Publishing Pals

Maria and Suzanne

Welcome to Publishing Pals Podcast, a podcast where two pals talk about publishing. For nearly a decade, we have tried, failed, and sometimes succeeded at being traditionally published. Come along with us as we share everything we've learned in this oddly gatekept, confusing, but incredibly fun and rewarding industry. 

Episodes

  1. 4D AGO

    Interview with SCBWI Regional Advisor Erica Wood!

    Hello! In this episode we’re interviewing Erica Wood, the regional advisor for SCBWI.  Erica Wood is a middle grade, YA, and poetry writer, long time member of SCBWI, and since 2020 has been the regional advisor for SCBWI’s Carolinas region. Erica studied English, Theater, and Creative Writing at Queens University, and has a Masters of Science in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.  Erica’s Substack link: https://substack.com/@ehwood Subscribe for write-along posts similar to a getting ready with me blog! Join SCBWI and explore what’s available in your region here: https://www.scbwi.org/ Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from others. While the agent deep dive is always fact checked, we do not prep for these episodes or look up other information beforehand. It’s always important to do your own research! If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to correct it in the show notes. Big Magic: https://bookshop.org/p/books/big-magic-creative-living-beyond-fear-elizabeth-gilbert/8e82d1652a8a500f?ean=9781594634727&next=t Splintered (the Alice in Wonderland book): https://bookshop.org/p/books/splintered-splintered-series-1-a-g-howard/1a368bf2de52e18e?ean=9781419709708&next=t Dugenon Crawler Carl: https://bookshop.org/p/books/dungeon-crawler-carl-matt-dinniman/0cdd8387d0a86880?ean=9780593820247&next=t Butcher and Blackbird: https://bookshop.org/p/books/butcher-blackbird-the-ruinous-love-trilogy-brynne-weaver/f78ea7c980f835e1?ean=9781638931737&next=t The Raven Scholar:  https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-raven-scholar-antonia-hodgson/cc53efb6d12e8269?ean=9780316577229&next=t

    55 min

  2. JAN 18

    What's a Blurb and How to Write One

    Hello! In this episode we discuss blurbs: what they are, why you need one, and how to write one for your book!  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from others. While the agent deep dive is always fact checked, we do not prep for these episodes or look up other information beforehand. It’s always important to do your own research! If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to correct it in the show notes. Barbara Poelle, the agent from our agency deep dive: https://www.wordonelit.com/agents Another Enchanted April: https://a.co/d/7GyxVhy  The Cruel Prince: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-cruel-prince-holly-black/eba3c0a1370a52bd?ean=9780316310314&next=t Assistant to the Villain: https://bookshop.org/p/books/assistant-to-the-villain-hannah-nicole-maehrer/9f2e622cc2359404?ean=9781649375803&next=t Plain Jane and the Mermaid: https://bookshop.org/p/books/plain-jane-and-the-mermaid-vera-brosgol/d0f18bf27c7a14ab?ean=9781250314857&next=t  The Once and Future Witches: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49504061-the-once-and-future-witches The Scorpio Races: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-scorpio-races-maggie-stiefvater/52fd66b2d04c5c63?ean=9780545224918&next=t Beyond the bright sea: https://bookshop.org/p/books/beyond-the-bright-sea-lauren-wolk/4a0c4b795b184c50?ean=9781101994870&next=t This Girl’s a Killer: https://bookshop.org/p/books/this-girl-s-a-killer-emma-c-wells/4fbdc76b240222d2?ean=9781464218620&next=t The Hunger Games: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-hunger-games-hunger-games-book-one-suzanne-collins/2af1c5e0ab209abc?ean=9780439023528&next=t

