The Manuscript Academy

Also on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/QaWwJ8O5NFA In this episode of the Manuscript Academy Podcast, hosts Julie Kingsley and Jessica Sinsheimer introduce new tools and features for writers, including a comp title finder, an advanced agent search, and a writer group creator. They discuss the development of a virtual interactive space for writers to connect globally and announce improvements in sorting through their extensive content library. Additionally, the hosts share updates on their Manuscript Academy Agent Choice Awards and upcoming classes, aimed at helping writers enhance their craft. Tune in to learn about these resources and how they can support your writing journey. 00:00 Introduction to the Manuscript Academy Podcast 00:31 Listener Feedback and Updates 00:57 New Tools for Writers 01:57 Writer Group Creator 03:04 Virtual Space for Writers 04:26 Organizing Classes and Resources 05:02 Manuscript Academy Agent Choice Awards 06:05 Upcoming Events and Classes 07:16 Conclusion and How to Get Involved

Have you ever wondered why Publishing seems to take so much longer than any other industry? We posed this question to agent Stefanie Molina, Ladderbird Literary--and discuss what it means for agents, editors, and - most of all - writers. Want to talk about your work with Stefanie? Schedule a time here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/stefanie-molina We discuss: Current Trends in Publishing (00:03:57)
 What Makes A work “Fresh”? (00:05:01)
 The Importance of BIPOC Voices in Literature (00:06:32) Communication Challenges in Publishing (00:08:33)
 Literary Agents of Change (00:10:52) Advice for Writers in the Querying Process (00:15:48) Agents' Constant Thoughts on Clients (00:28:56)
 Hope for Industry Change (00:39:31) Scholarship Opportunities (00:44:47)

We are so happy to welcome Liv Ivanov, agent at Creative Media Agency, to the podcast! In this episode, we talk about making your work more addictive (we can all dream of the "I read it in one sitting" agent response!) through: *Effective pacing *Structure *Tension *Symmetry *The MICE Quotient And more! Liv shares her insights on avoiding excessive exposition, the balance between tension and pacing, and the importance of character development. She also highlights techniques like reverse outlining and reading aloud to improve manuscripts. We also learn what Liv would like to have in her inbox. Meet Liv here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/liv-ivanov

How do you make your work more commercial--and why is commercial the trend right now? Join agent Alyssa Jennette (Stonesong Literary) as we talk about: 1) Why is commercial trending right now? 2) What can ALL genres (including literary) do to appeal to readers in this moment? 3) Why you should focus revision efforts on stakes, character, payoff and more to make your commercial and literary works more 4) Why literary and upmarket writers don't need to panic. This is part of a larger podcast episode (15 minutes) coming soon. Meet Alyssa here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/alyssa-jennette Video clip of this episode here: https://youtu.be/F8wl9mwyc9k?si=Tg-lfxW2dBC6CpxR Learn more at https://manuscriptacademy.com/

Is there a formula for success? What do you do when "A new twist on something familiar" starts to feel overly simplistic? Enter editor Ivan Taurisano, editor at Abrams, who works from the opposite direction of most editors: he can think of a concept that's marketable, then put together the team to make it happen. We discuss: ***Collaborating with Licensing Partners: Ivan works closely with major brands like Disney, Netflix, and others to create books that resonate with current market trends. ***Data-Driven Decision Making: Unlike traditional editors who wait for manuscripts, Ivan actively seeks out market trends and creates content that meets those demands. ***Monitoring Bestseller Lists: Checking Amazon and New York Times bestseller lists to identify common themes and outliers. ***Examining BISAC Codes: Understanding how books are categorized to spot market trends. ***Creating Engaging and Humorous Content: Books should be fun and engaging for children, encouraging a love of reading. ***Finding the Sweet Spot: Balancing humor and content that resonates with children while being appropriate for parents. Ivan Taurisano was born in Rome, Italy, and moved to the United States almost ten years ago to pursue a children's book publishing career. The guiding principle of his work is that a child whose life is changed by a book will always be a step closer to becoming an adult who will change the world. Ivan's all-time favorite book is James and the Giant Peach, and his best friend is a chihuahua named Bilbo. Ivan has a BA in English and Creative Writing, an MA in Children's Literature, and an MFA in Writing for Children. He started his career at Sourcebooks as an Editorial Assistant, then moved on to become an Assistant Editor. His responsibilities included developing children's board books, picture books, and graphic novels, as well as acquiring board books and picture books. Ivan has worked with many successful series and brands, including How to Catch, Little Heroes Big Hearts, Sesame Street, Disney, Tokidoki, and Pokémon. Currently, Ivan lives in New York and works at Abrams as an Associate Editor on the Children's Entertainment Publishing and Content Development team. In this role, he focuses novelty books, board books, graphic novels, and select MG and YA titles. He is especially interested in stories with a strong commercial hook, crave-able content, compelling characters, and series potential. Board books and picture books: Ivan is interested in children's board books and picture books that are kid-centric, interactive, character-driven, and have series potential. He enjoys titles with a strong hook, fun read-alouds, great rhymes, bold and playful imaginative stories, books that break the fourth wall and invite reader participation, as well as seasonal stories such as Christmas and Halloween. MG: Ivan is interested in plot-driven, action-packed adventures with a strong commercial hook, compelling characters, magic, quests/competitions, and high stakes. YA: Ivan prefers strong commercial hooks, well-plotted, character-driven, atmospheric stories, and series potential. He loves fantasy, magic, and quests/competitions. He likes unique, morally grey characters, memorable villains, and propulsive, cinematic writing. Ivan is not the best fit for nonfiction, retellings, historical fiction, biographies, and novels in verse. *** Schedule a meeting with Ivan here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/ivan-taurisano

