Writers With Wrinkles
By Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid
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Episodes: 160
Description
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
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Stop Making Videos Nobody Watches — Here's a Way to Actually Sell Books
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Jun 08, 2026 |
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Back by Popular Demand: Words on the Page with editor Joel Brigham
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Jun 01, 2026 |
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Stop Querying Wrong: Agent Nikki Carrero Breaks It Down
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May 25, 2026 |
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How to Write Better Stakes & Tension in Your Novel (and some Taylor Swift!)
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May 11, 2026 |
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We Read Your First Pages So You Don't Have To Guess
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Apr 27, 2026 |
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Rolling With It (And Then Not)
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Apr 22, 2026 |
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Publishing Is Changing Fast! Literary Agent Vicki Weber on What's Working Now
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Apr 13, 2026 |
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What The Heck Is Going On With Publishing?
|
Mar 31, 2026 |
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Life After the Breakup: Navigating the Publishing World After Parting Ways with Your Agent, with Amy Trueblood
|
Mar 23, 2026 |
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Why Indie Authors Are Winning the Business Game (and new First Pages!)
|
Mar 16, 2026 |
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The Nuts and Bolts of Writing MG & YA Mysteries, with Fleur Bradley
|
Mar 02, 2026 |
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Book People are the Best People! (and other truths)
|
Feb 26, 2026 |
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First Pages!!! (yes we're excited)
|
Feb 16, 2026 |
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You’re Not a Real Author Until You Get Scam Emails
|
Feb 02, 2026 |
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Navigating Non-Fiction Publishing with Literary Agent Alia Hanna Habib
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Jan 19, 2026 |
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What Literary Agents Look for in Kidlit Submissions, with Erin Casey Westin
|
Jan 05, 2026 |
|
Season Finale Bonus: First Pages Cozy Fantasy
|
Dec 30, 2025 |
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Ask Beth & Lisa: Query Letters (with Deborah Crossland)
|
Dec 22, 2025 |
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ENCORE: Lisa's favorite Season 4 episode is Brian Selznick
|
Dec 18, 2025 |
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ENCORE: Beth's favorite Season 4 episode is Adria Goetz
|
Dec 16, 2025 |
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Inside Publishing with Mari Kesselring: What Writers Really Need to Know
|
Dec 08, 2025 |
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BONUS: First Pages: How to Hook Readers Fast in MG Fantasy
|
Dec 02, 2025 |
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Inside Publishing’s High-Stakes Reality: What Writers Need to Know
|
Nov 24, 2025 |
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BONUS: How to Write Funny Books With Heart: Adam Rosenbaum on Middle Grade Craft
|
Nov 18, 2025 |
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What Editors Really Look For, with Alison Romig: First Pages, Comps, and Connecting with Readers
|
Nov 10, 2025 |
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Nail Your First Page: Real Critiques from Publishing Pros
|
Oct 27, 2025 |
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How to Build a Lasting Author-Agent Relationship, with Agent Leslie Zampetti
|
Oct 13, 2025 |
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Trademark Trouble? Copyright Pitfalls? Ask Beth & Lisa!
|
Sep 29, 2025 |
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Finding the Right Fit: Agent-Author Relationships with Sheyla Knigge
|
Sep 08, 2025 |
|
The One About Taylor Swift (and some other stuff, too)
|
Sep 01, 2025 |
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Self-Publishing Success: Lessons, Creative Freedom & Midlife Magic with Barb Hopkins & Kelly Garcia
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Aug 18, 2025 |
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Ask B&L: Book Coaching? What even is that?
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Aug 04, 2025 |
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Navigating KidLit and Publishing Realities with Agent Joyce Sweeney
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Jul 21, 2025 |
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BONUS: How to Write Action That Kids Can’t Put Down (an interview with author & book coach Beth McMullen)
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Jul 14, 2025 |
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Is AI a Useful Tool? (An Ask B&L Episode)
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Jul 07, 2025 |
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From Rough Draft to Ready: Editor Joel Brigham on Revisions That Sell
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Jun 23, 2025 |
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Drafting Without Fear: Writing Momentum and Mistakes to Avoid, with editor Joel Brigham
|
Jun 09, 2025 |
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To Edit or Not to Edit? (An Ask B&L Episode)
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May 26, 2025 |
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ENCORE: Editor Ivan Taurisano talks kidlit and IP
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May 12, 2025 |
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Love, Art & Storytelling in Rome: Brian Selznick on his new novel Run Away With Me
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May 05, 2025 |
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Writing Scary, Querying Smart: Insider Tips with Agent & Author Carey Blankenship-Kramer
|
Apr 28, 2025 |
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Writing Origin Stories! Do you have one?
