Middle Grade Made Easy(er) | Kidlit Writing Craft Podcast cover art

Middle Grade Made Easy(er) | Kidlit Writing Craft Podcast

Middle Grade Made Easy(er) | Kidlit Writing Craft Podcast

Written by: Lou Piccolo
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About this listen

Middle Grade Made Easy(er) brings you actionable writing craft advice on how to outline, write and revise a middle-grade novel for 8 to 12-year-old readers.


Tune in twice a month to join developmental editor and author, Lou Piccolo, and learn the art of writing middle grade without the overwhelm.


Whether you're trying to find a way into your novel, are stuck somewhere in the middle, need to revise but don’t know how, or are looking for tips to stay motivated to finish your novel, each episode offers practical guidance you can apply to your work in progress.


Middle Grade Made Easy(er) is the right podcast for you if you have read all the craft books but need someone to guide you through the practical process of:


→ outlining a middle-grade novel

→ plotting your story

→ creating engaging characters

→ writing authentic dialogue

→ staying the course to finish your novel


Here’s something I tell all my clients:


Start here, start now, just start. Tomorrow’s you will be grateful that today’s you did.

© 2026 Middle Grade Made Easy(er) | Kidlit Writing Craft Podcast
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Episodes
  • #21 Should You Write Your Middle-Grade Novel in Scenes or Chapters?
    Jan 18 2026

    If you spend a lot of time worrying about how to write the perfect opening chapter for your middle-grade novel or whether you should end your chapters on a cliffhanger, then you're going to love writing in scenes!

    In this episode, we'll cover:

    1. the difference between scenes and chapters
    2. three reasons why it's best to write in a series of scenes rather than in chapters

    This episode is the first in a mini series on writing scenes in middle-grade novels, so stay tuned to the podcast over the next few episodes to learn:

    • how to write a solid scene
    • the elements that all scenes need to work
    • when to write in scene and when to write in summary

    For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
    You can also connect with me on Instagram



    Have something to say? Send me a message!

    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • #20 Does Word Count Matter in Your Middle-Grade Novel?
    Dec 17 2025

    Word count may seem like the least of your concerns when you're thinking about writing a middle-grade novel. You've got story type, plot, theme, character development, pacing, and who knows what else to consider, right?

    But here's the thing: knowing industry-standard guidelines for the length of a middle-grade novel, and having a target word count in mind before you start drafting can actually help you to outline, draft, revise and publish.

    In today's episode, we'll cover:

    1. the guidelines for middle-grade novel word count
    2. four reasons why word count matters

    In the end, every author has the choice to watch word count or not, but it's a fact that word count matters, so make each word count!

    For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
    You can also connect with me on Instagram


    Have something to say? Send me a message!

    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
  • #19 Middle-Grade Mindset: Why You’re Stuck and What To Do About It
    Dec 3 2025

    You may have taken all the writing classes and read all the craft books on writing, and you may theoretically know everything you need to know to write your middle-grade novel, but if you have only managed the theory of writing without managing your mindset, you are going to encounter fear at some point.

    And that fear will stop you from writing.

    So, what's the solution?

    In this podcast episode, we cover:

    1. how fear is keeping you stuck
    2. what to do to about the fear

    What you believe about yourself impacts your success or failure. So, managing your beliefs leads to positive thoughts and feelings, which motivates constructive writing habits. Mindset matters!

    For show notes, transcripts and links mentioned in the episode, visit my website
    You can also connect with me on Instagram

    Have something to say? Send me a message!

    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
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