MSWL Admin 
Samantha Wekstein, agent at Writers House, was generous enough to join us for a #TenQueries episode. We chat with her about how she got into publishing (she worked with Jessica first!), some amazing things she’s created along the way–and how this shapes what she looks for. Then we asked her to go through her queries … Read more
Andrea Somberg: I met Marjorie Herrera Lewis through MSWL, and within minutes of talking to her, I couldn’t wait to read her novel, When the Men Were Gone. It was based on the true story of Tylene Wilson, a woman who became one of the first female football coaches in Texas during World War II, in spite … Read more
We speak with agent John M. Cusick of Folio Literary Management about great first lines, what they can do for your work–and how they can make a good first impression that will stick with your reader, whether in a bookstore or in the slush pile. How do you know if you’ve done enough research–or if … Read more
Grab your favorite drink, maybe a nice pot of hot oolong tea, or a dry martini with a twist. If you’re in the autumn mood, pour a nice glass of fresh-squeezed cider or a hot toddy complete with a cinnamon stick. No matter the choice, you’ll enjoy today’s podcast about drinks and books, writing and … Read more
We talk with agent Whitney Ross at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency about why she never says she *doesn’t* want something in her inbox, the different levels of editors and why they matter–why you don’t need a master’s to work in publishing. Then we veer into delicious territory, talking about the best chocolate chip cookies, … Read more
This is such a special episode! if you listen to just one (or if you need a pick-me-up after last week…) check this out. Stream here: https://soundcloud.com/user-965795498/jen-gunnels Jessica Sinsheimer went into the Tor/Macmillan offices to speak with the intrepid editor Jen Gunnels. We talk about why she never sends an editorial letter without a phone call, … Read more
Longtime critique partners Julie Kingsley and Cameron Rosenblum (@ckellyrose, YA author repped by Brianne Johnson at Writers House, librarian) discuss a page from the brave and talented writer Lauren Shade, @laurentshade. Want to submit YOUR page for a chance of being on a First Pages episode? Send your first page–as a Word doc, please–to … Read more
Join Kelly Van Sant, literary agent at Red Sofa Literary, to analyze ten random queries in her inbox. Along the way, learn how she decides when to say yes, when to say no, and when to decide later–how common it is that people don’t even get her name right–and why a query doesn’t have to … Read more
This week on the podcast, we spoke with Hanna Alkaf, author of THE WEIGHT OF OUR SKY (Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster, 2019), about multiple agent offers–managing your writing career and writing friendships when you don’t live in the United States–and the amazing story of her role in Malaysia’s most recent election. We can’t even tell you … Read more
by Ann Leslie Tuttle, Agent at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Most of us have had this experience where we’re walking down a street to a familiar destination but suddenly the route looks different because we’re approaching the spot from another direction. To me, that’s what it has felt like making the shift to agenting after spending … Read more