|
Apr 14, 2025 |
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If It Feels Not Normal, It’s Probably Not: Ask Beth & Lisa
|
Mar 31, 2025 |
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Breaking Barriers in Publishing: Michele McAvoy on Small Press Success & Writing Realities
|
Mar 17, 2025 |
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Cracking the Code: Middle Grade & YA Publishing Secrets with managing editor Meg Gaertner
|
Mar 03, 2025 |
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Breaking Out of the Writing Rut: Micro Goals, Fresh Eyes & Creative Hacks
|
Feb 17, 2025 |
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From Query to Publication: Agent Adria Goetz on Perfecting Your Pitch and Navigating the Industry
|
Feb 03, 2025 |
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Resilience, Rejections, and Rediscovering Joy in Writing
|
Jan 20, 2025 |
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Cracking the Publishing Code: Expert Tips from Editor Ivan Taurisano
|
Jan 06, 2025 |
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Encore Episode: Agent Kaitlyn Sanchez Tells You What You Need to Know
|
Dec 23, 2024 |
|
What happens when you land in author jail? Season 3 Finale: Ask Beth & Lisa
|
Dec 09, 2024 |
|
A Slightly Unhinged Conversation about Endings that Stick & Avoiding the Rush to the Final Chapter
|
Nov 25, 2024 |
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You're an 'Orphaned' Author. Now What?
|
Nov 11, 2024 |
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Empowering Young Readers: A Conversation with Literacy Advocate E-Train
|
Nov 04, 2024 |
|
Query like a Pro: Agent Amy Nielsen Tells Us How
|
Oct 28, 2024 |
|
Beta Readers, Book Comps and Barley's Cupcake Crisis
|
Oct 14, 2024 |
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Behind the Scenes with Literary Agent Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong
|
Sep 30, 2024 |
|
What is going ON in the Middle Grade Market??
|
Sep 20, 2024 |
|
Ask Beth & Lisa: How to Juggle Multiple Writing Projects...Or Not?
|
Sep 16, 2024 |
|
Navigating the Publishing World: Insights from Agent and Author Ann Rose
|
Sep 02, 2024 |
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Ask Beth & Lisa: Surviving the Query Trenches
|
Aug 19, 2024 |
|
Insider Insights with Disney Hyperion Editor Rachel Stark
|
Aug 05, 2024 |
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Marketing Magic: Authentic Strategies for Children's Book Success with Alonzo Fuller
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Jul 22, 2024 |
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Write Shorter Books? Here's the scoop on that...
|
Jul 15, 2024 |
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Behind the Book: Insider Tips from Editor Hannah Kimber on Crafting Standout Submissions
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Jul 08, 2024 |
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ENCORE EPISODE: Library Joy and Inclusivity: Mychal Threets on the Transformative Power of Libraries
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Jul 01, 2024 |
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ENCORE EPISODE: Queen of the Beach Read, Author Hannah McKinnon
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Jun 24, 2024 |
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ENCORE EDITION! Insider Secrets to Getting Your Book Published, with editor Erinn Pascal
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Jun 17, 2024 |
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ENCORE: Insider Insights with Editor Sara Schonfeld
|
Jun 10, 2024 |
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The 31 Day Build Your Author Platform Challenge is NOW!
|
Jun 03, 2024 |
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Must Listen Advice from TV Writer and Bestselling Middle Grade author Joshua Pruett
|
May 27, 2024 |
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Middle Grade Magic! Co Host Lisa Schmid Goes Deep with new novel Hart & Souls
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May 20, 2024 |
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Voices in the Dark: Elevating Women in Horror with author Lindy Ryan
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May 13, 2024 |
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The 31-Day Build Your Author Platform Challenge! (We swear it will be fun!)
