Welcome to our channel surf, where we highlight our favorite writing, publishing, and/or book-related posts of the week by middle grade authors! For some reason there were a lot of hearts floating around out there this week. I know, I know…I loooove Die Hard too! Can’t wait to see the fifth installment of John McClane’s saga. Anyway, hit the pause button for a sec and check this out…
by Jeanie Wogaman, KLN blogger and illustrator
Our very own Jeanie announced yesterday that one of her illustrations was published in the Winter 2013 issues of Drawing Magazine! Check out her post (and click on the image to make it big). I love it – the trees, the pulley system, the little folks, the bright red apples…so imaginative! Congrats, Jeanie!
by Anna Staniszewski, author of the My Epic Fairy Tale Fail
Anna has a great post over on The Paper Wait about writing your first sequel – a crazy process, because suddenly you have readers! You know, aside from your dog. (Am I the only one who reads aloud to her dog?) Also, I feel the need to point out something momentous…this post marks the first time I’ve spelled Staniszewski correctly on the first try.
Theme Me Up: How to Develop Your Theme
by Janice Hardy, author of the Healing Wars trilogy
I think the thing I love most about this post was this: “And for you pantsers out there, theme might be the guiding light you’ll love.” Such amazing advice. I’m definitely an outliner, but I think when I start my next project, I’m going to begin with theme, and see where it takes me.
by Matthew MacNish, MG author
In this post, Matthew takes a look at the first lines from five MG novels and breaks down what works for him, and what doesn’t. Bonus: he doesn’t tell you which books they’re from. Can you guess?
Stars in Your Eyes – a Giveaway!
by Tricia Springstubb, author of Mo Wren, Lost and Found
Over at From the Mixed-Up Files, you can enter to win a signed ARC of BETTER NATE THAN EVER, by Tim Federle! I finished reading this book last night, and you guys…you guys. My love for this book. It is boundless. (Pun intended.) (But seriously. Get this book.)
by Stefan Bachmann, author of The Peculiar
Stefan Bachmann revealed the amazing, gorgeous, steampunkalicious cover to WHATNOT, the sequel to THE PECULIAR! And speaking of boundless love for books…yeah, I this one is filed squarely away in that drawer for me as well.
What’d I miss? Let me know if you caught any great middle grade posts this week!
Ha, I read aloud to my dog all the time. She usually leaves the room…
Hey, Michelle! Thanks for featuring my feature about being featured!