverance and challenges faced in the publishing journey. Pitching Complicated Work (00:46:18) Tips for summarizing complex stories and knowing when a manuscript is ready for submission. Efficiency and Core of the Story (00:47:24) Understanding the efficiency of storytelling and presenting the core of the narrative.

CONTENT WARNING: Mentions of abortion, grooming, assault. Annie Cardi's new book, Red, is a very modern take on The Scarlet Letter. Today, Annie joins Jessica and Julie to discuss the importance of tough topics in YA novels, how to create "quiet" books that pack a punch, and writing advice for new authors. Transcript here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-annie-cardi We discuss: Teaching teens relationship red flags Fiction as a safe space for difficult conversations The power of supportive community Being a good literary citizen Finding the right agent for you-even if it means making tough choices Annie Cardi is the author of young adult novels. Her first book, The Chance You Won’t Return, received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, and was named a Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year for 2015. She has an MFA from Emerson College, and she currently lives with her family and dog in the Boston area. Learn more about Annie here: https://www.anniecardi.com/about Timestamps: Annie Cardi's writing process and journey to finding an agent (00:01:07) Differences between first and second book publication (00:03:59) Reading of the first page and foreshadowing (00:07:30) Character development and relationships (00:13:26) Navigating sensitive topics in the publishing industry (00:16:01) Creating tension and emotional range in the story (00:18:13) Creating a quiet book with commercial appeal (00:22:55) Content warnings and their importance (00:27:26) Using storytelling to educate about manipulation and red flags (00:32:05) Navigating agent relationships (00:48:46) Community support (00:52:16) Being a good literary citizen (00:57:57)

A smart, poignant novel perfect for fans of Lessons in Chemistry “An incredible STEMinist read.”—The Honey Pop Transcript, timestamps and video clips here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-sara-read Join Julie and Jessica as they talk to the fabulous Sara Read, the author of the recent book Principles of (E)motion. Trust us when we say it'll make you swoon--and get excited for math like you've never thought possible. We discuss Sara's fascinating leapfrog writing approach, finding an agent, and making characters see each other in rich, dynamic ways. Before she started writing fiction, Sara got a degree in Women’s Studies from U.C. Santa Cruz. She tried the nine-to-five life for about a nanosecond before moving to rural Virginia to become a flute-maker’s apprentice and traditional fiddle player. Some years and two babies later, she returned to school for a Masters in Nursing. A cancer survivor herself, she now has the privilege of caring for cancer patients as a nurse. JOHANNA PORTER IS NOT SORRY, released in March 2023, was her debut novel. Her latest novel, PRINCIPLES OF (E)MOTION comes out January 2024. Sara's short stories have been featured in The Missouri Review, Beloit Fiction Journal, and Zone 3 Press, and she has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She is represented by Laura Bradford of Bradford Literary Agency. Sara is co-host of #MomsWritersClub, a Twitter/X community and YouTube channel. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband, two teens, a terrier, and three snarky cats.

Join our workshop here! https://manuscriptacademy.com/product/three-day-submission-strategy-workshop Are you a writer thinking about querying? Or have you already queried, and you're worried that a rejection you received means you should pivot, edit for months, or--worst of all--give up? This is for you. Listen in on how we'll interpret rejections, help you do your research, workshop with you, support you, and invite an agent panel to go over your work. Whether you're ready to query now or sometime in the next year, this is a great way to train your brain to overcome negativity bias, see your process objectively--and make the best decisions for you, this book, and your whole writing career.

