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t's one of the most common questions in our inbox: what's the difference between commercial, literary, and upmarket fiction, and which one is my book? This week, agent Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary finally makes it make sense. She explains what defines each category, plays a game of "commercial, literary, or both?" with real books from picture books to adult fiction, and shares how to strengthen your manuscript once you know where it fits. Plus, she tells us what she'd love to find in her inbox (hint: mysteries with heart). Want to see the book covers? Watch the video version on our YouTube channel, @manuscriptacademy. We're celebrating our 10th anniversary season! Head to anniversary.manuscriptacademy.com to see how we're celebrating, and visit manuscriptacademy.com for one-on-one consultations with agents and editors, classes, and our amazing writing community.

How does an author go from 1,000 rejections to New York Times Bestseller? Tune in to find out! Senior editor Ruqayyah Daud (LBYR/Requited/Hachette Book Group) and her author Jordan Stephanie Gray sit down to talk about what actually happens between "I love this manuscript" and a book on shelves: what really goes on in an acquisitions meeting, why a "no" is almost never about your writing, the call that changed Jordan's career while she was at Disney World — and how an author who got 1,000 rejections ended up a New York Times bestseller. Whether you're drafting your first manuscript or waiting on submission, this one's for you. 0:00 Meet Ruqayyah and Jordan 1:58 The call that changed everything 7:09 Inside an acquisitions meeting 9:44 The real reason most manuscripts get rejected 13:02 Do editors still edit? 14:21 How to handle reviews and get off Goodreads 16:32 Advice for every writer still in the query trenches JORDAN STEPHANIE GRAY is the New York Times bestselling author of the young adult paranormal romantasy Bitten and the adult mermaid romantasy The Wicked Sea. When she isn't lounging by the pool and typing away at her computer, she is likely cuddling her pugs in sunny Florida. Follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Substack @jordanstephaniegray, and visit her website jordanstephaniegray.com. RUQAYYAH DAUD is a senior editor at LBYR and Requited. She acquires everything from middle grade through New Adult. Some of her titles include the #1 New York Times bestseller Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma, the critically acclaimed As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh, and the buzzed-about romantasy Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray. Learn more about Manuscript Academy: https://manuscriptacademy.com Find your agent match: https://manuscriptwishlist.com Book a 1:1 consultation with a literary agent: https://manuscriptacademy.com/consultations Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts — it helps other writers find the show.

Comp titles are second only to platform as the most feared part of a writer's journey--but they don't have to be scary. In this episode, editor and author coach Hannah Robinson breaks comp titles down into something writers already do instinctively every day: describing an unfamiliar thing by connecting it to something familiar. Hannah walks through her "Magic Madlib" formula — [Your Title] meets [Comp A] meets [Comp B], perfect for readers who love [detail] of [Comp C] — and explains the concept of triangulation, why your comps don't need to be exact matches to your book, and how to balance a big "category killer" comp (think Harry Potter or The Body Keeps the Score) with something more realistic to your own platform and sales track. You'll walk away with a repeatable framework for finding comps that make agents, editors, and readers lean in — plus real examples pulled straight from published book descriptions and jacket copy. Hannah is a freelance editor, collaborator, and author coach specializing in practical nonfiction. Before going independent, she worked in-house at HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette Book Group. IN THIS EPISODE: — Why comp titles feel so intimidating (and why they shouldn't) — The Magic Madlib formula for building your comp title — Real comp examples from published books and jacket copy — Triangulation: using comps as a known baseline, not an exact match — The 4 basics every strong comp should hit: genre, format, sales track, and recency — How to responsibly use a "category killer" comp — What to do when your best comp is older than 3 years — Listener Q&A: What exactly is a category killer? LINKS & RESOURCES: Manuscript Academy: https://manuscriptacademy.com Meet Hannah: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/hannah-robinson Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:20 The Magic Madlib formula, previewed 01:00 Warm-up: describing things using comps 04:10 Why comp titles matter 04:40 The Magic Madlib formula explained 05:00 Real comp title examples from published books 05:40 Triangulation: comps as baselines, not exact matches 06:10 The 4 basics every strong comp should hit 09:30 Make it your own: advanced comp strategies 10:10 More real comp examples 11:50 Wrap-up & Q&A: What is a "category killer"?

