Middle Grade Matters
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.
Episodes
109 episodes
Ep. 106: Aaron Starmer (You Are Now Old Enough to Hear This) On Writing a Book That's Weird In a Good Way
In 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, the creative process behind his new book You Are Now Old Enough to H...
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38:53
Ep. 105: Jasmine Warga (The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan) on Zero Drafts and Writing From an Animal's Perspective
Writing 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 deeply with young readers. In this episode, we delve into the creati...
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32:58
Ep. 104: N. West Moss (Birdy) on Finding Joy After Loss
In 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 - including working with her editor. Discover insights on writing for y...
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47:48
Ep. 103: Beth Ferry (Growing Home) On Loving Your Own Story
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...
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45:04
[LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 75: James Ponti (Part 2) (City Spies) on Writing a Bestselling Middle Grade Series
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 ...
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43:51
[LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 74: James Ponti (Part 1) (City Spies) on Writing a Bestselling Middle Grade Series
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 conv...
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40:35
Ep. 102: Simon Stephenson (The Snowman Code) on both Screenwriting and Novel Writing
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....
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37:47
Ep. 101: John Schu (Louder Than Hunger) on Connection and Compassion in Storytelling
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 m...
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44:00
Ep. 100: Michelle Knudsen (Into the Wild Magic) on The Importance of Persistence in Writing
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 j...
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45:53
[LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 66: Jordan Kopy (Theodora Hendrix) on Turning Traditional Monster Tropes on their Heads
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...
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52:40
Ep. 99: Second Year Podcasting Anniversary - Come with me behind the scenes - how it started, how it's going, and what's next.
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 ...
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29:04
Ep. 98: Melissa Dassori on Second Books and Magic in Storytelling
In this episode, Melissa Dassori discusses her journey as a middle grade author, focusing on her sophomore book, 'Greta Ever After.' She shares insights into the emotional roller coaster of publishing and emphasizes the importance of confidence...
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37:29
Ep. 97: McCall Hoyle (Forever Ripley) on Exploring the Bond Between Dogs and Kids
In this episode, McCall Hoyle, an award-winning author and former teacher and librarian, discusses her latest book, 'Forever Ripley,' which explores the deep bond between dogs and humans through the eyes of a dog. The conversation delves into t...
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44:37
Ep. 96: Jamie Sumner (Schooled) on Embracing Imperfection in the Creative Process
In this episode, Jamie Sumner discusses her latest middle grade novel, 'Schooled,' exploring its themes, characters, and the inspiration behind the story. She shares insights into her writing process, the balance of humor and grief in children'...
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41:42
Ep. 95: Cordelia Jensen (Lilac and the Switchback) on Crafting a Novel-In-Verse
On this episode, Cordelia Jensen discusses her latest middle grade verse novel, 'Lilac and the Switchback', exploring themes of friendship, grief, and change. She shares insights into the writing process, the emotional depth of verse novels, an...
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39:42
Ep. 94: Alyssa Colman (Where Only Storms Grow) on Historical Fiction With and Without Magic
At the start of this episode, Alyssa Colman discusses her book 'Gilded Girl' with a special guest, my 14-year-old daughter Ella who loved this book when it came out several years ago. Alyssa and I then discuss her new book 'Where On...
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34:18
Ep. 93: Pablo Cartaya (A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation) on Connecting With Readers Through Shared Experiences
In this episode, NYT bestselling author Pablo Cartaya shares with us his latest book, A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation. We discuss the importance of cultural heritage in storytelling and challenges faced during the creative process. Pablo shar...
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45:31
Ep. 92: Tiffany D. Jackson (Blood in the Water) on Writing MG After Success in YA
In this episode, Tiffany D. Jackson discusses her transition from writing young adult thrillers to her first middle grade novel, Blood in the Water. She shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of creating age-appropriate conten...
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34:05
Ep. 91: J.E. Thomas (The AI Incident) on Engaging Children in Conversations about Artificial Intelligence
In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, host Shannon Balloon interviews author J.E. Thomas about her latest book, The AI Incident. They discuss the themes of loneliness and connection, the role of AI in education, and how humor can...
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49:36
Ep. 90: Amanda Zieba (WordNerd) on Hybrid Publishing and Creating Resources for Teachers
In this episode, Amanda Zieba shares her journey from being a middle school teacher to an author and content creator for teachers. She discusses her experiences with self-publishing and hybrid publishing, the challenges and successes she faced ...
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50:00
Ep. 89: Shannon Balloon and Karen Reeder (BookHuddle Podcast) On Our Favorite MG Books of the Year (So Far)
On this episode, I'm playing an episode of the BookHuddle with Readgab Podcast in which host Karen Reeder and I discuss our favorite middle grade books of 2025 (so far). Karen and I each have our own favorite genres, which makes this discussion...
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44:21
Ep. 88: Meg Medina (Graciela in the Abyss) on Diving into a Fantasy World
In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, author Meg Medina discusses her latest book, Graciela in the Abyss, and shares insights into her writing process, the themes of her work, and the importance of community and culture in litera...
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49:39
[LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 34: Joel Brigham on Query Letters and First Pages
On this episode, writing expert Joel Brigham breaks down the components of a Query Letter as well as your First Pages - - the two most important things a writer seeking an agent needs (other than a completed manuscript, of course!). Joel ...
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59:09
Ep. 87: Katherine Marsh (the Medusa series) on Monsters, Myths, and a Girl Protagonist
In this episode, author Katherine Marsh discusses her Medusa series, focusing on themes of empowerment and representation for young girls in literature. She shares insights into her writing process, the importance of world-building, and her res...
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41:39
Ep. 86: Erin Entrada Kelly (At Last She Stood) on Her Foray into Nonfiction
In this episode, Erin Entrada Kelly discusses her journey as a children's author, her transition into nonfiction writing, and the remarkable life of Joey Guerrero, the subject of her latest book, At Last She Stood. She shares insights into her ...
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35:28