We're thrilled to welcome Abrams editor Erica Finkel to the podcast to discuss editorial board meetings, the top reasons writers get rejected--and how "fit" means far more than you'd think. Book a meeting with Erica here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/erica-finkel Erica Finkel (she/her) is an Executive Editor for Amulet Books and Abrams Books for Young Readers. Before starting at Abrams in 2010, she was, among other things, an English teacher in France, a theater-camp counselor, and an ice-cream scooper. Erica focuses primarily on chapter books and middle-grade novels and is honored to work with many bestselling and award-winning authors and illustrators, including Andrea Beaty, David Roberts, Mac Barnett, Tom Angleberger, and Ellen Potter. Some books she’s edited that are particularly dear to her include Sidetracked by Diana Harmon Asher, Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald, The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz, Once Upon an Eid edited by S. K. Ali and Aisha Saeed, Fraidyzoo by Thyra Heder, and a picture-book biography of Ruth Bader Ginsburg (her hero) by Jonah Winter. When she gets the chance to read a non-Abrams book, she particularly enjoys the work of Gary D. Schmidt, Maggie Stiefvater, Kristin Cashore, and Rainbow Rowell. Her favorite genres are contemporary realistic, fantasy, and magical realism, and she is not the best fit for thrillers or nonfiction. Check out her work here: https://www.pinterest.com/ericafinkel/books-ive-edited/ Transcript: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-erica-finkel Timestamps: Erica Finkel's background (00:00:42) Erica Finkel, an executive editor at Abrams Books for Young Readers and Amulet Books, discusses her role and experience in the publishing industry. Career in publishing (00:02:55) Erica Finkel shares her journey into publishing, from internships to her current role, highlighting the value of education and personal growth. Editorial autonomy and collaboration (00:08:02) Exploration of the balance between an editor's individual taste and the imprint's identity, discussing the collaborative process of shaping a list. Book acquisition and fit for the list (00:09:35) Insight into the importance of a book's similarity and difference within the imprint's list, considering marketing, sales, and readers' perspectives. Editorial decision-making process (00:13:37) Erica Finkel shares the challenges of evaluating and selecting manuscripts, highlighting the emotional and practical aspects of the decision-making process. Advice for writers (00:18:05) Erica Finkel's advice for writers, emphasizing the value of industry education, extensive reading, and understanding market demands. The vision (00:21:20) The risk and reward of seeing the potential in a manuscript despite potential rejection. Understanding the child reader (00:21:36) Considering comprehension, readability, and authenticity in children's literature. Avoiding stereotypes in children's literature (00:22:22) Emphasizing the need for nuance and authenticity in portraying childhood experiences. Editorial and acquisitions meetings (00:29:32) Insight into the casual and collaborative nature of editorial and acquisitions meetings. Pub board decision-making (00:31:18) The process of evaluating and deciding on book acquisitions involving multiple departments. Book success and in-house support (00:35:29) The importance of in-house support in setting a book up for success. The role of Twitter in book promotion (00:39:12) Discussion of the impact of social media and conflicts in the book industry. Overcoming writers' fears (00:40:15) Addressing common fears of writers and dispelling misconceptions about the publishing process. Tips for querying agents (00:44:01) Advice for writers on targeting junior agents and personalizing query letters. Making queries compelling (00:46:03) Insight into what agents can do to make their queries stand out and be more likely to be read by editors.

