Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. We’re thrilled to welcome Abrams editor Erica Finkel to the podcast to discuss editorial board meetings, the top reasons writers get rejected–and how “fit” means far more than you’d think. Book a meeting with Erica here: manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/erica-finkel Erica Finkel (she/her) is an Executive Editor for Amulet Books and Abrams … Read more
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. Query writing is a craft in and of itself and so often, even the experts disagree on the best approach (hint: that just means there are number of ways to write an amazing query!). Today we’re joined by the very talented, multi-hyphenate writer, coach, and former copy editor, … Read more
It’s been such an amazing year speaking with agents, editors, authors, and publishing professionals about the things that mean the most to them–life, work, creativity, and community. To celebrate the holidays, we wanted to do something new, special, interactive, and fun. Monday, December 18, 8:30pm Eastern, our holiday party is designed for warmth, positivity, access … Read more
mswlacademy · MSWL October Panel 1 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. In October, we wrapped up the month with a deliciously spooky Halloween #MSWL panel. Join us for a live panel recording with agents T.S Ferguson, Kelly Van Sant, Jenissa Graham, and Claire Harris as they take us through their creepy wishlists and fun bookish … Read more
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. The votes are in! Science Fiction, Fantasy, Speculative & Supernatural won—and we’ve built this panel to that theme. But even if you’re writing serious nonfiction, or in a completely other genre, this is a great view into what agents love within genres—and how agenting, in general, works. With … Read more
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. Join us December 5 for Nancy’s class, You Belong Here (meant to alleviate the “walking with your cafeteria tray toward the popular kids’ table” feeling of pitching agents): manuscriptacademy.com/you-belong-here After an exceptionally rocky entry to publishing—including a *five year* delay—Nancy Tandon is a well-regarded Middle Grade writer who manages … Read more
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. We are so happy to welcome Monica Rodriguez, agent at Context Literary, to the podcast! Not only is Monica Jessica’s Agency colleague in charge of Brand Management (and helping writers promote their work), she’s also an agent with expertise in branding, marketing, and helping creatives refine their ideas. … Read more
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. Join us in a lively conversation with debut author M Hendrix, whose book The Chaperone came out this year with Sourcebooks! From finding an agent and pitching your book during the pandemic, finding hope in dystopian novels, and making YA fun for teens to read, we cover this … Read more
What makes an agent care about your work? What makes an agent care so much that they keep thinking about your manuscript, bringing it up to their friends, their colleagues–and maybe even editors? It’s emotional investment. While agents love all of the other aspects that go into your story, caring about your character is what makes a book … Read more
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. We are thrilled to welcome Sierra Godfrey, author of The Second Chance Hotel and A Very Typical Family, to the Member Lounge. Sierra, along with Mike Chen, built the first ManuscriptWishList.com, and her work as an author is charming, funny, romantic—and set on the gorgeous fictional Greek island … Read more
