We love this author-agent pair! When Kimberly Brower first offered representation, she worried that, in a multiple offer situation, Jessica Payne would say no. Some authors just want a quick "It's perfect, I'll send it tomorrow"--but this was actually the first sign that they'd be the perfect pair.

We discuss why nurses great make thriller writers, how international rights work (and what you should ask your future agent), and how to find critique partners whose work you *want* to read. Plus, how your writer brain is always working—whether you’re on a walk or making soup.

We then go on to talk about how your best next step is, creatively, doing the thing you’re afraid of. Jessica’s found wonderful success—but she’s shelved her first three books. And if you end up doing the same, you may just be on exactly the right path for your writing. 

*
Jessica Payne’s debut novel, MAKE ME DISAPPEAR, is a twisty psychological thriller about a woman on the edge who is willing to do anything to escape her sociopathic—potentially dangerous—boyfriend, including arranging her own kidnapping. 

Jessica grew up in Kansas City, later moving to the Pacific Northwest where the mountains and Puget Sound became home. Beyond writing, she loves to run, rock climb, and explore the great outdoors with her daughter and husband. She is also an RN. When holding still, which isn’t often, you’ll find a book in her hand and a cat or dog in her lap. Jessica writes suspense and thriller and is the host of #MomsWritersClub on Twitter and YouTube.

Get a copy of Make Me Disappear here: https://bookshop.org/books/make-me-disappear-a-twisty-and-gripping-psychological-thriller/9781803142630

*
Kimberly Brower – President & Literary Agent
Kimberly fell in love with reading when she picked up her first Babysitter’s Club book at the age of seven (Super Special editions were her favorites) and hasn’t been able to get her nose out of a book since. She holds a BS in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge and received her JD from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. After spending a decade in the business world, it was kismet that she found herself in publishing. She takes great pride in her client list, from the debut authors to #1 NYT bestsellers, and likes to consider them all her favorite authors. She previously worked for over two years at a boutique literary agency before starting her own. After spending 14 years in California, she is thrilled to be back on the east coast. When not providing individual attention to her clients, Kimberly manages all of the day-to-day operations of the agency. This includes overseeing the management of the foreign, audio and all other subsidiary rights for all the authors in the agency.

Multiple Agent Offers, Power & Agency For Characters, and Shelving Books One Through Three

We are so happy to welcome the creative and delightful Anna Sargeant, editor at Sourcebooks, to the podcast!

We talk about Anna’s journey from curriculum development to children’s books, Sourcebooks and their growth mindset, what makes for good children’s nonfiction, and how being an editor changed her approach to rejection. 

Plus, we talk about her fiction podcast, how Bridge to Terabithia changed her life, and whether you can pitch her (and editors) directly.

Read her post on nonfiction that's a good story here: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/2022/03/anna-sargeant/

Anna Sargeant is an editor of nonfiction children's books for Sourcebooks eXplore. Previously, she has been an editor of children's and teen books at B&H Kids, director of children's curriculum, managing editor, classroom teacher, math tutor, and freelance writer. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach, moved to Austin, Texas shortly after getting married, and now resides with her husband in Franklin, Tennessee. When Anna is not editing, writing, or reading, you might find her outdoors hiking, playing pickleball, or riding horses, indoors streaming shows or sports, or catching a plane to visit fun places or loved ones. Bridge to Terabithia is the book that changed her life, igniting her passion for children's literature and showing her that books for kids are often just as smart, insightful, and important as books for adults.

Editing, Rejection, Growth Mindset: Sourcebooks Editor Anna Sargeant on What Makes A Great Book

We are thrilled to welcome Emmy Nordstrom Higdon, agent at Westwood Creative Associates, to talk with us about the red and green flags when querying agents--how you can show (mostly) green flags, recognize agent red flags, and give yourself the best odds of a positive, productive working relationship. 

Learn more about Emmy and book a consultation here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/emmy-nordstrom-higdon

Transcript at: 
https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-emmy-nordstrom-higdon-agent-red-flags

Timestamps:
**Emmy's #MSWL (00:00:35)**
Emmy discusses their soft opening to queries, their genre preferences, and the type of writing they're looking for this year.

**Top Reasons For Rejection (00:07:07)**
The challenges faced by authors in querying, including the lack of research and the competitive nature of the process.

**Query Letter Length and Precision (00:13:31)**
Emmy and the hosts discuss the ideal length and precision of query letters to capture an agent's interest.

**Query Letter and Comps (00:19:50)**
Importance of query letter personalization and clever comp selections.

**Agency Agreement and Communication Style (00:28:54)**
Discussion on agency agreements and the importance of effective communication style between authors and agents.

**Online Presence Expectations (00:34:03)**
The significance of an author's online presence and the issue of leveraging agents during the query process.

**Editorial Style As A Red Or Green Flag (00:38:38)**
Agents and authors discussing editorial changes and flexibility, green flag indicators.

**Honest Communication (00:40:21)**
Importance of honest communication in the author-agent relationship and the manifestation process for finding the right fit.

**Author-Agent Questions (00:42:32)**
The significance of authors asking targeted, specific questions, and the red flag of excessive or generic queries.

**Agent's Questions and Interest (00:43:26)**
The importance of agents asking relevant questions and showing interest in an author's goals, with red flag indicators.

**Author Vulnerability (00:46:42)**
The value of authors expressing fears and concerns, and the agent's response as a green or red flag indicator.

**Unrealistic Promises (00:49:13)**
Discussion on agents making unrealistic promises and the red flag it presents for authors.

**Decision Timeframe (00:49:59)**
The reasonable timeframe for authors to make a decision when receiving an offer from an agent.

**Nudge Process (00:55:20)**
The nudge process, its impact on agents, and the balance between author's anxiety and clear communication.

**The timestamp's title (time it starts)**
short description, with max 20 words, of what is covered in this topic.

**Agent's Response Time and Prioritization (00:57:11)**
Discussion about agents' response time and prioritization of manuscripts based on genre and offers.

