MSWL Admin 
We are so pleased to bring you the next live event in our series–a first pages panel featuring YOUR first pages (drawn at random–we’ll get through as many as we can while still giving thoughtful, kind feedback) and Melissa Warten, editor at Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers (an imprint of Macmillan). Join us … Read more
Join us for an evening of writing prompts, inspiration, and community. This event will feature your intrepid hosts (on camera), your new writing BFFs (in text chat) and you, your pajamas, and the beverage of your choice. We promise this is 100% introvert-friendly, the prompts are fun, and sharing your work is voluntary. Please RSVP … Read more
This week, #MSWL Academy co-Founder Julie Kingsley, who’s taught writing for more than 20 years, brings you a pep talk on how to keep going–and get un-stuck. This episode includes encouragement, exercises–and a special surprise for you if you keep listening. We also have a FREE write-in coming up June 24–join us at https://manuscriptacademy.com/rsvp. And … Read more
We speak with Jess Dallow, agent at Brower Literary & Management, about live pitch sessions from the agent side of the desk, how to make them go well for you–plus tips about when to book yours at your local conference. We also talk thrillers, criminal profiling, serial killers, child psychopaths, Sweet Valley High, and how … Read more
Ever wish you could attend a first pages panel–from home? Tomorrow, you can do exactly that. Danielle Chiotti of Upstart Crow literary will be going over YOUR first pages–while talking about the universal lessons in each that keep an agent reading. We’ll also do a Q&A and live podcast recording. The event begins at 8:30pm … Read more
Ever wonder what happens when you meet with an agent? Two very generous people–Danielle Chiotti, agent, and Kayla King, writer–let us listen in on their consultation. In this episode, Danielle reacts to Kayla’s page in the moment, asks for clarification, and comes up with solutions on the spot to make Kayla’s page (even) stronger. … Read more
When we talk about structure, we’re talking about the narrative framework of your story. The bones of the house. The foundation upon which those bones rest. Without these, you have no house. You wouldn’t try to put a roof or hang drywall on, well, nothing, right? If you’re missing a support beam, the house becomes … Read more
Wendy Heard Intro: One hazard of being an author with art degree is that people ask me why I don’t design my own book covers. Through gritted teeth, I always try to explain how specialized a skill book cover design is and how utterly unqualified I am to do it with my decade-old degree in … Read more
By Zabé Ellor Participating in a Twitter pitch conference is a great option to get your work in front of agents and editors. Though cold querying is how the vast majority of authors find representation, participating in a pitch contest is a fun opportunity to give your work visibility and hone your pitching skills. As … Read more
by Kip Wilson Forget the misconception that YA historical books are boring. Today’s historicals bring teenagers to life on the page—with all of their passion, impulsivity, and quirkiness. YA historical novels published these days focus on protagonists who are relatable to teens today, with stories every bit as compelling as those in contemporary or fantasy … Read more
