Middle Grade Made Easy(er) | Kidlit Writing Craft Podcast
Middle Grade Made Easy(er) brings you actionable writing craft advice on how to outline, write and revise a middle-grade novel for 8 to 12-year-old readers. Tune in twice a month to join developmental editor and author, Lou Piccolo, and learn the art of writing middle grade without the overwhelm.Whether you're trying to find a way into your novel, are stuck somewhere in the middle, need to revise but don’t know how, or are looking for tips to stay motivated to finish your novel, each episode offers practical guidance you can apply to your work in progress.Middle Grade Made...
#22 What Is a Scene in a Middle-Grade Novel?
You've read all about scenes in books on writing craft, and you know they're the building blocks of a middle-grade novel, but if you've ever wondered what actually makes up a scene, or where one scene ends and the next begins, this podcast episode has the answers for you.
In this episode, we take a look at:
What is a scene in a middle-grade novel?Where does a scene start and stop?What's the difference between a scene and chapter?Why does something have to change in every scene?How...#21 Should You Write Your Middle-Grade Novel in Scenes or Chapters?
If you spend a lot of time worrying about how to write the perfect opening chapter for your middle-grade novel or whether you should end your chapters on a cliffhanger, then you're going to love writing in scenes!
In this episode, we'll cover:
the difference between scenes and chaptersthree reasons why it's best to write in a series of scenes rather than in chaptersThis episode is the first in a mini series on writing scenes in middle-grade novels, so stay tuned to the podcast over the next few episodes to learn:
...#20 Does Word Count Matter in Your Middle-Grade Novel?
Word count may seem like the least of your concerns when you're thinking about writing a middle-grade novel. You've got story type, plot, theme, character development, pacing, and who knows what else to consider, right?
But here's the thing: knowing industry-standard guidelines for the length of a middle-grade novel, and having a target word count in mind before you start drafting can actually help you to outline, draft, revise and publish.
In today's episode, we'll cover:
the guidelines for middle-grade novel word countfour reasons why word count matters#19 Middle-Grade Mindset: Why You’re Stuck and What To Do About It
You may have taken all the writing classes and read all the craft books on writing, and you may theoretically know everything you need to know to write your middle-grade novel, but if you have only managed the theory of writing without managing your mindset, you are going to encounter fear at some point.
And that fear will stop you from writing.
So, what's the solution?
In this podcast episode, we cover:
how fear is keeping you stuckwhat to do to about the fearW...
#18 3 Ways to Find Your Middle-Grade Novel's Theme
Books help kids make sense of the world through story, but they can only do that if the books they read have an underlying meaning to them.
That's where theme comes in.
In this episode, we're going to look at how theme can help you write your novel, and create a story that will send kids on a journey in which they can fall in love with characters they care about and feel emotions they can relate to.
To do that, w...
#17 The #1 Reason Agents Reject Your Middle-Grade Novel
What's more important for your novel: great language or great story?
If you answered 'great story', you've got it right!
While great language is important too, it won't carry your story idea through a full-length middle-grade novel and, by itself, it's not a story.
If you submit a novel to an agent without solid story structure, it will be rejected.
If you think your novel lacks structure, in this episode, I cover:
why so many...#16 Use Story Type to Unlock Your Middle-Grade Novel
You have a great story idea but you don't know how to turn it into a fully developed middle-grade novel that publishers want to buy and readers will love.
What to do?
This episode on the ten universal story types will help you:
identify your novel's story typefind a way into your storyget past your story's murky middlecraft an effective character arcdraft effective scenes and events for your storywrite a story that satisfies readersBonus: get access to a free PDF handout<...
Bonus: Get to Know Your Ideal Reader with Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie
In this bonus episode, I will take the eight key questions we looked at in the last episode on how to get to know the ideal middle-grade reader for your novel, and apply them to Kate DiCamillo's middle-grade novel Because of Winn-Dixie.
This episode will show you what the process of fleshing out your ideal middle-grade reader looks like in action, and how it can connect your readers to your protagonist and the theme of your story, turning them into your book's biggest fan.
If you haven't al...
#15 Getting to Know Your Ideal Middle-Grade Reader
If you want to be the type of middle-grade writer who creates books with characters who feel like real people, and transports kids out of their own world into the imaginary one you have created in such a way that they lose themselves and actually feel some sort of grief when the book ends…
… then you need to start with understanding who middle-grade readers are, in general, and who the ideal reader is for YOUR book.
In this episode, I cover:
reasons why it's important to get to...#14 Writing Middle Grade: How Do I Start?
So, you want to write a middle-grade novel.
Maybe you have an idea that just won't let you be. Or maybe you've spent years writing picture books, and you'd like to try something different?
But when you sit down in front of your computer… well, you don't quite know how to start.
That's why, in this episode, we're taking a deep dive into how reading like a writer will help you:
learn about middle-grade guidelinesunderstand why something isn't working in your own book...#13 How to Nail Middle-Grade Voice
Strong voice is important in all fiction, but it's vital in middle grade.
Why?
Because kids between 8 and 12, who are almost ready to leave early childhood behind and embark on big adventures, need a safe way to do so.
