In the final(ish) episode of the Middle Grade Ninja podcast, Chrystal D. Giles and I discuss her practical, data-driven approach to writing fiction that led to her newest novel, NOT AN EASY WIN. It’s a great conversation to end on as we discuss all my favorite subjects, such as successful writing habits, the need for diversity of representation in fiction, how a career in finance improves a career as an author, the importance of not hiding the truth from young readers, the imminent disclosure of the reality of flying saucers, and so much more. Esteemed Audience, it’s been an honor and a privilege. Thank you so much for supporting the show. It’s enhanced my life and I hope you feel the same.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE for more great content:)

Purchase NOT AN EASY WIN: https://amzn.to/3ZFWYCU

Purchase ROB WORM'S BIRD ADVENTURE: https://amzn.to/3Jesu4U

Purchase GOODBYE TO GRANDMA: https://amzn.to/3Jk8v4A

Purchase BANNEKER BONES AND THE GIANT ROBOT BEES: https://amzn.to/2XyTyG2

Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity and representation in children’s literature. Chrystal made her debut with Take Back the Block, which received multiple starred reviews, was a Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and an NPR Best Book. Her next middle-grade novel, Not An Easy Win, which has already received multiple starred reviews will be published in February 2023. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son.

http://www.middlegradeninja.com/

https://www.chrystaldgiles.com/

Tamar Rydzinski and I discuss her career in publishing, specifically her time at Sanford Greenburger Associates and the Laura Dail Literary Agency, where she became vice president and director of subrights, and now as the president and founder of Context Literary. We talk about the specifics of how she evaluates royalties from publishers, how she pitches those publishers, avoiding industry burnout, the types of projects she’s interested in, how she connects with protagonists, why books should model healthy relationships, how to make the mundane epic, and so much more.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE for more great content:)

Purchase ROB WORM'S BIRD ADVENTURE: https://amzn.to/3Jesu4U

Purchase GOODBYE TO GRANDMA: https://amzn.to/3Jk8v4A

Purchase BANNEKER BONES AND THE GIANT ROBOT BEES: https://amzn.to/2XyTyG2

Tamar has always had a strong love for the written word. Her goal for her authors is to reach their audience wherever they are, and she is proud of helping them stay ahead of the curve. Tamar began her career at Sanford Greenburger Associates. She then joined Laura Dail Literary Agency, where she became vice president and director of subrights.

http://www.middlegradeninja.com

/https://www.contextlit.com/

Yarrow and Carrie Cheney share the story of how they were best friends for a decade, lived together as roommates, worked as partners on multiple animation projects, and then decided to get married after their first date. We talk about their new novel, SUPERWORLD: SAVE NOAH, as well as their vast experience working on illumination studios films such as THE LORAX, THE GRINCH, DESPICABLE ME, and THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS.

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE for more great content:)

Purchase SUPERWORLD: SAVE NOAH: https://amzn.to/3KD7o1O

Purchase ROB WORM'S BIRD ADVENTURE: https://amzn.to/3Jesu4U

Purchase GOODBYE TO GRANDMA: https://amzn.to/3Jk8v4A

Purchase BANNEKER BONES AND THE GIANT ROBOT BEES: https://amzn.to/2XyTyG2

Yarrow and Carrie Cheney are a husband-and-wife creative team who met in 1992 when they shared an animation cubicle as freshmen at California Institute of the Arts. The two have been collaborating ever since. After years in the animation industry in Los Angeles, the Cheneys moved to Paris, where Yarrow served as production designer on films including Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2. He later co-directed The Secret Life of Pets before going on to direct The Grinch. The couple now spend their days on a hill in Ojai, California, hanging with superheroes and making each other laugh.

http://www.middlegradeninja.com/

https://www.yarrowcheney.com/