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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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

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On this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast,  Jordan Kopy discusses her Theodora Hendrix series, which follows a 10-year-old girl raised by a family of monster superheroes. Jordan shares her inspiration for the series, her creative process, and the unique characters that populate her books. She discusses the illustrations, the challenges of writing while working in finance, and her journey to publication. Jordan also offers valuable advice for aspiring writers and reflects on her love for spooky stories and middle grade literature.

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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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On this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast,  Jordan Kopy discusses her Theodora Hendrix series, which follows a 10-year-old girl raised by a family of monster superheroes. Jordan shares her inspiration for the series, her creative process, and the unique characters that populate her books. She discusses the illustrations, the challenges of writing while working in finance, and her journey to publication. Jordan also offers valuable advice for aspiring writers and reflects on her love for spooky stories and middle grade literature.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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Author Joan Reardon discusses her debut middle-grade book, The Grimsbane Family Witch Hunters, which follows 12-year-old Anna Grimsbane, who comes from a family of witch hunters and must rescue her brother from a dangerous witch before he turns 13 and falls victim to a curse. Joan discusses her experience as a writer, including the process of finding an agent and getting published. Joan shares her experiences with kid readers and their reactions to the story, as well as the spooky folklore that influenced the book. She also offers advice to new writers, emphasizing the importance of finding your own writing process.

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Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin, authors of The Bletchley Riddle, discuss their collaboration and the inspiration behind their middle grade novel set in Bletchley Park during World War II. The book features two main characters, Jacob and Lizzie, who are involved in codebreaking and unraveling a family mystery. They talk about the challenges and joys of writing for young readers, the importance of curiosity and awareness in historical fiction, and the process of working together as co-authors. 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

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