Podcasts about middle grade fiction

Children's author-illustrator Niña Mata joins the Thriving Writers Podcast to chat about her publishing journey—from illustrating educational materials, working with Olympian athletes, to finally writing her own stories! Listen to hear Niña share some tips on what illustrators gravitate towards in manuscripts and ways writers can make the collaborative process smoother. Plus, get her thoughts on the value of storytelling and what she hopes readers take away from her work.Niña MataWebsite: https://www.ninamata.com/Social: @ninamataartGood Story Company: If you have a story in your head, we're here to help you get it out into the world. We help writers of all skill sets, all genres, and all categories, at all stages of the writing process. Need a hand with brainstorming? Want to find a critique partner? Looking for an editor to help polish up your pitch, your idea, or your entire manuscript? We have all of it and more in our community. If you're ready to take the next step (or the first step) on your writing journey, we're here to help you.Website: https://www.goodstorycompany.comMembership: https://www.goodstorycompany.com/membershipWriting Workshop: https://www.storymastermind.comMary Kole: Former literary agent Mary Kole founded Good Story Company as an educational, editorial, and community resource for writers. She provides consulting and developmental editing services to writers of all categories and genres, working on children's book projects from picture book to young adult, and all kinds of trade market literature, including fantasy, sci-fi, romance, and memoir. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has worked at Chronicle Books, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and Movable Type Management. She has been blogging at Kidlit.com since 2009. Her book, Writing Irresistible Kidlit, a writing reference guide for middle grade and young adult writers, is available from Writer's Digest Books.Manuscript Submission Blueprint: https://bit.ly/kolesubWriting Irresistible Kidlit: http://bit.ly/kolekidlitIrresistible Query Letters: https://amzn.to/3yg511KWriting Irresistible Picture Books: https://amzn.to/3SrApRUHow to Write a Book Now: https://BookHip.com/ZHXAAKQWriting Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters: https://amzn.to/4evsX0BNEW! Writing Irresistible First Pages: https://amzn.to/4gxgslqFollow us on social:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/goodstoryBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodstory.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/goodstorycompanyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodstorycoFacebook: https://facebook.com/goodstorycoSubstack: https://goodstoryco.substack.com/

The 2024 Gertrude Warner Book Awards for Middle Grade Fiction First Place and Grand Prize Winners are here! Thank you to all who submitted, and congratulations!

Have you always considered yourself a 'storyteller' but don't consider yourself a writer? That was the conundrum Alyson Gerber found herself in when Molly Ringwald (yes, THE Molly Ringwald) convinced her she needed to write! After Alyson wrote several books which her inner self needed to read, she turned her attention to mystery! Alyson, today (no foolin'!) released the second book in her best-selling 'The Liars Society' series, 'A Risky Game'! Alyson goes into detail about The Liars Society, her writing process, and how her love of storytelling guiding her through all the impostor syndrome which tried to come home to roost. Enjoy!   About Alyson Gerber Alyson Gerber is the bestselling author of The Liars Society, a middle grade mystery set at a New England prep school. The Liars Society is a USA Today bestseller, Barnes & Noble Bookseller Favorite, B&N Most Anticipated Book of the Month, and B&N Best Book of the Year (So Far), as well as an American Booksellers Association's Best Books for Young Readers, Roku's Best Book of the Month, Bookshop's Favorite New Books. It's also a nominee for the Texas Bluebonnet Award and Indiana's Young Hoosier Award. The Liars Society #2: A Risky Game will be in stores April 1.   About 'The Liars Society: A Risky Game' Weatherby is a fish out of water. When she lands a scholarship to the prestigious Boston School, she's excited to be in the same world as her dad, whom she's never met, and make real friends. But Weatherby has a secret she'll risk everything to protect, one that could destroy her new life. Every member of Jack's wealthy and privileged family has made their mark at the Boston School. Everyone, that is, except for Jack, who is entirely mediocre. He's desperate to prove his worth to his influential father. But Jack has a secret of his own . . . one with the power to ruin everything. When the money for their school trip to a private island―exclusive to Boston students―is stolen, Jack and Weatherby are invited to play a high-stakes game and solve the mystery of the missing money. If they win, they'll be selected to join the oldest, most powerful secret society in the world―and they'll be Boston royalty forever. If they lose . . . well, they better not lose. Beloved author Alyson Gerber crafts an unforgettable mystery that asks―are some secrets and lies impossible to overcome?   Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website! Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.   With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)   Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life!    At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care.    Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com