In this 1-hour session, you will learn the essential steps to position yourself and your book as valuable investments to agents, editors, bookstores, and beyond. (Want more? Join our workshop October 22-24, How To Be Your Own Best Marketer: https://manuscriptacademy.com/product/be-your-own-best-marketer | $39 early bird, $49 regular, $0 members). Whether you're preparing for a book launch or just starting your journey, this training will provide you with insights to stand out to publishers, readers, and bookstores. Key Takeaways: 1. Why Your Brand Matters – How to conduct a personal brand audit and refine your platform to attract attention from publishers and readers. 2. The Cost of Hosting Events – A behind-the-scenes look at bookstore events and how understanding costs can improve your relationships with event partners. 3. Creative Book Events – Strategies for planning engaging, memorable book events that go beyond traditional bookstore settings. By the end of the training, you will have a clear understanding of how to present your book and author brand as a smart investment, setting the stage for future success.

We love Bonnie Jo Pierson. Not only is she a Manuscript Academy alum and a published author, she's a member of a 20-person writing group—and an expert on knowing what feedback to take, what to ignore, and how to tell the difference. After 17 years of writing, her novel is ready—and we talk about keeping work fresh, learning and growing as a person, and remaining emotionally open to your work and your life. Bonnie Jo is the author of What Happens in Idaho, July 24, 2024. Gifted with a short attention span, Bonnie Jo Pierson wants to experience and do as much as she can. Using the great powers of YouTube she's taught herself how to knit, crochet, paint with oils, acrylics, and watercolors, coach volleyball, play the piano and cello, ride a motorcycle, renovate a house, sing, sew, raise livestock, bake, and most importantly how to write. With a degree in biology, she's a lover of all things science, especially in the microscopic world. She and her Navy veteran husband have four children and spent several years bouncing around to various locations in the United States. Now she's made her home in small-town Idaho, where she's attempting to resurrect her great-grandparents one hundred year-old farm. You can email her at bonniejopierson@gmail.com or you can find her on: instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbonniejopierson/ goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23922408-bonnie-jo-pierson facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonniejopiersonauthor twitter: https://twitter.com/BonnieJo_author tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniejo_author?lang=en

Promoting your book isn't about making noise—it's about making a difference for readers who need your story. In this Manuscript Academy episode, we break down exactly how to shift your mindset from fear to confidence and why it's so important for your career: - Self-Doubt and Fear of Visibility: Let's be real—none of us love self-promotion. But we'll show you how to do it in a way that feels authentic and actually helps your book gain the attention it deserves. - Know Your Brand: Do you know what people really think of you? Let's figure that out. We'll walk you through how to audit your personal brand so you know where to focus your energy and where you might be wasting time. - The Power of Comps: Comps (aka comparable books) aren't just for publishers—they help you, too. Knowing your comps is a powerful tool for understanding where your book fits in the market and how to position it for success. - Launch Strategies that Work: Events, launches, bookstore signings—they're not just for fun. There's a strategy behind them that most authors miss. Let's break down how to make these events work for you, not against you. This episode will help you shift your mindset, market your book with confidence, and understand what really moves the needle. It's time to stop playing small. Ready? Hit play now. * * * Get your FREE ticket for our event, How To Be Your Own Best Marketer Whether Querying, Agented or Ready To Launch, October 10 at 8:30pm ET, at https://manuscriptacademy.com/allison.

Today is a special live recording of the Manuscript Academy podcast! In front of Manuscript Academy members, Jessica and Julie are joined by faculty member and Macmillan editor Christina Lopez in another installment of our Mystery Agent/Editor segment. Listen in as Christina critiques writer Karissa Riffel's YA horror query and first page, and answers all your questions. Want to apply for next Mystery Agent/Editor Consutlation? Sign up here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/submissions Learn more about membership here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/membership Want to meet with Christina? Sign up here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/christina-lopez

Have you ever been tempted to say "My book is for everyone"? We get it! It sounds like the perfect way to convince an agent your book is a slam dunk bestseller--right? Wrong. Realistically, no book is for everyone--and this is a great thing. We're happy to join Emma Peters, editor at W.W. Norton, to discuss: *Why you need to define your audience--and pitch an agent on this reader *How specificity in your book description is your friend *What is a “build a book” and why do agents work on them? *Balancing professionalism, enthusiasm & marketing *How to use your friends as a focus group Emma is available for query consultations. Meet with her at: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/emma-peters

