MSWL Admin Our kindergarten teachers taught us to play nice, but then we grew up and our writing teachers told us to raise the heat on conflict. What’s a nice writer to do? Confronting another person takes courage. How can we help our characters to muster that courage, and what form will it take? In this session, … Read more
We are so darn excited for today’s podcast. Not only was Laurell one of those interviews where you can just *feel* the writerly energy in the room, but she was creative, kind, thoughtful—and has amazing tips for your work. From avoiding info dumps (and a brilliant technique we’d never heard of) to planning a series … Read more
Today on the podcast, we are so happy to welcome author Jennifer Chen and her agent, Caitie Flum from Liza Dawson Associates. We originally asked Jennifer on to talk about short pieces, and how she succeed with them—and she does a great job discussing that—but we were so pleasantly surprised to watch the thoughtful, kind, … Read more
We are so thrilled to talk with Andrea Bartz, author of The Herd and (out today!) We Were Never Here. We discuss how the work was inspired (by someone very nice and non-murderous on a vacation), what it means to write scary works as a woman, and how she maintains *just* enough tension throughout. Andi … Read more
Welcome to another First Pages podcast! This week, our brave volunteer is Tamara Kahler. We talk with Tamara about pitching dark work just after a pandemic (and putting an emphasis on hope and agency), her submission strategy (you don’t have to send it to as many people as most recommend), and how she avoided the … Read more
Join us for a quick summer Q&A—with questions from our Facebook group! Haven’t joined? There are 3,000+ writers there to help you with your query, your comps, and be your supportive community along the way. Just head to ManuscriptAcademy.com/Facebook. In this episode, we talk about summer slowdown, editorial agents, when to write subsequent books in … Read more
The sentence is an infinitely elastic instrument containing thousands of microdecisions. So which decisions make your sentences become your sentences? This session will examine virtuosic sentences—from Herman Melville to Toni Morrison—exploring what these sentences might have been in the hands of another writer, exposing what makes them unique. We will look at syntax, diction, and … Read more
Hey everyone! This is a live recording of a very special book-to-film event with Eric Mofford (producer and consultant) and Marty Go (producer and director) all about how to craft an elevator pitch. If you’ve ever wondered how to describe your work quickly—or panicked at the “So, what’s your book about?” question—this episode is for … Read more
We are so happy to welcome author, illustrator, and graphic novelist Whitney Gardner to the podcast! In this episode, we talk about plotting, pantsing, graphic novels, editing art with your editor, and much more. We also discuss working with multiple agents, succeeding against trend, and—we couldn’t help it—how to roast, grind, and perfect your own … Read more
Join us for a queries and first pages panel with agent Kaitlyn Sanchez. Submit your work for a chance at live feedback from Kaitlyn and our panel–plus, of course, a publishing Q&A. This event is designed to be supportive, uplifting, encouraging–and 100% introvert-friendly. (Wear pajamas! We’ll never know.) This event will work on your smartphone, … Read more
