Writers With Wrinkles

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We tackle a publishing debate, draw writing wisdom from Taylor Swift, and dig into one of the most common craft problems in fiction — weak stakes and missing tension. Plus a community book shout-out.
THE HARDBACK DEBATE
Beth shares a Guardian article arguing hardbacks are outdated — too expensive, they kill buzz before the paperback drops, and lead with the least accessible format. Beth and Lisa push back: libraries and schools depend on durable formats, sprayed-edge editions have made hardcovers a Gen Z collector's item, and paperbacks consistently outsell. Lisa made hardcover a deal-breaker when negotiating Heart and Souls to protect library access.
Read the article here.
TAYLOR SWIFT AS A WRITING TEACHER
Swift is a master of show-don't-tell — capturing massive emotion in a single precise phrase without ever stating it outright. Beth recommends the New York Times in-depth interview on her songwriting process as required reading for any fiction writer.
CRAFT DEEP DIVE: STAKES, TENSION & CONSEQUENCES
Every story lives or dies on what is at risk. There are always two levels and you need both — external stakes (plot consequences) and internal stakes (identity, belief, sense of self). They must be connected or the story falls flat.
Beth's "So What?" Stress Test — apply to any scene or chapter:
State what is happening in one plain sentence.
Ask: So what? Readers ask this unconsciously on every page.
Answer with a specific consequence — not "things get harder" but something like "she'll spend the rest of her life wondering if he ever really knew her."
Ask "so what?" once more. What does this cost the character in terms of who they ARE? That second layer is where the real stakes live.
The Index Card Method: Write one sentence per chapter, lay the cards out, and ask what the stakes are in each. Any blank card is a dead zone — and dead zones lose readers.
COMMUNITY BOOK SHOUT-OUT
Double Crossed by Rebecca Barone — out April 28th. Middle grade narrative nonfiction about Operation Bodyguard, the Allied WWII mission to fool the Nazis about the true location of D-Day. Reads like a spy thriller. Every word is true.
Buy it here.
Join The Waiting Room, our private Facebook community for writers, to connect with authors like Rebecca and get your upcoming release featured in a future shout-out.
NEXT EPISODE: Agent Nikki Carrero from The Rights Factory joins us May 25th!

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First Page Feedback: Charlotte's Hunt for Glory
Beth and Lisa critique the opening page of a middle grade fantasy submission and pull out craft lessons for any writer working on those critical first pages.

The Submission
Charlotte's Hunt for Glory follows 12-year-old Charlotte through a morning routine steeped in grief for her late grandmother and sibling envy — anchored by a rich exploration of hair as identity.
What's Working
A strong, warm first-person voice with real overall potential
Efficient emotional layering: grief, envy, and identity all on page one
Small character moments (sticking her tongue out at the mirror) that do big work
What to Work On
No fantasy signal. MG fantasy readers expect an early hint of the fantastical — even one small touch. It needs to appear quickly.
The "why now" test. Nothing distinguishes this morning from any other. Signal that this day changes everything (or something).
Too much telling. The sister and family dynamics can be revealed through action and dialogue rather than description.
Watch the clichés. Cascading down her back and stab of envy undercut an otherwise fresh voice.

Craft Takeaways
Every sentence in your opening must earn its place — if it's not doing work, cut it.
Most writers warm up in their first chapter. In revision, the real story usually starts later than you think.
Don't delete cut material — save it. It may fit somewhere else (and if it doesn't, that's okay too).
Next episode: Ask Beth and Lisa — send in your questions!
Writers with Wrinkles is hosted by Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid.

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The One Where Nobody Ordered the Books  |  Beth McMullen & Lisa Schmid
Lisa Schmid shares a cautionary tale from the Sacramento Book Festival, where a series of logistical failures turned what should have been an exciting milestone — her first book festival — into a comedy of errors. A week before the event she discovered the bookseller had never ordered any books, resulting in last-minute scrambling, one copy secured, and Lisa packing 20 of her own into her son’s little blue racing-sticker suitcase. She then had to park seven blocks away and roll it through the crowds just to get in the door.
The takeaway from both hosts: never assume logistics are handled — confirm book orders, ask who’s responsible for what, and follow up all the way through. Beth admitted she’s largely stopped accepting event invitations after too many similar experiences. On a positive note, Lisa previews an upcoming signing at Old Haunts Bookshop in Granite Bay — a model of how it should be done. Next week: guest Kolby Sharp, booked as a “palate cleanse” and described as a breath of fresh air for book lovers.

Key Takeaways
Confirm your books have been ordered — don’t assume
Ask who’s handling logistics and follow up close to the event
Bring your own copies as backup if you can
Check the organizer’s track record before you commit
One person’s decision can have a major ripple effect on authors, organizers, and readers
YouTube video version

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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

Loved this episode? Subscribe wherever you listen, visit writerswithwrinkles.net, and send your questions for the next Ask Beth & Lisa episode. Until next time—happy reading, writing, and listening!

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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.
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