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Imprint closures, layoffs, and reorganizations are rattling the publishing world. Literary agent and At-Home Author founder Vicki Weber joins Beth and Lisa for a candid conversation about what’s driving these changes—and what writers can do about it. From the surprising role Harry Potter played in the decline of middle grade to building an audience before you have a book deal, Vicki delivers practical strategies for navigating today’s shifting landscape.

About Our Guest
Vicki Weber is a literary agent, bestselling children’s book author, and founder of At-Home Author. She helps writers craft, publish, and market books across traditional and self-publishing, and shares industry analysis on her popular Substack.

What We Cover

•       The wave of imprint closures (Roaring Brook, Dial) and editorial cuts at Simon & Schuster
•       How Harry Potter’s escalating length contributed to middle grade’s long-term decline
•       Why acquisitions are harder than ever—and why an editor loving your book is just the beginning
•       The industry push toward commercial fiction and what that means for querying writers
•       Vicki’s #1 querying tip: write another book and build a portfolio
•       Reading between the lines of agent wishlists to craft standout queries
•       Self-publishing vs. traditional: rising standards and honest pros/cons
•       Overcoming bad sales track with pen names, pivots, and reframing your story
•       Building an email list pre-publication with free stories, newsletter swaps, and cheap ads
•       Vicki’s wishlist: adult psychological horror, horror-tinged thrillers, genre mashups with social commentary

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Beth and Lisa discuss the 2026 publishing landscape. From the end of prestige imprints like Dial Books to the flood of AI content, they explore why the industry feels increasingly "disposable" and "noisy."
Key Discussion Points
The Shift to Content Management: Private equity firms are replacing veteran editors with "content managers" to prioritize franchises over literary prestige.
The AI Explosion: Of the 4 million books published in 2025, approximately 3.5 million were AI-generated, burying human authors in the Amazon ecosystem.
The "Trope" Trap: Acquisitions often require specific TikTok hashtags—like "Enemies to Lovers"—to ensure easier, data-driven marketing.
Indie Press Opportunities: Smaller houses are thriving by focusing on niche audiences, such as middle-aged readers, that the "Big Five" often overlook.
No More Developmental Edits: Overworked editors no longer have time to "fix" books; manuscripts must be 100% publication-ready before querying.
Tips for Authors
Build Early: Identify and connect with your audience directly rather than relying on a publishing house to do it for you.
Polish Fully: Use your community or coaches to ensure your work is flawless before submission, as agents and editors are spread too thin to provide heavy revisions.
Next Guest: Author and 5th-grade teacher Colby Sharp joins the show on April 27th.
Connect with Us
Submit your "First Pages" for an on-air critique!
Follow Writers with Wrinkles on Threads (our new crystal ball) and TikTok.

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Hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome award-winning author Amy Trueblood to discuss a transition many writers face but few discuss: life after parting ways with a literary agent. Amy shares her journey of being on her fourth agent, offering a refreshing look at why changing representation is a natural part of a long-term career.
About the Guest
Amy Trueblood is the author of the acclaimed YA historical novels Nothing But Sky and Across a Broken Shore. Writing as Amy True, she also authored the speculative romance series Clearly Charmed.
Key Discussion Points
Normalizing Transitions: Agent changes due to retirement, agency closures, or genre shifts are standard industry "ebbs and flows."
Re-Querying Strategy: Authors returning to the "trenches" should lead with their published credits to signal professional experience to new agents.
Market Realities: The trio discusses the current high volume of submissions and why authors must exercise increased patience in today’s slower market.
Overcoming "Baggage": Professionalism and a solid reputation are the best ways to counter fears that changing agents looks negative.
Creative Evolution: Amy discusses her shift into romance and the experience of working with UK-based publishers.
Actionable Advice
Be Transparent: Sharing industry struggles helps the wider writing community.
Leverage Credentials: Use your history to establish immediate credibility.
Stay Professional: Agents value reliable partners who understand the business.
Links
Amy Trueblood website
Amy Trueblood Insta
Amy Trueblood Threads
Amy Trueblood Bluesky

