The Writer’s Toolkit: Proofreading – How to Slow Your Brain’s Auto-correct

Congratulations you've finished your manuscript and are neck deep in the revision trenches! By now, you are very familiar with your story and it looks great to you, but don't fall for this trap. No matter how great you are at grammar and spelling, proofreading your own work can still leave you with glaring typos. Welcome to your brain on auto-correct. It happens whether we read silently to ourselves or out loud. We skip over [...]

By |2020-04-09T21:54:30-04:00February 15th, 2018|Mo Writing|1 Comment
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The Writer’s Block: A Book Birthday & Interview with Sally Pla

Congratulation to Sally Pla on her new release, Stanley Will Probably Be Fine. We asked Sally about her writing journey on this new book which features comic trivia, a safety superhero, and a super-cool scavenger hunt all over downtown San Diego. The main character, Stanley Fortinbras, is a loveable underdog who must grapple with his anxiety—and learn what, exactly, it means to be brave. MGM: What was the inspiration for this book? It's funny how differently my [...]

By |2020-04-09T21:47:16-04:00February 6th, 2018|Book Launch|0 Comments
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The Writer’s Block: An Interview with Kamilla Benko

The Middle Grade Mafia is always happy to be shine the spotlight on debut authors and today we are excited to bring you Kamilla Benko, author of THE UNICORN QUEST. Please visit her Twitter page to congratulate her and wish her book a Happy Book Birthday! To purchase a copy of this wonderful book, click here!  Middle Grade Mafia: What was the inspiration for this book? Kamilla Benko: There were many inspirations! After I saw [...]

By |2019-02-04T21:18:43-05:00January 31st, 2018|Author Interview, Book Launch|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 about Lisa Lewis Tyre’s Book Launch

Happy book birthday to Middle Grade Mafia member, Lisa Lewis Tyre. Her second novel, Hope in the Holler, has already received outstanding reviews. “Wavie has a delightfully memorable first-person voice that includes pithy observations. . . . She’s so engaged with the people around her that her perceptions breathe full life into a range of characters. . . . A moving and richly engaging tale of despair and redemption.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review. MGM: What was the [...]

By |2020-04-09T21:47:26-04:00January 9th, 2018|Book Launch|0 Comments
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MG Reader Interview – Kailey Harmon

We have a very special guest with us on the Mafia blog today. Kailey Harmon won 1st Place in the 10/11-year-old category of The Bertie short-story contest! An avid reader and a great writer, we were thrilled when she agreed to be interviewed. Welcome, Kailey! M: What is the first book you remember reading?  KH: The first book I remember reading? Well, it was a while ago, but I think it was my Veggie Tales [...]

By |2017-12-01T11:55:34-05:00December 4th, 2017|MG Reader Interview|1 Comment
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The Writer’s Block: An Interview with Jodi Kendall

Recently, Middle Grade Mafia featured a debut MG novel, The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City, by Jodi Kendall. This wonderful tale of a little pig in the big city won us over. We were lucky to steal a few moments of the busy author's time for an interview. Hope you enjoy! Middle Grade Mafia: This is your debut MG book. Please share with us your path to having THE UNLIKELY STORY OF A [...]

By |2017-10-31T11:57:47-04:00November 1st, 2017|Author Interview|0 Comments
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The Writer’s Toolkit: Finding Your Voice

I like listening to free samples of various books on Audible. After a while, I don’t have to look to who wrote what. The voice of each writer is as unique as a fingerprint. Why is that? Is a writer’s voice something we are born with or is it something we can be taught? Voice can be taught. Writer’s Digest has put together the must have text for all writers on the subject. Best-selling authors [...]

By |2020-04-09T21:55:22-04:00October 16th, 2017|Mo Writing|0 Comments
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MG Book Review: Wicked Bugs by Amy Stewart

If you are squeamish, don't read this book. If you feel creepy crawlies on your back at the mention of bugs, don't read this book. If you are intrigued by the wonders of nature and think strange insects (and arachnids) are super cool, you must check this book out. Wicked Bugs (Amy Stewart, Algonquin Young Readers) is filled with pages of the meanest, deadliest, grossest bugs on Earth. Luckily for us, Stewart did all the [...]

By |2017-08-22T13:39:50-04:00September 6th, 2017|Book Review|0 Comments
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