The guest for the October 1st agent episode is Melissa Edwards of Stonesong Literary. Melissa joined me today to talk about how her background in litigation helped prepare her for agenting, as well as providing the foundation for her private business, MLE Consulting. Also covered: differences between the adult and children’s publishing worlds, what “timeless” Middle Grade feels like and the benefits of working with an agent vs. going on your own.

To hear the entire episode in October support the podcast through Patreon. Visit www.patreon.com/MindyMcGinnis to learn more.

Today’s guest is Lauren Gibaldi author of THE NIGHT WE SAID YES, AUTO FOCUS and THIS TINY PERFECT WORLD. Lauren is a public librarian who’s been, among other things, a magazine editor, high school English teacher, bookseller, and circus aerialist (seriously). She has a BA in Literature and Master’s in Library and Information Studies. 

Lauren joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about landing her agent, and how her process of being a punster can occasionally backfire, but nothing is ever wasted. Also covered: how being a librarian has helped Lauren feel more connected to teens and benefited her writing career, as well as portraying artistic teens in fiction.

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Ten After Closing by Jessica Bayliss 

Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby

Support the podcast through Patreon for weekly writing advice, query and first page critiques, as well as exclusive episodes featuring agent and editor interviews. Visit our Patreon to learn more.

Today’s guest is Kelly DeVos author of FAT GIRL ON A PLANE. Kelly holds a B.A. in Creative Writing from Arizona State University. Her debut novel, FAT GIRL ON A PLANE is available now from Harlequin Teen. Her work has been featured in the New York Times as well as SheKnows and Bustle. Kelly joined me today to talk about landing her agent, and how her particular process of being a hardcore planner works to turn the spark of an idea into a novel. Also covered: the inspiration for FAT GIRL ON A PLANE, a discussion of the fashion world and body acceptance and how short stories can help you experiment with new ideas, characters, or methods.

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Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood

It’s a Wonderful Death By Sarah J. Schmitt 

Today’s guest is Megan Shepherd, author of THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER trilogy, THE CAGE Trilogy, THE SECRET HORSES OF BRIAR HILL and THE GRIM LOVELIES. Megan joined me to talk about her process, and how the spark of an idea can sometimes get lost during the execution. Also covered: writing trilogies versus standalones, and why dark stories appeal to us. 

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Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby 

Midnight by Jeanna Armas

A roundup of the guests and topics for the month, and Mindy's advice on writing unlikeable characters.

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Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby 

Midnight by Jeanna Armas

Here’s a teaser for the upcoming September editor podcast featuring Arianne Lewin, an Executive Editor at GP Putnam Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Ari joined me to talk about word count – does it matter at the acquisitions level, how to know if your word count is bloated, and how to trim it down if it is. Also covered, a better explanation of show vs tell, how to do world building effectively without info dumps, and great examples of concise world building in fantasy.

Support the Podcast on Patreon To Hear Entire Episode on September 1st

Today’s guest is Lamar Giles, a two-time Edgar Award finalist for his YA thrillers FAKE ID and ENDANGERED His third YA thriller, OVERTURNED received a glowing New York Times review. Lamar is a contributor to the YA anthology THREE SIDES OF A HEART and the editor of the forthcoming We Need Diverse Books YA short story anthology FRESH INK.

Lamar joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the over confidence he had as a young writer, and how he took the time to reflect on 8 years worth of rejection before landed his agent in 2010 with his sixth novel. Also covered: diversity in publishing and how genre writing can be looked down upon, and the complexities of writing a book set in a city you are unfamiliar with, and how research can help you get… most things… right. 

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Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood

 In A Flash by Melanie Faith 

Here's a teaser for the upcoming exclusive agent episode featuring Jennifer Laughran of Andrea Brown Literary. To hear the entire episode in September and for access to previously posted agent episodes, support the podcast through Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/MindyMcGinnis

Today’s guest is Jessica Verdi, author of the YA contemporary novels My Life After Now, The Summer I Wasn’t Me, What You Left Behind, as well as And She Was. Jess received her MFA in Writing for Children from The New School and is a freelance editor of romance, women’s fiction, chick lit, YA, and kid lit

Jessica joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about querying a first novel, landing her agent, and breaking out of writing only one genre. Also covered: how Jessica handles hot button issues in her books, and the pushback that can come from writing about such topics, as well as the pros and cons of getting an MFA and why everyone needs an editor.

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Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby 

See All The Stars by Kit Frick 

Today’s guest is Lori Rader Day, winner of both the Mary Higgins Clark Award and the Anthony Award. Lori joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the work that goes into a novel before you ever query it, the benefits of joining professional writing organizations, as well as the moving rung of what we deem success after being published. Also covered: how genre writing can be looked down upon, and how genre tags can build walls between readers and books they might enjoy.

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Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood

Tribute by Chris Knoblaugh