In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, author Meera Trehan discusses her latest book Snow, a fantasy set in a magical kingdom. She shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of world-building, and the significance of character development. The conversation also touches on the integration of science and magic in her narrative, and the lessons she hopes young readers will take away from her work. Meera also offers valuable advice for new writers, encouraging them to hold onto the heart of their work while continuously learning and improving their craft.

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In this conversation, debut author Gloria L. Huang discusses her middle grade novel Kaya of the Ocean, exploring themes of anxiety, self-acceptance, and cultural representation. She shares her journey as a writer, the impact of the pandemic on children's mental health, and the importance of diverse voices in literature. Gloria reflects on her writing process, the challenges of character development, and the joy of publishing her first book. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the significance of acceptance and the beauty of imperfection in both life and storytelling.

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On this episode, which originally aired in October, 2023, I talk with Joel Brigham of Brigham Editorial on the craft of writing. Together we dive deep into six things every story needs to succeed and answer the following questions:

1. What makes a great premise?
2. What are stakes and when and how do you raise them?
3. How do you craft interesting characters?
4. What are the basic elements of a good plot? 
5. What is voice, and how do you develop it?
6. What is a theme, and how do you write it into your story? 

Books and resources mentioned in this podcast include:

• Brigham Editorial
• Save the Cat Writes a Novel
• Save the Cat Writes a Novel (Audiobook)

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On this episode, which originally aired in January 2024, I talk with author Becca Wierwille about her debut middle grade novel, Road Trip Rescue, which she independently published with support from a Kickstarter campaign. We talk about the challenges of independently publishing (a/k/a self-publishing) for the middle grade market, Becca's decision to transition from a traditional  path to an independent one, and how she reaches young readers with her stories.

Books and resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Road Trip Rescue, by Becca Wierwille
• Save the Cat Writes a Novel, by Jessica Brody
• Author Media
• The Snowflake Method for Designing a Novel.
• Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo

Becca's Kickstarter campaign for her second book, Road Trip Return, can be found HERE.

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On this episode, which originally aired in February, 2024, Barbara Dee talks about her 14th middle grade novel, Unstuck, which follows a young writer who deals with writer's block as she writes her first novel.  Barbara talks about how middle grade has evolved over the the course of her career, how she comes up with book ideas, and how she stays in touch with today's middle grade readers.

From the publisher:  From critically acclaimed author Barbara Dee comes a middle grade novel about a girl whose struggles with anxiety and writer’s block set off unexpected twists and turns, both on and off the page.

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On this replay of Episode 21 from December, 2023, Jessica Vitalis shares her thirteen-year journey to becoming a published author. 

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Coyote Queen, by Jessica Vitalis
• The Wolf's Curse,  by Jessica Vitalis
• The Rabbit's Gift, by Jessica Vitalis
• Story Engineering, by Larry Brooks
• A Monster Calls, by Patrick Ness
• A Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson
• Attack of the Black Rectangles, by A.S. King

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On this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, host Shannon Balloon welcomes back Claire Swinarski, an Edgar Award-nominated author, to discuss her latest middle grade book, Take It From The Top. The conversation delves into the themes of friendship, competition, and personal growth, as well as the complexities of writing from multiple perspectives and timelines. The episode also touches on Claire's journey as a writer, the editing process, and her upcoming projects. Claire emphasizes the significance of comfort and connection in literature for young readers, while also recommending several recent reads that have inspired her.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, authors Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy discuss their new holiday-themed middle grade book Let It Glow. They also talk about the origins of The Happy Writer Podcast, the differences between writing for young adult and middle grade audiences, their collaborative writing process, the joy they hope to impart to young readers, and their personal journeys as writers. They share insights on audiobook narration, their daily routines, and upcoming projects, while also reflecting on their favorite middle grade books and offering advice to aspiring writers. 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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I love audiobooks! If you do, too, consider switching to Libro.fm, a platform that supports indy bookstores.

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In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, Shannon Balloon and writing expert Joel Brigham discuss the challenges and strategies of writing a first draft quickly, known as fast-drafting. They emphasize the importance of finishing a draft over perfection, explore the benefits and drawbacks of fast drafting, and provide practical tips for writers looking to adopt this method. 

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Jessica Brody's Novel Fast Drafting online course
• Refuse to Be Done, written by Matt Bell
• Brigham Editorial

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, host Shannon Balloon interviews author Erin Becker about her debut novel Crushing It. They discuss the book's themes of friendship, identity, and the challenges of growing up, as well as Erin's writing journey, the evolution of the middle grade market, and the importance of balancing writing with other life commitments. Erin shares insights on character development, the writing process, and the lessons she hopes young readers will take away from her story.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

For bonus content and info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.

I love audiobooks! If you do, too, consider switching to Libro.fm, a platform that supports indy bookstores.

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave a rating and review (thank you!).