Middle Grade Matters

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: What makes a great premise? What are stakes and when and how do you raise them? How do you craft interesting characters? What are the basic elements of a good plot?  Wh...

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 i...

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...

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 Vitali...

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...

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 journ...

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 me...

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 ins...

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...

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...

On this episode, Kate DiCamillo discuss her new book The Hotel Balzaar, as well as her writing process and the themes that inspire her. Kate also talks about the role of writer friends in her life and the joy of connecting with readers through her love of animals. She shares her experience of winning the Newbery Medal and her ongoing passion for writing.  For bonus content and  info on upcoming ep...

Author Damara Allen discusses her debut middle grade novel The Skeleton Flute and its themes of family, friendship, grief, and bravery. She shares her love for horror and how it influenced her writing. Damara also talks about her writing process as a pantser and the importance of finding a supportive writing community. For bonus content and  info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade...

National Book Award winner and Newbery Honoree Polly Horvath discusses her latest middle-grade book, Library Girl, and her extensive writing career. She  talks about the inspiration behind her stories and the themes in Library Girl, including the importance of libraries and the concept of family. Polly shares her journey as a writer, from sending out children's stories to publishers at a youn...

On this episode I talk with author Sarah Allen about her new spooky middle grade book, Monster Tree. Sarah shares her experience as a writer and how she learned to balance plot and character development. She also talks about the joy of writing middle grade books and the impact they can have on young readers. Sarah offers advice to new writers, encouraging them to be generous and bold in their writ...

On this episode, I interview Robyn Field, author of Peony Watercolor's Wish for Sun and Moon, and Karin Hoyle, CEO, Acquisitions Editor, and Creative Director of Owl's Nest Publishers, a small press independent publishing house based outside Madison, Wisconsin, about the process of creating and publishing a middle grade book. Robyn shares her journey as a writer and how she found a home...

Matthew Landis' new middle grade series, National Archive Hunters, follows twins who use their history knowledge to solve mysteries and save their family's museum. Matt's goal as both a writer and a middle school social studies teacher is to make history exciting and not boring for kids. He discusses his process for writing mysteries and planning a series, and he talks about the joy...

Author Adam Rosenbaum discusses his debut middle-grade novel, The Ghost Rules, which follows Elwood, a 12-year-old boy who can see ghosts, as he navigates grief and tries to reconnect with his deceased brother. Rosenbaum also discusses his writing journey, from starting out as a songwriter to pursuing screenwriting and eventually transitioning to writing novels. He discusses his approach to writin...

Amar Shah, a multiple Emmy-winning writer and producer, discusses his middle-grade debut novel, The Hoop Con: Play the Game. The book follows a sixth-grader with big basketball dreams who faces embarrassment when a viral video goes wrong. Shah shares his love for sports and how it influenced his writing, as well as the importance of incorporating his South Asian culture into the story. He also sha...

Jennifer Blecher, author of four middle grade books, discusses her writing process and the themes in her latest middle grade novel, Listen to This. She shares the challenges of writing from the perspective of a boy and the importance of writing big emotions. Jennifer also talks about the inspiration behind Listen to This and the issues of friendship, parental oversharing, and navigating middle sch...

Nedda Lewers is the Egyptian-American author of Daughters of the Lamp and its sequel, Children of the Wind. These books tell the story of a a 12-year-old Egyptian-American girl who discovers her family's secret legacy as the keepers of Ali Baba's treasure. Nedda discusses her journey as a writer, the experience of having a mentor, and the excitement of getting a book deal. From the publi...

Author Caroline Carlson discusses her latest middle grade book, Wicked Marigold, a People Magazine Best Books for Summer Selection. She talks about the challenges and joys of writing the book, including creating funny moments and fantastical creatures, and the publishing process. She also talks about her experience completing an MFA in writing, her day-to-day life as a writer, and her writing proc...

Rhonda Roumani, a Syrian American journalist and author, discusses her debut middle grade novel, Tagging Freedom, which tells the story of a Syrian boy and his Syrian-American cousin during the start of the Syrian Revolution. The book explores themes of protest, activism, and the power of art, specifically graffiti, as a form of expression and resistance. She also talks about her path to getting a...

Gennifer Choldenko, a New York Times bestselling author, discusses her latest book, The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, and shares insights into her writing process, character development, and the themes of foster care and trauma. She also reflects on her journey as a writer and the evolution of middle-grade literature. Gennifer  discusses her collaboration with Katherine Applegate on the Dogtown...

Ritu Hemnani, a journalist, teacher, and storyteller, discusses her debut historical middle-grade novel Lion of the Sky and the inspiration behind it. The book is set during the Partition of India and follows the story of a 12-year-old boy named Raj.  Ritu shares her personal connection to the story and the impact of Partition on her family. She also talks about the process of writing the book, th...

Dan Gemeinhart talks with guest host Joel Brigham about his latest book, Coyote Lost and Found, and the process of creating a companion book to The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. He emphasizes the importance of voice in writing and the challenges of capturing a unique voice for each character. Dan shares his experience as a writer, discussing the challenges and joys of the writing process....