In 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, the challenges of writing both picture books and middle grade, and the importance of loving one's own story. Beth also offers insights into her writing process, future projects, and the joy of reading, while providing valuable advice for new writers.

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Book 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 discuss his journey from screenwriting to becoming a successful author of middle-grade fiction. He shares insights into his writing process, the importance of creating relatable characters, and the joy of storytelling. James also offers valuable advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the significance of writing daily and focusing on completion rather than perfection.

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Book 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, 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 conversation, Simon Stephenson, a former physician turned screenwriter and author, shares his unique journey from medicine to storytelling. He discusses his early experiences in writing, which paved the way for his screenwriting career. Simon's latest work, The Snowman Code, is a middle-grade book that combines his love for storytelling with his background in medicine, focusing on a young girl named Blessing who embarks on a magical quest with a snowman. The book aims to resonate with children, offering them relatable characters and themes of resilience and humor. Simon also shares his method for writing a novel, and offers sound advice for new writers.

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In 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 discusses his latest book, Louder Than Hunger, which tackles themes of mental health and the healing power of art and music. Schu reflects on his influences, including Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate, and broadway actor Idina Menzel, and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers, highlighting the significance of reading and self-compassion in the creative process.

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In 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 influenced by many external factors. She encourages writers to find joy in the writing process itself, as it is the only aspect they can truly control amidst the uncertainties of publishing and reception. We also discuss her latest middle grade book, Into the Wild Magic.

Into the Wild Magic is a middle-grade fantasy novel about an eleven-year-old girl named Bevvy who escapes into a magical world with a new, mysterious friend named Cat. The book features a world at war between those who wield "wild magic" and dark sorcerers, and explores themes of friendship, trust, and self-discovery as Bevvy learns to embrace her own magical abilities.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• The most important thing you need to succeed in this business is persistence.
• You can write an amazing book and not be able to sell it.
• It's essential to keep going despite challenges.
• Finding joy in the writing process is crucial.
• Many factors influencing success are out of your control.
• Small successes in writing matter, regardless of big recognition.
• Enjoying the work itself is what you can control.
• Overnight success stories can be misleading.
• Persistence is key to navigating the ups and downs of writing.

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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.

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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It's my first solo episode and I'm bringing you a glimpse of what it's been like launching a podcast and helping it grow over the past two years. I talk about the ups and downs, the big moments, the challenges, and what's to come. And I give a big thank you to you, the listeners, for being with me every step of the way.

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!).