February 10, 2020
Today’s guest is Michael Tougias, the author of many true rescue stories, including THE FINEST HOURS, which was adapted into a Disney film. His latest, INTO THE BLIZZARD has been adapted for middle grade readers from his adult non-fiction book about the Blizzard of 1978. Michael joined me today to talk about the difference between seeking publication with fiction versus non-fiction, and the challenge of adapting his own work for a younger audience. Also covered, research, and the process of interviewing your subjects face to face.
Links for Michael:
Website
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![3 Tips For World Building with Maram Taibah]()
January 13, 2020
Today’s guest is Maram Taibah, a fantasy writer, born in Montreal, Canada. She was raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which, at times, was the most unimaginative place. This pushed her to escape into books at a very early age and from there into the craft of storytelling. Her most recent publication is the children's steampunk book Weathernose. Maram is not only a fiction writer but also a screenwriter and filmmaker. In 2014 she made her first short film Munkeer and in 2016, Don’t Go Too Far, both of which were screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner. Maram joined me today to talk about how screenwriting can help you become a more concise novelist, as well as her three tips for world building.
Links for Maram:
Website: https://www.maram-taibah.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maram.taibah.author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maramtaibah
Newsletter: https://www.maram-taibah.com/subscribe-1
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Kelly DeVos Day Zero: https://amzn.to/2NkkL9j
Andrea Hannah A Map for Wilds Hearts: https://amzn.to/3a6ZXMi
April 1, 2019
Today’s guest is Anne O’Brien Carelli author of Skylark and Wallcreeper, a middle grade story that alternates between Brooklyn in 2012 and the German-occupied town of Brume in 1944. Anne joined me today to talk about writing for children, and the amount of research required to write historical fiction – no matter the age, as well as using incubation and your subconscious to think your way around the sticky spots in your manuscript.
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Links for Anne:
Website: https://www.anneobriencarelli.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aobc
IG: https://www.instagram.com/anne.o.carelli/
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Emily Martin Editorial Services: https://www.emilymartinedits.com/
Heroine by Mindy McGinnis amzn.to/2pjEWYh
October 22, 2018
Today’s guest is Tara Gilboy who holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia, where she specialized in writing for children and young adults. Her middle grade novel, Unwritten, was published by Jolly Fish Press just this month. She teaches creative writing in San Diego Community College’s Continuing Education Program and for the PEN Writers in Prisons Program.
Tara joined me today to talk about selling her book without an agent, and how to process criticism from critique partners. Also Covered: exercises to help you capture middle grade voice, and how to find critique partners both online and in real life. And, can writing be taught or is it intuitive?
Links for Tara:
Site
Twitter
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The Wood by Chelsea Bobulski
Sleight by Jennifer Sommersby
March 19, 2018
Today’s guest is Liesl Shurtliff, New York Times Bestselling author of middle novels Rump, Jack, Red and Grump, and the upcoming Mona Lisa Key, first in the Time Castaways trilogy. Liesl joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about being somewhat unaware of the success of her debut and the transition from writing being a hobby to becoming a job. Also: working in the same world for four novels… taxing on the creativity, or liberating on the world building?
Links for Liesl:
Site
Twitter
Facebook
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THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND: CORONATION by Courtney Brandt
THE TRAIL RULES by Melanie Hooyenga
Word 2 Kindle
March 5, 2018
Today’s guest is Tricia Springstubb, author of picture books, chapter books and novels for middle grade readers. She joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the transition of changing from being a lover of stories to a writer of them, and why she writes for the age groups she does, how she takes real life inspiration and uses them in her fiction, and the challenge of writing chapter books for the readers who are in between picture books and novels.
Tricia Links:
Site
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
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QUEEN OF ENGLAND: CORONATION by Courtney Brandt
AS I DESCENDED by Robin Talley
Word-2-Kindle
February 19, 2018
Today’s guest is Rachele Alpine, author of both YA and middle grade titles, as well as being a full-time English teacher, wife and mom. Rachele joins host Mindy McGinnis to talk about the importance of knowing what you want in an agent – and what questions to ask – before you begin querying, how having a teacher guide made for your book can crack the classroom market, as well as time management and how Rachele maximizes every minute in order to be a full time teacher, wife, mother, and writer.
Rachele's Links:
Site
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
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AIR & ASH by Alex Lidell
Paper Hearts Workbook by Beth Revis