We are so excited to welcome math teacher Ben Orlin to the podcast! Ben Orlin is a math teacher who can't draw. His book Math with Bad Drawings (2018) has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide, and has since been followed by Change is the Only Constant (2019), Math Games with Bad Drawings (2022), and most recently, Math for English Majors (Sept 2024). His work has appeared in The Atlantic, Popular Science, Slate, Vox, and The Los Angeles Times; he himself has appeared in the lines to ice cream stores everywhere. BBC star and leading mathematician Hannah Fry once described him as "terribly bad at drawing" before kindly adding “he's also fantastically clever and charming.” We discuss: * How to position your proposal as an expert in your subject, for an audience who is not as well-versed * Using metaphor to connect and create new meaning * The ways agents seek out nonfiction clients * How to incorporate math in your querying and editing process Learn more about Ben and his new book here: https://mathwithbaddrawings.com

We are so happy to welcome Nour Sallam, agent at P.S. Literary, to the podcast! We discuss: *How agents should advocate for clients from signing to offers to contracts to publication and beyond *Why messy characters and their interiority are often the one thing missing from your work *Why we should experience empathy for your villain *Opportunities to build tension, pulling the reader (or agent!) into your story Meet with Nour here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/nour-sallam See a clip of this episode here: https://youtu.be/xBbNAb0d5sM?si=8NLlvwhX3X04p5vB Transcript and timestamps here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-nour-sallam Nour Sallam is an associate literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency representing adult fiction and nonfiction. Nour has previously worked in editing, podcasting, communications, and journalism. She got her start at the University of British Columbia where she studied English Literature and Political Science. She then got her publishing certificate at Toronto Metropolitan University. As an Arab woman and an immigrant, she loves books of any genre that amplify joy and connection, or feature complex and nuanced histories, power dynamics, or underrepresented narratives. Nour is seeking commercial and upmarket fiction titles as well as select literary fiction, edgy psychological thrillers, mysteries, and light horror. In fiction, she gravitates towards voicey characters that are haunted by something: a secret, a past, a fear— or an actual haunting! She's actively seeking character-driven stories featuring women in power, unhinged women, and stories of female rage. She also has a soft spot for unreliable narrators, family sagas with dysfunctional families, protagonists in their 20s-30s navigating adulthood, protagonists on the cusp of major life changes, and stories that focus on friendship dynamics. She is also drawn to stories that explore the diverse experiences of underrepresented groups and challenge our understanding of diasporic experiences and/or cultures. Bonus points if these stories are also fun and celebrate joy. For nonfiction, Nour welcomes fresh and accessible perspectives on big ideas or industry deep dives as well as personal narratives on pop culture, art, and nature. She appreciates books that offer incisive commentary on culture, socio-economic structures, corporate underbellies, health and wellness, and lifestyle. Her taste in non-fiction gravitates towards books that generally challenge what we know or explain what we might not know.

We are so pleased to welcome agent Erica Bauman from Aevitas Creative Management to the podcast! We discuss: *How to make your work more atmospheric *Where to place emphasis when writing between genres *Balancing keeping the reader in their heads vs. their senses *When the genre of our world gets closer to dystopia, how does the dystopian genre change? *Why do agents ask for exactly your metatags—and then say no? Meet with Erica here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/erica-bauman Erica Bauman is a literary agent at Aevitas Creative Management and represents a wide variety of authors across middle grade, young adult, and upmarket adult fiction, including acclaimed YA author Maria Ingrande Mora, New York Times Bestseller Kayla Cottingham, and Lambda Literary Fellow Naseem Jamnia. Erica is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and has worked in the publishing industry since 2012. Prior to Aevitas, she worked at Spectrum Literary Agency. Based in New York, Erica is most interested in commercial novels that feature an exciting premise and lyrical, atmospheric writing; imaginative, genre-blending tales; speculative worlds filled with haunting, quietly wondrous magic; fresh retellings of mythology, ballet, opera, and classic literature; sharply funny rom-coms; graphic novels for all ages; fearless storytellers that tackle big ideas and contemporary issues; and working with and supporting marginalized authors and stories that represent the wide range of humanity.

