Book Publishing / middle grade authors

Tips for Writing First Middle Grade Novel

Writing a middle grade novel can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it comes with its own unique challenges. Middle grade readers, typically aged 8-12, are at a stage where they are curious, imaginative, and eager to explore new ideas. However, they also have distinct preferences and needs when it comes to stories. Here are some essential Tips for Writing Your First Middle Grade Novel that will help you create an engaging and age-appropriate book. Understand Your Audience Before you start writing, it’s important to have a clear understanding of who your readers are. Middle grade readers are at a transitional stage between early childhood and adolescence. They are developing their independence, figuring out friendships, and beginning to think critically about the world around them.•Keep themes age-appropriate: Middle grade readers often enjoy stories with adventure, humor, and friendships, but they may not be ready for heavy, mature themes.•Think about pacing: Middle grade novels tend to have quicker pacing than young adult or adult fiction, so keep the action moving!•Use relatable characters: Your characters should be around the same age as your readers, facing challenges they can relate to, like fitting in, standing up for themselves, or learning to trust others.For more insights into what appeals to this age group, check out the Booklists for Middle Grade Students post, which discusses the kinds of books middle schoolers are drawn to. The beginning of a writer’s journey begins here. Develop Strong, Relatable Characters Be sure to identify the target audience for middle grade novels. One of the most important aspects of any novel is its characters, and middle grade novels are no exception. Your readers want to see characters who are relatable, whether they’re navigating school drama, embarking on a magical quest, or simply learning a life lesson.•Create layered protagonists: Your main character should be well-rounded, with strengths and…

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September 9, 2024
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The beginning of a writer’s journey begins here.
Book Publishing

Strategies for Marketing Middle Grade Books

Marketing middle grade books comes with its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. The audience for these books is distinct, and the marketing strategies must reflect their interests and the ways they consume content. Middle grade writers must always be aware that their audiences aren't always the same people as the ones making the final decision about book purchases. Often times, that's parents, teachers and librarians. So, it is important to keep all of those target groups in mind when writing and marketing your books. Here are some effective strategies to help middle grade authors successfully market their books. Understanding Your Target Audience To market a middle grade book effectively, it’s crucial to understand the target audience—both the readers and the gatekeepers like parents, teachers, and librarians. Middle grade readers are typically between 8 and 12 years old. Knowing their preferences, interests, and the themes that resonate with them will help tailor your marketing efforts. Conducting surveys, engaging in online forums, and participating in school events can provide valuable insights. Also, networking with fellow authors and visiting middle grade reading blog posts will help you keep up on trends as well as provide ideas for future books and marketing strategies. Find the Right Book at the Right Reading Level Building an Author Platform Resources for Middle Grade Authors An author platform is your online presence and the primary way readers and gatekeepers discover you. This includes a professional website, an active blog, and an email newsletter. Your website should feature book information, an author bio, contact details, and downloadable resources for teachers and parents. Regularly updating your blog with content that appeals to your audience, such as writing tips, book recommendations, and behind-the-scenes insights, will help build a loyal following. Just like any other business, you'll want to make connections with other authors. Make sure to…

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July 30, 2024
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middle grade authors / Publishing

Scrivener Review for Authors of Middle Grades Literature

Scrivener Review for authors This Scrivener Review for Authors of Middle Grades Literature is part of PurdyBooks' writing tools for middle grade authors series. In this post, we'll take a look at Scrivener and explain why it is one of our top seven favorite writing tools. In our series, we ONLY feature the tools that we actually use on a daily basis. In other words, these are writing applications that we have found to be extremely helpful and worth purchasing for authors of middle grades books. Scrivener describes themselves as, "... the go-to app for writers of all kinds, used every day by best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics..." Read on to see how we describe Scrivener and to find out why we like it so much. PurdyBooks Writing Tools for Authors Series Writing Tools: Scrivener Review for Authors of middle grades literature Review of Scrivener for Middle Grade Authors Scrivener can be an invaluable tool for middle-grade authors of all literary genres. We like it for the price, the functionality and the organizational tools it provides. Here's how Scrivener can benefit middle grade authors from beginners to experienced writers:Organizational Features:Storyboarding: Scrivener's corkboard feature allows you to visually organize and outline your stories, making it especially helpful for planning the structure of your middle grade tales.Chapter and Scene Organization: With the ability to easily move chapters and scenes around, Scrivener facilitates experimenting with different narrative structures, crucial for creating suspense in middle school fiction.Research and Reference:Research Folders: You can create research folders within Scrivener to store information about classic novels, short stories, or any other relevant material that inspires your literary themes.Writing Process:Distraction-Free Writing: The full-screen mode in Scrivener helps you focus solely on your writing, fostering a productive environment for crafting engaging and suspenseful narratives.Word Count Tracking: Scrivener allows you to set word count goals…

