Category: Podcast
Middle Grade Ninja: Middle Grade Ninja Episode 38: Author Thomas Taylor
To watch new episodes as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe. Middle Grade Ninja is available on Soundcloud, Stitcher, itunes, Podbean, Podblaster, RadioPublic, blubrry, Listen Notes, Google Play, and many other fine locations. Thomas Taylor and I discuss his new novel, MALAMANDER, and writing creepy, atmospheric monster stories for children. We also talk quite a lot about ghosts, flying saucers, and the parts of […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Middle Grade Ninja Episode 54: Editor Lauren Smulski
To watch new episodes as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe. Middle Grade Ninja is available on Soundcloud, Stitcher, itunes, Podbean, Podblaster, RadioPublic, blubrry, Listen Notes, Google Play, and many other fine locations. Lauren Smulski reveals candid details about her career in NYC publishing, including salary specifics, as she rose from assistant editor to an editor with Harlequin Teen. We discuss her new role […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Middle Grade Ninja Episode 70: Author Mitali Perkins
To watch new episodes as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe. Middle Grade Ninja is available on Soundcloud, Stitcher, itunes, Podbean, Podblaster, RadioPublic, blubrry, Listen Notes, Google Play, and many other fine locations. Mitali Perkins and I chat about her classic novel, RICKSHAW GIRL, its uncertain and difficult path to publication, its steady rise to prominence, and the new film based upon it. We […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Middle Grade Ninja Episode 85: Literary Agent Kiana Nguyen
To watch new episodes as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe. Middle Grade Ninja is available on Soundcloud, Stitcher, itunes, Podbean, Podblaster, RadioPublic, blubrry, Listen Notes, Google Play, and many other fine locations. Kiana Nguyen and I have a blast discussing our mutual love for THE LAST OF US PART II. Eventually, we get around to her role as a literary agent for Donald […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Middle Grade Ninja Episode 02: Author Barbara Shoup
To watch new episodes as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe. Middle Grade Ninja is available on Soundcloud, Stitcher, itunes, Podbean, Podblaster, RadioPublic, blubrry, Listen Notes, Google Play, and many other fine locations. Barbara Shoup, one of my most favorite writers and the executive director of the Indiana Writers Center, joined me for this second […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Middle Grade Ninja Episode 18: Literary Agent Holly Root
To watch new episodes as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe. Middle Grade Ninja is available on Soundcloud, Stitcher, itunes, Podbean, Podblaster, RadioPublic, blubrry, Listen Notes, Google Play, and many other fine locations. Literary Agent Holly Root and I discuss her career in publishing from working in the mail room, to making a name for herself as an agent, to now running her own […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: Author, Year Six (2019)
The headline of 2019’s Author Year-in-Review post is this: the Banneker Bones trilogy is finally coming to a close. I’ve still got some work ahead of me, but Banneker Bones and the Cyborg Conspiracy will be available May 15, 2020. I can’t reveal many details as saying much of anything about this third story will […]
Middle Grade Ninja: An Afterword for ROB WORM’S BIRD ADVENTURE
The original draft of Rob Worm’s Bird Adventure—which came with your book—was published by my 5th Grade class in 1991. I’d been drawing Rob Worm on every scrap of paper and been thinking about him for at least a year, so forever. I was so in love with the idea of writing a book about […]
Middle Grade Ninja
Dear Esteemed Reader, After 13 years of amazing interviews with authors and publishing professionals, guest posts and book reviews, blog posts and 212 podcast conversations, this site is on indefinite hiatus. Never say never. I can’t imagine staying away forever, but I am no longer accepting requests for reviews, interviews, or anything else. An […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Michael Johnston
To watch new episodes as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe. Middle Grade Ninja is available on Soundcloud, Stitcher, itunes, Podbean, Podblaster, RadioPublic, blubrry, Listen Notes, Google Play, and many other fine locations.Mike Johnston and I discuss his new middle grade series, CONFESSIONS OF A DORK LORD, and the stylistic differences between his fantasy writing for adults under the super-secret penname, Michael Johnston. Also, […]