Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: The Cannibalization of All Right Now
After All Together Now, I wrote a popular post about the cannibalization of that story and I thought it might make for a fun post to actually “live revise” the first chapter of All Right Now. If that sounds boring to you, Esteemed Reader, the good news is this is the internet and there are […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: Cannibalism: A Post About Editing (Part Two)
THIS WEEK IN NINJA-ING: Tuesday’s Book of the Week is Greenhorn, Wednesday we’re discussing Chapter 5 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Thursday author/literary agent Anna Olswanger will face the 7 Questions. Saturday, as ever, we’ll be joined by a surprise literary agent. Greetings from the world of twenty minutes after last week’s post, Esteemed Reader. I took a […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: Cannibalism: A Post About Editing (Part One)
THIS WEEK IN NINJA-ING: Tuesday’s Book of the Week is Finn Finnegan, Wednesday we’re discussing Chapter 4 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and Thursday author Darby Karchut will face the 7 Questions. Saturday, as ever, we’ll be joined by a surprise literary agent. Greetings, Esteemed Reader, from the home of YA writer Jody Sparks. I’m writing this from the soft, over-sized chair […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: Calling All Guest Posters
Do you have thoughts on writing and/or publishing, Esteemed Reader? Would you like to share those thoughts with the world, or at least, the portion of the world that reads this blog? Then my blog is your blog, my Esteemed Readers can be your Esteemed Readers. If you have something interesting to say and can […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: Author, Year Two (2015)
Hi there, Esteemed Reader. I hope your holidays were as merry and bright as mine were. All of 2016 lies ahead of us, fresh and clean and ready for us to make of it what we will, but don’t get suckered into an expensive gym membership this year unless you’re actually going to use it […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: Author, Year Three (2016)
photo by Jessica Holman Esteemed Reader, the state of our ninja is strong:) I don’t know how you feel about these yearly posts chronicling my journey as an author, but I like them. I liked reading last year’s post moments ago and reflecting on the time that’s passed (Time, you wicked thing, you move too […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: Author, Year Ten (2023)
Esteemed Reader, I fear 2023 likely marks the end of Middle Grade Ninja. Never say never, but I think it’s time for me to move on. And this is, in part, my goodbye to you. Thank you for your support these many years It’s meant more than you can know. Truthfully, I think I […]
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: NINJA STUFF: Author, Year Seven (2020)
Esteemed Reader, 2020… was a year. Before I write one more word, I feel compelled to acknowledge right up front that I am blessed in ways it hasn’t even occurred to me I’m blessed. I survived the year in relative comfort, considering the horrifying alternatives all around me. As of this posting, my family is […]
Middle Grade Ninja: NINJA STUFF: Author, Year One (Part Two – Control and Being an Adult)
Last Time on Ninja Stuff: I wrote about adjusting your expectations as a debut author to match reality, not your dream. I also discussed the virtue of patience as books depend on word-of-mouth to build readership and that takes time. And now the thrilling conclusion… Today, I want to share with you some of what […]