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Episodes
Writers talk craft, agent hunt, query trenches, publishing industry, and more. Hosted by Mindy McGinnis.
Episodes
Monday Jan 16, 2023
Monday Jan 16, 2023
Today's guest is Kathryn Holmes, who has written, YA, MG and chapter books. Kathryn joined me to talk about the difference in writing for these age categories, the payout for shorter books, submission slumps, and co-authoring.
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Monday May 16, 2022
Monday May 16, 2022
Today's guest is MarcyKate Connolly, author of numerous MG and YA books. MarcyKate joined me today to talk about the importance of finding a writer's critique group, the different ways to promote middle grade versus Young adult, and the difficulties of launching four books during the pandemic.
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Monday Nov 09, 2020
Monday Nov 09, 2020
Today's guest is Charise Harper whose new release, So Embarrassing: Awkward Moments and How to Get Through Them, a graphic novel for middle graders) releases in November. Charise joined me to talk about how to handle embarrassing situations (even as an adult) and how to help others cope in the moment.
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Monday Oct 12, 2020
Monday Oct 12, 2020
Today's guest is Hayley Chewins, author of The Turnaway Girls and The Sisters of Staygarden Place. Hayley joined me to talk about writing upper middle grade, the process of enduring multiple revise and resubmit stages, and her class - 100 Ideas in 10 Days.
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Monday Feb 10, 2020
Monday Feb 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.
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Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 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.
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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
Monday Oct 21, 2019
Monday Oct 21, 2019
Today’s guest is Debbie Rigaud, author of the YA Rom-com Truly, Madly, Royally. Debbie joined me to day to talk about the rejection journey being similar for scripts, magazine writing and novels, and the importance of community – especially that of women in publishing looking out for one another. Also covered: why a YA rom-com might be exactly what some readers need and co-authoring with activist Alyssa Milano.
Links for Debbie
Website: https://debbierigaud.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/debbierigaud
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/froandabow/
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Monday Sep 23, 2019
Monday Sep 23, 2019
Today’s guest is Marie Miranda Cruz, author of Everlasting Nora, an uplifting young reader debut about perseverance against all odds. Marie joined me to day to talk about the difficulty of querying a middle grade novel with complicated and heavy themes. Also covered: writing about tough topics for middle graders as a way to build empathy.
Links for Marie:
Website: https://cruzwrites.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cruzwrites/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariveecruz/
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When the Truth Unravels by RuthAnne Snow: https://amzn.to/353KSIM
Our Year of Maybe by Rachel Lynn Solomon: https://amzn.to/2OmKDlU
Monday Apr 01, 2019
Monday Apr 01, 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.
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
Monday Oct 22, 2018
Monday Oct 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?
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