Writers With Wrinkles

Send us a textNote: For the most up-to-date information on Erin’s submission status, interests, and availability, visit https://erincaseywestin.com.Episode SummaryIn this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk with Erin Casey Westin, associate agent at Galt & Zacker Literary Agency, about the current kidlit market and how agents evaluate queries and manuscripts. Aspiring authors will gain insight into writing stronger query letters, understanding agent decision-making, and knowing when a manuscript is truly ready to submit.Guest BioErin Casey Westin is an associate agent at Galt & Zacker Literary Agency, where she represents children’s literature. She is especially drawn to projects with strong voice, vivid worldbuilding, and authentic, thoughtful representation. Erin is passionate about stories that allow every child to see themselves reflected on the page. She is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Key Discussion PointsThe state of the kidlit marketErin shares what she’s hearing from editors, including cautious optimism around middle grade and continued demand for humorous, character-driven picture books.How sales track records affect authorsWhy prior sales aren’t everything, how agents strategize around them, and when switching publishing houses can make sense.What makes a query letter stand outClear, specific stakes; strong voice; and careful attention to submission guidelines—plus why vague, high-level stakes often fall flat.Common query mistakes to avoidWriting queries in first person as the character, misquoting agents, careless personalization, and over-reliance on AI-generated text.How Erin evaluates manuscriptsThe step-by-step mental checklist: polish, voice, character connection, plot and pacing, and whether the story sustains momentum beyond the opening pages.When a manuscript isn’t ready yetWhy rushing to query out of frustration can hurt your chances, and when putting a book away for a few months can actually help.What Erin wants to see more ofMiddle grade and YA survival stories—especially fresh, modern takes featuring underrepresented protagonists.ConclusionThis episode reminds writers that strong queries and manuscripts are built on clarity, specificity, and patience. Erin Casey Westin offers a transparent look at how agents read, evaluate, and decide—helping authors approach querying with more confidence and intention.Links & ResourcesErin Casey Westin: https://erincaseywestin.comGalt & Zacker Literary Agency: https://www.galltzacker.com/QueryTracker: https://querytracker.net🎧 Subscribe & ConnectDon’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 with us on Instagram @writerswithwrinkles. Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

Send us a textIn this bonus season-finale episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid reflect on the end of the season, share a behind-the-scenes podcasting mishap, and dive into a First Pages critique of a cozy fantasy submission, The Village Mage. Along the way, they discuss why first pages are so hard to get right, how too much backstory can stall momentum, and what cozy fantasy readers expect from the very first paragraph.What We Cover in This EpisodeA Season Wrap-UpWhy this season felt especially long (emotionally and creatively)The surprising reach of the podcast, including international listenersWhy listener messages matter more than download numbersBehind the Scenes of PodcastingA funny (and harmless) upload glitchWhy multitasking and podcast production don’t always mixA reminder that mistakes happen—and they’re fixableFirst Pages Critique: The Village MageWhy the tea shop setting immediately signals “cozy”What works well in the opening voice and atmosphereWhere the opening leans too heavily on setting and backstoryWhy character emotion needs to come before worldbuildingHow early signals of magic shape reader expectationsThe importance of “showing” magic instead of naming it outrightFirst Page Takeaways for WritersLess is more on page oneAvoid stacking backstory and description in large blocksEstablish genre expectations immediatelyUse specific, character-centered details instead of generic atmosphereTrust the reader—don’t explain everything up frontConsider whether your story actually starts later than you thinkA Common Revision RealityWhy first chapters are often written as “thinking-through” pagesHow hard it is to cut beloved early materialWhy cutting doesn’t mean deleting—just relocatingKey Writing Advice from Beth & LisaYour first page should hook, not explainGenre cues matter—especially in fantasyPacing is created through balance: dialogue, action, and selective detailIf readers don’t know why they should care about the character yet, they won’t care about the worldWhat’s Coming NextA brand-new season with exciting guest interviewsMore First Pages bonus episodesKicking off the new season with literary agent Erin Casey WestinHave first pages you’d like feedback on? Visit the Writers With Wrinkles website and submit your opening pages for a chance to be featured in a future episode.Thank you for listening, sharing, and sticking with us this season. We’ll see you in the new year—until then, happy reading, writing, and listening. Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

Send us a textQuery letters make even experienced writers panic—and for good reason. In this special Ask Beth & Lisa episode, we’re joined by author and educator Deborah Crossland for a deep, practical conversation about how to write a strong, effective query letter as we head into the 2026 querying season. Deborah breaks down what query letters are actually for, what agents want to see (and don’t), and how writers can avoid the most common—and most damaging—mistakes.This episode is packed with actionable advice, mindset shifts, and real-world examples from the querying trenches.About Our GuestDeborah Crossland teaches English and mythology at a community college and writes myth-based contemporary YA novels with a feminist lens. Her novel The Quiet Part Out Loud was published in 2023, with the paperback released in 2024. She lives in Northern California and is passionate about making education accessible to all.Key Topics & TakeawaysWhat a Query Letter Is (and Isn’t)The sole purpose of a query letter is to get an agent to request pages—not to sell the book or explain the entire plot.Think invitation, not explanation.The Anatomy of a Strong QueryA compelling hook (often 1–2 sentences)A focused pitch centered on external stakesBrief book details (genre, word count, comps)A short, professional author bioExternal Stakes Matter More Than You ThinkWriters often lean too hard on internal stakes; agents need to see what’s happening.External conflict is what differentiates your book in a crowded field.If an agent can’t picture the story visually, the query isn’t doing its job.Pitch vs. SynopsisThe query pitch should not include spoilers or the ending.The synopsis is where you explain the full story, including how it ends.Mixing these up is one of the most common querying mistakes.How to Personalize Without Being CringeyReference an agent’s manuscript wish list, not their personal life.Keep personalization professional, brief, and relevant.Treat it like a business introduction—not a social interaction.Query Etiquette (and Red Flags)Always submit queries exactly how the agent requests.Never DM agents or email around Query Manager.Don’t announce querying rounds or submissions on social media.Avoid pitching your unpublished book publicly on Instagram, TikTok, or X.Author Bios for Debut WritersIt’s perfectly acceptable to say, “This is my first novel.”Writing credentials are optional; strong pages matter more.Publishing loves debuts—lack of experience is not a liability.Series Talk: Less Is MoreDon’t pitch a multi-book series as a debut.“Standalone with series potential” is sufficient.Length & ClarityQueries should be concise and tightly written.Every word must earn its place.If you can’t summarize your story clearly, you may not be ready to query.Hooks, Loglines, and Netflix ThinkingThink in terms of loglines or streaming-style descriptions.If you can’t explain your story in one sharp sentence, that’s a sign to step back. Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

Send us a textFor her encore episode, Lisa chose our interview with Brian Selznick—author and illustrator of some of the most innovative and emotionally powerful books in contemporary publishing. In this conversation, Brian reflects on creative process, patience, and trusting your reader. It was definitely a season four highlight!   Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

Send us a textLisa’s Encore Pick: Brian SelznickFor her encore episode, Lisa chose our interview with Brian Selznick—author and illustrator of some of the most innovative and emotionally powerful books in contemporary publishing. In this conversation, Brian reflects on creative process, patience, and trusting your reader. It was definitely a season four hightlight!  Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!