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PODCAST

Middle Grade Ninja

Middle Grade Ninja

Rob Kent interviews fellow authors, editors, literary agents, and other publishing professionals to discuss the craft and business of producing middle grade and young adult novels. New episode every Saturday. MiddleGradeNinja.com.

arts

All Episodes

01:11:05

99 Author G. Neri

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/12/05

G. Neri and I discuss CONCRETE COWBOY, the upcoming Netflix film based on his novel GHETTO COWBOY. He explains how he creates character voices, how stories chose him, and how he translates scientists’ studies into fiction. We also talk about writing during a pandemic, looking for alligators, surviving Antarctica, renting videos from a pre-Reservoir Dogs Quentin Tarantino, working with Chick Corea, meeting Ray Bradbury, the advantage of flying under the radar, and so much more. G. Neri is the

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01:06:03

98 Author Melissa de la Cruz

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/11/28

Melissa de la Cruz and I discuss the differences between writing original stories such as her newest, NEVER AFTER: THE THIRTEENTH FAIRY, and her best-selling series THE NEW BLUE BLOODS COVEN, and writing for established intellectual property, such as THE DESCENDANTS and GOTHAM HIGH. She also shares how she built her author career by first writing for magazines, how she keeps continuity in her many series, how being married to a writer influences her writing life, how to manage a writer’s ego, how to

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01:32:16

97 Author Hena Khan

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/11/21

Hena Khan and I discuss her career thus far in children’s publishing and her wide range of books from IT’S RAMADAN, CURIOUS GEORGE to ZAYD SALEEM, CHASING THE DREAM to her most recent MORE TO THE STORY and the upcoming AMINA’S SONG. We discuss how she strives to create the representation in children’s literature that was lacking when she was a young reader and the importance of writing stories about Muslims rather than stories solely about being Muslim. All this and so much more await Esteemed

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01:34:46

96 Author John Gallagher

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/11/14

John Gallagher and I nerd out about comics, action figures, Batman and all the best things in life, including his new comic book-ish novel, MAX MEOW: CAT CRUSADER. We also talk about his role as art director for RANGER RICK MAGAZINE, our mutual childhood dreams of being Robin, outlining while leaving room for fun, the importance of creating fast, launching a book series during a pandemic, the importance of a meatball from space, a possible ghost story, and so much more. John Gallagher is the art

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01:06:25

95 Author Victoria Bond

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/11/07

Victoria Bond and I discuss ZORA AND ME: THE SUMMONER, the third book in her trilogy with coauthor T.R. Simon, and the collaboration that made it possible. We talk about Zora Neale Hurston, writing historical fiction, and depicting the ugly truth of America’s racist past in literature for younger readers. We also chat about zombies, money in publishing (and the lack thereof), Vicky’s time as an assistant in a literary agency, Stephen King, John Keats, actual ghost stories, and so much

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01:15:24

94 Author Tonya Duncan Ellis

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/10/31

Tonya Duncan Ellis and I discuss her SOPHIE WASHINGTON series and I convince to give away all her indie publishing and marketing secrets for free. In this Halloween-ish episode, we discuss “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors, specifics for writing a successful middle grade series, why it’s important for characters of color to star in stories about everyday kid stuff, Bigfoot, processing trauma through fiction, and so much more. And, added bonus, you can download both our books for free. Happy

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01:53:28

93 Editor Elizabeth Law

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/10/24

What don’t legendary editor Elizabeth Law and I chat about in this far-ranging conversation that only begins to scratch at the surface of her vast publishing knowledge? We discuss her interactions with literary agents, working with Stephen King, her “cameo” in GERALD’S GAME, her work for Roald Dahl, the origin story of previous guest, Dan Gutman, lessons learned from Robert McKee, and a kiss with Hamilton’s Jonathan Groff. Elizabeth Law shares incredible insights on writing dialogue, description,

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01:07:06

92 Author Marcella Pixley

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/10/17

Marcella Pixley and I talk about her new novel TROWBRIDGE ROAD, currently on the long list for the National Book Award. We discuss the many parallels between that story set in 1983 (now considered historical fiction!), her own similar childhood and how she separated the two to create a “soul book” We also chat about editing, teaching 8th grade language arts during the time of COVID-19, launching books virtually, being visited in your dreams by the dead, flying saucers, simulation theory, and so much

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01:11:41

91 Author Hayley Chewins

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/10/10

Hayley Chewins and I discuss her newest novel, THE SISTERS OF STRAYGARDEN PLACE, and our mutual love for the greatest singer, composer, and writing muse extraordinaire, Tori Amos. We also talk about writing intuitively, the joy of language, motivations to write, fixing common plot problems, working with her literary agent, Patricia Nelson, revising without removing your story’s heart, making writing a priority, writing what you love, and so much more. Hayley Chewins writes books about magical girls

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01:34:13

90 Author Margi Preus

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/10/03

Margie Preus and I chat about the path to publishing HEART OF THE SAMURAI and being a Newberry Honor as well as the final book in her ENCHANTMENT LAKE series, THE SILVER BOX. She shares some lessons she learned from legendary writing instructor, John Gardner, and how she overcame the success of her first novel to complete SHADOW ON THE MOUNTAIN. We also talk about writing and producing children’s theater, rules for writing historical fiction, why some triumph over adversity when others are crushed