In this episode of the Be a Better Ally podcast, Tricia Friedman interviews Hope Larson, a prolific artist and author, about her journey in the creative industry. They discuss the importance of defining success beyond traditional metrics, the significance of connection and community in education, and the challenges of navigating learning differences. Hope shares insights into her creative process, the role of collaboration, and the value of mini comics in artistic development. The conversation emphasizes the need for educators to foster an environment that encourages creative expression and exploration among students. Chapters 00:00 Defining Success Beyond Achievements 02:57 The Importance of Connection in Education 05:57 Navigating Learning Differences and Asking for Help 08:59 The Creative Process: Finding Characters and Themes 11:54 Collaboration and Intellectual Humility in Art 15:09 The Role of Mini Comics in Artistic Development 18:11 Encouraging Creative Expression in Communities Learn more about the guest and the book: https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/hope-larson

The Gertrude Warner Book Awards Finalists for Middle Grade Fiction are here! Congratulations to these authors and good luck in the Final rounds of judging!

The Gertrude Warner Book Awards Semi-Finalists for Middle Grade Fiction are here! Congratulations to these authors and good luck in the Finals!

Books for Middle Graders are more important than ever. The excitement builds with the CIBA Announcement with the 2024 Gertrude Warner CIBAs Short List!

In this special extended episode, Colby and Travis discuss the year that was in children's literature.

The Long List for Middle Grade Fiction in the Gertrude Warner Awards is here! Congratulations to all authors who made the first cut, and good luck as we move on!

In this episode, Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris take us behind the scenes of their bestselling graphic novel series THE FIRST CAT IN SPACE, including the latest installment, THE WRATH OF THE PAPERCLIP.

In this episode, New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel NOT NOTHING.

Don't be scared! There's still time to submit to the Little Peeps and Gertrude Warner Book Awards for Children's and Middle Grade Fiction! Don't let your book get lost on the way to grandmother's house!

In today's special episode, we're sitting down with #1 New York Times Bestselling author, B.B. Alston, to discuss his latest book, Amari and the Despicable Wonders- the third book in the Supernatural Investigations series!In this episode of BYOB, Kelly and Nikki chat with New York Times bestselling author B.B. Alston about his journey as a writer, the inspiration behind his debut novel, 'Amari and the Night Brothers', and the themes of empowerment and discrimination highlighted in his work. B.B. shares insights into his writing process, the pressure of success, and the importance of representation in children's literature. They also talk about the upcoming movie adaptation and what lies in store for Amari in the next two books.---War has come to the supernatural world, and Amari's two worst enemies are leading the charge.Elaine Harlowe has manipulated her way into becoming prime minister, using her mind control ability to force the Bureau to take up her vicious grudge against magiciankind. Meanwhile, Dylan Van Helsing, the newly crowned leader of the League of Magicians—and Amari's former partner—is after a destructive new power that would not only ensure the magicians' victory . . . it would make him invincible.With neither the Bureau nor the League safe for Amari, and her newly returned brother, Quinton, determined to keep her out of the fray, she and her friends decide to find a way to end the war on their own.So when they learn that the only way to stop Dylan is to find powerful magical inventions known as Wonders, they go after them. But wielding these items comes at a terrible cost, and Amari will have to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice . . . because the Despicable Wonders will demand everything.---Socials:Tiktok: @bringyourownbookpodcastInstagram: @byobookpodcastFacebook: @byobookpodcastYoutube: @bringyourownbookpodcastSend Nikki & Kelly a message! :)

Send us a Text Message.Author and teacher Polly Holyoke talks about what middle grade fiction is, how to successfully develop a middle grade story, and why it is so important for younger audiences.▬Check out Polly's website:http://www.pollyholyoke.com/Follow Polly on her socials:https://instagram.com/pollyholyoke/https://twitter.com/PollyHolyokehttps://facebook.com/PollyHolyokeAuthor

In this episode, Newbery Honor winning author Gennifer Choldenko (AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS) takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel THE TENTH MISTAKE OF HANK HOOPERMAN.

