Insights from recent episode analysis
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Platform Reach
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Total monthly reach
Estimated from 2 chart positions in 2 markets.
By chart position
- 🇨🇦CA · Books#1745K to 30K
- 🇫🇮FI · Books#197500 to 3K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
2.8K to 17K🎙 ~2x weekly·154 episodes·Last published 4d ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
5.5K to 33K🇨🇦91%🇫🇮9% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
2.2K to 13K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
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Total Plays
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Total Reviews
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
Recent episodes
Stop Making Videos Nobody Watches — Here's a Way to Actually Sell Books
Jun 8, 2026
24m 18s
Back by Popular Demand: Words on the Page with editor Joel Brigham
Jun 1, 2026
56m 52s
Stop Querying Wrong: Agent Nikki Carrero Breaks It Down
May 25, 2026
51m 46s
How to Write Better Stakes & Tension in Your Novel (and some Taylor Swift!)
May 11, 2026
38m 32s
We Read Your First Pages So You Don't Have To Guess
Apr 27, 2026
23m 28s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/8/26 | Stop Making Videos Nobody Watches — Here's a Way to Actually Sell Books | Send us Fan Mail Hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid cut through the noise of book marketing advice to spotlight what genuinely moves books: word of mouth. Nearly half of readers (47–48%) choose books based on personal recommendations — outperforming social media, platforms, and AI discovery tools combined. Beth and Lisa share three low-cost, actionable strategies to spark that word of mouth before and after your launch. 3 Strategies to Spark Word of Mouth 1. Build a Street Team • &nbs... | 24m 18s | ||||||
| 6/1/26 | Back by Popular Demand: Words on the Page with editor Joel Brigham | Send us Fan Mail Joel Brigham runs Brigham Editorial (developmental edits, manuscript critiques, query help), teaches high school English in Illinois, and is an editor for RevPit — a community that gives away free developmental edits each spring. REVPIT • Free developmental editing contest — editors (not authors) mentor selected writers through full drafts • Applications open April, winners announced early May; ~14–15 editors participate • Year-round min... | 56m 52s | ||||||
| 5/25/26 | Stop Querying Wrong: Agent Nikki Carrero Breaks It Down | Send us Fan Mail Beth and Lisa talk with literary agent Nikki Carrero, from The Rights Factory, to break down the querying process from the agent’s side — what gets you noticed, what gets a pass, and how to make the most of The Call. Highlights• Nikki runs monthly pitch parties on Threads — currently her only open submission path since she’s closed to general queries. • Biggest query red flags: word count outside genre norms, miscateg... | 51m 46s | ||||||
| 5/11/26 | How to Write Better Stakes & Tension in Your Novel (and some Taylor Swift!) | Send us Fan Mail We tackle a publishing debate, draw writing wisdom from Taylor Swift, and dig into one of the most common craft problems in fiction — weak stakes and missing tension. Plus a community book shout-out. THE HARDBACK DEBATE Beth shares a Guardian article arguing hardbacks are outdated — too expensive, they kill buzz before the paperback drops, and lead with the least accessible format. Beth and Lisa push back: libraries and schools depend on durable formats, sprayed-edge editions... | 38m 32s | ||||||
| 4/27/26 | We Read Your First Pages So You Don't Have To Guess | Send us Fan Mail First Page Feedback: Charlotte's Hunt for Glory Beth and Lisa critique the opening page of a middle grade fantasy submission and pull out craft lessons for any writer working on those critical first pages. The Submission Charlotte's Hunt for Glory follows 12-year-old Charlotte through a morning routine steeped in grief for her late grandmother and sibling envy — anchored by a rich exploration of hair as identity. What's Working A strong, warm first-person voice with real ove... | 23m 28s | ||||||
| 4/22/26 | Rolling With It (And Then Not) | Send us Fan Mail The One Where Nobody Ordered the Books | Beth McMullen & Lisa Schmid Lisa Schmid shares a cautionary tale from the Sacramento Book Festival, where a series of logistical failures turned what should have been an exciting milestone — her first book festival — into a comedy of errors. A week before the event she discovered the bookseller had never ordered any books, resulting in last-minute scrambling, one copy secured, and Lisa packing 20 of her own into her son... | 31m 40s | ||||||
| 4/13/26 | Publishing Is Changing Fast! Literary Agent Vicki Weber on What's Working Now | Send us Fan Mail Imprint closures, layoffs, and reorganizations are rattling the publishing world. Literary agent and At-Home Author founder Vicki Weber joins Beth and Lisa for a candid conversation about what’s driving these changes—and what writers can do about it. From the surprising role Harry Potter played in the decline of middle grade to building an audience before you have a book deal, Vicki delivers practical strategies for navigating today’s shifting landscape. About Our Guest Vick... | 43m 44s | ||||||