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November 18, 2023
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Review of Scrivener for Middle Grade Authors
Book Publishing / Middle Grade Books / YA Books

Differences Between Middle Grades and YA Literature

What Are the differences between Middle Grades and YA Literature? Middle grades and young adult literature are two distinct categories of literature that cater to different age groups and have their own unique characteristics. Let's take a look at the distinctions between middle grades and YA Literature.Middle grade literature is typically written for readers aged 8-12, although there is some overlap with the age range for young adult literature. Middle grade literature is characterized by its focus on stories and themes that are relevant to children in this age group. The writing style tends to be simpler, and the length of the books is typically shorter than young adult literature.Young adult literature, on the other hand, is written for readers aged 12-18. Young adult literature is characterized by its focus on stories and themes that are relevant to teenagers, including issues related to identity, relationships and personal growth. The writing style tends to be more complex, and the length of the books is typically longer than middle grade literature.In terms of content, middle grade literature often focuses on themes of friendship, family, and coming-of-age, while young adult literature often deals with more complex issues such as mental health, sexuality, and social justice.The key difference between middle grade and young adult literature is the age of the target audience and the themes and writing style that cater to their developmental needs and interests. Discover the Differences Between Middle Grades and YA Literature Characteristics of Middle Grades Literature Finding the Best Books for Middle Grade Students is a Team Effort of Parents, Teachers, Librarians & Students Middle grades literature is distinguishable by more than just the ages of their readership. Some key characteristics to look for in middle grades literature include:Protagonists of similar age: Middle grade literature typically features protagonists who are of similar age to the intended readership,…

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April 18, 2023
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Publishing

The Flesch Reading Score for Authors, Teachers & Parents

What is the Flesch Reading Ease score? The Flesch Reading Ease score is a readability formula that provides a numerical rating for how easy or difficult it is to read a given piece of text. It was developed by Rudolf Flesch, an Austrian author and readability expert.The Flesch Reading Ease score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating easier readability. A score of 0-30 is considered very difficult to read, 30-50 is considered difficult, 50-60 is considered plain English, 60-70 is considered fairly easy to read, 70-80 is considered easy to read, and 80-100 is considered very easy to read.The formula for the Flesch Reading Ease score takes into account two factors: the average sentence length and the average number of syllables per word. Longer sentences and words with more syllables decrease the readability score.The Flesch Reading Ease score is commonly used by publishers, writers, and educators to assess the reading level of a piece of text and adjust it accordingly to make it more accessible to a wider audience. It can also be used as a tool for measuring the effectiveness of communication and ensuring that important information is conveyed in a clear and understandable manner. Find the Right Book at the Right Reading Level How can authors use the Flesch reading score? Find the right tools for writers on PurdyBooks.com Authors can use the Flesch Reading Ease score to assess the readability of their writing and adjust it to better suit their target audience. Here are a few ways authors can use the score:Improve clarity: A low Flesch Reading Ease score indicates that a piece of text is difficult to read. By simplifying sentences and using shorter words, authors can improve the clarity of their writing and increase their score.Target audience: By using the Flesch Reading Ease score, authors can determine the appropriate…

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March 18, 2023
Publishing

Self Publishing Trends for 2023

4 Self Publishing Trends for 2023 Self-publishing has become an increasingly popular option for writers in recent years, and it's likely that this trend will continue in 2023. Here are a few predictions for what we might see in the world of self-publishing over the next year:The rise of hybrid publishing: Hybrid publishing is a model that combines elements of traditional publishing (such as editing and marketing support) with self-publishing (such as retaining control over the creative process and earning a higher percentage of royalties). This model has been growing in popularity, and it's likely that we'll see more writers choosing this option in 2023.Increased use of print-on-demand services: Print-on-demand (POD) services allow writers to print physical copies of their books as needed, rather than having to order a large number of copies upfront. This can be a cost-effective option for self-publishing, and it's likely that we'll see more writers taking advantage of POD in the coming year.The growth of audio books: Audio books have become increasingly popular in recent years, and it's likely that this trend will continue in 2023. Self-published authors can now easily create and distribute their own audio books, which can be a great way to reach new audiences.Increased use of marketing tools: Self-published authors often have to rely on their own marketing efforts to get their books in front of readers. In 2023, we may see more writers using tools like email marketing, social media, and advertising to promote their books and reach new audiences.Self-publishing continues to be a viable and exciting option for writers, and it's likely that we'll see more writers choosing this route in 2023. Tips for Self Publishing Success in 2023 Self-publishing can be a great option for writers who want to retain control over their creative process and have the freedom to publish their work on their…

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January 2, 2023