**Communication and Politeness with Agents (00:58:15)**
Advice on maintaining friendly and polite communication with agents and understanding their workload and time constraints.

**Editorial Expectations and Red Flags (00:59:52)**
Exploring editorial expectations, red flags related to agent's editorial approach, and the importance of aligning expectations.

**Expectations and Realistic Publishing Goals (01:02:07)**
Discussion on setting realistic publishing goals, understanding audience expectations, and potential red flags.

**Agent-Author Relationship and Expectations (01:06:02)**
Managing expectations, dealing with rejection, and ensuring the agent's support during challenging situations.

**Agent-Author Communication and Feedback (01:08:15)**
Advice on maintaining open communication, avoiding scarcity mentality, and addressing concerns with agents in a constructive manner.

**Understanding Agents' Logic and Communication (01:12:13)**
Importance of understanding agents' reasoning and maintaining open communication for a successful author-agent relationship.

Red And Green Flags When Querying Agents with Agent Emmy Nordstrom Higdon

We’ve never seen a romantic comedy like this one! Happily Never After breaks ALL* the rom com rules, while still maintaining tension, interest, narrative arcs, and everything you need in a satisfying read. 

Learn the rules our favorite way—by watching Lynn breaks them, succeed, and tell you how she did it. 

Whatever your genre, a romantic element adds emotional range, a break from anything difficult in your narrative, and something we can understand—even if the rest of your story could never happen on Earth. 

Learn more about Lynn and Happily Never After at https://lynnpainter.com. 

Transcript here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-lynn-painter

Timestamps 
Modern Rom-Com Trends (00:00:33)
Discussion about the modern and timely aspects of Lynn Painter's rom-com book and the trend in rom-coms.

Lynn Painter's Writing Journey (00:01:14)
Lynn shares her 15-year writing journey, including switching to young adult (YA) and contemporary romance, and finally finding success during the pandemic.

Understanding Option Clause (00:02:39)
Lynn explains the option clause in book contracts and how it impacted her writing process.

The Long Game of Writing (00:04:17)
Discussion about the 15-year journey and the importance of continuous writing and learning in the process.

Challenges of Querying (00:08:18)
Lynn shares her experience with querying, the importance of a unique story, and the challenges of finding an agent.

Writing within Romance Genre (00:10:51)
Exploration of how to make contemporary romance stand out within the genre's constraints and the significance of adding urgency and uniqueness to the story.

The Genesis of "Happily Never After" (00:12:03)
Lynn discusses the origin of her book's idea and how it evolved into "Happily Never After."

Dual Point of View in Romance (00:16:44)
Lynn explains her preference for dual point of view in writing romance and how it helps to show what makes the other person attractive.

Maintaining Tension (00:24:45)
Lynn shares her struggle with pacing and the use of tension in romance novels.

Revealing Subtext (00:25:39)
The discussion on maintaining tension and revealing just enough information in the romance genre.

Micro Moments (00:35:51)
The joy of incorporating small details to enhance the story and character dynamics.

Rom Com Genre Advice (00:38:12)
Lynn advises aspiring rom com writers to focus on incorporating humor and visualizing their stories as rom com movies.

The importance of writing what you love (00:39:26)
Advice on finding joy in writing, aligning with personal traits, and avoiding mismatched genres.

The role of critique partners and writing support (00:46:29)
Discussion of the author's experience with a supportive writing group and the impact of having trusted critique partners.

Empowerment in expressing personal desires in romance (00:54:02)
Exploration of a character's empowerment in expressing personal desires in a romantic context.

Advice for writers (00:57:27)
The importance of setting aside regular time to write and its impact on the author's writing journey.

*Ok, there are probably some we forgot about that she doesn’t break, but it’s definitely an outside of the box read in the very best way.

How To Build Romantic Tension In Any Genre with Author Lynn Painter

Sometimes publishing your novel takes an unexpected route. In today's episode, Jessica and Julie speak with author JB Harris to discuss how she pivoted when agents told her the manuscript she'd been working on for 11 years would be hard to break out during COVID. 

We cover querying, finding the right small traditional publisher, and how to market yourself as a published author without an agent.

Transcript here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-jb-harris
Learn more about JB here: https://www.jbharrisbooks.com/historical-fiction

TIMESTAMPS: 
Researching historical details (00:07:40)
JB Harris talks about her research process and how she incorporated historical details into her novel to create a sense of time and place.

Real-life inspiration (00:10:57)
JB Harris shares the personal story behind her novel and how she discovered a family mystery that inspired the book.

Navigating writing about real people (00:13:41)
JB Harris discusses the transition from non-fiction to fiction and offers advice on navigating the sensitivities of writing about real people.

The marketing plan (00:20:41)
JB Harris talks about her unique marketing plan, including guerrilla marketing and reaching out to bookstores.

Publishing without an agent (00:21:03)
JB Harris explains her decision to publish without an agent and the challenges she faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crafting emails and bookstore visits (00:24:35)
JB Harris discusses her approach to contacting bookstores and the tactics she uses to promote her book.

Targeted marketing and meta tags (00:29:29)
The hosts discuss the use of meta tags and targeted marketing to reach specific audiences for JB Harris's book.

Navigating small press publishing (00:33:50)
JB Harris provides advice for authors considering publishing with a small press, emphasizing the importance of research and contract review.

The pressure of setting books in different time periods (00:40:38)
Authors discuss the saturation of historical fiction around World War II and the excitement of exploring lesser-known historical periods.

Perseverance and growth as a writer (00:44:30)
The importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and personal growth in the journey of becoming a successful writer.

Research, Marketing & Successful Small Press Publishing with Author JB Harris

Join our interactive Says/Does Activity + view transcript here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/sara-schonfeld

We discuss editing with love and patience, acquiring in the age of book bans (let's just say Florida doesn't get to choose what the rest of the country reads), how to make your book feel "fresh"--and why so many editors ask for "a new twist on something familiar." 

