Middle Grade Matters

In part 1 of my interview with bestselling author James Ponti, James shares heartfelt stories about his teachers, particularly Mrs. White, who inspired him to become a writer. The conversation also touches on the importance of education and the impact of family on his path to success. James also discusses his journey as a writer, focusing on his experiences with the City Spies and The Sherlock Society series. He shares insights into his writing process, the challenges of balancing multiple series, and the inspiration behind his stories. Ponti emphasizes the importance of setting in his books, using real locations to enhance the narrative and engage young readers. He also explores the appeal of thrillers and mysteries, highlighting the interactive nature of these genres and his unique approach to blending different storytelling elements.

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In this episode, I interview Kimberly Newton Fusco, an accomplished author of children's literature, about her latest book, The Secret of Honeycake. We discuss the excitement of releasing a new book, the importance of character development, and the role of animals in storytelling. Kimberly shares her personal inspirations, the historical context of her writing, and her hope for young readers to find their own voices. The conversation also touches on the writing process, the significance of journaling, and the joy of family and nature.

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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)

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.

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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 Episode, Jessica Vitalis shares her thirteen-year journey to becoming a published author. Her latest novel, Coyote Queen, is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2023, and it received a starred review from School Library Journal. 

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

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.

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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.

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.

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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. 

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!).