A Chat with Rochelle Melander about MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD

Calling all writers, aspiring writers, and writing teachers out there!  Rochelle Melander’s upcoming book Mightier Than the Sword will release on July 27th and is a collection of over 40 biographies of people whose written work have influenced our world. Middle Grade Mojo chatted with Rochelle about how she brought them all together in one book and why. Middle Grade Mojo: In Mightier Than the Sword, you tell the stories of some famous people such as [...]

By |2021-07-19T11:07:20-04:00July 20th, 2021|Author Interview, Mo Writing|0 Comments
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A Chat with Chris Negron about THE LAST SUPER CHEF

Middle Grade Mojo loved Chris Negron’s new book The Last Super Chef. We had to know, is he a super chef? Middle Grade Mojo:  The level of detail in the cooking scenes is remarkable. Are you a super chef yourself, or is it all researched based? Chris Negron: I should have realized writing The Last Super Chef would mean I’d have to confess I’m not much of a cook over and over again! But yes, [...]

By |2021-07-13T11:33:04-04:00July 15th, 2021|Author Interview, Mo Writing|1 Comment
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The Writer’s Block: An Interview with Jerry Craft

A few months ago, I was lucky enough to get a copy of New Kid by Jerry Craft. Before I had a chance to read it, my 11 year-old grabbed it and finished it quickly. He insisted I put the book at the top of my list and it didn’t disappoint. Craft does a great job balancing humor and deeper emotions while telling a very relateable story. The greatest thing is that Jerry agreed to an [...]

By |2019-02-04T21:16:21-05:00February 6th, 2019|Author Interview|0 Comments
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Mafia 4-1-1: An Interview with Author A.M. Morgen

Tomorrow, May 8, is the official launch of Inventors at No. 8 A.M. Morgen. To help celebrate the big day, the Mafia was lucky enough to have A.M. answer a few question as part of our 4-1-1 series. Enjoy this today, tomorrow you should buy the book! Middle Grade Mafia:  Where do you find the inspiration for your stories? A.M. Morgen: Because I mostly write historical fiction and historical fantasy, I find my inspiration in real people [...]

By |2020-04-09T21:46:14-04:00May 7th, 2018|Author Interview|1 Comment
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Mafia 4-1-1: An Interview with Author Tania Unsworth

We love celebrating books here at the Mafia! I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Tania Unsworth about her book BRIGHTWOOD. Middle Grade Mafia: What was your inspiration for BRIGHTWOOD? Tania Unsworth: I’ve always been fascinated by the way children can normalize any situation – however strange – simply because they don’t have anything to compare it to. There’s something magical about that ability. My main character, Daisy, has never been outside her home, and so [...]

By |2020-04-09T21:46:21-04:00May 3rd, 2018|Author Interview|0 Comments
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4-1-1 Author Interview: Shannon Hitchcock

Welcome to Middle Grade Mafia’s Author 411.  Today, we welcome Shannon Hitchcock, author of THE BALLAD OF JESSIE PEARL (2013) and RUBY LEE & ME (2016). Her new book, ONE TRUE WAY, has a release date of February 27, 2018. Middle Grade Mafia:  What is the inspiration for ONE TRUE WAY? Shannon Hitchcock: The seeds of this book were sewn in 1984 when my best friend came out to me. I have never been more shocked in [...]

By |2020-04-09T21:46:54-04:00March 5th, 2018|Author Interview|2 Comments
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Author 411 with J. Anderson Coats

Welcome J. Anderson Coats to MGM’s Author 411. Her first novel The Wicked and the Just (2012) won the YALSA Best for Young Adults award in 2013. She’s also the author of The Reflections of Miss Jane Deming (2017) and the soon to be released R is for Rebel (Feb. 20th, 2018).       Middle Grade Mafia:  What is the inspiration for R is for Rebel?  J.Anderson Coats: My academic training is in history, [...]

By |2020-04-09T21:47:05-04:00February 12th, 2018|Author Interview|0 Comments
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Writing Historical Mysteries with Laura Marx Fitzgerald

If you're looking for a good MG mystery, look no further than Laura Marx Fitzgerald's first two novels. The characters are smart and savvy and the plots are unique page-turners. Nevermind that the reader is also learning about art history which Laura studied at Harvard and Cambridge Universities. I asked Laura about her skillful art of writing. MGM: How would you classify your MG novels, Under the Egg and The Gallery. To me, they’re mysteries with historical elements? How [...]

By |2018-01-25T14:06:15-05:00January 30th, 2018|Author Interview|1 Comment
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4-1-1 with Natalie Rompella

Author Natalie Rompella has a new middle-grade novel, COOKIE CUTTERS & SLED DOGS, we got the 4-1-1. (Four questions we ask every author, one Mafia's choice, and one photo.) FOUR What was the inspiration for this book? My love of sled dog racing. And baking. What is your writing process? (Do you write every day? A certain number of pages? etc…) I write almost 365 a year. It is rare I don’t write anything. For freelance [...]

By |2020-04-09T21:47:33-04:00December 20th, 2017|Author Interview|0 Comments
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Mafia 411 – Nutcracked by Susan Adrian

As part of the new Middle Grade Mafia series, Mafia 4-1-1, we give you key information (the 411 you could say) by asking four questions to one author to celebrate the release of one of their books. Get it, 4-1-1? Today we have the pleasure of interviewing Susan Adrian about her recent book. We love shining the light on the latest middle-grade book releases! NUTCRACKED released on September 26, 2017 and makes the perfect gift [...]

By |2020-04-09T21:47:41-04:00December 12th, 2017|Author Interview, Book Launch|0 Comments
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