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PODCAST

Middle Grade Matters

Shannon Balloon

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.

arts books

All Episodes

29:04

Ep. 99: Second Year Podcasting Anniversary - Come...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/10/14

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 a...

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37:29

Ep. 98: Melissa Dassori on Second Books and Magic in...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/09/30

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, risk-taking, and the collaborative nature of the writing process. 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!...

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44:37

Ep. 97: McCall Hoyle (Forever Ripley) on Exploring...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/09/16

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 themes of grief, love, and the importance of emotional depth in storytelling. McCall shares her writing process, the challenges of writing from a dog's perspective, and the significance of creating relatable characters for young readers. She also reflect...

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41:42

Ep. 96: Jamie Sumner (Schooled) on Embracing...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/09/09

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's literature, and the importance of voice in storytelling. Jamie also reflects on her experiences as a teacher and how they influence her writing, as well as her interactions with young readers during school visits. She offers valuable advice for aspiri...

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39:42

Cordelia Jensen (Lilac and the Switchback) on...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/08/26

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, and the collaborative nature of editing. Cordelia reflects on her journey as a writer and the unique aspects of writing for a middle grade audience. For bonus content and info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Ne...

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34:18

Ep. 94: Alyssa Colman (Where Only Storms Grow) on...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/08/19

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 Only Storms Grow,' exploring themes of survival during the Dust Bowl through the eyes of twins Joanna and Howe. She shares insights into her writing process, character development, and the historical context of her work. Alyssa also reflects on her journey to b...

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45:31

Ep. 93: Pablo Cartaya (A Hero's Guide to Summer...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/08/12

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 shares insights into his research methods, his unique writing style, and the emotional journey of bringing his characters to life. The conversation highlights the significance of perseverance in the face of rejection and the joy of connecting with readers t...

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34:05

Ep. 92: Tiffany D. Jackson (Blood in the Water) on...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/07/29

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 content, and the significance of Martha's Vineyard in her story. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of understanding child development in writing for younger audiences and reflects on her journey as a novelist while balancing motherhood. She offers valuable ad...

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49:36

Ep. 91: J.E. Thomas (The AI Incident) on Engaging...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/07/22

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 engage young readers. J.E. shares insights from her interactions with kids during school visits and reflects on her writing process, challenges, and future projects. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creativity and the human experience in s...

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50:00

Ep. 90: Amanda Zieba (WordNerd) on Hybrid Publishing...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/07/15

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 along the way, and her latest book, Life in the Passenger Seat. Amanda also provides insights into her marketing strategies and offers advice for writers considering different publishing routes. Finally, she shares insights on her First Chapter Fr...

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44:21

Ep. 89: Shannon Balloon and Karen Reeder (BookHuddle...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/07/08

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 perfect for readers of all types of middle grade books. Listen and find your next favorite middle grade read. Find Karen Reeder at https://readgab.com/ and find her podcast on all platforms as well as on YouTube. For bonus content and info on upcomin...

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49:39

Ep. 88: Meg Medina (Graciela in the Abyss) on Diving...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/07/01

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 literature. She reflects on the challenges of writing, the role of illustrations, and her experiences as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Meg emphasizes the significance of storytelling and encourages aspiring writers to focus on their c...

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41:39

Ep. 86: Katherine Marsh (the Medusa series) on...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/06/03

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 research into Greek mythology. Katherine also reflects on her journey as a writer, the evolution of middle grade literature, and offers advice for aspiring writers. From the Publisher: From National Book Award finalist Katherine Marsh: Percy Jackson meets ...

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35:28

Ep. 86: Erin Entrada Kelly (At Last She Stood) on Her...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/05/27

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 writing process, the challenges of researching a historical figure, and her hope that young readers recognize marginalized voices in history. Erin also reflects on the impact winning a Newbery Honor and two Newbery Medals has had on her writing, her tea...

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52:14

Ep. 85: Kate O'Shaughnessy (The Wrong Way Home) on...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/05/20

In this conversation, author Kate O'Shaughnessy shares her journey as a middle grade fiction writer, including her experience of receiving a Newbery Honor for her book 'The Wrong Way Home.' She discusses the inspiration behind her writing and the themes of community and belonging. Kate also reflects on her writing process, the challenges of balancing motherhood with her career, and her advice for aspiring writers. For bonus content and info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade ...

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50:06

Ep. 84: Dianne K. Salerni (The Tontine Caper) on...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/05/06

In this interview, Dianne K. Salerni shares her journey as an author, discussing her latest middle grade novel, The Tontine Caper. The discussion delves into the humorous elements of her work, the role of the omniscient narrator, and the importance of character development. Dianne also addresses the challenges of writing shorter novels for middle grade readers and the evolving landscape of children's literature. She concludes with valuable advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the importan...

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52:06

Ep. 83: Lauren Wolk (Candle Island) on the Importance...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/04/29

In this conversation, Newbery Honor winner Lauren Wolk discusses her latest middle grade novel, Candle Island, and shares insights into her writing process, character development, and the importance of setting in her stories. She emphasizes the maturity and resilience of her characters, the role of art in her work, and her creative journey as a children's writer. Wolk also shares her journey as a writer, discussing her transition from adult fiction to middle grade literature, the impact of aw...

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44:49

Ep: 82: Marie Benedict (The Secrets of Lovelace...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/04/22

In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, I interview author Marie Benedict about her new middle grade novel, The Secrets of Lovelace Academy. The conversation explores the collaboration between Marie and co-author Courtney Scheinmel, the historical context of the story, the challenges faced by young girls in education during the early 1900s, and the relatable themes of classism and resilience. Marie shares insights into the writing process, the fun and fast-paced nature of the boo...

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46:24

Ep. 81: Debbi Michiko Florence (Last Chance Academy)...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/04/01

In this episode, I interview middle grade author Debbie Michiko Florence. We discuss Debbi's writing process, her new middle grade series 'Last Chance Academy', and the importance of representing Japanese American heritage in her stories. Debbie shares insights into her creative space, the challenges of writing a mystery, and the significance of friendship themes in her work. She reflects on her long path to publication, the significance of finding the right agent, and the collaborative natur...

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43:44

Ep. 80: Lisa Schmid (Hart & Souls) on Non-Scary Ghost...

Middle Grade Matters ·

2025/03/25

In this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, author Lisa Schmid discusses her latest middle grade novel, 'Heart & Souls.' The conversation delves into the themes of anxiety, empathy, and the role of ghosts in storytelling. Lisa shares her personal experiences that inspired her writing, the importance of creating relatable characters, and the challenges of balancing writing with family life and podcasting. Lisa also discuss the podcast 'Writers with Wrinkles', which she co-hosts, a...

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100 results

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