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In this episode, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk about a recent publishing controversy sparked on Threads regarding the "legitimacy" of indie authors. They break down the evolving landscape of self-publishing, comparing the financial and creative realities of "indie" versus traditional publishing. Later, they critique the opening pages of a middle-grade mystery titled The Ravenspur Mystery, offering actionable advice on voice, world-building, and establishing character motivation.
Key Discussion Points
The hosts react to a social media thread where an agent reportedly claimed indie writers are not "legit" authors.
Financial Realities: While the top 10% of traditional authors make significant money, the hosts argue that for most authors, indie publishing offers a better return on value.
Royalty Gaps: The difference in what an author pockets can be $5 per book.
The Direct Pipeline: Indie authors have built powerful direct-to-reader relationships through email lists that traditional publishers often struggle to replicate.
Speed to Market: The traditional pipeline takes about two years, but indie authors are able to release new books every 4 to 6 months to keep their pipeline full.
Business Savvy: Successful indie authors often earn between $50,000 as a midlist author.
Creative Control & Traditional Pitfalls
Losing Your Champion: In traditional publishing, an author's original editor may leave, leaving the book in the hands of someone less invested in the project.
Full Autonomy: Self-publishing allows the author to retain creative control over everything from the editing process to cover design and formatting.
The "Vanity" Myth: The hosts argue that the old idea of self-publishing as mere "vanity publishing" is dead; it is now a highly viable and sophisticated business route.
First Pages Critique: The Ravenspur Mystery
The hosts review the opening of a middle-grade mystery, praising its "old-school Nancy Drew" feel.
Strengths: They highlight the strong opening hook that drops readers into the action and a voice that is observational, competent, and slightly wry.
Critique on Filtering: Beth suggests that descriptive language should be filtered through the protagonist's specific perspective rather than sounding like neutral stage directions.
Defining the "Want": A key recommendation is to establish the protagonist's internal "want" early on to ensure the reader is fully invested in her journey.
Mentions & Resources
Books: Going Ghost (Cozy Mystery Series); Behind the Bookcase by Mark Steensland
Bookstores: Bloodstone Books in Sacramento.
Upcoming Guest: Award-winning author Amy Trueblood will join the next episode to discuss querying.
Lisa's New Website!

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In this episode, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome back author and literacy advocate Fleur Bradley. The discussion centers on the importance of mysteries in keeping kids reading, the structural "nuts and bolts" of writing for middle grade (MG) versus young adult (YA) audiences, and the release of Bradley’s new craft book designed to help writers navigate the genre. 
Get A Clue is available for preorder right now! Releases April 7th.
Key Discussion Points
Addressing the Literacy "Drop-off"
Statistics show a significant decline in reading for pleasure as children move from 3rd grade into middle school.
Middle grade and YA mysteries act as a "hook" to keep reluctant readers engaged because of their high stakes and interactive nature.
Mysteries foster critical thinking and deductive reasoning, making the reader an active participant in the story.
Crafting the MG and YA Mystery
The "Fair Play" Rule: In a successful mystery, the reader must be given all the clues necessary to solve the crime alongside the protagonist.
Pacing and Momentum: Unlike contemporary fiction, which may focus heavily on internal character arcs, mysteries require constant external momentum and "beats" to keep the reader turning pages.
Revision Strategies: Using a structural approach during the revision process can help identify "sagging middles" and ensure clues are properly planted.
Defining the Crime by Age Category
Middle Grade (MG): * The focus is on the puzzle and the "how."While murder can be a plot point, it should be handled with a "cozy" sensibility—minimal gore and focused on the intellectual challenge.

Young Adult (YA): * Allows for more "grit," darkness, and emotional complexity.Authors have more flexibility regarding the types of crimes and the level of peril involved.

Practical Advice for Aspiring Authors
Writers are encouraged to focus on the "nuts and bolts" of plotting early on.
Implementing "Your Turn" exercises—taking a specific craft lesson and immediately applying it to a current manuscript—is the most effective way to learn the genre.
Character voice is paramount; testing a character’s voice through short scenes can determine if they are strong enough to carry a full-length mystery.
Key Takeaways
Mysteries are essential tools for literacy because they turn reading into a game or puzzle.
Structure is the backbone of the genre; without a solid plot and well-timed clues, a mystery will lose its audience.
Understanding the specific expectations of the MG vs. YA market is crucial for publication success.

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