middle grade

Episode 149: Podcasting (and being a guest) for authors with Kitty Felde

by Connie B. Dowell
October 19, 2022October 19, 2022

This week on the show, I chatted with author, podcaster, and veteran of public radio Kitty Felde. We had a wonderful chat about her middle grade mysteries and her podcasts as well as podcasting for authors. Being a guest is… Read More »

Episode 124: Writing scary stories with Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail

by Connie B. Dowell
October 27, 2021October 26, 2021

This week, I have returning guest Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail (see her previous episode here). We talk about all things writing scary stuff, creating ghostly characters, our own childhood fears, and more! Snuggle up with a warm apple cider and a cozy… Read More »

Episode 54: Live Author Events with Tonya Duncan Ellis

by Connie B. Dowell
May 27, 2020May 26, 2020

This week, Tonya Duncan Ellis is back on the show, this time to talk about doing live, in-person author events. It’s a topic she has loads of experience with. I think you’ll get a lot out of hearing her wisdom… Read More »

Episode 53: Diversity in children’s books and supporting diverse books and authors with Tonya Duncan Ellis

by Connie B. Dowell
May 20, 2020May 19, 2020

Hi, folks. Today on the show, I chat again on the importance of diversity in fiction with prolific children’s author Tonya Duncan Ellis. We talk about the importance of children seeing diverse representations in their fiction as well as how… Read More »

Episode 46: Becoming an Author/Illustrator with Laurie Smollett Kutscera

by Connie B. Dowell
April 1, 2020March 31, 2020

Hello again from social distancing land! I hope everyone is staying safe and well and getting outside if you are able. Going for walks in the neighborhood has been a sanity-saver for me, and it is still permitted, even under… Read More »

Episode 42: Being a resilient author with Eileen Schnabel

by Connie B. Dowell
March 4, 2020

Being an author comes with a lot of rejection: rejections from agents and editors. Even if you self publish, you still have to deal with criticism. Can’t please everyone. Luckily, I’ve got middle-grade author Eileen Schnabel on the show today… Read More »

Episode 31: Writing Multiple POVs in Children’s Books with A.J. Culey

by Connie B. Dowell
December 18, 2019December 17, 2019

Hi, folks. It’s all holiday stuff all the time around here. We’ve got a gingerbread house to build today and a Christmas pudding on its way to our door. Today, I’ve also got for y’all a lovely interview with children’s… Read More »

Episode 26: Writing Historical Fiction and Starting Something New with J. Kasper Kramer

by Connie B. Dowell
November 6, 2019November 7, 2019

Hello, again. Today on the show, I talk with J. Kasper Kramer about her new book set in 1989 Romania, The Story that Cannot Be Told. We chat about writing in another place and time, setting aside old projects to… Read More »

Writing for kids by a kid with Ben and Renata Spies

by Connie B. Dowell
August 7, 2019August 6, 2019

I’m back! Coming to you fresh off the moving truck. We don’t’ even have internet at our place yet, so I keep having to visit coffee shops. (Poor me. 😉) Anyway, hopefully next week things will be more convenient. Today,… Read More »

Laurel Decher on writing middle grade and the value of speaking up

by Connie B. Dowell
April 24, 2019May 7, 2019

Hi, folks. I’m a few hours later than usual releasing this episode, but I’m on my own with the kiddos for a bit again and exhaustion happens. I also realized in my intro I wished everyone a belated Happy Easter… Read More »