Debut author Kristy Jackson joins Julie and Jessica to talk about her new middle grade book, MORTIFIED, now out in bookstores everywhere! From embarrassing middle school moments to querying hiccups, Kristy talks about her 20+ year-long writing journey, how she found the right agent for her, and how perseverance made all the different to achieving her publishing dreams. Learn more about Kristy here: https://www.kristyjackson.ca/

In the first installment of the Manuscript Academy Book Club, we have Liv Constantine, the pen name for internationally bestselling sister duo Lynne and Valerie Constantine! Joined by Jessica, Julie, and the Manuscript Academy community, Valerie and Lynne answer your questions about how to collaborate and edit as a team, how to get the best results when querying, and how to keep your work fresh when writing multiple books in the same genre. **Please note that there are spoilers for The Last Mrs. Parrish as noted verbally in the episode.** 01:00 Meet the Authors: Liv Constantine 01:19 The Journey to Success 03:26 Collaborative Writing Process 12:09 Crafting Unputdownable Thrillers 16:47 Pitching and Querying Tips 19:39 The Impact of Reese's Book Club 25:31 Character Development and POV Shifts 26:04 Crafting Intricate Plot Details 27:33 Collaborating as Sisters 31:15 Balancing Writing and Marketing 34:58 Navigating the Publishing Industry 36:59 Advice for Aspiring Writers 38:40 Creating Realistic Psychopath Characters 42:54 Final Thoughts and Reflections Learn more at https://livconstantine.com/

You've heard of the all-important voice—but how do you make it more vivid, both on the page—and in your life? Enter Jessica Doyle-Mekkes, an author, voice coach, and eloquent speaker on how your voice in your life and your voice on the page are linked, vitally important—and within your control to improve. Listen along for what helps your voice come out as you intend—whether singing, public speaking, or reading your character aloud to an audience on your book tour. We also discuss: ***Do agents share projects with each other? Yes! In fact, this book happened in part because agent Jessica (Sinsheimer) saw author Jesica (Doyle-Mekkes) and just had a feeling she'd be a good fit for Katharine. ***Learning to write a book proposal from the ground up—and, in one case, overnight ***What makes an ideal client? What do agents look for? ***How much platform do you *really* need? There are two kinds of platform—here's how to leverage both, and how Jessica builds hers (and you can too) ***How you can start preparing NOW for your readings on your future book tour Find I'm Speaking: Every Woman's Guide to Finding Your Voice and Using It Fearlessly wherever books are sold. Meet with Katharine here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/katharine-sands

We are thrilled to introduce our very own Julie Kingsley's debut novel! It's called The Space Between You and Me and came out this week! "That summer, I finally grew into myself. The problem? I grew too fast. And fruit that grows too fast often bursts in the sunshine." With her agent Lane Heymont (Tobias Literary Agency), we discuss: *What happens if you have film interest before book interest *How Hollywood runs on FOMO (fear of missing out) *How Julie got a sensitivity read with her film interest *When book agents send your work to Hollywood *When agents announce your book and why *What “film interest” looks like after your book is announced *Leveraging Hollywood pettiness to increase odds of an option *How the etiquette of Hollywood is vastly different from NY Publishing *The “secret sauce” for being fought over *What is a hook? *Planning your Easter Eggs Learn more about Julie's book here: https://www.juliekingsley.com/ Learn more about Lane here: https://thetobiasagency.com/lane-heymont

Content Warning: This podcast discusses suicide, grief, and loss. Pam O'Hara's beautiful writing captivated our expert audience during a recent Manuscript Academy panel, so much so that it was picked for our 2024 MSWL Agent Choice Awards. Pam joins Jessica and Julie to speak about her stunning memoir about love, loss, and losing a loved one by suicide. We discuss everything from platform, to crafting your voice, to how to position a serious and sad topic for your audience, and more. Agents and editors, this one is in need of representation, if you're listening and like what you hear. We know we did. Learn more about Pam here: https://pamelaohara.com

Watch the free video version, slides and all (and get a coupon for our workshop!) at https://manuscriptacademy.com/emmy Join our Three-Day Keep An Agent Reading Workshop, May 28-30, here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/product/keep-an-agent-reading-workshop TIMESTAMPS: Essential Elements of a Query Letter (00:03:07) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon covers the essential elements of a query letter, including the metadata paragraph, summary, and bio. Query Letter Writing Tips (00:06:06) Insights into the query letter writing process, including addressing the agent, book title, and genre. Metadata Paragraph and Summary (00:09:18) Detailed explanation of the metadata paragraph and summary in a query letter, including the importance of personalization and book comps. Writing Style in Summary (00:21:12) Discussion on mirroring the writing style of the summary paragraph with the manuscript's tone and voice. Summary of Writing Style and Content (00:22:12) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon discusses the essential elements of a query letter and the importance of introducing main characters and conflict in the summary paragraph. Publishing Bio and Relevant Credentials (00:23:51) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon explains the significance of including prior publications, accolades, training, and relevant professional credentials in the publishing bio. Essential Elements of the First Page (00:26:54) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon highlights the significance of the first page in capturing the reader's interest and emphasizes the need to meet the main character, introduce the central organizing feature, and outline what helps and hurts the character. Crafting a Compelling First Page (00:33:44) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon provides insights on writing the first page, including the importance of starting with action, introducing the main character, and establishing the central organizing feature. Synopsis vs. Summary (00:41:18) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon differentiates between the synopsis and the summary, emphasizing the need for a bulleted list of plot points in the synopsis, including the ending, and avoiding a writerly tone. Crafting a Synopsis (00:43:24) Advice on crafting a clear and informative synopsis, particularly helpful for pantsers. Including Trigger Warnings (00:44:52) The importance of including trigger warnings in query letters and writing samples, and how to effectively incorporate them. Bio in Query Letter (00:47:34) What to include in the bio section of a query letter, including personal experiences and writing goals. Prologue vs. Chapter One (00:49:22) The debate over whether to use a prologue or the first chapter as the writing sample, and the impact on the query process. Querying Across Genres (00:53:07) Advice for writers querying across multiple genres and how to communicate long-term career plans to agents. Expressing Multiple Genres (00:56:54) Guidance on how to best express, showcase, or explain a book that spans multiple genres in a query letter. Lived Experience in Query (00:59:56) The significance of mentioning own voices or lived experiences in the first paragraph of a query letter. Commercial, Upmarket, and Literary (01:01:36) A breakdown of the distinctions between commercial, upmarket, and literary writing styles and tones. Literary vs. Commercial (01:02:23) Discussion of literary and commercial books, with examples and explanations of each category. Responsible Representation of Disabled and Chronically Ill People (01:05:07) Insights into the progress and challenges of representation in publishing, encouragement to include nuanced representation in writing. Query Consultation Prize Winners (01:09:00) Announcement of three winners for a query consultation prize with Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon. Upcoming Workshop and Ticket Drawing (01:10:24) Details about a three-day workshop and the drawing of three tickets for the workshop, including instructions for winners.