    48 min

  3. JAN 4

    The Future of Publishing

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking all about the future of publishing, from word counts to what genres publishers are looking for, and summarizing some webinars, stats, etc. we’ve seen lately. Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from others. While the agent deep dive is always fact checked, we do not prep for these episodes or look up other information beforehand. It’s always important to do your own research! If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to correct it in the show notes. **** SeeSaw Press! Check out Suzanne’s publishing company!!**** https://www.seesaw-press.com/ The webinar I saw was called State of the Children's Publishing Market with Deborah Halverson - November 2025 , and the replay video should be available for SCBWI members. Deborah Halverson, the speaker from the webinar: https://www.deborahhalverson.com/ AR bookfinder (the site that gives you the word count of books): https://www.arbookfind.com/ Article on standard word count length for books: https://kidlit.com/manuscript-length/ These are the word count ranges we read out: Board Book — 100 words maxEarly Picture Book — 400 words maxPicture Book — 600 words max (Seriously. Max.)Nonfiction Picture Book — 3,000 words max, but closer to 1,000 to 2,000 wordsEarly Reader — 1,500 words is the maxChapter Book — This varies widely, depending on grade and reader level, usually starting at 4,000 words and 15,000 words maxYoung Middle Grade or MG — 15,000 to 25,000 wordsMiddle Grade or MG — 45,000 words max for contemporary, mystery, humorUpper Middle Grade — 65,000 words max for fantasy/sci-fi, adventure and historicalYoung Adult or YA — 85,000 words max for contemporary, humor, mystery, historical, romance, etc. 95,000 words max for fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal, etc.New Adult — 65,000 to 85,000 wordsBob the Vampire Snail: https://bookshop.org/p/books/bob-the-vampire-snail-andrea-zuill/67bed346cd53eda5?ean=9780593814963&next=t

    44 min

  4. 12/21/2025

    A.I. Ethics

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking all about A.I. - how it’s used, whether it’s ethical, and how to approach it.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from others. While the agent deep dive is always fact checked, we do not prep for these episodes or look up other information beforehand. It’s always important to do your own research! If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to correct it in the show notes. Beth Phelan, the agent we discussed in our agency deep dive: https://bethphelan.com/submissions https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/beth-phelan/ https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=28560&s=all&sort=date&p=2 https://www.galltzacker.com/submissions.html Inkbloom AI, the program Suzanne saw an agent was using: https://inkbloom.ink/ Lawsuits against AI: https://www.wired.com/story/ai-copyright-case-tracker/ Lionsgate AI fail: https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/lionsgate-movies-ai Nanowrimo drama: https://slate.com/technology/2024/09/national-novel-writing-month-ai-bots-controversy.html Copyright revoked over AI graphic novel: https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/02/us-copyright-office-withdraws-copyright-for-ai-generated-comic-artwork/ Disney and Universal AI lawsuit case: https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/11/tech/disney-universal-midjourney-ai-copyright-lawsuit AI’s environmental impact: https://news.mit.edu/2025/explained-generative-ai-environmental-impact-0117

    37 min

  5. 12/07/2025

    Interview With Agent Kelly Dyksterhouse!

    Hello! We are so excited for this episode to interview Kelly Dyksterhouse, an agent at Tobias Literary Agency.   Kelly is an agented writer as well as an agent at The Tobias Literary Agency, a boutique agency that stresses collaborative culture where writers and artists feel comfortable to explore and perfect their craft while helping them reach their career goals.  Kelly represents a wide range of kidlit for both illustrators and writers, ranging from picture books to YA. Her MSWL currently includes ​​high-concept middle grade and young adult novels with high-level writing. Links to Kelly: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kelly-dyksterhouse/ https://kellydyksterhouse.com/ https://www.thetobiasagency.com/kelly-dyksterhouse https://www.instagram.com/kellydhouse/ Here are some of the books and things we brought up: Save the Cat: https://bookshop.org/p/books/save-the-cat-the-last-book-on-screenwriting-you-ll-ever-need-blake-snyder/fc9de51860f861ab?ean=9781932907001&next=t The Plot Whisperer: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-plot-whisperer-secrets-of-story-structure-any-writer-can-master-martha-alderson/ca4625772941375f?ean=9781440525889&next=t The Art of Fiction: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-art-of-fiction-notes-on-craft-for-young-writers-john-gardner/c06adb1000e6fb7c?ean=9780679734031&next=t #kidlitartpostcard http://www.ginaperry.com/postcard Portfolio Tuesdays https://www.portfolioday.art/ Brave Old Blue: https://bookshop.org/p/books/brave-old-blue-colleen-muske/a250de5c6c805ae6?ean=9781534113213&next=t Babel: https://bookshop.org/p/books/babel-or-the-necessity-of-violence-an-arcane-history-of-the-oxford-translators-revolution-r-f-kuang/f3bd39e4724ae085?ean=9780063021433&next=t Tuck and Tina: https://bookshop.org/p/books/tuck-and-tina-and-the-lost-fortune-volume-1-jack-keely/e0d380c3583466c8?ean=9798881602055&next=t When Dealing With Dragons: https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-dealing-with-dragons-dana-swift/125ac2188e2ad4b1?ean=9781250402431&next=t