We are thrilled to welcome you to the replay of our SEVENTH (woo hoo!) Annual Holiday Party. In this event, writers nominated writers for feedback from our agent panel. Each agent chose a nominator-nominee pair to come up, read their work, and receive support and feedback in front of our audience. Our agents are: Kaitlyn Sanchez, Bradford Literary Linda Camacho, Gallt & Zacker Literary Kiana Nguyen, Donald Maass Literary Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Transcript here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-seventh-annual-holiday-party The Holiday Party (00:00:33) The hosts express their gratitude and excitement for the attendees and share their appreciation for the writing community. Success from a Story Prompt Contest (00:03:02) A writer shares their success story after winning a story prompt contest at a previous holiday party and how it led to the publication of their book. Introducing the Agents (00:04:11) The agents introduce themselves, share their experiences, and express their excitement to be part of the writing community. Discussion about Fibonacci Sequence Picture Book with Kaitlyn Sanchez (00:13:06) Agents discuss the uniqueness and potential of a picture book about the Fibonacci sequence, praising the storytelling and offering feedback on the story and query. Feedback on a YA Contemporary query and first page with agent Linda Camacho (00:22:57) Agents discuss the strengths of Heather's query and first page, including the strong voice, vivid imagery, and emotional connection, while also providing suggestions for improvement. Discussion on an Adult Thriller query with Kiana Nguyen (00:34:41) The thriller query and opening pages (00:42:49) Kiana discusses the importance of clarity in query packages and provides feedback on the opening pages of a thriller manuscript. Discussion of a memoir with Stephanie Winter (00:48:30) Agents discuss the potential and unique elements of Paige's memoir, including the post-9/11 setting and the protagonist's experiences in Italy. Agent Q&A (00:53:34) An author expresses their hope to query in 2024, and agents offer encouragement and advice. Agents discuss trends in science fiction and fantasy (01:02:21) Agents mention the increasing interest in cozy fantasy and the potential for cozy sci-fi, as well as the importance of having a social media following for fiction authors. The importance of imprint and editors (01:03:08) Agents discuss their approach to submitting projects to specific imprints and editors based on the story and market fit. Considering imprints and editors for submissions (01:03:36) Agents share their thoughts on how they consider specific imprints and editors when thinking about where to submit a project. Gratitude and appreciation for the writing community (01:04:28) The hosts express their gratitude for the support and community within the writing community and how it has been a positive experience.

We can’t wait—what an exciting month! December 5, 8:30pm ET: Our You Belong Here class with Nancy Tandon and Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo: https://manuscriptacademy.com/you-belong-here December 6, 1pm ET: For Members, we have our Mystery Agent consultation with Jenissa Graham. Apply to be on the next one here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/mystery-agent December 6, 3pm ET: Meetings go live for Members December 8, 3pm ET: Meetings go live for non-members December 12, 8:30pm ET: Member workshop with Anna Conathan December 18, 8:30pm ET: Holiday party—FREE and open to all! Register here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/rsvp Questions? Drop us a line at https://manuscriptacademy.com/contact

Query writing is a craft in and of itself and so often, even the experts disagree on the best approach (hint: that just means there are number of ways to write an amazing query!). Today we're joined by the very talented, multi-hyphenate writer, coach, and former copy editor, reader, bookseller, and more, Jonathan Baker, who answers your rapid-fire querying questions. Learn more athttps://manuscriptacademy.com/collaborative-query-consultation

This pep talk was inspired by that extremely uncomfortable phenomenon of going home for the holidays, only to be grilled by your relatives. It was made with the generous contributions of writers just like you. We hope this will give you some cheer when your family asks, "Soooo--are you still writing?" "Are you a New York Times bestseller yet?" "How much money do you make?" Explaining the writing life to your family can be hard, especially during the holidays. So when they start asking you why you don't have a movie deal yet/how many copies your book has sold/why you don't just hit Upload and become a bestseller, pop in your earbuds, crank up this podcast, and remind yourself you're not alone. Please note: there is some (very justified, we think) swearing in this podcast. To make your season a little brighter, we asked writers to tell us what works--and doesn't work--when discussing the writing life with your family. How do you keep the kids occupied? What do you say to those awkward questions? And how--with all the holiday craziness--do you find time for your work? We are thrilled to have the following contributors (in order of appearance, after the names montage). Find them on Twitter and thank them for being awesome! 2:24 Brandon Hoang @BrandonHoang_ 2:50 Ted Fox @TheTedFox 2:56 Tiffany Meuret @TMeuretBooks 3:03 Bethany Telles @BethanyTelles 2:26 Denise Mealy @DCCMealy 3:50 Writer from Texas 4:04 Caitlin O'Connell @Caitlin_Renata 4:10 Heather Smith @SmithWriter 4:20 Eileen 4:30 Pam Barney @lifewithBarns 4:38 Caitlin O'Connell @Caitlin_Renata 4:43 Mehr Lee @mehr_lee 4:50 Heather Smith @SmithWriter 4:59 Mehr Lee @mehr_lee 5:24 Kelly Schluterman @kmschluterman1 5:43 Writer from Texas 5:51 Lara Ruth Ziobro @lararuthz 6:06 Sharon Chriscoe @schriscoe_ 6:17 Ozma Bryant @ozma_bryant 6:33 Caroline @Keep_Tha_Faith 7:02 Marcela Ferreira @mlmfd 7:25 Jessica Kapp @JessKapp 7:58 Bethany Telles @BethanyTelles 8:10 Jessica Kapp @JessKapp 8:35 Kelly Schluterman @kmschluterman1 8:47 Pam Barney @lifewithBarns 9:04 Mehr Lee @mehr_lee 9:21 Caroline @Keep_Tha_Faith 10:09 Writer from Texas 10:29 Ozma Bryant @ozma_bryant 11:06 Sharon Chriscoe @schriscoe_