Book a meeting with Sara here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/sara-schonfeld

Timestamps: 
**Sara's Journey into Publishing (00:00:40)**
Sara shares her accidental entry into publishing and the influence of her professors.

**What Editors Look for in Manuscripts (00:03:37)**
Sara discusses her preference for manuscripts and the importance of compelling writing.

**Creating Compelling First Pages (00:04:58)**
The challenges and advice for authors in creating engaging first pages.

**Balancing Worldbuilding and Character Development in Fantasy (00:06:54)**
Sara's perspective on worldbuilding and character-driven fantasy stories.

**Freshness in Writing (00:12:14)**
Sara discusses the concept of freshness in writing and the balance between familiarity and authenticity.

**Revising and Streamlining Writing (00:15:32)**
Sara's tips for effective revision and streamlining of storytelling elements.

**Interconnectedness in storytelling (00:24:19)**
Julie and Sara discuss the interconnectedness of different elements in a story and how changes affect the overall narrative.

**Flexibility in story revision (00:25:13)**
Sara emphasizes the importance of being flexible during story revision and trying out different approaches.

**The "says/does" outline (00:26:15)**
Sara explains the "says/does" outline as a helpful tool for authors to reflect on their writing and ensure effective communication of the story.

**Reading recommendations (00:30:41)**
Sara shares her current reading list and recommends a book she finds relatable.

**Creativity and self-doubt (00:34:25)**
Sara discusses the challenges of maintaining creativity and self-belief in a competitive publishing industry.

**Humor in storytelling (00:37:00)**
Sara discusses the refreshing humor in "Murder on a School Night" and the importance of originality in storytelling.

**Book Banning and Publishing (00:38:50)**
Discussion on book banning, including the pushback faced and examples of flagged content, and the importance of not letting it influence acquisitions.

**Reading and Writing with Love (00:43:25)**
The significance of reading as a writer, advice to read with joy and love, and the act of writing as an invitation to share one's experience and heart.

**Where to Find Sara Online (00:44:39)**
Sara's online presence, including her Twitter handle, website, and involvement with the Manuscript Academy.

Sara Schonfeld is an editor at HarperCollins Children’s, working on picture books, middle grade, and teen. After starting her publishing career at Penguin Random House, she joined HarperCollins in 2019. She lives in New York City, and spends most of her time reading, kickboxing, baking, or generally pretending she’s in a Nora Ephron film.

As an author and an editor, she approaches each project with curiosity. Her goal is to ask the questions that get an author inspired and help them uncover the heart of their story—whatever feeling inspired them to put words to paper, and whatever feeling they hope readers take away from the final book.

What Editors Look For: Fresh Takes On Familiar Stories with Harper Editor Sara Schonfeld

If you've ever had trouble with point of view in your work, wait until you hear the advanced logistical world author Nia Davenport had to navigate for her new novel, Out of Body, which she pitches as Freaky Friday meets Get Out. 

Not only does she have best friends, crushes, confused parents, and a villain on the loose--but she weaves it all into a story of identity, personal growth, and becoming an adult in a world where adults can't be trusted.

This is a great work to study if you're struggling in any of these areas--plus, it's FUN. It's a new twist on something familiar, that formula so many in publishing love. 

Full transcript here: http://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-nia-davenport

Learn more about Nia here: https://www.nedavenport.com

TIMESTAMPS: 

**Character development and world-building (00:03:29)**
Nia explains how she visualizes her character's journey and the unfolding of the plot like watching a movie.

**Creating mystery in the opening chapter (00:06:12)**
Nia discusses the decision to keep the first chapter mysterious and how it sets the tone for the story.

**Maintaining character voice in different bodies (00:07:39)**
Nia talks about the challenge of maintaining the character's voice regardless of the body she is in.

**Nia's publishing journey (00:10:25)**
Nia shares her journey from teaching to becoming a writer and the process of finding her agent, Caitie Flum.

**Advice for aspiring writers (00:17:54)**
Nia advises writers to breathe, take it slow, and keep perfecting their craft, emphasizing the importance of perseverance.

**Developing character relationships (00:19:18)**
Nia explains the power dynamic and genuine friendship between the characters Megan and Elsie.

**Magic and Technology in the Story (00:22:54)**
Nia discusses the use of magic and technology in her book, playing with the reader's perception.

**Empathy and Societal Conversations (00:27:22)**
Nia discusses the current generation's ability to have conversations about socio-emotional health and empathy.

**Tension and Gaslighting (00:34:20)**
Nia discusses the theme of gaslighting and the decision to leave the protagonist feeling isolated for a significant portion of the book.

**Testing Safety and Vulnerability (00:36:33)**
The protagonist's actions to test the safety of the people around her and the vulnerability of teenagers.

**Identity, Race, and Kindness (00:39:09)**
Nia talks about the theme of identity, race, and the importance of choosing kindness and compassion.

**Writing Difficult Subjects (00:41:18)**
Nia advises writers to write what they love and are passionate about, rather than trying to fit into trends.

**Inclusivity in Publishing (00:43:33)**
Nia encourages writers to find a supportive writing community and emphasizes the importance of diverse voices in traditional publishing.

Learning Advanced Point of View, Romantic Tension & Betrayal From A New Body-Swapping Novel

You may remember Julia Alexandra from our episode in the fall when we went over three query versions with her (good, better, best): Well, she now has an agent! Ellen Goff (HG Literary) joins us with Julia to discuss balancing plot, character, and world--if your fantasy novel will hold up without your fantasy elements, which we're now calling "The Goff Test"--and how you can optimize your queries for your most likely success. 

Julia now not only has an agent but a book deal as well! 

Listen to her earlier episode here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-julia-alexandra

Learn more about Ellen here: https://www.hgliterary.com/ellen

Good, Better, Best, Agented! Julia Alexandra and Agent Ellen Goff on Plot, Character & World

We love this creativity-packed episode with Melissa Vogan (née Melissa Warten), former editor at Macmillan, current editor at Epic For Kids. 