In this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty chats with three children's book authors about their latest works. First up is Kimberly Lovato, who discusses her new picture book "Pisa Loves Bella." The story follows the story of Bella, the beloved tower in Pisaa who learns to embrace her unique qualities after hearing unkind words about her appearance. Lovato shares how her own experiences with teasing inspired the book's themes of kindness, empathy, and the impact of words on children. Next, Jed speaks with Frank Payne about his "Webster the Beagle" book series. Payne's latest installment, "Webster the Beagle and his Adventures at the River," focuses on the therapy dog's encounters with various river-dwelling creatures like ospreys, crabs, and oysters. Payne explains how he uses these animal interactions to educate young readers through fun facts and illustrations. Finally, Jed interviews debut middle-grade author Lindsay Hobson about her spooky novel "The Girl in the Window." Hobson's 12-year-old protagonist, Izzy, must confront a mysterious girl after accidentally breaking a window. Hobson discusses the appeal of middle-grade horror, as well as the themes of loss, grief, and family dynamics that are explored in the book. Throughout the episode, the guests share insights on the joys and challenges of traveling with kids, the importance of learning new languages, and the power of children's literature to foster empathy, curiosity, and meaningful conversations. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply a lover of great storytelling, this episode of Reading with Your Kids is sure to inspire you to pick up a new book and share it with the young readers in your life. Click here to visit our website – www.ReadingWithYourKids.com Follow Us On Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/readingwithyourkids Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/readingwithyourkids/ X - https://x.com/jedliemagic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/reading-with-your-kids-podcast/ Please consider leaving a review of this episode and the podcast on whatever app you are listening on, it really helps!

Part two of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2024 Newbery Honor winners: Erin Bow, M.T. Anderson, Daniel Nayeri, Pedro Martín, and Nasuġraq Rainy Hopson. Rapid-fire SPEED ROUND questions!

Part one of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2024 Newbery Honor winners: Erin Bow, M.T. Anderson, Daniel Nayeri, Pedro Martín, and Nasuġraq Rainy Hopson.

Why aren't there many Muslim books for boys? And why do stories matter for Muslim kids, anyway? Shifa Saltagi Safadi, author of multiple Muslim childrens' books, shares her journey in writing "Kareem Between," a middle-grade novel about a Muslim Syrian American struggling with faith, fitting in, and the fear of failure.

Robin Gow discusses their book 'Dear Mothman' and the power of middle grade fiction. They emphasize the importance of recognizing the value of youth literature and the unique perspective it offers. Gow discusses the exploration of monsters and cryptids in the story, drawing on their personal interest in the subject. They also address the themes of grief, friendship, and accountability in the book. Gow shares their experiences working with young people and the workshops they offer. Learn more about our guest: https://robingow.com/ Explore the LAMBDA Literary Award winning book 'Dear Mothman' https://store.abramsbooks.com/products/dear-mothman

Delve into the intricacies of writing for middle-grade readers with award-winning author and book coach Janet Fox and host Stacy Frazer. Janet shares her journey from writing for her dyslexic son to becoming a mentor for aspiring writers, offering invaluable insights into the importance of understanding your audience and creating resonant characters. She also discusses the challenges of balancing character emotions and actions to move the story forward effectively. With practical tips on word count, family themes, and character development, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to write compelling middle-grade fiction. Don't miss Janet's advice on pushing your craft to new heights and how to navigate self-doubt in your writing journey.01:17 Episode Overview and Special Guest Introduction02:36 Janet Fox's Journey to Writing and Mentorship04:02 Crafting Stories for Middle-Grade Audience05:45 Understanding Middle-Grade Age Groups08:45 Janet's Writing Process and Challenges14:06 Key Considerations for Middle-Grade Writers17:50 Balancing Interiority and Action in Middle-Grade Fiction24:41 Janet's Personal Writing Struggles and Growth28:48 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Persistence in Writing37:46 Current Projects and Mentorship Programs39:25 Closing Remarks and Contact InformationTo connect with Janet Fox: https://janetsfox.com/https://janetfox.substack.com/https://www.instagram.com/janetsfox/https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanetFox/https://www.pinterest.com/janetsfox/Support the Show.To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

In this episode, author Abby Cooper takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel TRUE COLORS.