In October, we wrapped up the month with a deliciously spooky Halloween #MSWL panel. Join us for a live panel recording with agents T.S Ferguson, Kelly Van Sant, Jenissa Graham, and Claire Harris as they take us through their creepy wishlists and fun bookish activities. But even if you’re writing serious nonfiction, or in a completely other genre, this is a great view into what agents love within genres—and how agenting, in general, works. With Q&A, trivia, live #MSWL and a class on dialogue, this is a fun event we’re thrilled to share. Want YOUR genre to be the theme for our next panel? Vote here!manuscriptacademy.com/mswl-live Prefer to watch the video version? Check it out here! manuscriptacademy.com/mswl-live-sff Today’s episode includes (in order of appearance): *T.S. Ferguson, agent at Azantian Literary, with a Flash Fiction Showcase *Jenissa Graham, agent at Bookends Literary, with a query critique *Kelly Van Sant, agent at KT a Literary Agency, with a craft class on Tension & Stakes *Claire Harris, agent at PS Literary, with an example of a query that worked for her--and the author whose book is coming out this year. Today’s event was filmed in front of our Manuscript Academy members. Want to be there live next time? Join us! Learn more here: manuscriptacademy.com/membership

Join us December 5 for Nancy’s class, You Belong Here (meant to alleviate the “walking with your cafeteria tray toward the popular kids’ table” feeling of pitching agents): https://manuscriptacademy.com/you-belong-here After an exceptionally rocky entry to publishing—including a *five year* delay—Nancy Tandon is a well-regarded Middle Grade writer who manages to make her voice (and mystery!) age appropriate, her worlds intriguing—and the plot lines *just* advanced enough that readers of all ages can be surprised and delighted. Nancy Tandon is a children’s book author who loves sharing all kinds of stories. She has worked as an elementary school teacher, a speech-language pathologist, and an adjunct professor of Phonetics and Child Language Development, all of which helped plant seeds for stories about awesome kids doing brave things. Her debut middle grade novel, The Way I Say It (Charlesbridge, 2022) was an American Booksellers Association Indies Introduce and Indies Next pick as well as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. She is also the author of The Ghost of Spruce Point, forthcoming from Aladdin/Simon & Schuster (2022). Born and raised in Michigan, Nancy now lives with her family in Connecticut. Learn more about her at https://nancytandon.com/.

We are so happy to welcome Monica Rodriguez, agent at Context Literary, to the podcast! Not only is Monica Jessica’s Agency colleague in charge of Brand Management (and helping writers promote their work), she’s also an agent with expertise in branding, marketing, and helping creatives refine their ideas. Plus, she’s an agented writer on submission, so she has empathy for both sides of the desk. We talk about which rejections to ignore, when to incorporate edits, the author-agent empathy gap, and whether rejections for clients or her own writing hurt more (you may be surprised). We also love a happy story of how she celebrated the recent sale of one of her books, and how she plans to do the same in the future. Want to meet with Monica? Book a time here! manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/monica-rodriguez