Ready to capture the hearts of the 8-to-12-year-old crowd? Welcome to “Writing for Middle Grade Readers,” where we tackle the unique magic of the “tween” years. Whether you’re channeling the eerie thrills of Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell, the laugh-out-loud humor of Hypergifted by Gordon Korman, or the poignant, heartfelt resonance of The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller, we’ll help you find your voice. We’ll answer the big questions: Do I really need an illustrator for my novel? How do I navigate the intimidating publishing industry, and how much “serious stuff” can I actually include? Bring at least five copies of a sample of your current project (no more than five pages) along with a story synopsis. Let’s get your story reader-ready!

Attendees will learn to:

• Craft relatable protagonists who authentically navigate the challenges of middle school.
• Balance high-stakes adventure or humor with the genuine emotional growth required for the genre.
• Demystify the role of illustrations in middle-grade novels versus traditional picture books.
• Navigate the submission process, from finding the right agent to understanding industry expectations.
• Develop a narrative “hook” that grabs the attention of modern young readers instantly.