In this episode (recorded LIVE at BookBug in Kalamazoo, Michigan), author and children's literature advocate John Schu takes us behind the scenes of his New York Times bestselling book LOUDER THAN HUNGER. 

In this episode, author Amy Noelle Parks takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel, AVERIL OFFLINE.

We had the absolute pleasure of interviewing literary agent Queen THE Eva Scalzo

In this episode, award-winning author Ruth Behar takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade historical fiction book, ACROSS SO MANY SEAS.

In this episode, author Christina Wyman takes us behind the scenes of her debut middle grade novel, JAWBREAKER.This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book, WHEN KIDS CAN'T READ--WHAT TEACHERS CAN DO (Second Edition), written by Kylene Beers.

Our guest this week is Anna Rose Johnson, author of the award winning The Star That Always Stays and the forthcoming The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry (pre-orders are open!). Check out Anna Rose's Instagram page for more genealogy information from The Star That Always Stays. The Star That Always StaysThe Luminous Life of Lucy LandryBooks recommended in this episode by the host and guest:Jane of Lantern Hill by L. M. MontgomeryLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottEmily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart LovelaceThe Betsy Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace- this is a graded series where the reading level and maturity of the content rises with eac book as the cast ages and matures. Content Considerations are available in our free literary catalogue. The Shoe books by Noel Streatfeild- a six book seriesMelendy Quartet- four book series (The Saturdays, Then There Were Five, The Four-story Mistake, Spiderweb for Two: A Melendy Maze)Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright (two book series with Return to Gone-Away Lake)Anne of the Island by L.M. MontgomeryPollyanna Grows Up by Eleanor H. Porter (sequel to Pollyanna, for teens)Maggie Rose, Her Birthday Christmas by Ruth SawyerThe Mitchells series by Hilda Van Stockum (three book series: Five for Victory, Canadian Summer, Friendly Gables) From Anna by Jean LittleMine for Keeps by Jean LittleThe Penderwicks series by Jeanne BirdsallVanderbeekers series by Karina Yan GlaserRosetown by Cynthia RylantA Place to Hang the Moon by Kate AlbusMadeline by Ludwig BemelmansThe Ramona series by Beverly Cleary (eight book series)Thank you for joining us this week! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend!Be sure to check out our free literary catalogue of books our team has read and recommends! And subscribe for future episodes and book lists!Book links in this episode are to the Reshelving Alexandria Amazon storefront. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.reshelvingalexandria.com

My guest this episode is Carolyn Armstrong, who enjoys writing books about and for middle-grade kids because they're just beginning to seek independence while still relying on adults. Carolyn writes earth-friendly fiction and discovered that teachers and parents find her books valuable as educational tools. And some of them discover her books via Pinterest. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. We invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally, if you haven't already. You can do that at allianceindependentauthors.org. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for more than 35 years, and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Episode Show Notes In this episode we cover:  Business differences with middle grade fiction Marketing middle grade fiction How to engage with your audience Advice for in-person events Creating dialogue that resonates with younger readers This week's question is: Tell me about a skill/party trick you have that would surprise people Recommendation of the week is: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang Apple  Kobo Amazon UK Amazon USA ***this show uses affiliate links Find out more about Melisa:  Facebook Instagram Author Website Perfect Balance Gymnastics Series Rebel of the Week is: Amy Nielsen If you'd like to be a Rebel of the week please do send in your story, it can be any kind of rebellion. You can email your rebel story to rebelauthorpodcast@gmail.com 1 new patron this week, welcome and thank you to Jesse C. A big thank you to my existing patrons as well. If you'd like to support the show, and get early access to all the episodes as well as bonus content you can from as little as $2 a month by visiting: www.patreon.com/sachablack  This Show is Sponsored by ProWritingAid Get 20% off using this Rebel Discount link. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

In this episode, author/illustrator Peter Brown takes us behind the scenes of his bestselling WILD ROBOT series, including the latest book, THE WILD ROBOT PROTECTS.This episode is sponsored by THE JOY OF READING, written by Terri Lesesne and Donalyn Miller.