We discuss: 
*“Just enough” art notes - and how they’re useful for every genre 
*How you can guide the focus of your reader through sensory language 
*How to get to the heart of your story 
*How to disagree with an editor or agent's feedback
*How to create your first visual work after writing only text-based projects 

And much more!

Transcript and timestamps here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-melissa-vogan

Book a consultation with Melissa here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/melissa-warten

Melissa Vogan (Warten) is an editor at Epic for Kids, the leading digital reading platform for children, where she works on IP comics development projects for readers ages 12 and under, including the smash hit series Cat Ninja. Prior to Epic, she spent more than five years on the editorial team at Farrar Straus Giroux Books working on picture books, middle grade, young adult, and select nonfiction and graphic novel projects.

Her notable editorial work includes the popular Cat Ninja and Bright Family franchises, New York Times bestselling titles We Hunt the Flame and We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal, and award-winning titles by Maurene Goo, Barbara O’Connor, Sarah Allen, Hanif Abdurraqib, Tegan and Sara Quin, and Tillie Walden. Melissa is a graduate of Boston College and the Columbia Publishing Course. Find her on Twitter: @melissa_warten

Details, Focus and Visual Storytelling To Bring Any Genre To Life with Editor Melissa Warten Vogan

Content Warning: This podcast discusses suicide, grief, and loss. 

Pam O'Hara's beautiful writing captivated our expert audience during a recent Manuscript Academy panel, so much so that it was picked for our 2024 MSWL Agent Choice Awards. 

Pam joins Jessica and Julie to speak about her stunning memoir about love, loss, and losing a loved one by suicide. We discuss everything from platform, to crafting your voice, to how to position a serious and sad topic for your audience, and more. Agents and editors, this one is in need of representation, if you're listening and like what you hear. We know we did.

Learn more about Pam here: https://pamelaohara.com

Emotional Range, Sensory Details, And Pitching Works On Difficult Topics

Please note: This episode contains mentions of alcoholism, recovery, and sobriety. 

We are so happy to welcome author Jessica Guerrieri and agent Ismita Hussain (Great Dog Literary) to the podcast. 

They're a great example of what to look for in an author-agent relationship--they're creative, collaborative, supportive, and successful (Jessica's debut book club fiction, Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea, comes out 2025 with HarperCollins). 

We also discuss re-querying, facing rejection, and the healing power of storytelling and personal narrative.

Meet with Ismita here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/ismita-hussain

Find the transcript and show notes here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-ismita-hussain-jessica-guerrieri

00:44 Introducing Jessica Guerrieri
00:54 Ismita Hussain's Journey from Healthcare to Literary Agent
01:55 Jessica Guerrieri's Writing Journey and Sobriety
03:04 The Power of Perseverance: Jessica Guerrieri's Path to Publication
04:18 The Editorial Process: From Query to Preempt
06:58 Understanding the Preempt and the Publishing Process
10:50 Revising with Resilience: Jessica Guerrieri's Approach to Feedback
17:13 Building Trust and Thickening Skin in the Publishing World
21:31 Looking Ahead: Plans After the Book Deal
22:02 Embarking on a Unique Memoir Journey
22:13 Exploring Motherhood and Recovery
22:48 The Power of Sharing Personal Stories
27:02 The Role of Fiction and Nonfiction in Recovery
29:42 The Importance of Representation in Literature
39:57 The Value of Specificity in Storytelling
43:15 The Memoir Market and Connecting with Agents

Finding Your Perfect Agent Fit with Agent Ismita Hussain and Author Jessica Guerrieri

View our in-depth video of what Liz did right in her query letter and first page here: https://www.youtube.com/@manuscriptacademy

Meet Elizabeth Holden, Physics professor, travel entrepreneur, and author of Mighty Millie Novak, a YA novel coming out from Flux Publishing in August. https://www.elizabeth-holden.com/

Liz is also the travel coordinator for our 2025 Manuscript Academy Retreat, which we're calling Enchanted Summer. Early Bird ends May 24. https://www.leapinghound.com/enchanted2025.html

Transcript + video at https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-elizabeth-holden

Timestamps:
00:02:03 - Writing Journey (00:02:03) Elizabeth Holden shares her writing journey, including querying experiences and the ups and downs of her writing career.

00:09:50 - Book Offer and Celebrations (00:09:50) Elizabeth recounts the experience of receiving a book offer and the challenges she faced due to being sick at the time.

00:12:11 - Viral Twitter Experience (00:12:11) Elizabeth shares the story of her viral Twitter experience related to the representation of queer characters in her novel and the subsequent impact on her querying process.

00:16:09 - Managing Multiple Offers (00:16:09) Elizabeth discusses the process of managing multiple offers from literary agents and making a decision about representation.

Querying and First Page Feedback (00:21:46) Discussion and feedback on the query letter and the first page of the novel.

Character and Conflict Introduction (00:27:33) The introduction of the main character and the presentation of internal and external conflicts.

Advice on Writing Process (00:33:05) Flexibility in mindset and recognizing when to take lateral steps in the writing process.

Leaping Hound Travel (00:37:13) Starting a travel company during the pandemic, focusing on niche topics and small group tours in Europe and Mexico.

Lake Bled Writing Retreat 2025 (00:41:09) Announcement of a writing retreat and vacation in Lake Bled, Slovenia, with details about the location and activities.

Enchanted Summer (00:44:44) Discussion about the magical and inspiring environment of Lake Bled, Slovenia, and the benefits of stepping away to focus on writing.

The Roller Derby of Querying: How Author Elizabeth Holden Found Her Agent

We are honored that author Elizabeth (Liz) Holden, author of the forthcoming YA novel Mighty Millie Novak, allowed us to go through her work as a teaching tool for you--what each element accomplishes, WHY it works, and how you can do the same in your own query and first page.

If you'd like to follow along visually, head to our YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@manuscriptacademy, or the podcast episode page, https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-elizabeth-holden, for the captioned video, transcript, and more. 

