Middle Grade Made Easy(er) | Kidlit Writing Craft Podcast

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 chapters three reasons why it's best to write in a series of scenes rather than in chapters This 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: how to write a solid scene the elements that all scenes need to work when to write in scene and when to write in summary 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!

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 count four reasons why word count matters In the end, every author has the choice to watch word count or not, but it's a fact that word count matters, so make each word count! 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!

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 stuck what to do to about the fear What you believe about yourself impacts your success or failure . So, managing your beliefs leads to positive thoughts and feelings, which motivates constructive writing habits. Mindset matters! 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!

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, we'll cover: what theme is how knowing your story’s theme can make writing your novel easier three questions that will help you find your middle-grade novel’s theme Theme is one of the foundational elements of novel writing , as is story type which can help you uncover your novel's theme. If you'd like to find out more about story type, sign up for a workshop at: loupiccolo.com/storytype Bonus: You can find a free PDF download summarizing this episode. 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!

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 writers make the mistake of choosing language over story what to do if you realize you've made this mistake how to build solid structure into your novel a workshop on how adding structure to your novel can sell your book You can sign up for the workshop at: loupiccolo.com/storytype 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!

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 type find a way into your story get past your story's murky middle craft an effective character arc draft effective scenes and events for your story write a story that satisfies readers Bonus: get access to a free PDF handout on story type and why you should use it to draft your middle-grade novel. Workshop : Join me on November 29, 2025 for a workshop on the ten universal story types. 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!

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 already listened to episode #15, here is the link . You can also download a free PDF worksheet that lists: reasons why it's important to get to know your ideal reader 8 questions you can ask to get to know them how this will help you outline, draft, revise, publish and market your book 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!

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 know your ideal reader 8 questions you can ask to get to know them how this will help you outline, draft, revise, publish and market your book I've created a PDF handout you can download that sums up the episode: loupiccolo.com/reader 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!

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 guidelines understand why something isn't working in your own book increase your chances of being published create a protagonist kids can relate to grow as a writer remember what it felt like to be a child I've created a PDF handout you can download that sums up the episode: loupiccolo.com/read 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!

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 relate to. This means that voice in a middle-grade novel is closely related to how engaged your readers will be with your story. In this episode, we look at: what middle-grade voice is why middle-grade voice matters an example of strong voice in Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate tips for developing strong middle-grade voice I've created a PDF handout you can download that sums up the episode: loupiccolo.com/voice 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!

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 book What makes a young adult novel What makes a middle grade novel Where middle grade fits into the kidlit market Exceptions to the rule 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!

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? Send me a message!

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: three reasons why it’s a good idea to offer a freebie the types of freebies you can create top tips for freebies 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!

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: being specific about the information that needs to appear on your opt-in form, analyzing examples of effective opt-ins from other children's authors, making sure you know the basics of writing an author newsletter. 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!

"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: your subscribers your content your goal in writing a newsletter your statistics 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 . Have something to say? Send me a message!

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: the difference between voice and tone why voice and tone are important how to find your voice if it's gone missing how to choose the tone of your newsletter 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 you'll be able to sustain for a long time. For show notes and transcripts, visit my website . You can also connect with me on Instagram . Have something to say? Send me a message!

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: A featured topic Something you want to promote News 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 Have something to say? Send me a message!

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: the benefits of an attitude of play, experimentation and learning how you can use your own writing to create a newsletter how your hobbies, passions and private life can inspire content how you can align a newsletter to your personality For show notes and transcripts, visit my website You can also connect with me on Instagram Have something to say? Send me a message!

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: how author newsletters are a more effective marketing tool than social media what an email service provider is and how to choose one that is best suited to you what an email freebie, newsletter incentive or opt-in is and why it's important to offer one to your subscribers how a solid newsletter plan can help you be consistent and know what to write about in your newsletter Bonus: I share links to four of my freebies so you see how they're set up and what they look like. For show notes and transcripts, visit my website You can also connect with me on Instagram Have something to say? Send me a message!

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: why you should connect with your ideal readers even if they're not the ones buying your books where and how to connect with these readers when you won't necessarily find them online how ensuring your readers know, like and trust you will help you to build connections with them how to connect with your readers if you haven't finished writing your book Bonus: a look at a successful children's author and poet who masters connecting with young readers both online and face-to-face to build relationships and market her work. For show notes and transcripts, visit my website You can also connect with me on Instagram Have something to say? Send me a message!