Jess here! Jamie Sumner and I talked over the summer about her middle grade books, mainly because I'm a fan. She does not shy away from difficult topics - substance use disorder, financial insecurity, physical disability, autism, and anxiety. She's been on the show before (here's her first interview) but I had to have her on to talk about her new book, Maid for It, out September 5, 2023.Jamie's website: https://jamie-sumner.com#AmReadingJamie: The Bandit Queens by Parini ShroffOne True Loves by Taylor Jenkins ReidJess: The Fires of Vesuvius by Mary BeardPompeii by Robert HarrisIf your fall could use a little witchy reading fun, you should hop online or over to your favorite bookstore and order a copy of KJ's latest, Playing the Witch Card. Think grown-up Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, with a family deck of troublesome Tarot cards stalking a new generation. You've listened to KJ talk about getting the work done—now go check out the result, and pick up a copy for a friend, too. Guaranteed fall vibe, no pumpkin spice necessary.Bookshop.org Amazon Barnes&Noble Still North Books and BarEnrollment is now open for Author Accelerator's new and improved fiction book coach certification program! Turn your love of reading into a career you love with a self-paced program you can access from anywhere. With more than 100 hours of training, videos, case studies, and worksheets, Author Accelerator's program teaches you the key editorial skills, client-management strategies, and tools needed to help writers reach their goals and to help you start a thriving book coaching business.I've been through this, and I can tell you that this is more than just an online course. You'll take the skills you learn and apply them with real-life clients through three practicums designed to help you practice helping authors go from confusion to clarity with their novel idea. Yes, you work with real writers, yes it's terribly nerve-wracking—but the author I worked with during one of my practicums just got a book deal with that project! This is real, kids. Learn more and enroll now at bookcoaches.com/podcast. More interested in nonfiction? The nonfiction certification program launches next month! Visit bookcoaches.com/podcast and sign up for their newsletter to stay in-the-know. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

Matt and Mandy sit down with author Carolyn Leiloglou to talk about her new book, Beneath a Starry Sky, which places Van Gogh's Starry Night within middle grade fiction and the novel's protagonists inside of Starry Sky. Learn more about Carolyn at https://www.carolynleiloglou.com/ (Pre) Order Beneath the Swirling Sky at https://www.amazon.com/Beneath-Swirling-Sky-Carolyn-Leiloglou/dp/0593579542

In this episode, author Chris Baron takes us behind the scenes of his middle grade novel THE GRAY.This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book, WHEN KIDS CAN'T READ--WHAT TEACHERS CAN DO (Second Edition), written by Kylene Beers.

Our Guest: Elly Swartz is a middle grade author of books with heart. So much heart! Ambre has spent the last year and a half trying to get anyone who will listen to have their older kids read Elly's book Give and Take. If you haven't yet, there's no time like the present! It's a beautiful book for anyone with anxiety, friends, or a family. (ha!) Elly's catalogue includes:* Finding Perfect* Dear Student* Give and Take* Smart Cookie* Hidden Truths (Release Date of October 31st, 2023- Find it on our “Pre-Orders We're Excited About It” Amazon Storefront List.Elly's three influential books from her own life:* Ramona the Brave by Beverly Cleary * Are You There God, It's Me Margaret * Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara ParkBooks we've both loved:* Charlotte's Web by E.B. White- audiobook read by the author* Little Women by Louisa May AlcottElly's 6” (give or take 6” or so) of favorite books on Emotional Intelligence for Kids:* Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork * Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin * Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper* Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes * The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman* Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt * The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor* A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner * I'm Worried (The I'm Books) by Michael Ian Black and Debbie Ridpath Ohi* When Things Aren't Going Right, Go Left by Marc Colagiovanni and Peter H. ReynoldsOther Recommendations from Ambre:* The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson* Watch Season One of the Wingfeather Saga for FREE here!“Be Kind to Yourself” by Andrew Peterson (A favorite in our home)Thank you for listening! Subscribe for free to receive new episodes and book lists!Help spread the love by sharing with a friend! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.reshelvingalexandria.com

In this episode, author and illustrator Jarrett Lerner takes us behind the scenes of his illustrated novel-in-verse, A WORK IN PROGRESS.This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book, WHEN KIDS CAN'T READ--WHAT TEACHERS CAN DO (Second Edition), written by Kylene Beers.

