In this conversation, Simon Stephenson, a former physician turned screenwriter and author, shares his unique journey from medicine to storytelling. He discusses his early experiences in writing, which paved the way for his screenwriting career. Simon's latest work, The Snowman Code, is a middle-grade book that combines his love for storytelling with his background in medicine, focusing on a young girl named Blessing who embarks on a magical quest with a snowman. The book aims to resonate with children, offering them relatable characters and themes of resilience and humor. Simon also shares his method for writing a novel, and offers sound advice for new writers.

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In this conversation, John Schu, a children's librarian and author, shares his journey as a reader and writer, emphasizing the importance of connection in storytelling. He discusses his latest book, Louder Than Hunger, which tackles themes of mental health and the healing power of art and music. Schu reflects on his influences, including Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate, and broadway actor Idina Menzel, and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers, highlighting the significance of reading and self-compassion in the creative process.

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In this conversation, author Michelle Knudsen emphasizes the critical role of persistence in the writing industry, highlighting that success is often not immediate and can be influenced by many external factors. She encourages writers to find joy in the writing process itself, as it is the only aspect they can truly control amidst the uncertainties of publishing and reception. We also discuss her latest middle grade book, Into the Wild Magic.

Into the Wild Magic is a middle-grade fantasy novel about an eleven-year-old girl named Bevvy who escapes into a magical world with a new, mysterious friend named Cat. The book features a world at war between those who wield "wild magic" and dark sorcerers, and explores themes of friendship, trust, and self-discovery as Bevvy learns to embrace her own magical abilities.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• The most important thing you need to succeed in this business is persistence.
• You can write an amazing book and not be able to sell it.
• It's essential to keep going despite challenges.
• Finding joy in the writing process is crucial.
• Many factors influencing success are out of your control.
• Small successes in writing matter, regardless of big recognition.
• Enjoying the work itself is what you can control.
• Overnight success stories can be misleading.
• Persistence is key to navigating the ups and downs of writing.

For bonus content and info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.

I love audiobooks! If you do, too, consider switching to Libro.fm, a platform that supports indy bookstores.

If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave a rating and review (thank you!).