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Writers With Wrinkles

Author: Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid

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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.

90 Episodes
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Send us a Text Message.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...
Send us a Text Message.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 unreso...
Send us a Text Message.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 proc...
Send us a Text Message.Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa SchmidTheme: The 31-Day Platform ChallengeFor: 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 ne...
Send us a Text Message.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 Point1. Bitsy Kemper's Journey:...
Send us a Text Message.Hosts: - Beth McMullen- Lisa SchmidTheme: 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 t...
Send us a Text Message.Hosts: Beth McMullen and Lisa SchmidTheme: Writer Resilience, SuccessKey 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...
Send us a Text Message.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 an...
Send us a Text Message.Hosts:Beth McMullenLisa SchmidThemes: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 rhymi...
Send us a Text Message.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...
Send us a Text Message.(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 litera...
Send us a Text Message.What is Pacing?More about rhythm than speedReader engagement is key - avoid sections that feel like a slogDifferent genres have different pacing expectations (e.g., thrillers vs. literary fiction)Crafting PacingSentence Length: Short = fast, Long = slowActive Voice & Description: "Show, don't tell" keeps things movingParagraph Length: Vary length and break up long blocks of textFormatting: Use sparingly - long quotes, italics, footnotesSeries Writing: Consider ongoi...
Send us a Text Message.Writers With Wrinkles: Patience Bloom on Romance WritingPatience 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...
Send us a Text Message.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 Ke...
Send us a Text Message.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 navig...
Send us a Text Message.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 f...
Send us a Text Message.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 lan...
Send us a Text Message.Mastering the Art of the Synopsis Season 3, Episode 5Hello, 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 ...
Send us a Text Message.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 se...
Send us a Text Message. 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. ...
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