|
May 06, 2024 |
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Perseverance and Possibilities with author Bitsy Kemper
|
Apr 29, 2024 |
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Respect Your Secondary Characters! Here's why and how.
|
Apr 22, 2024 |
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From Teacher to Bestselling Author, Matt Eicheldinger is telling the stories kids want to read
|
Apr 15, 2024 |
|
The Write Mindset: Kick Imposter Syndrome to the Curb!
|
Apr 08, 2024 |
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Words Matter. Just ask picture book author Lisa Riddiough
|
Apr 01, 2024 |
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The 17-minute pep talk you NEED right now!
|
Mar 25, 2024 |
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Editing Unveiled: Sara Schonfeld Tells You What You NEED To Know
|
Mar 18, 2024 |
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The Secret Weapon of Bestsellers: Level Up Your Pacing
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Mar 11, 2024 |
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Mastering Happily Ever After: The Art of Writing Romance with Patience Bloom
|
Mar 04, 2024 |
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How To Write Flashbacks That Don't Suck
|
Feb 26, 2024 |
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Level Up with Author and Video Game Creator Andrew Auseon
|
Feb 19, 2024 |
|
The Big Picture Part 3—Navigating the Picture Book Publishing Maze: Tips, Resources & Encouragement
|
Feb 11, 2024 |
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Agent Kaitlyn Sanchez Tells You What You Need to Know
|
Feb 05, 2024 |
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Mastering the Art of Writing a Synopsis
|
Jan 29, 2024 |
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Revolutionizing Book Discoverability with Ben Fox of Shepherd.com
|
Jan 22, 2024 |
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The Big Picture, part 2: where we edit and submit a picture book for publication
|
Jan 15, 2024 |
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Empowering Authors: Insights from Book Publishing and Marketing Expert Kathleen Schmidt
|
Jan 08, 2024 |
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Encore episode! Literary agent and author Eric Smith on why horror is having a moment, what is selling in YA right now and how to get noticed in a crowded field
|
Jan 01, 2024 |
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Navigating the Literary Agent Landscape with Leslie Zampetti of Open Book Literary (encore addition!)
|
Dec 25, 2023 |
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Writers with Wrinkles - Season 2 Finale: Reflections, Laughs, and Lessons Learned
|
Dec 18, 2023 |
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Author Jason June is having so much fun and wants you to have fun, too.
|
Dec 11, 2023 |
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The Big Picture: writing, editing and submitting a cats and dogs picture book!
|
Dec 04, 2023 |
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From a Shared Love of Holidays to a Successful Business: a convo with authors Heather Macht and Lynne Marie
|
Nov 27, 2023 |
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Marketing Monday: Make AI useful, and RIP Goodreads (and Mr. Fishy!)
|
Nov 20, 2023 |
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Break All the Rules! Insights from Acclaimed Author Erika Lewis
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Nov 13, 2023 |
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Top Five Deep Dive: The Power of an Irresistible Start (crafting a compelling opening for your novel)
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Nov 06, 2023 |
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The Co-Author Partnership: the most important element for making it WORK
|
Oct 30, 2023 |
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Marketing Monday: Become a Substack Superstar! (Don't Be Afraid. We Got You)
|
Oct 23, 2023 |
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The BEST advice you will ever get on writing picture books, with bestselling author Ame Dyckman
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Oct 16, 2023 |
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Top Five Deep Dive: How to Write Compelling Voice
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Oct 09, 2023 |
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Living a Writer's Dream in London: Author Elizabeth Eulberg on inspiration, series writing and handling reviews
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Oct 02, 2023 |
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Conquering the World of Book Marketing (one baby step at a time!)
|
Sep 25, 2023 |
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Writing a Graphic Novel: Insights from New York Times bestselling author Eric Geron
|
Sep 18, 2023 |
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Top Five Deep Dive: Tips and Tricks for Mastering the Art of Compelling Dialogue
|
Sep 11, 2023 |
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What Agent Jennifer March Soloway wants you to know
|
Sep 04, 2023 |
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Books on Botox: What you can learn from this contemporary romance and a middle grade novel with a nasty bully
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Aug 28, 2023 |
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Navigating the Difference between Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction, with editor Sangeeta Mehta
|
Aug 21, 2023 |
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TOP FIVE Deep Dive: 5 critical considerations when writing a series
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Aug 14, 2023 |
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Platform building, book covers, author freak outs and school visits: an interview with Lindsay Currie
|
Aug 07, 2023 |
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Writing a series? Or trying humor? This is a MUST listen!