And be sure to check out our other episode, The Roller Derby of Querying, in our feed.

TIMESTAMPS: 
Elements of a Successful Query (00:05:25) Analysis of the query's opening, use of comps, and character introduction.

Navigating Conflict and Tension (00:07:17) Discussion on building conflict and tension in the query and its impact.

Character Growth and Story Arcs (00:10:47) Explanation of character growth and the importance of story arcs in the query.

Personal Experience and Bio (00:12:13) Analysis of the author's personal experiences and bio presented in the query.

Flexibility and Professionalism (00:13:31) Discussion on the author's flexibility and professionalism demonstrated in the query.

Setting High Stakes (00:16:10) Analysis of the opening line and setting high stakes in the first page of the story.

Mighty Millie's Dream (00:17:50) Mighty Millie's aspirations and determination in roller derby are highlighted, setting the stage for the story's conflict and potential growth.

Coach Ann's Challenge (00:18:39) Mighty Millie's desire to prove herself and her ambition to be recognized as a formidable competitor in roller derby are showcased.

A Disastrous Setback (00:19:29) A dramatic turn of events leads to Mighty Millie's setback, creating tension and raising the stakes for her roller derby aspirations.

The Power Dynamics (00:21:04) The discussion revolves around the protagonist's power dynamics, her aspirations, and the fluctuations in her journey, setting the tone for the story's development.

Book Launch and Roller Derby (00:22:20) Elizabeth Holden discusses her upcoming book launch and the roller derby theme, adding an exciting real-life connection to the story.

Learn more about Liz here: https://elizabeth-holden.com/

Mini Lesson: What Author Elizabeth Holden Did Right In Her Query & First Page

Watch the free video version, slides and all (and get a coupon for our workshop!) at https://manuscriptacademy.com/emmy

Join our Three-Day Keep An Agent Reading Workshop, May 28-30, here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/product/keep-an-agent-reading-workshop

TIMESTAMPS: 

Essential Elements of a Query Letter (00:03:07) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon covers the essential elements of a query letter, including the metadata paragraph, summary, and bio.

Query Letter Writing Tips (00:06:06) Insights into the query letter writing process, including addressing the agent, book title, and genre.

Metadata Paragraph and Summary (00:09:18) Detailed explanation of the metadata paragraph and summary in a query letter, including the importance of personalization and book comps.

Writing Style in Summary (00:21:12) Discussion on mirroring the writing style of the summary paragraph with the manuscript's tone and voice.

Summary of Writing Style and Content (00:22:12) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon discusses the essential elements of a query letter and the importance of introducing main characters and conflict in the summary paragraph.

Publishing Bio and Relevant Credentials (00:23:51) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon explains the significance of including prior publications, accolades, training, and relevant professional credentials in the publishing bio.

Essential Elements of the First Page (00:26:54) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon highlights the significance of the first page in capturing the reader's interest and emphasizes the need to meet the main character, introduce the central organizing feature, and outline what helps and hurts the character.

Crafting a Compelling First Page (00:33:44) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon provides insights on writing the first page, including the importance of starting with action, introducing the main character, and establishing the central organizing feature.

Synopsis vs. Summary (00:41:18) Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon differentiates between the synopsis and the summary, emphasizing the need for a bulleted list of plot points in the synopsis, including the ending, and avoiding a writerly tone.

Crafting a Synopsis (00:43:24) Advice on crafting a clear and informative synopsis, particularly helpful for pantsers.

Including Trigger Warnings (00:44:52) The importance of including trigger warnings in query letters and writing samples, and how to effectively incorporate them.

Bio in Query Letter (00:47:34) What to include in the bio section of a query letter, including personal experiences and writing goals.

Prologue vs. Chapter One (00:49:22) The debate over whether to use a prologue or the first chapter as the writing sample, and the impact on the query process.

Querying Across Genres (00:53:07) Advice for writers querying across multiple genres and how to communicate long-term career plans to agents.

Expressing Multiple Genres (00:56:54) Guidance on how to best express, showcase, or explain a book that spans multiple genres in a query letter.

Lived Experience in Query (00:59:56) The significance of mentioning own voices or lived experiences in the first paragraph of a query letter.

Commercial, Upmarket, and Literary (01:01:36) A breakdown of the distinctions between commercial, upmarket, and literary writing styles and tones.

Literary vs. Commercial (01:02:23) Discussion of literary and commercial books, with examples and explanations of each category.

Responsible Representation of Disabled and Chronically Ill People (01:05:07) Insights into the progress and challenges of representation in publishing, encouragement to include nuanced representation in writing.

Query Consultation Prize Winners (01:09:00) Announcement of three winners for a query consultation prize with Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon.

Upcoming Workshop and Ticket Drawing (01:10:24) Details about a three-day workshop and the drawing of three tickets for the workshop, including instructions for winners.

Live Recorded: Query Class with Agent Dr. Emmy Nordstrom Higdon

You’ve heard of the all-important voice—but how do you make it more vivid, both on the page—and in your life? 

Enter Jessica Doyle-Mekkes, an author, voice coach, and eloquent speaker on how your voice in your life and your voice on the page are linked, vitally important—and within your control to improve. 

Listen along for what helps your voice come out as you intend—whether singing, public speaking, or reading your character aloud to an audience on your book tour. 

We also discuss: 
***Do agents share projects with each other? Yes! In fact, this book happened in part because agent Jessica (Sinsheimer) saw author Jesica (Doyle-Mekkes) and just had a feeling she’d be a good fit for Katharine.
***Learning to write a book proposal from the ground up—and, in one case, overnight
***What makes an ideal client?  What do agents look for? 
***How much platform do you *really* need? There are two kinds of platform—here’s how to leverage both, and how Jessica builds hers (and you can too) 
***How you can start preparing NOW for your readings on your future book tour

Find I'm Speaking: Every Woman's Guide to Finding Your Voice and Using It Fearlessly wherever books are sold. 