| 3/31/26 | What The Heck Is Going On With Publishing? | Send us Fan Mail Beth and Lisa discuss the 2026 publishing landscape. From the end of prestige imprints like Dial Books to the flood of AI content, they explore why the industry feels increasingly "disposable" and "noisy." Key Discussion Points The Shift to Content Management: Private equity firms are replacing veteran editors with "content managers" to prioritize franchises over literary prestige.The AI Explosion: Of the 4 million books published in 2025, approximately 3.5 million were AI-ge... | 41m 33s | ||||||
| 3/23/26 | Life After the Breakup: Navigating the Publishing World After Parting Ways with Your Agent, with Amy Trueblood | Send us Fan Mail Hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome award-winning author Amy Trueblood to discuss a transition many writers face but few discuss: life after parting ways with a literary agent. Amy shares her journey of being on her fourth agent, offering a refreshing look at why changing representation is a natural part of a long-term career. About the Guest Amy Trueblood is the author of the acclaimed YA historical novels Nothing But Sky and Across a Broken Shore. Writing as Amy Tru... | 31m 48s | ||||||
| 3/16/26 | Why Indie Authors Are Winning the Business Game (and new First Pages!) | Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk about a recent publishing controversy sparked on Threads regarding the "legitimacy" of indie authors. They break down the evolving landscape of self-publishing, comparing the financial and creative realities of "indie" versus traditional publishing. Later, they critique the opening pages of a middle-grade mystery titled The Ravenspur Mystery, offering actionable advice on voice, world-building, and establishing charact... | 34m 14s | ||||||
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| 3/2/26 | The Nuts and Bolts of Writing MG & YA Mysteries, with Fleur Bradley | Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid welcome back author and literacy advocate Fleur Bradley. The discussion centers on the importance of mysteries in keeping kids reading, the structural "nuts and bolts" of writing for middle grade (MG) versus young adult (YA) audiences, and the release of Bradley’s new craft book designed to help writers navigate the genre. Get A Clue is available for preorder right now! Releases April 7th. Key Discussion Points Addres... | 35m 01s | ||||||
| 2/26/26 | Book People are the Best People! (and other truths) | Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary In this Season 5 bonus episode, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid clear out their "insanely long" laundry list of burning topics. The duo discusses the restorative power of community, starting with Lisa’s wildly successful brewery book swap on Reading Street. They dive into how simple, low-lift events can be the perfect antidote to a dark news cycle and offer tips on how you can start your own. The conversation moves into the digital space, covering the shift from... | 32m 36s | ||||||
| 2/16/26 | First Pages!!! (yes we're excited) | Send us Fan Mail In this session, Beth and Lisa critique the opening of "Beyond the Moon," a middle-grade contemporary manuscript. The discussion focuses on refining the "hook," establishing a consistent tone, and leveraging character relationships to engage readers immediately. Key Critique Points Establishing Tone and Mood: The opening combines a "creepy" atmosphere with a protagonist who is "giggling." The hosts recommend aligning these elements so the reader knows exactly what kind of sto... | 28m 56s | ||||||
| 2/2/26 | You’re Not a Real Author Until You Get Scam Emails | Send us Fan Mail Is your inbox is bursting with slop from bots and scammers? In this "Ask Beth & Lisa" episode, we tackle the explosion of predatory emails—from fake "Silent Book Clubs" to fraudulent Amazon publishing offers—aimed at unsuspecting writers. We discuss why these emails are a weird sign of visibility, how we use the "48-hour rule" to vet opportunities, and why staying connected to the writing community is your best defense. We also go behind the scenes of our high-octane Thre... | 27m 11s | ||||||
| 1/19/26 | Navigating Non-Fiction Publishing with Literary Agent Alia Hanna Habib | Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary What does it actually take to get a non-fiction book published in today's market? In this episode, literary agent and author Alia Hanna Habib pulls back the curtain on the publishing industry. Alia shares insights from her new book, Take It From Me, a practical guide for writers looking to navigate the complex journey from idea to bookshelf. Whether you are a debut author or a seasoned writer, this conversation explores the essential elements of a successful n... | 38m 17s | ||||||
| 1/5/26 | What Literary Agents Look for in Kidlit Submissions, with Erin Casey Westin | Send us Fan Mail Note: For the most up-to-date information on Erin’s submission status, interests, and availability, visit https://erincaseywestin.com. Episode Summary In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk with Erin Casey Westin, associate agent at Galt & Zacker Literary Agency, about the current kidlit market and how agents evaluate queries and manuscripts. Aspiring authors will gain insight into writing stronger query letters, understanding agent d... | 36m 19s | ||||||