It's Manuscript Academy's 10th anniversary season--and to kick it off, co-founders Jessica Sinsheimer (agent, Context Literary Agency, co-founder of #MSWL, Manuscript Wish List®, and The Manuscript Academy®) and Julie Kingsley (award-winning author, media professor + co-founder of The Manuscript Academy®) are here to catch you up on everything coming this year. Ten years ago, The Manuscript Academy officially launched in September 2016, with their very first filming day on September 17th in a rented New York theater (jackhammers, unfortunately, included). A decade later, we're marking the milestone with a full slate of anniversary programming, including: ***A new 10-minute episode format — every episode this season, agent mini-classes, editor interviews, and author conversations on query letters, comp titles, pacing, platform, and more, all in a bite-sized format. ***Genre Celebration events, kicking off with science fiction, fantasy, speculative, and dystopian fiction --five mini classes from agents and editors, a live feedback panel, optional one-to-one pitch sessions, and dedicated query, page, and critique-partner forums. Learn more at https://genre.manuscriptacademy.com/. ***A Founding Member Reunion Month for anyone who was part of Manuscript Academy back in 2016. ***A worldwide ambassador project, with more details coming soon. Hint: You'll need a printer, a few sheets of paper, a bookstore, and a sense of mischief. ***A few things they're not confirming or denying yet — including a possible in-person event later this year. Interested in our free offerings? Chekc out our blog library, YouTube channel, and free event replays at ManuscriptAcademy.com/free. Need help with your query letter? Check out our 1:1 agent consultations with literary agents and editors. Learn more about our annervsary events at anniversary.manuscriptacademy.com and our programming at ManuscriptAcademy.com.

Hannah Clip From Practice Round by #MSWL

Join us for a members-only chat answering YOUR questions, exclusive teasers on upcoming Academy features, and going over your pages, live. This was live-recorded February 26, 1:00pm. If you'd like to submit your work (or questions!) for feedback, help, or compassionate insight, please do so at https://manuscriptacademy.com/office-hours.

Have you ever wondered why Publishing seems to take so much longer than any other industry? We posed this question to agent Stefanie Molina, Ladderbird Literary--and discuss what it means for agents, editors, and - most of all - writers. Want to talk about your work with Stefanie? Schedule a time here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/stefanie-molina We discuss: Current Trends in Publishing (00:03:57)
 What Makes A work “Fresh”? (00:05:01)
 The Importance of BIPOC Voices in Literature (00:06:32) Communication Challenges in Publishing (00:08:33)
 Literary Agents of Change (00:10:52) Advice for Writers in the Querying Process (00:15:48) Agents’ Constant Thoughts on Clients (00:28:56)
 Hope for Industry Change (00:39:31) Scholarship Opportunities (00:44:47)

We are so happy to welcome Liv Ivanov, agent at Creative Media Agency, to the podcast! In this episode, we talk about making your work more addictive (we can all dream of the "I read it in one sitting" agent response!) through: *Effective pacing *Structure *Tension *Symmetry *The MICE Quotient And more! Liv shares her insights on avoiding excessive exposition, the balance between tension and pacing, and the importance of character development. She also highlights techniques like reverse outlining and reading aloud to improve manuscripts. We also learn what Liv would like to have in her inbox. Meet Liv here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/liv-ivanov