In today's episode I am chatting with Stephanie Affinito. Stephanie is a book-loving, notebook-hoarding literacy teacher educator on a mission to change lives one book and one notebook at a time. Her book flight today focuses on Middle Grade Fiction.

Part two of a special LIVE episode. Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo answers speed round questions, and is joined by editor Andrea Tompa to announce a new book: FERRIS.This episode is sponsored by LEADING LITERATE LIVES: HABITS AND MINDSETS FOR REIMAGINING CLASSROOM PRACTICE, written by Stephanie Affinito. Visit Hein.pub/LeadingLiterateLives to learn more and order a copy.

Join us as we test drive a new format! Our NEW Top Five Deep Dive is a list of writing tips you will want to keep handy as you journey through your manuscript (believe us, it IS a journey!)This week, we talk about spooky middle grade, a very hot segment of book sales right now. Tips include:1. Start with a great hook - attention spans are limited!2. Keep the pace fast. Building suspense throughout the story is critical to keeping the young reader's interest.3. Use humor to offset scary scenes. Children respond better to humor and may be more tolerant of scary scenes if they can relieve the tension with jokes.4. Make the protagonist a strong, likable character with a side of flaws. This is super important in middle-grade fiction, where the reader identifies closely with the main character.5. Have a happy ending. (right??)Also, the ear plugs discussed? Find them HERE. Support the showWebsite: https://www.writerswithwrinkles.net/Threads: @WritersWithWrinklesInsta: @WritersWithWrinklesTwitter: @BethandLisaPodSupport Writers With Wrinkles - become a subscriberEmail: Beth@BethMcMullenBooks.comWriters with Wrinkles Link Tree for more!

Part one of a special LIVE episode. Newbery Medal winner Kate DiCamillo talks about the 20th anniversary of THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX.This episode is sponsored by LEADING LITERATE LIVES: HABITS AND MINDSETS FOR REIMAGINING CLASSROOM PRACTICE, written by Stephanie Affinito. Visit Hein.pub/LeadingLiterateLives to learn more and order a copy.

Jude Atwood is the author of the new novel, Maybe There Are Witches. Jude grew up on a farm in small-town Illinois. After graduating from Bradley University and Chapman University, he became a community college professor in Orange County, California. His first novel, Maybe There Are Witches, published by Regal House, won the Kraken Prize for Middle Grade Fiction. Jude joins Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to talk about creating a fictional town, how plotting allows you to write chapters out of order, beginning with character, writing side characters, submitting to publishers, book banning and more. For more information on Writers on Writing and additional writing tips, visit our Patreon page. To listen to past interviews, visit our website. An eternal thanks to our patrons. Your support enables us to do what we do. We appreciate every one of you. Thank you. (Recorded on June 16, 2023)  Host: Barbara DeMarco-BarrettCo-Host: Marrie StoneMusic and sound editing: Travis Barrett

In this episode author Aubrey Hartman takes us behind the scenes of her debut middle grade novel, THE LION OF LARK-HAYES MANOR.This episode is sponsored by THE JOY OF READING, written by Terri Lesesne and Donalyn Miller.

In this episode, author Laurel Snyder takes us behind the scenes of her upper middle grade novel THE WITCH OF WOODLAND.This episode is sponsored by Heinemann and their professional book, WHEN KIDS CAN'T READ--WHAT TEACHERS CAN DO (Second Edition), written by Kylene Beers.