    39 min

  6. 11/23/2025

    Intro to Conferences

    Hello! In this episode we talk about writer conferences. What they are, why you should go or not, and which ones are worth the investment.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from others. While the agent deep dive is always fact checked, we do not prep for these episodes or look up other information beforehand. It’s always important to do your own research! If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to correct it in the show notes. Links for Agent Sarah Landis: https://www.sll.com/our-team https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/sarah-landis/ https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=54166 Writers conferences to check out: https://thewritelife.com/writers-conferences/ Storymakers Conference: https://storymakersguild.org/storymakers-conference Milkwood Retreat: https://www.milkwoodfarm.org/2025-schedule Alaska Writer’s Guild: https://www.alaskawritersguild.com/ Author Ronald L. Smith: https://strangeblackflowers.com/ Serpent & Dove: https://bookshop.org/p/books/serpent-dove-shelby-mahurin/bc970fc784729858?ean=9780062878038&next=t The Raven Boys: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-raven-boys-the-raven-cycle-book-1-volume-1-maggie-stiefvater/b3f546551e827665?ean=9780545424936&next=t

    50 min

  7. 11/09/2025

    Anatomy Of a Logline

    Hello! In this episode we talk all about loglines! What they are, how to write one, and what to pay attention to. Here are some of the things we brought up during the episode. Please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and It’s always important to do your own research! If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to correct it in the show notes. Tamar Rydzinski, agent: https://www.contextlit.com/submissions https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/tamar-rydzinski/ https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=21368 The 10 types of stories: https://savethecat.com/forum/10-genres-and-beat-sheets BOOKS:  Akata Witch: https://bookshop.org/p/books/akata-witch-nnedi-okorafor/bf7765fff598874a?ean=9780606401012&next=t&next=t Book Lovers: https://bookshop.org/p/books/book-lovers-emily-henry/99f6c7d4ccb34055?ean=9780593440872&next=t Six of Crows: https://bookshop.org/p/books/six-of-crows-leigh-bardugo/702f4e72e3675cb5?ean=9780606399449&next=t&next=t Cinder: https://bookshop.org/p/books/cinder-book-one-of-the-lunar-chronicles-marissa-meyer/33d4ad8f225f4dcc?ean=9781250768889&next=t The Hunger Games: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-hunger-games-hunger-games-book-one-volume-1-suzanne-collins/b0f082e59a4806b5?ean=9780439023528&next=t Eleanor Olifant is Completely Fine: https://bookshop.org/p/books/eleanor-oliphant-is-completely-fine-reese-s-book-club-a-novel-gail-honeyman/b20d1b1ac60fc502?ean=9780735220690&next=t You should see me in a crown: https://bookshop.org/p/books/you-should-see-me-in-a-crown-leah-johnson/fb2fac43734ad748?ean=9781338503296&next=t The three lives of Kate K: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-three-lives-of-cate-kay-kate-fagan/e0a009353105fe4f?ean=9781668076217&next=t The Wednesday Wars: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-wednesday-wars-a-newbery-honor-award-winner-gary-d-schmidt/88d9850240192f30?ean=9780547237602&