How do you make your work more commercial--and why is commercial the trend right now? Join agent Alyssa Jennette (Stonesong Literary) as we talk about: 1) Why is commercial trending right now? 2) What can ALL genres (including literary) do to appeal to readers in this moment? 3) Why you should focus revision efforts on stakes, character, payoff and more to make your commercial and literary works more 4) Why literary and upmarket writers don't need to panic. This is part of a larger podcast episode (15 minutes) coming soon. Meet Alyssa here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/alyssa-jennette Video clip of this episode here: https://youtu.be/F8wl9mwyc9k?si=Tg-lfxW2dBC6CpxR Learn more at https://manuscriptacademy.com/

Is there a formula for success? What do you do when "A new twist on something familiar" starts to feel overly simplistic? Enter editor Ivan Taurisano, editor at Abrams, who works from the opposite direction of most editors: he can think of a concept that's marketable, then put together the team to make it happen. We discuss: ***Collaborating with Licensing Partners: Ivan works closely with major brands like Disney, Netflix, and others to create books that resonate with current market trends. ***Data-Driven Decision Making: Unlike traditional editors who wait for manuscripts, Ivan actively seeks out market trends and creates content that meets those demands. ***Monitoring Bestseller Lists: Checking Amazon and New York Times bestseller lists to identify common themes and outliers. ***Examining BISAC Codes: Understanding how books are categorized to spot market trends. ***Creating Engaging and Humorous Content: Books should be fun and engaging for children, encouraging a love of reading. ***Finding the Sweet Spot: Balancing humor and content that resonates with children while being appropriate for parents. Ivan Taurisano was born in Rome, Italy, and moved to the United States almost ten years ago to pursue a children’s book publishing career. The guiding principle of his work is that a child whose life is changed by a book will always be a step closer to becoming an adult who will change the world. Ivan’s all-time favorite book is James and the Giant Peach, and his best friend is a chihuahua named Bilbo. Ivan has a BA in English and Creative Writing, an MA in Children’s Literature, and an MFA in Writing for Children. He started his career at Sourcebooks as an Editorial Assistant, then moved on to become an Assistant Editor. His responsibilities included developing children’s board books, picture books, and graphic novels, as well as acquiring board books and picture books. Ivan has worked with many successful series and brands, including How to Catch, Little Heroes Big Hearts, Sesame Street, Disney, Tokidoki, and Pokémon. Currently, Ivan lives in New York and works at Abrams as an Associate Editor on the Children’s Entertainment Publishing and Content Development team. In this role, he focuses novelty books, board books, graphic novels, and select MG and YA titles. He is especially interested in stories with a strong commercial hook, crave-able content, compelling characters, and series potential. Board books and picture books: Ivan is interested in children’s board books and picture books that are kid-centric, interactive, character-driven, and have series potential. He enjoys titles with a strong hook, fun read-alouds, great rhymes, bold and playful imaginative stories, books that break the fourth wall and invite reader participation, as well as seasonal stories such as Christmas and Halloween. MG: Ivan is interested in plot-driven, action-packed adventures with a strong commercial hook, compelling characters, magic, quests/competitions, and high stakes. YA: Ivan prefers strong commercial hooks, well-plotted, character-driven, atmospheric stories, and series potential. He loves fantasy, magic, and quests/competitions. He likes unique, morally grey characters, memorable villains, and propulsive, cinematic writing. Ivan is not the best fit for nonfiction, retellings, historical fiction, biographies, and novels in verse. *** Schedule a meeting with Ivan here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/ivan-taurisano

In this 1-hour session, you will learn the essential steps to position yourself and your book as valuable investments to agents, editors, bookstores, and beyond. (Want more? Join our workshop October 22-24, How To Be Your Own Best Marketer: https://manuscriptacademy.com/product/be-your-own-best-marketer | $39 early bird, $49 regular, $0 members). Whether you’re preparing for a book launch or just starting your journey, this training will provide you with insights to stand out to publishers, readers, and bookstores. Key Takeaways: 1. Why Your Brand Matters – How to conduct a personal brand audit and refine your platform to attract attention from publishers and readers. 2. The Cost of Hosting Events – A behind-the-scenes look at bookstore events and how understanding costs can improve your relationships with event partners. 3. Creative Book Events – Strategies for planning engaging, memorable book events that go beyond traditional bookstore settings. By the end of the training, you will have a clear understanding of how to present your book and author brand as a smart investment, setting the stage for future success.