Selah is an autistic 7th grader at a private school, and is navigating all of the expectations and social relationships of being neurodivergent. She's the main character in a middle-grade fiction book called Good Different, by Meg Eden Kuyatt, and Emily Kircher-Morris talks to her about life as an autistic author. Who was the inspiration for Selah? Was it difficult to write her story completely in poem form? What advice does Meg have for neurodivergent kids growing up today? It's all in episode 168, part of our celebration of Autism Acceptance Month. Here's the link for the summer camp program at Young Scholars Academy. Please use promo code YSANDP10 for 10% off, and to let them know you heard it on the Neurodiversity Podcast. Register today and get started on our free executive function course from the Neurodiversity University! It's set up for educator professional develop and continuing education credit. To get A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children (2nd edition) at a 25% discount, click here and use the discount code NDPOD25. ABOUT THE GUEST Meg Eden Kuyatt is a 2020 Pitch Wars mentee, and teaches creative writing at colleges and writing centers. She is the author of the 2021 Towson Prize for Literature winning poetry collection “Drowning in the Floating World” (Press 53, 2020) and children's novels, most recently “Good Different,” a JLG Gold Standard selection (Scholastic, 2023). BACKGROUND READING Meg's Linktree Website Instagram Facebook Twitter

Whether you write middle-grade fiction or not, this episode is packed full of helpful insights and practical tips to benefit you throughout your author journey!Just a few of the topics covered in this episode include:Why  middle-grade fiction is needed now more than ever,What happens when you invite God into the writing (and marketing) process,How to incorporate your experience and culture into the storyline,Making the most of your Amazon Author page,The value of an author website, andA surprising way Canva can help you market your book!Listen in and be blessed by the wealth of information that middle-grade author RM Ruiz shares with us.Be sure to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss an episode of the Ink and Impact podcast!And remember: Don't just write a book. Make an impact.

In this week's episode, Marissa chats with Daniel Nayeri about his new book, THE MANY ASSASSINATIONS OF SAMIR THE SELLER OF DREAMS and his twisty road to becoming a published author that included working in publishing, considering being a spy, skydiving, and actually becoming a pastry chef. Topics also discussed: explaining unfamiliar terms to the reader without breaking character, bringing setting to life using the five senses, giving characters something to do in a scene and how it naturally creates worldbuilding, how tiny details (as basic as pockets!) can elude your research, publishing the thing you'll forever be proud of, and so much more.Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyerFind out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

In this episode, 2023 Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson takes us behind the scenes of her middle grade novel, FREEWATER.This episode is sponsored by LEADING LITERATE LIVES: HABITS AND MINDSETS FOR REIMAGINING CLASSROOM PRACTICE, written by Stephanie Affinito. Visit Hein.pub/LeadingLiterateLives to learn more and order a copy.

In this episode, author Kyle Lukoff takes us behind the scenes of his Newbery Honor winning middle grade novel, TOO BRIGHT TO SEE.This episode is sponsored by READING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, written by Lester L. Laminack and Katie Kelly.

Marissa chats with Caris Avendaño Cruz about her debut middle grade fantasy - MARIKIT AND THE OCEAN OF STARS - as well as how to develop a more poetic writing voice; drawing on both folklore and real-life settings when it comes to building your fantasy world; tapping into big emotions, especially for younger characters (plus: a practical use for all your old journals!); how including non-English words can act as a bridge into a specific culture for kids all over the world; some of the major differences between "plotters" and "pantsers" - and a few pros and cons of each method; and having the courage (if not necessarily the confidence) to put your work out into the world.Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Marissa chats with Nick Brooks about his debut middle grade novel - NOTHING INTERESTING EVER HAPPENS TO ETHAN FAIRMONT - as well as keeping things interesting for yourself by exploring new genres and mediums, knowing that every type of writing you experiment with - from film to music to books - can make you a better storyteller; one great takeaway from film school - "the plant and the payoff" - and why it is an effective technique to both impress your readers and help them feel more connected to the story; how story structure is largely intuitive, but the tools in your writing toolkit can be strengthened through formal education and studying the craft; a few elements to consider when developing an extraterrestrial or non-human species; fighting to be seen as a creator, and then facing impostor's syndrome once you are there; and some different ways to care for yourself while balancing a busy professional and family life.Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/