Publishing Pals

Maria and Suzanne
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Arts

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. 

  1. 6h ago

    Interview with Professional Book Buyers Shayne Johnson and Haley Morgan Wright

    Hello! In this episode we’re interviewing book buyers Haley Morgan Wright and Shayne Johnson on how bookstores choose to stock authors books, and how the job works.  Haley Morgan Wright began working as a bookseller at Middleburg Books in October of 2023. A lifelong bibliophile, before working in the shop, Haley taught grant writing, edited in downtown DC, and studied poetry and writing at Purdue University and Warren Wilson College. When she is not reading or bookselling, she runs a writers' group at Middleburg Books, Write Outside the Box and is a founding member of the theatre group, Tagragg Productions.  Haley’s Links: https://www.tagragg.org https://www.tickettailor.com/events/middleburgbooks1/2349851 Shayne Johnson has done everything from catering to administrative work for local non profits. They have been with MIddleburg Books since before they opened in 2023 and took over book buying early this year. Shayne also runs Shayne’s Bookish News, a monthly substack on books and reading.  Shayne’s Links: https://shayne.substack.com/  They both work at Middleburg Books in Middleburg, VA Bookstore links: https://www.middleburgbooks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/middleburg.books/ Find Maria: https://www.mariaoglesbyart.com/ Find Suzanne: https://seesaw-press.com/  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. 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. Edelweiss (the book buying site): https://www.edelweissplus.com/ Library Journal: https://www.libraryjournal.com/ Lithub: https://lithub.com/ The Winter Institute Conference: https://www.bookweb.org/wi2027/aba-winter-institute-2027 Bookseller’s association: https://www.bookweb.org/  Mr. B’s Emporium https://mrbsemporium.com/ Books: Pony Confidential: https://tinyurl.com/bdbwnd9f  The Raven Scholar: https://tinyurl.com/2tuwajh7  Ply: https://tinyurl.com/3hpn49jx  Sophie Standing There: https://tinyurl.com/y4w3v9ha  Theo of Golden: https://tinyurl.com/mw79n4cb  ACOTOR (Sarah J Mass’s most famous series): https://tinyurl.com/3ednrpad Dungeon Crawler Carl: https://tinyurl.com/5n89pw7v  The Summer We Ran: https://tinyurl.com/yut63w66  The Primrose Murder Society: https://tinyurl.com/yk3t4pa9  Dolly All The Time: https://tinyurl.com/5ajzvnde Calamity Club: https://tinyurl.com/y2mvuct9  Whistler: https://tinyurl.com/mwps5tnz Land: https://tinyurl.com/2rk34wba  Good People: https://tinyurl.com/52rjaam5 Astronaut: https://tinyurl.com/4y846s3h  How to Get Away With Murder: https://tinyurl.com/yvas2f7b  Simply Ina: https://tinyurl.com/264mm37r  The Museum of Lost Things: https://tinyurl.com/bdfj2e7y  Small Wonders: https://tinyurl.com/yjd839ts  The Cozy Commonplace Book: https://tinyurl.com/bdes62m3 Fair Ones: https://tinyurl.com/4yhad238  Sunlight Finds You: https://tinyurl.com/4db8w5jd  There is no Antimemetics Division: https://tinyurl.com/muj8vk3w  A Wall is Also a Road: https://tinyurl.com/mtvmrmdp Fallen for France: https://tinyurl.com/48fbb9z5  The Pirate Queen: https://tinyurl.com/mv5tw7k3  Our Noble Selves: https://tinyurl.com/43dvft6d

  2. Oct 25

    Query Bios

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about what to put in your bio paragraph when you query! The bones of it, specifics to add, and what to avoid.   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. 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. Find Maria: https://www.mariaoglesbyart.com/ Find Suzanne: https://seesaw-press.com/  Stuti Telidevara, the agent from our agency deep dive: https://parkfinebrower.com/agents/stuti-telidevara/  https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/stuti-telidevara/ Peter Knapp, the agent who was mentoring her: https://parkfinebrower.com/agents/peter-knapp/  If you were unfamiliar with some of the terms we used, here are some definitions for: #ownvoices: https://tinyurl.com/5n8az3kc And BIPOC: https://tinyurl.com/222t7hb9

  3. Oct 11

    Yesteryear Book Review!