Promoting your book isn’t about making noise—it’s about making a difference for readers who need your story. In this Manuscript Academy episode, we’re happy to join nonfiction book coach and marketer Allison Lane to: – Break down exactly how to shift your mindset from fear to confidence and why it’s so important for your career: – Self-Doubt and Fear of Visibility: Let’s be real—none of us love self-promotion. But we’ll show you how to do it in a way that feels authentic and actually helps your book gain the attention it deserves. – Know Your Brand: Do you know what people really think of you? Let’s figure that out. We’ll walk you through how to audit your personal brand so you know where to focus your energy and where you might be wasting time. – The Power of Comps: Comps (aka comparable books) aren’t just for publishers—they help you, too. Knowing your comps is a powerful tool for understanding where your book fits in the market and how to position it for success. – Launch Strategies that Work: Events, launches, bookstore signings—they’re not just for fun. There’s a strategy behind them that most authors miss. Let’s break down how to make these events work for you, not against you. This episode will help you shift your mindset, market your book with confidence, and understand what really moves the needle. It’s time to stop playing small. Ready? Hit play now. * * * Get your FREE ticket for our event, How To Be Your Own Best Marketer Whether Querying, Agented or Ready To Launch, October 10 at 8:30pm ET, at https://manuscriptacademy.com/allison.

We love Bonnie Jo Pierson. Not only is she a Manuscript Academy alum and a published author, she’s a member of a 20-person writing group—and an expert on knowing what feedback to take, what to ignore, and how to tell the difference. After 17 years of writing, her novel is ready—and we talk about keeping work fresh, learning and growing as a person, and remaining emotionally open to your work and your life. Bonnie Jo is the author of What Happens in Idaho, July 24, 2024. Gifted with a short attention span, Bonnie Jo Pierson wants to experience and do as much as she can. Using the great powers of YouTube she’s taught herself how to knit, crochet, paint with oils, acrylics, and watercolors, coach volleyball, play the piano and cello, ride a motorcycle, renovate a house, sing, sew, raise livestock, bake, and most importantly how to write. With a degree in biology, she’s a lover of all things science, especially in the microscopic world. She and her Navy veteran husband have four children and spent several years bouncing around to various locations in the United States. Now she’s made her home in small-town Idaho, where she’s attempting to resurrect her great-grandparents one hundred year-old farm. You can email her at [email protected] or you can find her on: instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbonniejopierson/ goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23922408-bonnie-jo-pierson facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bonniejopiersonauthor twitter: https://twitter.com/BonnieJo_author tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniejo_author?lang=en

Today is a special live recording of the Manuscript Academy podcast! In front of Manuscript Academy members, Jessica and Julie are joined by faculty member and Macmillan editor Christina Lopez in another installment of our Mystery Agent/Editor segment. Listen in as Christina critiques writer Karissa Riffel’s YA horror query and first page, and answers all your questions. Want to apply for next Mystery Agent/Editor Consutlation? Sign up here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/submissions Learn more about membership here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/membership Want to meet with Christina? Sign up here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/christina-lopez

Have you ever been tempted to say "My book is for everyone"? We get it! It sounds like the perfect way to convince an agent your book is a slam dunk bestseller--right? Wrong. Realistically, no book is for everyone--and this is a great thing. We're happy to join Emma Peters, editor at W.W. Norton, to discuss: *Why you need to define your audience--and pitch an agent on this reader *How specificity in your book description is your friend *What is a “build a book” and why do agents work on them? *Balancing professionalism, enthusiasm & marketing *How to use your friends as a focus group Emma is available for query consultations. Meet with her at: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/emma-peters