Building Character, Enhancing POV, and Principles of (E)motion with Author Sara Read

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Soundcloud. A smart, poignant novel perfect for fans of Lessons in Chemistry“An incredible STEMinist read.”—The Honey Pop Transcript, timestamps and video clips here: manuscriptacademy.com/podcast-sara-read Join Julie and Jessica as they talk to the fabulous Sara Read, the author of the recent book Principles of (E)motion. Trust us when we say … Read more

“Good Enough” Versus Fit: Executive Editor Erica Finkel On Improving Your Odds Of Yes

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

Save The Date! Seventh Annual Holiday Party December 18

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

#MSWL Live Agent Panel: T.S. Ferguson, Jenissa Graham, Kelly Van Sant & Claire Harris

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

📚🎧#MSWL Live Agent Panel: Caitlin McDonald, Samantha Wekstein, Thao Le & Taj McCoy

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

You Belong Here: Middle Grade Voice, Success Via Community, & The Rule of 100 with Nancy Tandon

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

The Rejections That Hurt Most: Author-Agent Empathy, Revision & Rejection as Protection With Agent Monica Rodriguez

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

Three-Day Workshop | Unputdownable: Write A Book Agents Can’t Stop Thinking About | October 24-26

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