We are honored that author Elizabeth (Liz) Holden, author of the forthcoming YA novel Mighty Millie Novak, allowed us to go through her work as a teaching tool for you--what each element accomplishes, WHY it works, and how you can do the same in your own query and first page. If you'd like to follow along visually, head to our YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@manuscriptacademy, or the podcast episode page, https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-elizabeth-holden, for the captioned video, transcript, and more. And be sure to check out our other episode, The Roller Derby of Querying, in our feed. TIMESTAMPS: Elements of a Successful Query (00:05:25) Analysis of the query's opening, use of comps, and character introduction. Navigating Conflict and Tension (00:07:17) Discussion on building conflict and tension in the query and its impact. Character Growth and Story Arcs (00:10:47) Explanation of character growth and the importance of story arcs in the query. Personal Experience and Bio (00:12:13) Analysis of the author's personal experiences and bio presented in the query. Flexibility and Professionalism (00:13:31) Discussion on the author's flexibility and professionalism demonstrated in the query. Setting High Stakes (00:16:10) Analysis of the opening line and setting high stakes in the first page of the story. Mighty Millie's Dream (00:17:50) Mighty Millie's aspirations and determination in roller derby are highlighted, setting the stage for the story's conflict and potential growth. Coach Ann's Challenge (00:18:39) Mighty Millie's desire to prove herself and her ambition to be recognized as a formidable competitor in roller derby are showcased. A Disastrous Setback (00:19:29) A dramatic turn of events leads to Mighty Millie's setback, creating tension and raising the stakes for her roller derby aspirations. The Power Dynamics (00:21:04) The discussion revolves around the protagonist's power dynamics, her aspirations, and the fluctuations in her journey, setting the tone for the story's development. Book Launch and Roller Derby (00:22:20) Elizabeth Holden discusses her upcoming book launch and the roller derby theme, adding an exciting real-life connection to the story. Learn more about Liz here: https://elizabeth-holden.com/

View our in-depth video of what Liz did right in her query letter and first page here: https://www.youtube.com/@manuscriptacademy Meet Elizabeth Holden, Physics professor, travel entrepreneur, and author of Mighty Millie Novak, a YA novel coming out from Flux Publishing in August. https://www.elizabeth-holden.com/ Liz is also the travel coordinator for our 2025 Manuscript Academy Retreat, which we're calling Enchanted Summer. Early Bird ends May 24. https://www.leapinghound.com/enchanted2025.html Transcript + video at https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-elizabeth-holden Timestamps: 00:02:03 - Writing Journey (00:02:03) Elizabeth Holden shares her writing journey, including querying experiences and the ups and downs of her writing career. 00:09:50 - Book Offer and Celebrations (00:09:50) Elizabeth recounts the experience of receiving a book offer and the challenges she faced due to being sick at the time. 00:12:11 - Viral Twitter Experience (00:12:11) Elizabeth shares the story of her viral Twitter experience related to the representation of queer characters in her novel and the subsequent impact on her querying process. 00:16:09 - Managing Multiple Offers (00:16:09) Elizabeth discusses the process of managing multiple offers from literary agents and making a decision about representation. Querying and First Page Feedback (00:21:46) Discussion and feedback on the query letter and the first page of the novel. Character and Conflict Introduction (00:27:33) The introduction of the main character and the presentation of internal and external conflicts. Advice on Writing Process (00:33:05) Flexibility in mindset and recognizing when to take lateral steps in the writing process. Leaping Hound Travel (00:37:13) Starting a travel company during the pandemic, focusing on niche topics and small group tours in Europe and Mexico. Lake Bled Writing Retreat 2025 (00:41:09) Announcement of a writing retreat and vacation in Lake Bled, Slovenia, with details about the location and activities. Enchanted Summer (00:44:44) Discussion about the magical and inspiring environment of Lake Bled, Slovenia, and the benefits of stepping away to focus on writing.