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01:05:41

89 Editor Mari Kesselring And Author Patrick Hueller

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/09/26

Editor Mari Kesselring and author Patrick Hueller share with me the story of how they met, each a set of identical twins with a love of literature, and how they work together now as writers, parents, and spouses. Mari tells me about her publisher, North Star Editions, and Patrick tells me about his newest book, READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL. We also talk author submissions, editorial styles, launching books in the time of COVID-19, reaching reluctant readers, how pantsers and plotters can apparently learn

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01:26:53

88 Literary Agent Jim McCarthy

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/09/19

Jim McCarthy and I discuss how he became a literary agent and his career in publishing so far. We chat about COVID-19 and its impact on the industry, the excitement he felt when his first client’s book took off, how he falls in love with a submission, the sorts of projects he’s interested in, how he woos a potential client, what a writer can expect when they sign with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC, a haunted apartment, finding an agent that’s worthy of you, and so much more. Jim McCarthy interned

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01:04:06

87 Author Daniel Kraus

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/09/12

Daniel Kraus and I discuss his newest book, THEY THREW US AWAY, a wonderfully dark middle grade novel written by an author of horror. We get along famously. We talk briefly about prequel possibilities for THE SHAPE OF WATER and at length about his collaboration with George Romero on THE LIVING DEAD. We also chat about plotting, the benefits of working on multiple projects at once, creating consistent rules for a fantasy world, the importance of writing without an audience, how to write dark

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01:38:08

86 Author Laura Stegman

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/09/05

Laura Stegman and I talk about SUMMER OF LUCK, her debut novel that took over 20 years to publish, as well her plan to promote it, and she would know. She was raised by publicists and has been one herself for more than three decades. We also discuss her journey from an actress to an author, the time she visited the set of Mary Poppins, her early influences, learning to trust the process, putting together an effective press kit, effectively targeting media outlets, and so much more. Laura Segal

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02:01:22

85 Literary Agent Kiana Nguyen

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/08/29

Kiana Nguyen and I have a blast discussing our mutual love for THE LAST OF US PART II. Eventually, we get around to her role as a literary agent for Donald Maass Literary Agency as well as a park ranger. We talk about “standard” coming out stories and “girl-saves-the-world” stories and why both are better avoided. We also chat about evaluating queries and manuscripts, agent/client communication styles, quarantine for Covid 19, the future of publishing, the emotional inner lives of characters, a

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01:32:26

84 Author MarcyKate Connolly

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/08/22

MarcyKate Connolly and I discuss her many bestselling “weird, creepy middle grade” novels, particularly her debut, MONSTROUS, and her transition to young adult with her newest release, TWIN DAGGERS. Despite my best efforts to turn the conversation to ghosts and flying saucers, we actually discuss quite refined topics such as Shakespeare and opera and an opera based on Shakespeare. We also chat about creating magical systems and rules in fantasy worlds, life during quarantine, turning 40, why

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01:55:25

83 Author Annie Sullivan Returns

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/08/15

Annie Sullivan and I pick up right where we left off after her previous appearance in episode 40. We talk about her soon-to-be-released YA novel CURSE OF GOLD, sequel to TOUCH OF GOLD, as well as SHARKTOPUS VS WHALEWOLF. Since I know Annie has long been an “aspiring recluse,” I’m eager to learn how she’s been enjoying quarantine for Covid-19 and how she’s promoting her new book without leaving home. We also chat about being a TIGER QUEEN in the age of Tiger King, Greek mythology, leaving Easter Eggs

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01:17:38

82 Author Preeti Chhibber

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/08/08

Preeti Chhibber, host of the Desi Geek Girls podcast, and I geek out over the things we love while discussing her wonderfully geeky new books AVENGERS ASSEMBLY: ORIENTATION, STAR WARS THE CLONE WARS: STORIES OF LIGHT AND DARK, and A JEDI, YOU WILL BE. She shares how working her side hustle talking about stuff she loved online while working a day job in children’s publishing led to her writing PETER AND NED’S ULTIMATE TRAVEL JOURNAL, interviewing the cast of SPIDERMAN: FAR FROM HOME, and a rewarding

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01:25:14

81 Author Paula Chase

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/07/18

Paula Chase and I chat about her novels SO DONE and DOUGH BOYS and what makes them upper middle grade instead of young adult. She discusses founding The Brown Bookshelf with Varian Johnson, the importance of representation in literature, and how we should focus less on Black pain and more on Black joy. We also talk about her writing practices as a committed pantser, how she fell backward into being an author, writing in the voice of teenagers, refusing to “just shut up” on social media, meeting

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01:54:23

80 Public Relations Expert Sarah Miniaci

Middle Grade Ninja ·

2020/07/11

Sarah Miniaci and I discuss her career in publicity from running a literary magazine to her work with many notable authors at Smith Publicity. She explains giving in order to get, get lists, top gets, longest lead gets, and never forgets. We chat about raising your author profile, establishing publicity goals, measuring your success, reader targeting, tearing down discoverability myths, and a chalk-changing, vacuum-knocking ghost. Having worked in a variety of roles in fields that include

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224 results

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