Meet with Katharine here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/katharine-sands

Finding Your Voice: On the Page, In Your Life with Agent Katharine Sands + Jessica Doyle-Mekkes

In the first installment of the Manuscript Academy Book Club, we have Liv Constantine, the pen name for internationally bestselling sister duo Lynne and Valerie Constantine! 

Joined by Jessica, Julie, and the Manuscript Academy community, Valerie and Lynne answer your questions about how to collaborate and edit as a team, how to get the best results when querying, and how to keep your work fresh when writing multiple books in the same genre.

**Please note that there are spoilers for The Last Mrs. Parrish as noted verbally in the episode.**

01:00 Meet the Authors: Liv Constantine
01:19 The Journey to Success
03:26 Collaborative Writing Process
12:09 Crafting Unputdownable Thrillers
16:47 Pitching and Querying Tips
19:39 The Impact of Reese's Book Club
25:31 Character Development and POV Shifts
26:04 Crafting Intricate Plot Details
27:33 Collaborating as Sisters
31:15 Balancing Writing and Marketing
34:58 Navigating the Publishing Industry
36:59 Advice for Aspiring Writers
38:40 Creating Realistic Psychopath Characters
42:54 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Learn more at https://livconstantine.com/

Preparing For Your International Bestseller: Liv Constantine on Crafting Unputdownable Characters

Debut author Kristy Jackson joins Julie and Jessica to talk about her new middle grade book, MORTIFIED, now out in bookstores everywhere! From embarrassing middle school moments to querying hiccups, Kristy talks about her 20+ year-long writing journey, how she found the right agent for her, and how perseverance made all the different to achieving her publishing dreams.

Learn more about Kristy here: https://www.kristyjackson.ca/

Querying, Middle School, And How Mistakes + Embarrassment Often Lead To Book Deals

We are so pleased to welcome agent Erica Bauman from Aevitas Creative Management to the podcast!

We discuss: 

*How to make your work more atmospheric

*Where to place emphasis when writing between genres 

*Balancing keeping the reader in their heads vs. their senses 

*When the genre of our world gets closer to dystopia, how does the dystopian genre change? 

*Why do agents ask for exactly your metatags—and then say no?

Meet with Erica here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/erica-bauman

Erica Bauman is a literary agent at Aevitas Creative Management and represents a wide variety of authors across middle grade, young adult, and upmarket adult fiction, including acclaimed YA author Maria Ingrande Mora, New York Times Bestseller Kayla Cottingham, and Lambda Literary Fellow Naseem Jamnia.

Erica is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and has worked in the publishing industry since 2012. Prior to Aevitas, she worked at Spectrum Literary Agency.

Based in New York, Erica is most interested in commercial novels that feature an exciting premise and lyrical, atmospheric writing; imaginative, genre-blending tales; speculative worlds filled with haunting, quietly wondrous magic; fresh retellings of mythology, ballet, opera, and classic literature; sharply funny rom-coms; graphic novels for all ages; fearless storytellers that tackle big ideas and contemporary issues; and working with and supporting marginalized authors and stories that represent the wide range of humanity.

Genres, Tropes, Trends, and Finding Your Agent Fit with Agent Erica Bauman

We are so happy to welcome Nour Sallam, agent at P.S. Literary, to the podcast! 

We discuss: 

*How agents should advocate for clients from signing to offers to contracts to publication and beyond 

*Why messy characters and their interiority are often the one thing missing from your work 

*Why we should experience empathy for your villain

*Opportunities to build tension, pulling the reader (or agent!) into your story

Meet with Nour here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/nour-sallam

See a clip of this episode here: https://youtu.be/xBbNAb0d5sM?si=8NLlvwhX3X04p5vB

Transcript and timestamps here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-nour-sallam

Nour Sallam is an associate literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency representing adult fiction and nonfiction. Nour has previously worked in editing, podcasting, communications, and journalism. She got her start at the University of British Columbia where she studied English Literature and Political Science. She then got her publishing certificate at Toronto Metropolitan University. As an Arab woman and an immigrant, she loves books of any genre that amplify joy and connection, or feature complex and nuanced histories, power dynamics, or underrepresented narratives.

Nour is seeking commercial and upmarket fiction titles as well as select literary fiction, edgy psychological thrillers, mysteries, and light horror. In fiction, she gravitates towards voicey characters that are haunted by something: a secret, a past, a fear— or an actual haunting! She’s actively seeking character-driven stories featuring women in power, unhinged women, and stories of female rage. She also has a soft spot for unreliable narrators, family sagas with dysfunctional families, protagonists in their 20s-30s navigating adulthood, protagonists on the cusp of major life changes, and stories that focus on friendship dynamics. She is also drawn to stories that explore the diverse experiences of underrepresented groups and challenge our understanding of diasporic experiences and/or cultures. Bonus points if these stories are also fun and celebrate joy.

For nonfiction, Nour welcomes fresh and accessible perspectives on big ideas or industry deep dives as well as personal narratives on pop culture, art, and nature. She appreciates books that offer incisive commentary on culture, socio-economic structures, corporate underbellies, health and wellness, and lifestyle. Her taste in non-fiction gravitates towards books that generally challenge what we know or explain what we might not know.

Messy Characters, Building Tension & How Agents Should Advocate For Your Work with Agent Nour Sallam

We are so excited to welcome math teacher Ben Orlin to the podcast!

Ben Orlin is a math teacher who can't draw. His book Math with Bad Drawings (2018) has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide, and has since been followed by Change is the Only Constant (2019), Math Games with Bad Drawings (2022), and most recently, Math for English Majors (Sept 2024). His work has appeared in The Atlantic, Popular Science, Slate, Vox, and The Los Angeles Times; he himself has appeared in the lines to ice cream stores everywhere. BBC star and leading mathematician Hannah Fry once described him as "terribly bad at drawing" before kindly adding “he’s also fantastically clever and charming.”