Please note: This episode contains mentions of alcoholism, recovery, and sobriety. We are so happy to welcome author Jessica Guerrieri and agent Ismita Hussain (Great Dog Literary) to the podcast. They're a great example of what to look for in an author-agent relationship--they're creative, collaborative, supportive, and successful (Jessica's debut book club fiction, Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, comes out 2025 with HarperCollins). We also discuss re-querying, facing rejection, and the healing power of storytelling and personal narrative. Meet with Ismita here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/ismita-hussain Find the transcript and show notes here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-ismita-hussain-jessica-guerrieri 00:44 Introducing Jessica Guerrieri 00:54 Ismita Hussain's Journey from Healthcare to Literary Agent 01:55 Jessica Guerrieri's Writing Journey and Sobriety 03:04 The Power of Perseverance: Jessica Guerrieri's Path to Publication 04:18 The Editorial Process: From Query to Preempt 06:58 Understanding the Preempt and the Publishing Process 10:50 Revising with Resilience: Jessica Guerrieri's Approach to Feedback 17:13 Building Trust and Thickening Skin in the Publishing World 21:31 Looking Ahead: Plans After the Book Deal 22:02 Embarking on a Unique Memoir Journey 22:13 Exploring Motherhood and Recovery 22:48 The Power of Sharing Personal Stories 27:02 The Role of Fiction and Nonfiction in Recovery 29:42 The Importance of Representation in Literature 39:57 The Value of Specificity in Storytelling 43:15 The Memoir Market and Connecting with Agents

We are so grateful to Emmy Nordstrom Higdon, agent at Westwood Creative Associates, who has offered to teach a free workshop for you all about the elements of querying—interest, emphasis, tension—that keep a busy agent reading in 2024. Get your free ticket (or replay ticket!) here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/emmy The event is Tuesday, May 7, 8:30pm ET—and comes with a replay, in case you can't make it live. This workshop is appropriate for all experience levels—whether it's your first query or your 100th draft, come for the 101 basics, the checklists, the how-to's—and leave with a real understanding of how you can use these skills to give an agent a 360 “I can't wait to read more” reading experience. Emmy (they/them) represents across age categories + genres, specializing in identity-driven works. They work in both fiction and non-fiction, from PB to adult, including commercial, upmarket, book club & literary. They specialize in contemporary books grounded in reality, with and without speculative elements. Mystery, thriller, suspense, romance, romcom, women's fiction, LGBTQ2S+, magical realism, fabulism, horror, graphic, narrative non-fiction, true crime, religion + spirituality, humanities + science.

We are thrilled to introduce Ali McLafferty, author, teacher, and most recent winner of the as-yet-untitled (Manuscript) Academy Awards. Ali was nominated by agent Melissa Edwards (Stonesong Literary) for this gorgeous fantasy novel that brings up a lot of issues in our world as well. We discuss how she polished her query, how many drafts she did of her first page--and what she learned along the way. Learn more about Ali at https://www.alimclafferty.com/. Full transcript at https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-ali-mclafferty TIMESTAMPS: Feedback on Allie's query letter and first page (00:10:09) Julie and Jessica provide feedback on Allie's query letter and first page, discussing its strengths and areas for improvement. Allie's revision process for the query letter (00:15:24) Allie discusses her process of revising the query letter, including feedback from friends and an editor, and the changes she made. The query letter (00:20:22) Discussion on the effectiveness of the query letter's opening and structure, focusing on the emotional impact and the feedback received. First page of the manuscript (00:21:44) Analysis and feedback on the opening page of the manuscript, highlighting its grounding effect and the portrayal of the character and setting. Writing process and first draft (00:24:04) Discussion about the unique experience of the book's creation, the absence of significant revisions, and the influence of personal connection and understanding of the material on the first draft. Genre and target audience (00:35:28) Challenges in defining the genre and target audience for the book, particularly in conveying the blend of fantasy and imagined scientific systems, and the potential for pitching to adult audiences. Rejection and perseverance (00:34:15) Acknowledgment of the emotional impact of rejections and the importance of perseverance, as well as the advice on finding rewards in the process and maintaining determination. Pitching and query letter adjustments (00:38:05) Consideration of pitching the book as adult fantasy and the potential adjustments for the query letter to cater to an adult audience without compromising the narrative drive. Author's website and future queries (00:39:25) Advice for Writers (00:41:49) Allie shares her advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the joy of writing and the importance of perseverance. Touching Moments (00:44:03) Allie recounts a touching moment when her husband was moved by a part of her first book, emphasizing the impact of writing on loved ones.

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-sarah-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.