    Trigger warning: This book features abuse and sexual assault, which we briefly discuss.  Hello! In our first book review episode we’re talking Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Find the book here: https://tinyurl.com/4npfscd4 Note: CONTAINS SPOILERS! 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. 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. Find Maria: https://www.mariaoglesbyart.com/ Find Suzanne: https://seesaw-press.com/  Caro’s Insta: https://www.instagram.com/caroclaireburke/?hl=en And substack: https://substack.com/@caroclaireburke  And her podcast: https://www.diabolicalliespod.com/  Lisa Grubka, Caro’s agent: https://www.unitedtalent.com/bio/lisa-grubka https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/grubka/  Lessons in Chemistry: https://tinyurl.com/3n2288ar Article Suzanne read an excerpt of: https://lithub.com/caro-claire-burke-on-tradwives-the-performance-of-selfhood-and-the-good-old-days/

  4. Sep 27

    Art Supplies Recs!

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about art supplies! From tools for beginners to personal favorites, all our recs are linked below! Here are some of supplies we recommended during the episode. Just a disclaimer - please do not take our word as fact. These are just our opinions and personal experiences. Find Maria: https://www.mariaoglesbyart.com/ Find Katie: https://www.katiedwyerillustrations.com/ Here are the links for Caitlin Blasdell, the agent from our agency deep dive: Website: https://www.lizadawsonassociates.com/caitlin-blasdell Query Tracker: https://querytracker.net/agent/413 Publishers marketplace (you might not be able to access if you don’t have an account) https://tinyurl.com/4xaa28vj This is the 5x5” sketchbook I’ve been using for my tiktok drawing challenge: https://tinyurl.com/bdfy4yns  5x7” watercolor block I use for pet portraits: https://tinyurl.com/ydx62wb9 The hot press arches block Katie uses: https://tinyurl.com/3k5j3dmy  Pencil/pen recs:  Colerase https://tinyurl.com/9uv4ava8 Microns https://tinyurl.com/4yeym599 Microns https://tinyurl.com/3hskre6z Hitc c pens https://tinyurl.com/3thsv6p4 Empty cartridge https://tinyurl.com/2s4jf7wj Refills for choose your own multi color pen https://tinyurl.com/34yypt3n  FW acrylic ink: https://tinyurl.com/mrx6cyhw  Ferris wheel press ink: https://ferriswheelpress.com/  Brause pen nib holder: https://tinyurl.com/3ph89ajd And nib: https://tinyurl.com/4xhwdc23  Pencils  https://tinyurl.com/ddb3fbzt  https://tinyurl.com/mr42ht92 Mahl stick (stops you from smudging the surface with your hand): https://tinyurl.com/89tzpj3b  Neocolors (wax water souliable crayons) https://tinyurl.com/bp2ehzp9  Watercolor pencils: https://tinyurl.com/46kk78hd  Watercolors: Schminke: https://tinyurl.com/4kw7ykrd Holbein: https://tinyurl.com/3a48cfss   Winsor Newton set 1: https://tinyurl.com/mwaavxsw Set 2 (cotman): https://tinyurl.com/pepk6d6m  Hillsborough art shop: https://www.anneandarthur.com/  Escoda watercolor book: https://tinyurl.com/ez2rr4br Accordion sketchbook: https://tinyurl.com/3hzwc5z3 Viva colors watercolor sketchbook: https://tinyurl.com/bdhvwzp9 Canson graduate watercolor sketchbook: https://tinyurl.com/4a46kvfu Brushes: Silver black velvet: https://tinyurl.com/yn3padd9 W&N series 7: https://tinyurl.com/56kcecb5  Raphael kolinski: https://raphaelbrushes.com/  Uniball signo white pen: https://tinyurl.com/5f4tkmkk Aqualift sponges: https://tinyurl.com/mema82wj  Holbein gouache: https://tinyurl.com/mufw74nd

  5. Sep 13

    Interview with Macmillan Cover Designer Anto Marr!