    44 min

  8. 10/26/2025

    Writer Resources

    Hello! In this episode, we go over writer resources. Wanna hear us word vomit as many helpful things as we can? This is the episode.  Aaaaah I ran out of characters so I wasn't able to link everything, but reach out if you need a link for something we mentioned that isn't on here! Links for Jessica Mielo:  https://inkwellmanagement.com/staff/jessica-mileo Query section of inkwell’s page: https://inkwellmanagement.com/contact/ Query tracker page: https://querytracker.net/query/JessicaMileo/ Publishers marketplace: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=56038 MSWL: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jessica-mileo/ 88 Cups of Teat: https://88cupsoftea.com/ First Draft with Sarah Enni: https://www.firstdraftpod.com/ The Happy Writer: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ Book Lounge by Libby: https://www.libbylife.com/booklounge Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview Ulysses: https://ulysses.app/ Microsoft OneNote: https://www.onenote.com/?public=1&wdorigin=ondcauth2&wdorigin=ondc Literary Lens Podcast: https://www.literarylenspodcast.com/ Bookends Literary Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BookEndsLiteraryAgency Proko: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClM2LuQ1q5WEc23462tQzBg Schoolism: https://www.youtube.com/@Schoolismlive Ming Creative Art Academy: https://www.mingcreativeart.com/ Books we mentioned: Lessons in Chemistry: https://bookshop.org/p/books/lessons-in-chemistry-bonnie-garmus/19638865?ean=9780593314487&next=t Author Christina Lauren: https://christinalaurenbooks.com/ Plain Jane and the Mermaid: https://bookshop.org/p/books/plain-jane-and-the-mermaid-vera-brosgol/20221536?ean=9781250314857&next=t

    1h 5m

  9. 10/12/2025

    Interview with Children's Book Author/Illustrator Katie Dwyer!

    Hello! In this episode we interview Katie Dwyer, a picture book author/illustrator repped by Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary. Her debut picture book, Bear’s Friend, is slated for publication in 2027 by Rise, an imprint of Penguin. Katie is a mom of both kids and dogs and works out of her home in Ashville, N.C.  Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from others. While the agent deep dive is always fact checked, we do not prep for these episodes or look up other information beforehand. It’s always important to do your own research! If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to correct it in the show notes. Author/Illustrator Interview Episode with Katie Dwyer! https://www.katiedwyerillustrations.com/ instagram.com/katiedwyer.illustrations/ Katiedwyerillustrations.substack.com/ Illustrator Katia Chen https://www.catiachien.com/ Illustrator Beatrice Alemagna  http://www.beatricealemagna.com/ The Illustration Department https://illustrationdept.com/ SVS Learn https://www.svslearn.com/ Kaitlin Sanchez of Bradford Literary (Katie’s Agent): https://bradfordlit.com/kaitlyn-sanchez/

    53 min

  10. 09/28/2025

    Building your Query List

    Hello! In this episode we talk about building your query list. What ways can and should you track agents you’ve queried? What sort of research should you do on an agent beforehand? What do partial and full requests mean? All explained in this episode of Publishing Pals :) Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from others. While the agent deep dive is always fact checked, we do not prep for these episodes or look up other information beforehand. It’s always important to do your own research! If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to correct it in the show notes. Jim McCarthy, the agent from our agency deep dive: https://www.dystel.com/jim-mccarthy https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jim-mccarthy/ https://www.instagram.com/jimmccarthy528/ https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=789 List of pitch events (many have moved over to Bluesky!): https://www.futureworldsediting.co.uk/twitter-pitch-events-2024/ Manuscript Wish List: http://manuscriptwishlist.com/  Books we talked about: Beasts of Prey: https://bookshop.org/p/books/beasts-of-prey-ayana-gray/17371592?ean=9780593405703&next=t Wonder: https://bookshop.org/p/books/wonder-r-j-palacio/7364522?ean=9780375869020&next=t

