Romance novelist Kait Ballenger joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss not meeting publisher's sales expectations,  writing on the tail end of a trend, getting a starred review without knowing what it means, only writing what you love, and getting an agent after a literal elevator pitch. Kait Ballenger is the award-winning author … Continue reading QQQ: Romance Author Kait Ballenger and the Literal Elevator Pitch

Mystery Author Susan Elia MacNeal joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss almost giving up, how being a writer is like being a boxer, writing a cocktail book while pregnant, and publishing a book with a slow start but a long tail. Susan Elia MacNeal is the author of The New York Times, … Continue reading QQQ: Mystery Author Susan Elia MacNeal and Rolling with the Punches

Middle Grade author Laura Segal Stegman joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss dozens of revisions over 28 years, the importance of writing community, deciding to sign with a small press, querying too early, and both the benefit and distraction of Twitter. L.A.-based arts publicist and author Laura Segal Stegman’s middle grade debut, … Continue reading QQQ: Middle Grade author Laura Segal Stegman and Finding Peace with Your Path

Young Adult Author Angeline Boulley joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss waiting 28 years to write the book, the most illuminating question to ask offering agents, prioritizing Native talent when negotiating her film rights, ensuring her craft was worthy of the story she wanted to tell, and the single most helpful thing … Continue reading QQQ: Young Adult Author Angeline Boulley and a Decades-Long Journey

Literary Fiction Author Catherine Adel West  joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss the dangers of pitching your book before it’s complete, the advantages of virtual book tours, the need for publishing to reflect the world around it, advocating for yourself, and letting go of bitterness.  Catherine Adel West was born and raised … Continue reading QQQ: Literary Fiction Author Catherine Adel West and There Is No Morning Dew (Yet)

Cozy Mystery Author Mia P. Manansala joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss how a one-day writing workshop change everything, the pressure to represent your community well, the importance of a writing support network, being jealous of writing friends, and choosing the right agent for you, even if they’re not the biggest agent … Continue reading QQQ: Cozy Mystery Author Mia P. Manansala and a Candle for the Ancestors

Romance novelist Mary Ann Marlowe joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss getting into Pitch Wars but not getting an agent, finally finding and losing an agent, the importance of loving the writing first, imposter syndrome, and the relief in being a hybrid author. Mary Ann lives in central Virginia where she works … Continue reading QQQ: Romance Author Mary Ann Marlowe and the Relief of Going Hybrid

Middle Grade author Alyson Gerber joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss separating the art from the business, gaining confidence as a writer, writing to understand your own truth, being waitlisted for your dream, and the importance of persistence.  Alyson Gerber is the author of the critically acclaimed, own-voices novels Braced and Focused … Continue reading QQQ: Middle Grade Author Alyson Gerber and Taking Up Space

YA Author Jenn P. Nguyen  joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss fanfiction as a gateway drug, querying by mail, starting over after separating with your agent, trying for a publishing hail mary (and getting it!), and trying to like coffee. Jenn P. Nguyen is the author of THE WAY TO GAME THE … Continue reading QQQ: YA Author Jenn P. Nguyen and the Publishing Hail Mary

Editor and fantasy author Rebecca Enzor joins Queries, Qualms, & Quirks this week to discuss unlearning passive voice, writing nine books before finding success, the importance of critique partners, and the surprising ending to her publishing career. Rebecca Enzor is an analytical chemist in Vancouver, WA, where she lives with her husband, two dogs, two … Continue reading QQQ: Fantasy Author Rebecca Enzor and the Publishing Plot Twist