| 12/30/25 | Season Finale Bonus: First Pages Cozy Fantasy | Send us Fan Mail In this bonus season-finale episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid reflect on the end of the season, share a behind-the-scenes podcasting mishap, and dive into a First Pages critique of a cozy fantasy submission, The Village Mage. Along the way, they discuss why first pages are so hard to get right, how too much backstory can stall momentum, and what cozy fantasy readers expect from the very first paragraph. What We Cover in This Episode A Season Wrap... | 26m 19s | ||||||
| 12/22/25 | Ask Beth & Lisa: Query Letters (with Deborah Crossland) | Send us Fan Mail Query letters make even experienced writers panic—and for good reason. In this special Ask Beth & Lisa episode, we’re joined by author and educator Deborah Crossland for a deep, practical conversation about how to write a strong, effective query letter as we head into the 2026 querying season. Deborah breaks down what query letters are actually for, what agents want to see (and don’t), and how writers can avoid the most common—and most damaging—mistakes. This episode is p... | 35m 31s | ||||||
| 12/18/25 | ENCORE: Lisa's favorite Season 4 episode is Brian Selznick | Send us Fan Mail For her encore episode, Lisa chose our interview with Brian Selznick—author and illustrator of some of the most innovative and emotionally powerful books in contemporary publishing. In this conversation, Brian reflects on creative process, patience, and trusting your reader. It was definitely a season four highlight! Support the show Visit the Website Find Full Episodes on YouTube! Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more! | 51m 20s | ||||||
| 12/16/25 | ENCORE: Beth's favorite Season 4 episode is Adria Goetz | Send us Fan Mail Beth’s Encore Pick: Adria Goetz For her encore episode, Beth chose our interview with Adria Goetz, Senior Literary Agent at KT Literary. This conversation gets into the real mechanics of querying—what agents actually notice, where writers tend to go wrong, and how to communicate clearly and professionally in a crowded submission landscape. Adria is refreshingly direct about industry realities while remaining deeply encouraging, making this episode especially useful for writer... | 41m 43s | ||||||
| 12/8/25 | Inside Publishing with Mari Kesselring: What Writers Really Need to Know | Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa talk with Mari Kesselring about the realities of today’s publishing landscape—from the misunderstood world of book packagers to navigating an author career after a disappointing debut. Aspiring authors will gain insight into how publishers make acquisition decisions, current trends shaping 2026, and practical strategies to stay resilient in a challenging industry. Guest Bio Mari Kesselring is the Publishing Manager of ... | 40m 29s | ||||||
| 12/2/25 | BONUS: First Pages: How to Hook Readers Fast in MG Fantasy | Send us Fan Mail In this bonus episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa critique the first page of a new upper middle grade fantasy novel, Kiki Won’t Be Goddess of the Underworld. If you’re an MG author looking for feedback on opening pages, strong character voice, or how to start your novel in the right place, this episode delivers clear, practical writing advice you can apply immediately. Beth and Lisa read the full first page aloud and break down what works, what needs tightening, a... | 33m 41s | ||||||
| 11/24/25 | Inside Publishing’s High-Stakes Reality: What Writers Need to Know | Send us Fan Mail In this Ask Beth & Lisa episode, Beth and Lisa discuss one of the most active conversations happening among writers: the growing concern about how the publishing industry treats debut and midlist authors. They share personal experiences, hard-won insights, and reflections from the larger writing community. The result is an honest, validating look at how traditional publishing functions today—and what writers can do to protect themselves. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT • When Saying ... | 35m 48s | ||||||
| 11/18/25 | BONUS: How to Write Funny Books With Heart: Adam Rosenbaum on Middle Grade Craft | Send us Fan Mail In this bonus episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa talk with Adam Rosenbaum about how he blends laugh-out-loud comedy with emotionally meaningful storytelling. Writers will learn how humor lowers a reader’s defenses, why kids crave funny books, and how to handle heavy topics without overwhelming young readers. Guest Bio Adam Rosenbaum is the author of The Ghost Rules and the upcoming illustrated series Lawson History Stumbling Through Time (Sourcebooks, 2027). A fo... | 45m 42s | ||||||
| 11/10/25 | What Editors Really Look For, with Alison Romig: First Pages, Comps, and Connecting with Readers | Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth and Lisa talk with Alison Romig, Associate Editor at Delacorte Press, about middle grade and YA fiction. Aspiring authors will gain insight into what editors look for in first pages, how to use comps effectively when pitching, and how to navigate the ever-evolving publishing landscape—especially in middle grade. Guest Bio Alison Romig is an associate editor at Delacorte Press, where she edits middle grade and yo... | 41m 23s | ||||||
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Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.
Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.