Publishing Pals

Maria and Suzanne
  • 5.0 (6)
  • 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. 6D AGO

    Building Your Website

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about author and illustrator websites. When to make one, what to put on it, and where to find resources for those things.  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. Here are the links for Daniel Lazar, the agent from our agency deep dive: Publishers marketplace profile: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/DanielLazar/ Writer’s house: https://www.writershouse.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danlazaragent/?hl=en Snapseed, the app for blemish removal if you don’t have any programs for photo editing things like that for author photos: https://snapseed-app.com/ The Girl of Fire and Thorns book 1 (one of Rae Carson’s books): https://tinyurl.com/4dayxc88  Tracy Straaten’s website (the PR person I mentioned seeing the website talk from): https://tvsmediagroup.com/about Animorphs!: https://tinyurl.com/44vtcwrz Namecheap, where you can buy a website domain: https://www.namecheap.com/ Different website hosts: Wordpress: https://tinyurl.com/ywj7uuyc Wix: https://tinyurl.com/yb4wxn5e  Squarespace: https://tinyurl.com/damvttvp Seesaw Press: https://seesaw-press.com/

    39 min

  2. APR 26

    How Authors Make Money

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about money: How writers make it, how payments are broken down, and how to deduct things for taxes.  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. Here are links to Joanna MacKenzie, the agent from our agency deep dive: https://nelsonagency.com/submission-guidelines/  https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?s=all&sort=date&id=8799&p=2 https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/joanna-mackenzie/ Note: She had a link to the bird app too, but I’m not on it. Her IG is private.  Dots and Dashes, Suzanne’s latest book with Seesaw Press: https://tinyurl.com/yc3j5rsa This is the software I mentioned that I use to track my expenses for taxes: https://www.quicken.com/ This is the agent who was talking about romance genre crossover interest (if you want to query him, he specializes in horror, fantasy, scifi, and some romantacy): https://belllomaxmoreton.co.uk/agents/john-baker Some of the books we mentioned: The Lunar Chronicles: https://tinyurl.com/86n27j9r Heated Rivalry: https://tinyurl.com/bddkvj9b Bridgerton: https://tinyurl.com/ye258tkn Yesteryear (the trad wife who wakes up in the 1800s) https://tinyurl.com/52xrbs4r

    41 min

  3. APR 12

    Reads and Recs of 2025

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about reads and recs of 2025 - what we read this past year, what we loved, and what we’d recommend.  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. Here are the links for Laura Rennert, the agent from our agency deep dive: https://www.andreabrownlit.com/Team/laura-rennert https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/LauraRennert/ https://www.instagram.com/ljrennert/ https://bsky.app/profile/ljrennert.bsky.social Here are links to all the books we recommended! Roll Call: https://tinyurl.com/56vusne6 Divine Rivals:  https://tinyurl.com/9naw8uyy The Spellshop: https://tinyurl.com/5xry5mpv The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich: https://tinyurl.com/5ay9vr8d A Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping: https://tinyurl.com/yc7vsjjy The Wedding People: https://tinyurl.com/3ca8afrt The Raven Scholar: https://tinyurl.com/4mzwbf85 The Love of my Afterlife: https://tinyurl.com/2y8car4v Sabriel: https://tinyurl.com/3desw7c8 The House of my Mother: https://tinyurl.com/mrtpsybc  An interview that goes over the study done of comparing audiobook reading to book or ebook reading: https://tinyurl.com/rjbjmdcw

    49 min

  4. MAR 29

    Interview with Illustrator/Author Raissa Figueroa!

    Hello! In this episode we’re interviewing Raissa Figueroa Raissa Figueroa is a self-taught artist of both digital and traditional media repped by Natascha Morris of Tobias Literary. She has illustrated nearly 30 books for publishing houses such as Viking Books for Young Readers, Harper Collins, Little Simon, and more. Her book series Oona not only earned out, but earned a glowing review from Kirkus and a starred review from the School Library Journal. She is a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner, and her work has twice been displayed at the Society of Illustrators show in New York. She loves hiking Southern California’s trails, boba, and hanging with her cat, Phoebe. Where to find Raissa: Website: https://rizzyfig.com/ Order Raissa’s books here! https://rizzyfig.com/books Socials: https://www.tiktok.com/@raissafigueroa https://www.instagram.com/rizzyfig/ https://rizzyfig.substack.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. 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. Raissa’s recs: Marco Bucci 10 min to better painting videos: https://tinyurl.com/4zbvfj6a Iraville (watercolorist): https://www.instagram.com/iraville/ SVS learn: https://www.svslearn.com/ Books: Framed Ink: https://tinyurl.com/yhje4m2x Picture This: https://tinyurl.com/ptk9u5p3

    56 min

  5. MAR 15

    Explaining R&Rs

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about R&Rs (revise and resubmits). What they are, how to handle them, and our experience with them.  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. Andrea Morrison, the agent from our agency deep dive: Publishers marketplace profile (mswl, how to query): https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/AMorrison/?_ga=2.113589825.737472850.1595714341-1058719345.1595714341 Writers House: https://www.writershouse.com/agents-staff/ Her Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@andreaagency?lang=en

    32 min

  6. MAR 1

    Critique Groups

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about critique groups! How to find one, what to expect, and how to have a healthy relationship with yours.  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. Tori Sharp, the agent from our agency deep dive: https://www.jdlit.com/tori-sharp https://torisharp.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ladygoofus/ The book by Gloria Glenn, Suzanne’s old critique partner! https://www.amazon.com/Lory-Hallelujah-Gloria-Glenn-ebook/dp/B0CMBVDXH5 Also, the link for Dots and Dashes, Suzanne’s second book! https://seesaw-press.com/

    49 min

  7. FEB 15

    Comp Titles

    Hello! In this episode we’re talking about comp titles! What they are, how to use them, and why they’re important.  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. Here are the links to Elana Roth Parker, the agent from our agency deep dive: http://www.ldlainc.com/about http://www.elana.me/ https://www.instagram.com/elanaroth http://www.elana.me/wish-list The Once and Future Queen: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-once-and-future-queen-deluxe-limited-edition-paula-lafferty/7ca87ecde6a7f009?ean=9781645662891&next=t Girlfriend on Mars: https://bookshop.org/p/books/girlfriend-on-mars-a-novel-deborah-willis/062603bbc925cdfe?ean=9781324087007&next=t The Prince and the Dressmaker: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-prince-and-the-dressmaker-jen-wang/cd42a4326446bc08?ean=9781626723634&next=t Dots and Dashes as well as Another Enchanted April can be found here! https://seesaw-press.com/ The Selection Series: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-selection-kiera-cass/ad5631d9e87b9892?ean=9780062059949&next=t

    42 min

  8. FEB 1

    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
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out of 5
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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
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Publishing Pals
  • Show Website
    Publishing Pals