Middle Grade Matters
de Shannon Balloon
Cel mai nou episod
Ep. 117: Beth McMullen (Write. Revise. Publish.: Essential Lessons…
Ep. 117: Beth McMullen (Write. Revise. Publish.: Essential Lessons…
Despre acest podcast
On the Middle Grade Matters podcast, host Shannon Balloon talks to to authors and publishing professionals about all things middle grade. The show explores topics like the craft of writing, the journey to getting an agent and publishing a book, and why middle grade books should matter to everyone.
Episoade
Cele mai noi 20 din 120 episoade
- Ep. 117: Beth McMullen (Write. Revise. Publish.: Essential Lessons From The Writers With Wrinkles Podcast) · 59 minAuthor and Podcaster Beth McMullen shares with us her new book, co-authored with Lisa Schmid, Write. Revise. Publish.: Essential Lessons From The Writers With Wrinkles Podcast…
- Ep. 116: Claribel A. Ortega (Witchlings) on Writing the Final Book in a Beloved and Bestselling Series · 38 minIn this episode, bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega discusses the final book in her successful Witchlings series, her writing process, and her plans for future projects…
- Ep. 115: Máire Roche / Mary E. Roach (Little Monsters) on Reimagining Little Women for Young Readers Who Love Spooky Stories · 42 minI don't know about you, but I love when classic stories are told from a fresh perspective. In this episode, we dive into Mary Roach's newest book, "Little Monsters", a…
- Ep. 114: Perin Gurel (Laleh and the Language of the Birds) on Indie Publishing and Writing for Kids versus Academia · 45 minIn the world of children's literature, the path to creativity often begins in unexpected places. For Perin Gurel, it was her daughter’s whimsical story idea that sparked the…
- Ep. 113: Fleur Bradley on Writing Mysteries (and Other Stories) for Kids and Teens · 56 minIn this episode we dive into the world of writing mysteries for middle grade readers with Fleur Bradley, an author known for her engaging middle grade novels including Midnight…
- Ep. 112: Nancy Tandon (The Haunting of Walker Pond) on Selling - and then Writing - a Novel on Proposal · 48 minWriting is more than just putting words on paper. It’s a journey filled with challenges, perseverance, and growth. Many aspiring authors often wonder what it truly takes to…
- Ep. 111: Huda Al-Mirashi (Hail Mariam) on Faith and the Challenges of a Writing Life · 43 minIn a world often divided by beliefs, finding common ground can be a challenge. When I sat down with Huda Al-Mirashi, author of the new middle grade Hail Mariam, we delved into…
- Ep. 110: Tracy Wolff (The Aftermyth) on Creating Stories that Spark Imagination · 55 minIn this episode, NYT bestselling author Tracy Wolff talks about her first middle grade novel, "The Aftermyth," where Penelope, a determined new student at Anaximander’s Academy…
- Ep. 109: Katherine Applegate (The One and Only Ivan) on writing and her latest book, Wombat Waiting · 45 minOn this episode Katherine Applegate, author of the acclaimed The One and Only Ivan and her latest Wombat Waiting, takes us through her unconventional journey from ghostwriter to…
- Ep. 108: Philip Stead (A Potion, A Powder, A Little Bit of Magic) on Writing and Illustrating Whimsical Stories · 52 minJoin us as Philip Stead, acclaimed author and illustrator, discusses his innovative approach to writing and illustrating his first middle grade book, 'A Potion, A Powder, A…
- Ep. 107: Filling the Gap: Why We Need More Young Teen Lit · 47 minIn this episode I chat with Christina Chatell and Marcia Kochel, two passionate librarians advocating for a new category in publishing. They’ve been on a mission to bridge the…
- Ep. 106: Aaron Starmer (You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This) On Writing a Book That's Weird In a Good Way · 39 minIn this episode, Aaron Starmer shares his unique journey from the travel industry to becoming a successful children's author. He discusses the evolution of his writing career…
- Ep. 105: Jasmine Warga (The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan) on Zero Drafts and Writing From an Animal's Perspective · 33 minWriting for children can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to middle grade novels. As a writer, you want to create stories that not only entertain but also resonate…
- Ep. 104: N. West Moss (Birdy) on Finding Joy After Loss · 48 minIn this episode, author N. West Moss shares her journey to becoming a children's author, the inspiration behind her debut middle grade novel Birdie, and her writing process…
- Ep. 103: Beth Ferry (Growing Home) On Loving Your Own Story · 45 minIn this episode, author Beth Ferry shares her journey from writing picture books to her first middle grade novel, 'Growing Home.' She discusses its themes of home and belonging…
- [LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 75: James Ponti (Part 2) (City Spies) on Writing a Bestselling Middle Grade Series · 44 minBook 7 of James Ponti's City Spies series IS OUT TODAY!, so it's a great time to re-listen to our interview. Last week we heard part 1 and today it's part 2. In this part we…
- [LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 74: James Ponti (Part 1) (City Spies) on Writing a Bestselling Middle Grade Series · 41 minBook 7 of James Ponti's City Spies series comes out February 10th, so it's a great time to re-air part 1 of our interview. James shares heartfelt stories about his teachers…
- Ep. 102: Simon Stephenson (The Snowman Code) on both Screenwriting and Novel Writing · 38 minIn this conversation, Simon Stephenson, a former physician turned screenwriter and author, shares his unique journey from medicine to storytelling. He discusses his early…
- Ep. 101: John Schu (Louder Than Hunger) on Connection and Compassion in Storytelling · 44 minIn this conversation, John Schu, a children's librarian and author, shares his journey as a reader and writer, emphasizing the importance of connection in storytelling. He…
- Ep. 100: Michelle Knudsen (Into the Wild Magic) on The Importance of Persistence in Writing · 46 minIn this conversation, author Michelle Knudsen emphasizes the critical role of persistence in the writing industry, highlighting that success is often not immediate and can be…