We discuss: 
* How to position your proposal as an expert in your subject, for an audience who is not as well-versed
* Using metaphor to connect and create new meaning
* The ways agents seek out nonfiction clients
* How to incorporate math in your querying and editing process

Learn more about Ben and his new book here: https://mathwithbaddrawings.com

Metaphor, Math, Editing, & How You Can Get Your Message to Your Reader Effectively

Have you ever been tempted to say "My book is for everyone"? 

We get it! It sounds like the perfect way to convince an agent your book is a slam dunk bestseller--right? 

Wrong. Realistically, no book is for everyone--and this is a great thing. 

We're happy to join Emma Peters, editor at W.W. Norton, to discuss: 

*Why you need to define your audience--and pitch an agent on this reader
*How specificity in your book description is your friend
*What is a “build a book” and why do agents work on them?
*Balancing professionalism, enthusiasm & marketing
*How to use your friends as a focus group

Emma is available for query consultations. Meet with her at: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/emma-peters

Your Book Is Not For Everyone (Thank Goodness!): Author Positioning with Norton Editor Emma Peters

Today is a special live recording of the Manuscript Academy podcast! 

In front of Manuscript Academy members, Jessica and Julie are joined by faculty member and Macmillan editor Christina Lopez in another installment of our Mystery Agent/Editor segment. 

Listen in as Christina critiques writer Karissa Riffel’s YA horror query and first page, and answers all your questions.

Want to apply for next Mystery Agent/Editor Consutlation? Sign up here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/submissions

Learn more about membership here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/membership

Want to meet with Christina? Sign up here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/christina-lopez

Live Recorded: Mystery Editor Consultation with Macmillan Editor Christina Lopez

We love Bonnie Jo Pierson. Not only is she a Manuscript Academy alum and a published author, she’s a member of a 20-person writing group—and an expert on knowing what feedback to take, what to ignore, and how to tell the difference. 

After 17 years of writing, her novel is ready—and we talk about keeping work fresh, learning and growing as a person, and remaining emotionally open to your work and your life.

Bonnie Jo is the author of What Happens in Idaho, July 24, 2024. 

Gifted with a short attention span, Bonnie Jo Pierson wants to experience and do as much as she can. Using the great powers of YouTube she’s taught herself how to knit, crochet, paint with oils, acrylics, and watercolors, coach volleyball, play the piano and cello, ride a motorcycle, renovate a house, sing, sew, raise livestock, bake, and most importantly how to write. With a degree in biology, she’s a lover of all things science, especially in the microscopic world. 

She and her Navy veteran husband have four children and spent several years bouncing around to various locations in the United States. Now she’s made her home in small-town Idaho, where she’s attempting to resurrect her great-grandparents one hundred year-old farm. 

You can email her at bonniejopierson@gmail.com or you can find her on:

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbonniejopierson/
goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23922408-bonnie-jo-pierson
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonniejopiersonauthor 
twitter: https://twitter.com/BonnieJo_author 
tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniejo_author?lang=en

The Art of Feedback: What To Take, What To Ignore & How To Know The Difference

Is there a formula for success? 

What do you do when "A new twist on something familiar" starts to feel overly simplistic? 

Enter editor Ivan Taurisano, editor at Abrams, who works from the opposite direction of most editors: he can think of a concept that's marketable, then put together the team to make it happen. 

We discuss: 

***Collaborating with Licensing Partners: Ivan works closely with major brands like Disney, Netflix, and others to create books that resonate with current market trends.

***Data-Driven Decision Making: Unlike traditional editors who wait for manuscripts, Ivan actively seeks out market trends and creates content that meets those demands.

***Monitoring Bestseller Lists: Checking Amazon and New York Times bestseller lists to identify common themes and outliers.

***Examining BISAC Codes: Understanding how books are categorized to spot market trends.

***Creating Engaging and Humorous Content: Books should be fun and engaging for children, encouraging a love of reading.

***Finding the Sweet Spot: Balancing humor and content that resonates with children while being appropriate for parents.

Ivan Taurisano was born in Rome, Italy, and moved to the United States almost ten years ago to pursue a children’s book publishing career. The guiding principle of his work is that a child whose life is changed by a book will always be a step closer to becoming an adult who will change the world. Ivan’s all-time favorite book is James and the Giant Peach, and his best friend is a chihuahua named Bilbo.

Ivan has a BA in English and Creative Writing, an MA in Children’s Literature, and an MFA in Writing for Children. He started his career at Sourcebooks as an Editorial Assistant, then moved on to become an Assistant Editor. His responsibilities included developing children’s board books, picture books, and graphic novels, as well as acquiring board books and picture books. Ivan has worked with many successful series and brands, including How to Catch, Little Heroes Big Hearts, Sesame Street, Disney, Tokidoki, and Pokémon.

Currently, Ivan lives in New York and works at Abrams as an Associate Editor on the Children’s Entertainment Publishing and Content Development team. In this role, he focuses novelty books, board books, graphic novels, and select MG and YA titles. He is especially interested in stories with a strong commercial hook, crave-able content, compelling characters, and series potential.

Board books and picture books: Ivan is interested in children’s board books and picture books that are kid-centric, interactive, character-driven, and have series potential. He enjoys titles with a strong hook, fun read-alouds, great rhymes, bold and playful imaginative stories, books that break the fourth wall and invite reader participation, as well as seasonal stories such as Christmas and Halloween.

MG: Ivan is interested in plot-driven, action-packed adventures with a strong commercial hook, compelling characters, magic, quests/competitions, and high stakes.

YA: Ivan prefers strong commercial hooks, well-plotted, character-driven, atmospheric stories, and series potential. He loves fantasy, magic, and quests/competitions. He likes unique, morally grey characters, memorable villains, and propulsive, cinematic writing.

Ivan is not the best fit for nonfiction, retellings, historical fiction, biographies, and novels in verse.