    Hello! In this episode we’re interviewing in house Macmillan cover designer, Anto Marr! Anto Marr is an illustrator and graphic designer specializing in book covers and layout. She has a degree in graphic design from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and has worked for companies such as Booklogix, Macmillan Publishing, and St. Martin’s Publishing.     Anto Marr’s links: https://www.instagram.com/anto_marrt/ anto.marr.art@gmail.com - reach out to her for freelance book design layout inquiries!   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. 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. A Curious Kind of Magic: https://tinyurl.com/mpxpd9r  Moonsick: https://tinyurl.com/4zer5wt3  Charlie Bowater (cover artist): http://www.charliebowater.net/ Vera Drmanovski (cover artist): https://www.veradrmanovski.com/ When Dealing With Dragons: https://www.danaswiftbooks.com/whendealingwithdragons The Crow Lord: https://tinyurl.com/mt57ck6e The Sun Child: https://tinyurl.com/2nk9suem  Kerri Resnick (book cover designer): https://tinyurl.com/yc47zbsz

  6. Aug 30

    Picture Book Writing Basics

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about the craft of writing a picture 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. 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. Find Maria: https://www.mariaoglesbyart.com/ Find Katie: https://www.katiedwyerillustrations.com/ Here are the links for Emily Van Beek, the agent from our agency deep dive: Website and where to query: https://www.foliojr.com/emily-van-beek Publisher’s Marketplace Page: https://tinyurl.com/4f6jphar  MSWL: https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/emily-van-beek/ An interview with Emily: https://tinyurl.com/2tx6e9tn  Katie’s substack where you can find PB writing tips: https://katiedwyerillustrations.substack.com/ Writing picture books, the main book we were talking about: https://tinyurl.com/52t7czh9 NoVa Bookstores: Birch Tree Books: https://www.birchtreebookstore.com/ Middleburg Books: https://www.middleburgbooks.com/ A bunch of the books we mentioned: Picture Books: A Sick Day for Amos McGee: https://tinyurl.com/3b3swzwj Bob Shea: https://www.bobshea.com/about Corey Tabor: http://www.coreyrtabor.com/ Awe! https://chanastiefel.com/books/awe/ Giraffe is Too Tall for This Book: https://tinyurl.com/3wasn8uj Hello, Ocean! https://tinyurl.com/mvxmyrxd Noodles on a Bicycle: https://tinyurl.com/32spwzbh Home in a Lunchbox: https://tinyurl.com/5n8pph5b Middle Grade:  Kindred Dragons: https://tinyurl.com/49fzwpff The Babysitter’s Club Graphic Novels: https://tinyurl.com/2tdet957  Animorphs: https://tinyurl.com/44vtcwrz  A Wrinkle in Time: https://tinyurl.com/2avf9j34  YA: Dragonsong (dragonriders of Pern): https://tinyurl.com/u4nchrm4  The Faraway Inn: https://tinyurl.com/4jta6k7e New Adult: Divine Rivals duology: https://tinyurl.com/9naw8uyy

  7. Aug 16

    What to Put in Your Portfolio

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about what to put into your art portfolio! 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. 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. Sally M. Kim, the agent from our agency deep dive: https://www.andreabrownlit.com/Team/sally-m.-kim https://www.instagram.com/sallymkim https://bsky.app/profile/sallymkim.bsky.social Katie’s website: https://www.katiedwyerillustrations.com/ Maria’s Website: https://www.mariaoglesbyart.com/ I found my notebook! The art director’s name was Sasha Illingsworth: https://www.sashaillingworthdesign.com/  Laekan Zea kemp’s website http://www.laekanzeakemp.com/about Raissa’s website! https://rizzyfig.com/books This is the printer that Maria orders from: https://www.colorimages.com/ She likes their 120lb matte cougar paper for printing portfolio pages Portfolio book website Maria mentioned: https://tinyurl.com/48bn45d9 Also, these wood ones on etsy look gorgeous: https://tinyurl.com/mrw9m7vb

  8. Aug 2

    The Picture Book Pipeline

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about the Picture Book Pipeline! The steps from when an agent sends out your picture book dummy, to when your final art is turned in.  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. 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. Here are the links for Marie Lamba, the agent from our agency deep dive: MSWL: https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/marie-lamba/ Agency page: https://www.jdlit.com/marie-lamba Website: https://marielamba.wordpress.com/ Also, I forgot to say while recording, but she’s ranked #16 in digital fiction: horror and #48 in MG nonfiction on Publisher’s Marketplace Link to Tracy Shaw, the art director whose lecture we were referring to: https://www.tracyshawdesigns.com/ Suzanne’s book, Another Enchanted April: https://tinyurl.com/3d298uzn And her publishing company, see-saw press:  https://seesaw-press.com/ Cindy Derby: https://www.cindyderby.com/  https://www.instagram.com/cindyderby/  I think this may be the podcast interview that was mentioned: https://tinyurl.com/5fzr4r44

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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
    32
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Publishing Pals
  • Show Website
    Publishing Pals

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