How do they do it?
Through the characters in middle-grade novels who are living the life they want to live.
If your characters have strong voice, your book becomes memorable because voice helps the story flow with just the right amount of emotional complexity a kid can connect with and relat...
#12 What is Middle Grade Anyway?
If you want to write middle-grade novels, you need to know what they are before you can put pen to paper. Knowing the guidelines will help you plot your story and write your book, and it will also increase your chances of being published.
In this episode of Middle Grade Made Easy(er), we take a look at:
What makes a chapter bookWhat makes a young adult novelWhat makes a middle grade novelWhere middle grade fits into the kidlit marketExceptions to the ruleFor show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my w...
#11 How Can I Grow My Author Newsletter?
You've worked hard at creating an author newsletter, and you have some subscribers, but now the time has come to grow that list. How do you do that? How do you let more people know what you have to offer?
This episode takes a look at ten simple, but effective, tips you can use to grow your list of subscribers and share your newsletter with more people.
For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram
Have something to say...
#10 Should I Offer a Freebie with My Author Newsletter?
In simple terms, a freebie is a bonus that subscribers get from you when they sign up to your author newsletter. Should you offer one or doesn't it matter?
In this episode, we'll look at:
For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram
Have something to say? Send me a message!
#9 Creating an Opt-In for Your Author Newsletter
The world is a busy place in which we're constantly bombarded by text messages, voice messages, phone calls, social media notifications and emails. There's only so much stimulation a nervous system can take! Many people are filtering their sensory experiences to keep the noise out by toning down their time spent on social media or online.
When you create an opt-in for your newsletter, you want to make sure that you're not part of the noise that potential subscribers filter out!
In this episode, we look at how to do that by:
#8 How Often Should I Send My Author Newsletter?
"When should I send out my author newsletter?"
That's one of the most frequently asked questions my children's authors ask. How do you know how often is too often and how much is not enough?
In this episode, we'll answer those questions by looking at:
Bonus: When should you NOT send out a newsletter? You'll find that information in this episode too!
For show notes and transcripts, visit my website.
You can also connect with me on Instagram.
#7 Voice and Tone in Your Author Newsletter
Your voice is particular to you. It's a natural part of who you are. But a lot of authors find it difficult to access their voice and to decide on tone when writing their newsletter.
In this episode, we'll be taking a peek at:
Bonus: There's a challenge that, should you accept it, will have you writing your first newsletter in your authentic voice and in a tone yo...
#6 What Do I Talk About in My Author Newsletter?
If you're not sure what you're meant to be talking about in your children's author newsletter, you're not alone! This is the most common problem all newsletter writers struggle with when they're starting out.
In this episode, we break your newsletter up into three parts to make the process easier:
Bonus: you get access to a list of 24 content ideas you can use to write your newsletter.
For show notes and transcripts, visit my website
You can also connect with me on Instagram
H...
#5 Nurturing Your Author Newsletter Mindset
The most important investment you can make in your career as a children's author is to spend time nurturing your author newsletter mindset.
If you’re thinking of a newsletter as something gimmicky or sales-y, this episode will help you shift your mindset so you can bridge the gap between where you are today and creating an author newsletter.
We look at:
#4 Starting an Author Newsletter
As a children's or young adult author, you need a newsletter. While you may feel that you don't have time to write a newsletter or even enjoying reading them, a newsletter will help you create deeper connections with readers which has a greater possibility of leading to sales at some point down the line. In fact, newsletters have a greater possibility of leading to sales than any other marketing tool out there.
In today's episode, we'll be taking a peek at:
#3 How Marketing Kidlit Is Different
As a children's or young adult author, you need to connect with both your ideal customer and your ideal reader who are not the same people. This is how marketing for children and young adults is different to authors of other genres.
In this episode, we'll be looking at:
#1 What is Marketing Anyway?
Most authors and creatives love the work they do and they want to be left alone to do it. What they don't want is to have to market themselves or their work. Marketing feels like something shameful that shady authors do, and they don't want to be confused with pushy salespeople and the hard sell.
The good news is that marketing has nothing to do with selling. While it may be a means to an end, marketing is simply connecting with people who like the same things you do.
In this episode, we take a look at...
#2 How Do I Start with Book Marketing?
In this episode, we take a look at the foundation of your children's or young adult book marketing strategy which consists of three elements:
In children's and young adult literature, who is your target audience? Is it children or the people buying books for them? Knowing where to find these people online will help you connect with them. What are your goals in connecting with these people? Is it to sell books? If so, how many is enough for you and why? If not, what is...
Official Trailer: Middle Grade Made Easy(er) with Lou Piccolo
How do you:
create an outline for your middle-grade novel?know which story structure to use? know what your theme is?create engaging characters?create authentic dialogue?revise your novel? stay motivated to finish your novel?These are just some of the big questions that we'll be digging into on the Middle Grade Made Easy(er) podcast.
Each episode provides you with simple, actionable, step-by-step writing strategies you can put into practice right away, and tips on how to stay motivated when the going gets tough, no matter whether you...
