Writers With Wrinkles

• Finding the Right Fit: Agent-Author Relationships with Sheyla Knigge

  Send us a textIn this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid sit down with literary agent Sheyla Knigge of Highline Literary Collective to talk about the art of building strong author-agent relationships. Sheyla shares her journey into publishing, her approach to championing authors, and the key questions every writer should ask before signing with an agent.Guest Bio: Sheyla Knigge is a literary agent at Highline Literary Collective with nearly two years of experience representing authors and selling books. A lifelong reader who entered agenting during the pandemic, she quickly proved her eye for marketable stories—discovering Where the Dark Stems Still by A.B. Poranek, which became a six-week New York Times bestseller. She now represents 25 clients across genres and is known for her transparency, passion for storytelling, and dedication to uplifting diverse voices.Key Discussion Points:Origin story: how Sheyla transitioned from project management to slush-pile reader to full-time agent.Defining strong partnerships: the importance of open communication, trust, and transparency in the agent-author relationship.Red flags in queries: why writing outside one’s lived experience without sensitivity can be problematic, and how Sheyla evaluates submissions.Crucial questions for writers: why asking about an agent’s support system and mentorship is essential before signing.When to walk away: how gut checks, excitement about revisions, and true alignment matter more than a “big name.”Wish list: Sheyla’s dream project—“murderous cheerleaders,” a mashup of Bring It On meets I Know What You Did Last Summer.Conclusion: Sheyla Knigge reminds writers that publishing is about partnership, not desperation. Choosing the right agent means prioritizing communication, shared vision, and mutual growth over prestige. Her advice encourages authors to seek relationships that set their creative souls on fire, because the right story—and the right fit—will always find its way to readers.Mentioned Links:Highline Literary CollectiveSheyla Knigge on Instagram Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

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• The One About Taylor Swift (and some other stuff, too)

  Send us a textBeth and Lisa react in real-time to Taylor Swift’s engagement, connecting it to creativity, storytelling, and the writing life. They also dive into lessons on “first pages,” share a cautionary tale from a tough SCBWI conference, and tease details of their upcoming Writers With Wrinkles retreat.Guest Bio No guest this week—this is an Ask Beth & Lisa episode featuring co-hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid.Key Discussion PointsTaylor Swift’s Engagement: Beth and Lisa discuss the news, likening Taylor’s relationship to a rom-com and exploring how her songwriting may evolve now that she’s writing from happiness rather than heartbreak.Creativity and Emotion: How emotional upheaval, trauma, and personal history often fuel strong storytelling—and the challenge of sustaining creativity as life stabilizes.First Pages: Why first pages matter so much in grabbing readers, agents, and editors; common pitfalls like info-dumping; and how to balance polish without getting stuck rewriting forever.SCBWI Conference Flashback: A harsh “first pages” critique session that traumatized attendees serves as a cautionary tale about feedback done without kindness or actionable advice.Upcoming Retreat Plans: Beth and Lisa reveal they are scouting a wine-country location for the Writers With Wrinkles Workshop & Wine Retreat planned for Spring 2026. Expect fun, inspiration, and spider-free accommodations.The Waiting Game in Publishing: Lisa shares her experience of being on submission with a new middle-grade novel, reminding writers that rejection and silence are part of the process—and that community helps ease the wait.Conclusion This episode blends pop culture joy with practical writing wisdom, offering listeners both lighthearted fun and thoughtful reflection on the writing journey. Beth and Lisa invite listeners to sign up for the newsletter, follow on socials, and prepare for upcoming episodes—including an interview with agent Shayla Knigge of Highline Literary Collective dropping September 15.Mentioned LinksWriters With Wrinkles WebsiteThink your first page is wrinkle-free? Send us up to 350 words—anonymously, of course—and find out. [full details here] Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

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• Self-Publishing Success: Lessons, Creative Freedom & Midlife Magic with Barb Hopkins & Kelly Garcia

  Send us a textIn this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, we dive into the world of self-publishing adult fiction. Authors Barb Hopkins and Kelly Garcia share how they turned frustration with traditional publishing into indie success, building their paranormal mystery series Chronicles of a Cursed Midlife from the ground up while navigating the challenges of co-authoring and marketing.Guest Bios:Barb Hopkins – A former marketing director and freelance writer turned hybrid author, Barb writes middle grade fiction and co-authors the adult Chronicles of a Cursed Midlife series. Her dual path of querying middle grade while self-publishing adult fiction demonstrates persistence and versatility.Kelly Garcia – Known for her humorous, feel-good paranormal fiction, Kelly co-authors the Chronicles of a Cursed Midlife series. A veteran of the querying trenches, she now thrives in indie publishing, celebrating magical chaos, found family, and creative freedom.Key Discussion Points:Why Barb and Kelly chose self-publishing for their adult series.The inspiration behind Chronicles of a Cursed Midlife and its themes of midlife empowerment, friendship, and second chances.The biggest challenges in indie publishing: editing, design, distribution, and discoverability.Essential tools and resources: Amazon KDP, Vellum, Canva, Publisher Rocket, Bowker, and 20BooksTo50K.How co-authoring adds both complexity and creative energy.Marketing lessons from Facebook takeovers, in-person events, and building an online community.Barb’s dual journey: querying middle grade while finding success in adult self-publishing.Conclusion: Barb and Kelly’s story shows that self-publishing isn’t just a backup plan—it’s a thriving path to creative control and connection with readers. Their success with adult fiction proves that persistence, community, and smart strategy can empower authors to take charge of their careers, even while pursuing traditional goals in other genres.Links/Info Mentioned:From the Mixed-Up Files…of Middle-Grade Authors: https://fromthemixedupfiles.comArcane Covers by Karen Dimmick – Cover designPublisher Rocket – Keyword research toolBowker – ISBN providerKindlepreneur – Self-publishing resource20BooksTo50K Facebook Group – Indie author community Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