    55 min

  11. 09/14/2025

    Agents 101

    Trigger Warning: At 45:19 we talk about a book in which attempted SA occurs. If this is triggering for you, please resume at 46:13 if you would like to skip that part.  In this episode we talk all about agents! What is an agent? Where do you look for one? How can you tell if one is reputable? Here are some of the authors, artists, and other things we brought up during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. The publishing industry is always changing, and often we are talking about things we are remembering from a while ago or have heard from others. While the agent deep dive is always fact checked, we do not prep for these episodes or look up other information beforehand.  Katelyn Detweiler, the agent from our agency deep dive: https://jillgrinbergliterary.com/about/#meet-the-team https://querytracker.net/agent/4889 https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?sort=date&s=all&id=25849&p=2 Query Shark: https://queryshark.blogspot.com/ PubTips: https://www.reddit.com/r/PubTips/ SCBWI’s “The Book”: https://www.scbwi.org/essential-guide-to-publishing-for-children Bookends youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/BookEndsLiteraryAgency Query Tracker: https://querytracker.net/ Query Manager: https://querymanager.com/app/dashboard/index.php 3 Point Perspective Podcast: https://www.svslearn.com/3pointperspective An article about the #publishingpaidme hashtag (it shares info on advances from different authors): https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/08/publishingpaidme-authors-share-advances-to-expose-racial-disparities Association of American Literary Agents: https://aalitagents.org/  The Happy Writer Podcast: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/ Books we talked about: Kaetlyn Detwieler’s book mentioned in the episode, The First Date Prophecy: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-first-date-prophecy/18846605?ean=9781496742841&next=t Wintersong: https://bookshop.org/p/books/wintersong-s-jae-jones/8454784?ean=9781250157362&next=t Dial A for Aunties: https://bookshop.org/p/books/dial-a-for-aunties-jesse-q-sutanto/16520404?ean=9780593333037&next=t

    49 min

  12. 08/31/2025

    Meet the Pals!

    Hello! In this episode, meet the pals! Maria and Suzanne, who will be talking you through the ups and downs of the traditional publishing industry. Please do not take our word as fact. While the agent deep dive is always fact checked, we do not prep for these episodes or look up other information beforehand. If we realize after the fact that we have gotten anything wrong, we will do our best to correct it here. This is where all the publishing deals are announced: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/ The wonderful artist Suzanne used: https://www.fiverr.com/mountdesign Suzie Townsend, the agent from our Agency Deep Dive: https://www.newleafliterary.com/people/suzie-townsend/ SCBWI  https://www.scbwi.org/ The Highlights Foundation: https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/ RWA (Romance Writers of America). Disclaimer: I had heard it was disbanded but it looks like it’s still up and running and thriving! https://www.rwa.org/ SFF writers of America: https://www.sfwa.org/ Kitlit GN/ Janna Morishima’s community: https://kids-comics-unite.mn.co/ https://kidlitgn.com/ FirstSecond Books: https://firstsecondbooks.com/ Books we talked about: Starling House: https://bookshop.org/p/books/starling-house-alix-e-harrow/19538409?ean=9781250799067&next=t The School for Good and Evil: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-school-for-good-and-evil-soman-chainani/6430357?ean=9780062104908&next=t Anything by Emily Henry: https://bookshop.org/p/books/book-lovers/18860710?ean=9780593334836&next=t The inventors at No. 8: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-inventors-at-no-8-a-m-morgen/113569?ean=9780316471497&next=t The inventors and the lost island: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-inventors-and-the-lost-island-a-m-morgen/113566?ean=9780316471534&next=t Wordslut: https://bookshop.org/p/books/wordslut-a-feminist-guide-to-taking-back-the-english-language-amanda-montell/7994946?ean=9780062868886&next=t Legends and Lattes: https://bookshop.org/p/books/legends-lattes-a-novel-of-high-fantasy-and-low-stakes-tr

    50 min
  • 12 Episodes

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to Publishing Pals Podcast, a podcast where two pals talk about publishing. For nearly a decade, we have tried, failed, and sometimes succeeded at being traditionally published. Come along with us as we share everything we've learned in this oddly gatekept, confusing, but incredibly fun and rewarding industry. 

Information

  • Creator
    Maria and Suzanne
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Publishing Pals
  • Show Website
    Publishing Pals