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

Starting today (we promise you're not too late!), join us for a Three-Day Workshop: Unputdownable: Write A Book Agents Can't Stop Thinking About. It's three classes, daily forums, a thriving workshop community, live Q&A and a first pages feedback panel. This workshop includes: *Class: Banner Days - have the reader looking forward and backward, imagining how characters and situations will interact–giving surprise, delight and grounding *Class: Truth as Structure - strategically decide, from the narrator to the reader to the main character to the antagonist, who knows what when *Class: Proactivity & Misbehavior - keep your characters active, sympathetic, imperfect, at a crossroads–and full of agency *Daily Workshopping with your new best writer friends (seriously! You are all so lovely) *Live Q&A *Live Feedback Panel ***Please note that everything can be done on your schedule.*** All materials will be up until November 27, and you have the same odds of feedback whether you attend live or send your work and watch the replay. Hope you can join us! FREE Workshop preview here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/your-emotional-stakes Get your Unputdownable Three-Day Workshop ticket ($49) here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/product/unputdownable-three-day-workshop

Join us in a lively conversation with debut author M Hendrix, whose book The Chaperone came out this year with Sourcebooks! From finding an agent and pitching your book during the pandemic, finding hope in dystopian novels, and making YA fun for teens to read, we cover this and more! M Hendrix (she/her) is the author of The Chaperone, published by Sourcebooks Fire on June 6, 2023. M earned her bachelor's degree in journalism at Indiana University before studying literature and creative writing in graduate school, receiving her master's degree from Miami University and her doctorate from the University of Cincinnati, where she was a Taft Fellow. She has been nominated five times for the Pushcart Prize and was shortlisted for the Aesthetica creative writing award. She has also served on the SCBWI Midsouth conference committee. She is represented by John Cusick of Folio Literary. Her work has appeared in Newsweek, Aesthetica, The Independent, USA Today, The Vestal Review, Psychology Today, The Satirist, Nzuri, The Haven, Letters to Dead Authors, Medium, 2nd & Church, Word Salad, Quirk, Cairn, Gravity Hill, the Louisville Courier-Journal, the Bowling Green Daily News, and more. She is the author of two previous books: a memoir and a collection of stories. The Chaperone is her first published novel. Born in Baltimore and raised in New Jersey, M has lived in twelve states, visited all of the lower 48, and now resides in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with her husband, New York Times bestselling suspense novelist David Bell. The Commonwealth of Kentucky has bestowed on her its highest honor, that of Kentucky Colonel. When M isn't reading or writing, she's on the move—running, biking, swimming, hiking, and kayaking—and loves to compete in local triathlons. To learn more about M, go to mhendrixwrites.com.

We are thrilled to welcome Sierra Godfrey, author of The Second Chance Hotel and A Very Typical Family, to the Member Lounge. Sierra, along with Mike Chen, built the first ManuscriptWishList.com, and her work as an author is charming, funny, romantic—and set on the gorgeous fictional Greek island of Asteri. There, her main character accidentally marries a handsome traveler—and, together, they accidentally inherit a hotel. What follows is a fun, escapist, sophisticated story of finding yourself even when it means giving up everything you've known. So we invited her for a Q&A with our members. Learn more about our Member Lounge here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/member-lounge We talk about: *Finding a second agent *Why the agent offer call is likely to only show you a small percentage of an agent's thoughts on your book *Whether they “pre pitch” before you're even working together *Is everything in Publishing really harder than it ever was? *How a story on the radio while sitting in traffic inspired the story *How to write likable, but significantly flawed, characters *How do you spot a red flag in an agent? Sierra says: Hello! I am the author of A Very Typical Family (Sourcebooks 2022) and The Second Chance Hotel (September 12, 2023) also from Sourcebooks.  I am extremely flattered that you have come to see who I am! I was born in Santa Cruz, California (which is where A Very Typical Family is set!) and have lived in many places, including Santorini, Greece, when I was a kid. By day I'm a technical writer and have also been a graphic designer ad a credentialed sports writer covering Spanish football for several online sports sites. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband and two sons, as well as a lot of animals that include a dog, two cats, and a turtle, which seems like a lot, and is.

We are so happy to welcome Dani Segelbaum, Vice President, Literary Agent, and Subsidiary Rights Director at Carol Mann Agency. We discuss how the best nonfiction is an experience, how it relates to platform and the real world, how sub rights tie in—and why it's so much easier to get Anti-AI clauses in contracts for books abroad. Dani Segelbaum joined the Carol Mann Agency in 2021 as a literary agent and subrights manager. She is interested in both fiction and non-fiction. Dani is seeking non-fiction titles with an emphasis on politics, women's issues, popular culture, and current events. Dani also loves memoir, narrative non-fiction, lifestyle, and cookbooks. In fiction, she is looking for literary and upmarket adult fiction including debut, historical, rom-coms, and women's fiction. In both fiction and non-fiction, Dani hopes to work with authors from diverse backgrounds to tell stories that are important to them. She loves compelling narrators and is drawn to writing that is voice-driven, highly transporting, and features unique perspectives and marginalized voices. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Dani is a graduate of Boston University's College of Communication where she studied journalism and political science. She has been a voracious reader for as long as she can remember. Dani began her publishing career as an editorial assistant at HarperCollins Publishers, focusing primarily on highly designed non-fiction titles.  Dani spends her free time walking her Aussiedoodle named Dottie and trying new restaurants. Her guilty pleasures include cookbooks (seriously, she has way too many), reading the newspaper in the middle of the night, and baking dozens of delicious baked goods for friends and family (she does use the cookbooks).