***
Schedule a meeting with Ivan here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/ivan-taurisano

The Formula For Successful Books with Editor Ivan Taurisano

How do you make your work more commercial--and why is commercial the trend right now? 

Join agent Alyssa Jennette (Stonesong Literary) as we talk about: 

1) Why is commercial trending right now? 

2) What can ALL genres (including literary) do to appeal to readers in this moment? 

3) Why you should focus revision efforts on stakes, character, payoff and more to make your commercial and literary works more 

4) Why literary and upmarket writers don't need to panic.

This is part of a larger podcast episode (15 minutes) coming soon. 

Meet Alyssa here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/alyssa-jennette

Video clip of this episode here: https://youtu.be/F8wl9mwyc9k?si=Tg-lfxW2dBC6CpxR

Learn more at https://manuscriptacademy.com/

How To Make Your Work More Commercial with Agent Alyssa Jennette (Stonesong Literary)

We are so happy to welcome Liv Ivanov, agent at Creative Media Agency, to the podcast!

In this episode, we talk about making your work more addictive (we can all dream of the "I read it in one sitting" agent response!) through: 

*Effective pacing
*Structure
*Tension
*Symmetry 
*The MICE Quotient 

And more! 

Liv shares her insights on avoiding excessive exposition, the balance between tension and pacing, and the importance of character development. She also highlights techniques like reverse outlining and reading aloud to improve manuscripts. 

We also learn what Liv would like to have in her inbox. Meet Liv here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/liv-ivanov

How To Make Your Work More Addictive: Pacing, Structure & Symmetry with Agent Liv Ivanov

Have you ever wondered why Publishing seems to take so much longer than any other industry? 

We posed this question to agent Stefanie Molina, Ladderbird Literary--and discuss what it means for agents, editors, and - most of all - writers. 

Want to talk about your work with Stefanie? Schedule a time here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/stefanie-molina

We discuss: 
Current Trends in Publishing (00:03:57) 

What Makes A work “Fresh”? (00:05:01) 
The Importance of BIPOC Voices in Literature (00:06:32)

Communication Challenges in Publishing (00:08:33) 
Literary Agents of Change (00:10:52)

Advice for Writers in the Querying Process (00:15:48)

Agents’ Constant Thoughts on Clients (00:28:56) 
Hope for Industry Change (00:39:31)

Scholarship Opportunities (00:44:47)

Why Does Publishing Take So Darn Long? With Special Guest Agent Stefanie Molina

Also on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/QaWwJ8O5NFA

In this episode of the Manuscript Academy Podcast, hosts Julie Kingsley and Jessica Sinsheimer introduce new tools and features for writers, including a comp title finder, an advanced agent search, and a writer group creator. 

They discuss the development of a virtual interactive space for writers to connect globally and announce improvements in sorting through their extensive content library. 

Additionally, the hosts share updates on their Manuscript Academy Agent Choice Awards and upcoming classes, aimed at helping writers enhance their craft. Tune in to learn about these resources and how they can support your writing journey.

00:00 Introduction to the Manuscript Academy Podcast
00:31 Listener Feedback and Updates
00:57 New Tools for Writers
01:57 Writer Group Creator
03:04 Virtual Space for Writers
04:26 Organizing Classes and Resources
05:02 Manuscript Academy Agent Choice Awards
06:05 Upcoming Events and Classes
07:16 Conclusion and How to Get Involved

New Season Preview: From Comp Titles to Virtual Spaces: What's Next at Manuscript Academy

The wonderful Fiona Kenshole, Senior Agent and Partner at Transatlantic Literary Agency, kindly joined us for a grand experiment--a live recording of this podcast, plus a first pages panel. 

You'll hear us (try to) pop champagne (you guys, you have no idea what a miracle this is), discuss what works for Fiona, what she sees on our side of the desk--and why everything takes SO long in our industry.

Plus we talk first pages, and what makes them work--and how Fiona chooses her clients. 

Want to see the full (hour and a half!) live-recorded video? Head to http://manuscriptacademy.com/live. Tickets are $9.99 (more than a coffee, less than an adult beverage).

Want to meet with Fiona? Head to https://manuscriptacademy.com/fiona-kenshole to book a meeting or written critique. 

We hope you enjoy this grand experiment and, yes, there will be more! 

Join us at ManuscriptAcademy.com/subscribe for our FREE newsletter (including a free class, articles and more) to hear about the next one--we hope to see you there!

50: Our LIVE 50th Episode Extravaganza with Fiona Kenshole

We are so happy to welcome agent Larissa Melo Pienkowski to the podcast! We loved having her as a guest, and think you'll love her, too. 

Larissa Melo Pienkowski is a literary agent at Jill Grinberg Literary Management, the assistant publisher of Dottir Press, and a freelance editor and sensitivity reader. As a Latinx, mixed-race bookworm, she’s passionate about #OwnVoices stories, uplifting marginalized voices, and reading voraciously across genres, with a soft spot for YA, MG, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and books that stretch the boundaries of genre altogether. A Massachusetts native, she earned her BSW from Simmons College and her MA in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College, and can be found in her ceramics studio in her free time (when she doesn’t have a book in hand).

In this episode, we cover:

What’s the best way to follow up with agents—and when? 

How do you deal with an exclusive submission—and advocate for yourself at the same time? 

What to do if you sent your manuscript...seven months ago? 

What makes publishing slow?

How long do you have to send your work after receiving a full request? Do you have to send it right away? What if it needs edits?

What’s the best way to include a second language in your book? 

Larissa’s thoughts on pitch contests (and your best practices).

Does cold querying work?

If you have a twitter pitch, do you add it to your query? 

Do agents drop clients if the first book doesn’t sell?

Plus much more!

You can meet with Larissa to go over your query here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/larissa-pienkowski

The comp class we mentioned is here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/hannah

Exclusive Submissions, Following Up + Pitch Contests vs Querying With Agent Larissa Melo Pienkowski

The Manuscript Academy brings you conversations with agents, editors, and writers who can help you on your publishing journey.

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