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• Ask B&L: Book Coaching? What even is that?

  Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this Ask B&L episode, Lisa interviews Beth about her work as a book coach and what aspiring authors need to know before querying. Beth shares how she supports writers through revisions, builds their confidence, and helps them reach submission-ready status.Guest Bio: Beth McMullen is the author of multiple middle grade novels and a seasoned book coach who works primarily with middle grade writers. Drawing from her own experience in traditional publishing, Beth helps writers finish manuscripts, tackle revisions, and prepare their work for submission with a focus on structure, accountability, and emotional support.Key Discussion Points:What is a book coach? Beth explains how a coach differs from an editor or critique group and why coaching provides actionable, structured feedback.Common issues writers face: From missing stakes to flat pacing or starting in the wrong place, Beth identifies recurring manuscript problems and how they’re fixable.The first step in coaching: A conversation to define the writer’s goals—whether it’s finishing a book or preparing to query.The emotional side of writing: Writers often need support and affirmation; coaching includes “30% therapy.”Breakthrough moments: Writers go from feeling overwhelmed to finding clarity and confidence with a clear roadmap.Advice for stuck writers: Write a logline. If you can’t summarize your story in one sentence, you may not be clear on it yourself.Target audience: Beth currently works mostly with middle grade fiction writers, avoiding genres like hardcore sci-fi or nonfiction.Conclusion: Book coaching bridges the gap between idea and execution, offering writers not only professional guidance but also much-needed support in a solitary craft. Beth’s kind, structured, and honest approach empowers writers to believe in their work and themselves. Aspiring authors—especially those ready to query—can benefit immensely from this episode’s insights.Mentioned Links:Newsletter & Cheat Sheets: www.writerswithwrinkles.netBeth’s Book Coaching Services: bethmcmullenbooks.comUpcoming Guest: Barb Hopkins on self-publishing (airing August 18)Instagram: @bethmcmullenbooks Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

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• Navigating KidLit and Publishing Realities with Agent Joyce Sweeney

  Send us a textEpisode Summary: In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, literary agent and author Joyce Sweeney joins Beth and Lisa to explore the challenges and opportunities in today’s publishing landscape. With decades of experience, Joyce shares invaluable advice for writers on market trends, querying, agent relationships, and staying resilient in a tough industry.Guest Bio: Joyce Sweeney is the Director of KidLit at The Seymour Agency, where they’ve worked as a literary agent for five years. Prior to agenting, Joyce spent decades as a writing coach, developmental editor, and author of 14 young adult novels and two poetry collections. With a sharp eye for story and deep empathy for authors, Joyce brings a unique blend of industry knowledge and creative passion to every project.Key Discussion Points:Publishing Trends: Middle grade remains tough but not impossible; picture books are more stable, and there's growing interest in unique formats and themes like verse novels and New Age topics.Agenting Insights: The importance of concept and hook in a query far outweighs just beautiful prose; originality and marketability are key.AI in Publishing: Joyce sees no real threat from AI to traditional publishing, emphasizing that creativity, emotion, and lived experience can’t be replicated by machines.Advice for Writers: Write what you love, not what’s trending; publishing is cyclical and unpredictable. Persistence and a strong concept will eventually open doors.Red Flags & Green Flags in Queries: Be clear about your genre and word count; know your audience; don’t blindly pitch without researching agents.When to Walk Away: A lack of communication, refusal to share submission information, or pushing you toward predatory publishers are serious warning signs.What Joyce is Looking For: Unique YA stories, New Age themes in picture books (like astrology and pagan holidays), and anything that surprises her.Conclusion: Joyce Sweeney brings refreshing honesty and deep insight into the challenges of KidLit and the wider publishing industry. Her advice emphasizes the importance of a standout concept, a resilient mindset, and choosing the right agent-client match. Writers are encouraged to stay the course, believe in their work, and always lead with heart.Mentioned Links:Podcast blog & notes: https://writerswithwrinkles.netThe Seymour Agency: https://theseymouragency.com Support the show Visit the WebsiteWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!

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