|
Jul 31, 2023 |
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Insider Tips from Agent & Author Eric Smith: why horror is having a moment, what is selling in YA right now and how to get noticed in a crowded field
|
Jul 24, 2023 |
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TOP FIVE Deep Dive - 5 things to do when writing spooky middle grade fiction!
|
Jul 17, 2023 |
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How to write about neurodivergent characters with author Sally J. Pla
|
Jul 10, 2023 |
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Story inspiration in your own backyard? Yes! Yes! Yes!
|
Jul 03, 2023 |
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How to write heart pounding, thrilling action/adventure for kids with Misa Sugiura
|
Jun 26, 2023 |
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The Unreliable Narrator: how to nail it!
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Jun 19, 2023 |
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Creating Captivating Nonfiction for Kids: A Conversation with author Rebecca Barone
|
Jun 12, 2023 |
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Books On Botox: Venturing into the Made Up Worlds of The School for Good Mothers & I Am Smoke
|
Jun 05, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles talks to award winning author, Hannah McKinnon
|
May 29, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles - Books on Botox & a Hot Writing Tip: Remarkably Bright Creatures & The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn
|
May 22, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles chats with middle grade authors Lisa and Matt McMann
|
May 15, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles Trailer
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May 10, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 27 - Books on Botox: Empire of Pain & Paris on Repeat
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May 08, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 26 - Erinn Pascal, senior editor Andrews McMeel Universal
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May 01, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 25 - Books on Botox: My Sister, the Serial Killer & The Doll's Eye
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Apr 24, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 24 - librarian Mychal Threets
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Apr 17, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 23 - Books on Botox: The Thursday Murder Club, by Richard Osman & The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse: A Chet Gecko Mystery, by Bruce Hale
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Apr 10, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 22 - author Lisa Fipps
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Apr 03, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 21 - Books on Botox: Night Shift & The Vanishing of Aveline Jones
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Mar 27, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 20 - author and features writer Richard Knight
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Mar 20, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 19 Books on Botox: How Not To Drown In A Glass Of Water & Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion
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Mar 13, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 18 - author illustrator Jarrett Lerner
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Mar 06, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 17 - Books on Botox: Someone Else's Shoes & The Gideon Trilogy
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Feb 27, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 16 - literary agent Leslie Zampetti
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Feb 20, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 15 - Books on Botox: The Violin Conspiracy & The Haunting of Aveline Jones
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Feb 13, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 14 - YA author Laura Taylor Namey
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Feb 06, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 13 - Books on Botox: The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow & The Great Alone
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Jan 30, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 12 - debut author Catherine Arguelles
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Jan 23, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 11 - Classic Books on Botox!
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Jan 16, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 10 - author James Ponti
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Jan 09, 2023 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 9 - screenwriter/producer/author Sascha Rothchild
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Dec 19, 2022 |
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BONUS: Writing Podcasts We Love!
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Dec 12, 2022 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 8 - author/illustrator Eliza Wheeler
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Dec 05, 2022 |
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BONUS: Thanksgiving!
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Nov 28, 2022 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 7 - author and marketing expert Nadia Salomon
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Nov 21, 2022 |
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BONUS: Books Make Great Gifts!
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Nov 14, 2022 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 6 - author Ally Malinenko
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Nov 07, 2022 |
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BONUS: NaNoWriMo is here!
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Oct 31, 2022 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 5 - author/producer Cindy Callaghan
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Oct 24, 2022 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 4 - author Eileen Rendahl
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Oct 10, 2022 |
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BONUS: How We Got Our Agents
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Oct 03, 2022 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 3 - editor Elizabeth Law
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Sep 26, 2022 |
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BONUS: Critique Groups 101
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Sep 19, 2022 |
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Writers With Wrinkles ep. 2 - author Fleur Bradley
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Sep 12, 2022 |
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BONUS: How to manage your book signing
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Sep 05, 2022 |
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Writers With Wrinkles First Episode!
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Aug 12, 2022 |