Queries, Qualms, & Quirks

Sarah Nicolas
  • 4.8 (32)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Queries, Qualms, & Quirks

Queries, Qualms, & Quirks asks published authors to share their successful query letter and discuss their journey from first spark to day of publication. Author Sarah Nicolas interviews authors of all genres about how they got started writing, their writing process, getting their book deal, and their experiences with publication.

  1. MAY 23

    Picture Book Author Jocelyn Rish and the Simon Cowell of Publishing

    Picture Book Author Jocelyn Rish joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss her journey to publication. Jocelyn Rish is a writer and filmmaker who loves researching weird and wonderful animals and sharing what she learns. Her first book was Battle of the Butts, about ten animals that do weird things with their butts. Her next book moved to the other end with Battle of the Brains, about ten animals with mind-blowing brain abilities. She lives in South Carolina with her adorable dog. Jocelyn: Query | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Bookshop  QQQ Home Base | Support on Patreon Read the full transcript. If links aren't clickable, find them here: https://bit.ly/qqqrish This page includes affiliate links. Please use them if you’d like to support the show.

    38 min

  2. APR 25

    Young Adult Author Kristi McManus and Learning Patience

    Young Adult Author Kristi McManus joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss her journey to publication. Kristi McManus is a Registered Nurse by trade, but avid reader and enthusiastic book lover all her life. Her debut novel, Our Vengeful Souls, was released Summer 2023 by CamCat Books. When she isn't writing, she enjoys photography, art, and considers napping to be a form of cardio. She lives in Toronto with her husband. Kristi: Query | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Bookshop | Libro FM QQQ Home Base | Support on Patreon Read the full transcript. If links aren't clickable, find them here: https://bit.ly/qqqmcmanus  This page includes affiliate links. Please use them if you’d like to support the show.

    20 min

  3. APR 11

    Picture Book Author Anna Lazowski and an Aggressively Vicious Business

    Picture Book Author Anna Lazowski  joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss her journey to publication. Anna Lazowski wrote her first picture book for a class assignment in the sixth grade and has been creating stories ever since. Now an award-winning radio producer, Anna has an MA (Journalism) from the University of Western Ontario and a BFA (Hons.) from the University of Manitoba. She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba with her husband, two teenagers, and two dogs. Anna: Query | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Bookshop  QQQ Home Base | Support on Patreon Read the full transcript. If links aren't clickable, find them here: https://bit.ly/qqqlazowski  This page includes affiliate links. Please use them if you’d like to support the show.

    24 min

  4. MAR 28

    YA Author Jennifer Chen and Trying to Go Too Fast

    YA Author Jennifer Chen joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss her journey to publication. Jennifer Chen is a freelance journalist who has written for Oprah Daily, Real Simple, and Today. Her debut YA rom-com book, Artifacts of an Ex, is out now. Jennifer: Query | Website | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Bookshop | Libro FM QQQ Home Base | Support on Patreon Read the full transcript. If links aren't clickable, find them here: https://bit.ly/qqqjchen  This page includes affiliate links. Please use them if you’d like to support the show.

    23 min

  5. MAR 14

    YA Author Allison L. Bitz and the Character as Client

    YA Author Allison L. Bitz joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss her journey to publication. Allison L. Bitz hails from Lincoln, NE, where she lives with her spouse, two kids, and various rescue pets. When she’s not writing a novel or a song, Dr. Bitz is helping clients in her private counseling practice, planning some form of political action, or trying to track down a pastry to enjoy with her coffee. If you can’t find her at a party, check the floor—she’s probably hanging with the dogs. Allison: Query | Website | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Bookshop | Libro FM QQQ Home Base | Support on Patreon Read the full transcript. If links aren't clickable, find them here: https://bit.ly/qqqbitz  This page includes affiliate links. Please use them if you’d like to support the show.

    31 min

  6. FEB 22

    Picture Book Author Janelle Harper and the Vague Abyss of Publishing

    Picture Book Author Janelle Harper joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss her journey to publication. Janelle Harper is a Bronx native who enjoys storytelling through dance and ballpoint pens. She finds inspiration for children’s stories in city living and the diverse experiences of the African Diaspora. Janelle is passionate about creating stories that reflect the faces she sees in her classroom and neighborhood. Janelle: Query | Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Bookshop | Libro FM QQQ Home Base | Support on Patreon Read the full transcript. If links aren't clickable, find them here: https://bit.ly/qqqjanelle  This page includes affiliate links. Please use them if you’d like to support the show.

    21 min

  7. FEB 9

    Horror Author Nora Fussner and It Taking as Long as It Takes

    Horror Author Nora Fussner joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss her journey to publication. Nora Fussner has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and an MFA from CUNY Brooklyn College. Her debut novel, The Invisible World, was published by Vintage in September 2023. Other work has appeared in Longleaf Review, Brooklyn Review, and Electric Literature. She lives in Pittsburgh. Nora: Query | Website | Instagram | Amazon | Bookshop | Libro FM QQQ Home Base | Support on Patreon Read the full transcript. If links aren't clickable, find them here: https://bit.ly/qqqnfussner  This page includes affiliate links. Please use them if you’d like to support the show.

    18 min

  8. JAN 27

    MG Author Kate Fussner and Sculpting Poems One Page at a Time

    MG Author Kate Fussner joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss her journey to publication. Kate Fussner is a novelist, teacher, and accidental poet living in Massachusetts with her wife and dramatic dog. When not reading or writing, Kate can be found baking, spending time with her family, or singing her favorite musicals. Kate believes in the power of a good laugh and a good cry, and hopes her stories will provide readers with both. Her debut novel, The Song of Us, was published with HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books in May 2023. Kate: Query | Website | Blue Sky | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Bookshop | Libro FM QQQ Home Base | Support on Patreon Read the full transcript. If links aren't clickable, find them here: https://bit.ly/qqqkfussner  This page includes affiliate links. Please use them if you’d like to support the show.

    45 min
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Queries, Qualms, & Quirks asks published authors to share their successful query letter and discuss their journey from first spark to day of publication. Author Sarah Nicolas interviews authors of all genres about how they got started writing, their writing process, getting their book deal, and their experiences with publication.

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