Writers With Wrinkles

• Inside Publishing with Mari Kesselring: What Writers Really Need to Know

  Send us a textIn this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa talk with Mari Kesselring about the realities of today’s publishing landscape—from the misunderstood world of book packagers to navigating an author career after a disappointing debut. Aspiring authors will gain insight into how publishers make acquisition decisions, current trends shaping 2026, and practical strategies to stay resilient in a challenging industry.Guest Bio Mari Kesselring is the Publishing Manager of Driven, an imprint at Penguin Random House. With nearly 20 years of experience acquiring, editing, and developing books for readers of all ages, she has worked in both traditional publishing and book packaging. Mari has edited several award-winning titles, including Surrender Your Sons by Adam Sass and Before We Were Blue by E.J. Schwartz. She has served on the board of the Minnesota Book Publishers Roundtable and as a judge for the Minnesota Book Awards.Key Discussion Points • What book packagers are and how authors can find work-for-hire opportunities • How the Driven imprint identifies trends and produces fast-turnaround books • A candid look at the “Publishing Has a Gambling Problem” conversation • How editors evaluate authors whose previous books had low sales • Smart questions to ask before signing your first book deal • Why middle grade remains a challenging category—and what needs to change • 2026 publishing trend predictions, including romantasy, cozy escapism, gothic romance, and the rise of “New Adult” • The increasing importance of chapter books as reading levels shift • The Penguin Hotline and how readers can request personalized book recommendationsConclusion This episode reminds writers that publishing is both art and business, and the most sustainable careers are built on clarity, communication, and adaptability. Whether you’re querying your first book or recovering from a tough debut, Mari’s insights offer practical guidance to help you move forward with confidence.Mentions Rage Pages guided journal We Will Prescribe You a Cat Penguin Hotline: penguinhotline.com🎧 Subscribe & Connect Don’t miss future episodes! Subscribe, rate, and review Writers With Wrinkles wherever you listen. Submit questions for “Ask Beth and Lisa” at writerswithwrinkles.net, or connect on Instagram @writerswithwrinkles. Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

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• BONUS: First Pages: How to Hook Readers Fast in MG Fantasy

  Send us a textIn this bonus episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa critique the first page of a new upper middle grade fantasy novel, Kiki Won’t Be Goddess of the Underworld. If you’re an MG author looking for feedback on opening pages, strong character voice, or how to start your novel in the right place, this episode delivers clear, practical writing advice you can apply immediately.Beth and Lisa read the full first page aloud and break down what works, what needs tightening, and how to improve pacing and clarity. They discuss why this submission has such a strong middle grade voice, how to avoid confusing world-building when mixing mythology, and what every MG writer should consider when crafting a compelling first chapter. Their critique highlights common pitfalls—like starting the story too early or overloading the reader with details—and offers smart strategies to create tension and hook readers fast.What listeners will learn:• How to craft a strong MG narrative voice• How to clarify world-building in a fantasy opening• How to identify where your story truly begins• How to balance detail, pacing, and stakes in the first chapter• Why breadcrumbing tension keeps young readers engaged• What emotional dynamics resonate most with middle grade readersThis episode is perfect for writers revising their first pages, querying a middle grade fantasy manuscript, or trying to understand what grabs literary agents and young readers from page one. Beth and Lisa’s feedback will help you sharpen your opening, strengthen your story structure, and build a clearer path into your world.Links & ResourcesSubmit your First Pages: writerswithwrinkles.netUpcoming guest episode (Dec. 8): Mari Kesselring, Publishing ManagerSubscribe & ConnectDon’t miss future episodes of the podcast! Subscribe, rate, and review Writers With Wrinkles wherever you listen. Submit questions for Ask Beth & Lisa at writerswithwrinkles.net or follow them on Instagram @writerswithwrinkles. Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

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• Inside Publishing’s High-Stakes Reality: What Writers Need to Know