Join us for a deep dive into query revisions with YA fantasy writer, Julia! Julia and Jessica have spent the last few months in revisions, taking a good query and transforming it into an amazing one. Today we share all the insights learned from this process, how to be resilient, receive feedback, and make your pitch pop. Julia's bio: I am a graduate student in mental health counseling with a tendency to scribble plot points in the margins of my school notes. I am a member of SCBWI, Manuscript Academy, and I live with my twin sister in Orlando, Florida. When I'm not writing, you can find me on local weekend adventures and adding to my growing wall of bookish fanart. Draft one (with Jessica's notes): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q6SToxSTa4Cgr_talxIEdWdJ9Tx87B19/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109573504283059747627&rtpof=true&sd=true Draft three (with Jessica's notes): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-PL-la1mUNcZvs-JekTa6YY_JPcv2A2U/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109573504283059747627&rtpof=true&sd=true

We love Kaitlyn! She's so happy, perceptive, kind, and talented—AND a literary agent who's created community for her writers, a strong sales track record, and a team of authors—all while being a full-time math teacher, educating young minds. Book a meeting with her here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/kaitlyn-sanchez Kaitlyn Sanchez (she/her) joined Bradford Literary in 2022 with two years of agenting experience under her belt. Kaitlyn is the proud co-creator and co-host of the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest and Kidlit Zombie Week as well as creator and co-host of the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest. As a mom, wife, and middle school math teacher, Kaitlyn enjoys playing soccer, binge-watching TV shows, and, of course, reading, especially when she's all cozied up with her husband and daughter reading together. Kaitlyn is an editorial agent and always works with her clients to make sure we're putting out their best work. She's highly communicative and invested in every aspect of helping her clients have a strong and happy career. Kaitlyn is looking for children's books (picture books through YA) in all categories, including graphic novels, nonfiction, and illustration. She is incredibly eclectic in her tastes, with a great affinity for emotional stories as well as funny stories. Kaitlyn is always looking for diversity in all forms, including but not limited to BIPOC, neurodiversity, and LGBTQ+. Kaitlyn loves working with artists, so she's always on the lookout for great illustrators, author-illustrators, and graphic novelists. Note: Kaitlyn generally leans PG and PG-13 for most submissions, though some intensity here and there is fine.

Do you have a book that's "No plot, just vibes"? We're here to support you! Join agent Taj McCoy to discuss how to feel good from Draft One to Done. We talk about how subconscious themes, sensory details, and putting new twists on familiar tropes can bring your work to life. We love how Taj talks about starting with the layers you know best first so that you have the motivation to continue--and start from a strong, confident place. Plus: When do agents read your synopsis? (Hint: We disagree!) We also talk about how to make your first page sing for contests, even when word count requirements vary and you want to end with a line of your choice--and then answer YOUR questions from Twitter. Want to meet with Taj? Head to https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/taj-mccoy. Oakland-born law grad, Taj McCoy, is committed to writing stories championing Black and biracial women of color, plus-sized protagonists, Black love, Black joy, and characters with a strong sense of sisterhood and familial bonds. Taj started writing as a small child, enjoying the success of her first publications in elementary school. Since then, her dream has always been to become a professional writer. As a law student, she attempted her first novels and joined the Twitter writing community. Though Taj has spent more than ten years working in higher education administration, she continued to pursue her goal and ultimately finished her first novel in 2018, securing her agent in 2019. Her Adult Fiction is published through Mira/HQN. Taj trained as an agent under Fuse Literary, having previously served as Pitch Wars mentor and co-program manager for Diverse Voices, Inc.'s DVdebut program before joining Rees Literary Agency in 2022. Taj aims to widen the entryway for marginalized authors into the publishing industry and to normalize Black joy, fat joy, celebrations of culture, and love without limitations. She represents Adult Fiction (contemporary, romance, romcoms, women's fiction, mystery/thriller), Adult Non-Fiction (memoirs, narratives, cookbooks, satire, empowerment), Children's Fiction (MG and YA contemporary, mystery, romance, thriller, fantasy), Children's Non-Fiction (historical narratives, picture books). When she's not writing or agenting, Taj may be on Twitter boosting other marginalized writers, trying to zen out in yoga, sharing recipes on her website, binge-watching her favorite reality tv, or cooking private supper club meals for close friends. Catch her producing and co-hosting the Fat Like Me Podcast, which celebrates body diversity in publishing and entertainment, or watch her join forces with several writer friends on Sundays for the Better Than Brunch video podcast.