  Send us a textIn this Ask Beth & Lisa episode, Beth and Lisa discuss one of the most active conversations happening among writers: the growing concern about how the publishing industry treats debut and midlist authors. They share personal experiences, hard-won insights, and reflections from the larger writing community. The result is an honest, validating look at how traditional publishing functions today—and what writers can do to protect themselves.WHAT WE TALK ABOUT • When Saying “No” to a Book Deal Is the Right Choice Lisa shares the full story behind a recent offer, why she passed, and what writers should consider before signing anything.• Debut Pressure and the “Bad Track” Problem How unrealistic expectations are shaping careers and why many authors feel set up to fail.• The Industry-Wide Debate About Publishing’s Risk Model A deeper look at the ongoing discussion about whether the system prioritizes gambles over careers.• Orphaned Books, Vanishing Support, and Internal Realities Beth and Lisa unpack how books lose champions and what that means for authors.• The Rise of Indie, Hybrid, and Small Press Publishing Why alternative publishing paths are more viable—and more respected—than ever.• What Might Fix the System (If Anything) A candid conversation about realistic change and what authors can control right now.KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR WRITERS • Trust your instincts—if a deal feels wrong, walking away is valid and healthy. • Debut performance follows you, even when the outcome is out of your control. • Many great writers are shifting into indie and hybrid spaces for more agency. • A long-term writing career rarely looks linear, and that’s okay.RESOURCES MENTIONED • Recent industry essays and think pieces addressing systemic publishing issues • Ongoing discussions across social media and the writing community • Indie and hybrid publishing options for midlist authorsCONNECT + BONUS MATERIAL • Please leave a review—it truly helps! • Subscribe to the Writers With Wrinkles newsletter: WritersWithWrinkles.net • Check out new bonus episodes, including first-pages critiques and craft extras. Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

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• BONUS: How to Write Funny Books With Heart: Adam Rosenbaum on Middle Grade Craft

  Send us a textIn this bonus episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa talk with Adam Rosenbaum about how he blends laugh-out-loud comedy with emotionally meaningful storytelling. Writers will learn how humor lowers a reader’s defenses, why kids crave funny books, and how to handle heavy topics without overwhelming young readers.Guest BioAdam Rosenbaum is the author of The Ghost Rules and the upcoming illustrated series Lawson History Stumbling Through Time (Sourcebooks, 2027). A former sawmill operator and draftsman, he now writes heartfelt, funny middle grade fiction in Nashville, where he lives with his family. Instagram: @rosenbaumwritesKey Discussion PointsWhy humor helps kids engage with challenging themesHow Amblin-era storytelling shaped Adam’s voiceWriting comedy without talking down to readersLetting humor open space for grief, empathy, and emotional truth“Backpack books”: the titles kids reread and carry everywhereHandling heavy topics with care and clarityAdam’s upcoming time-travel adventure seriesConclusionAdam reminds writers that humor isn’t a lesser art—it’s a bridge. When paired with heart and honesty, it helps kids navigate big feelings while keeping them invested in the story.🎧 Subscribe & ConnectSubscribe, rate, and review Writers With Wrinkles wherever you listen. Send questions to writerswithwrinkles.net or find us on Instagram @writerswithwrinkles. Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

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• What Editors Really Look For, with Alison Romig: First Pages, Comps, and Connecting with Readers

  Send us a textEpisode Summary In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa talk with Alison Romig, Associate Editor at Delacorte Press, about middle grade and YA fiction. Aspiring authors will gain insight into what editors look for in first pages, how to use comps effectively when pitching, and how to navigate the ever-evolving publishing landscape—especially in middle grade.Guest Bio Alison Romig is an associate editor at Delacorte Press, where she edits middle grade and young adult fiction. Since joining Delacorte in 2019, she’s worked with New York Times bestselling authors Lindsay Curry and Catherine Quinn, among others. A lifelong fan of horror, she lives in Brooklyn, New York.Key Discussion PointsHow horror became Alison’s lifelong reading passion—and why the genre is having a major momentWhat makes a first line or first page irresistible to editorsThe hidden power of accurate comps in query letters and what they reveal about your audienceCommon mistakes in submissions (and why most novels start in the wrong place)Balancing multiple POVs and keeping the story cohesiveThe editor–author relationship: collaboration vs. prescription in editorial feedbackHow sales track and market “weirdness” factor into acquisitions—especially for middle grade authorsAlison’s top wishlist item: horror romance, from chilling to cozyConclusionThis episode reminds writers that a strong editorial partnership is built on trust, open communication, and shared creative vision. Whether you’re writing middle grade, YA, or exploring new genres, Alison’s insights demystify the submission process and empower authors to craft stories that truly connect with readers—and maybe even give them a good scare. Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

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