[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Check out all the awesome middle grade novels that are being released in June! If I keep adding books to my must-read pile, it'll tumble over--but how can I resist? http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2016/06/releases-june-2016/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Hop over to the Mixed-Up Files to celebrate Dorian Cirrone's new middle grade novel, THE FIRST LAST DAY. Her interview is loaded with interesting info, writing tips, and TWO awesome giveaways. Enter to win a signed copy of THE FIRST LAST DAY (teachers and librarians will also win up to 30 bookmarks). You could also win a critique from Dorian! I've received critiques from her before, and she's AMAZING! The winner will receive a critique of up to 10 pages of an MG/YA or a picture book.

Good luck!

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2016/06/interview-dorian-cirrone-great-giveaways/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Hop over to the Mixed-Up Files to celebrate the launch day for Debbie Reed Fischer's amazing new middle grade novel, THIS IS NOT THE ABBY SHOW! I absolutely love this book and was so excited to see Booklist compare it to DIARY OF A WIMPY KID and DORK DIARIES. Not only did I laugh my way through it, but I also understand ADHD so much better now.

You'll have the chance to win a signed copy of THIS IS NOT THE ABBY SHOW (if a teacher or librarian wins, they'll also receive up to 30 bookmarks). You could also win a critique of up to 10 pages of an MG or YA.

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2016/07/interview-debbie-reed-fischer-great-giveaways/

[kateindc Posts: 11 Status: Offline WWW]

Hi everyone! I posted a roundup of books great for new middle schoolers at Mixed Up Files today. I found so many fun ones! Check it out: http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2016/08/great-books-middle-schoolers/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Today on the Mixed-Up Files blog, I posted about awesome revision workbooks and tips. I'm always looking for new tools to help me dig deeper and strengthen my manuscripts.

I came up with the idea for this post because my local SCBWI recently invited me to take an online workshop using WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK by Donald Maass. I instantly fell in love with the workbook. It helped me flesh out my characters more and highlight their heroic traits so readers can relate to even the nastiest characters. I also learned how to strengthen all my characters, plot, sub plots, theme, etc. I included info about several other amazing workbooks and couldn't resist linking to my favorite plotting tool--The Plot Clock by super-mentor and author Joyce Sweeney.

Happy revising! http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2016/10/revision-workbooks-helpful-tools/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Are you searching for great gifts for the writer or book lover in your life? Here's a link to my post of gift suggestions, ranging from personalized journals and creating your own unique gifts to cool book jewelry and other fun items. What are your favorite book or writing related gifts? http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2016/12/perfect-presents-writers-book-lovers/


If you're looking for some great new MG to read or give as gifts, check out our list of December new releases. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2016/12/december-releases-5/

[LadySlipper Posts: 174 Status: Offline]

Hi Elissa! Yes, I get the e-Newsletter and love it. 

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Check out this awesome interview with writing coach and author, Joyce Sweeney. Enter ASAP for a chance to win a spot in her live Beginnings! webinar tonight...and on Sunday, another lucky person will win a choice of one of Joyce's on demand webinars.

The interview is full of fantastic advice about plotting, where to find the best book ideas, frequent mistakes she sees, and when to move on from a manuscript. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2017/02/interview-giveaways-joyce-sweeney/


Also, here's a link to the February New Releases: http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2017/02/february-releases-2/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

I asked a bunch of amazing authors who have both middle grade and young adult novels published how they know if their books should be MG or YA, besides the age of their main characters. Their responses definitely made the line between older MG and younger YA a bit less blurry.

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2017/05/blurred-line-mg-ya/comment-page-1/#comment-288288

Here's a link to all the great middle grade novels that are being released in May: http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2017/05/2017-releases/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Check out my interview with Jonathan Rosen and celebrate the release of his awesome funny/scary middle grade novel. Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Night of the Living Cuddle Bunnies!

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2017/08/interview-giveaway-jonathan-rosen/

If you're searching for new middle grade novels to add to your must-read list, check out our monthly New Release posts!

Here's a link for July New Releases: http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2017/07/july-releases-7/

And here are the August New Releases: http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2017/08/august-releases-6/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Want to write the first draft of a novel quickly? Check out my fast drafting and #NaNoWriMo tips on the Mixed-Up Files blog. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2017/10/fast-drafting/

Here's one of my favorite tips to make it easier to dive back into your manuscript: Write notes for yourself every time you leave your computer—some exciting things that should happen soon, and an idea of where to start when you come back. You can even type the first sentence or two in the next chapter (although you might get sucked in and finish writing it before you leave).

***We have a new feature starting in November called STEM Tuesday. Check out this post to find out more about it: http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2017/10/coming-soon-stem-tuesday/attachment/492778884/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

If you're searching for new book ideas or want to flesh out existing ones, check out the character interview questions I posted on the Mixed-Up Files site today: http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2018/01/ideas-needed-create-great-mg/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

My post is up on the Mixed-Up Files blog today! Celebrate the launch of Jonathan Rosen's second funny/scary MG, FROM SUNSET TILL SUNRISE with an interview and the chance to win TWO signed books. https://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2018/08/two-book-giveaway-and-interview-with-jonathan-rosen/

In Jonathan's interview, you'll find:

*A great writing exercise
*Tips for writing a series
*What inspired FROM SUNSET TILL SUNRISE and how Jonathan loved doing research for his books
*Why Jonathan is so funny (yes, there's a reason behind his brilliant humor)

Here are a few other posts you might like:

August new releases: https://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2018/08/august-new-releases-2/

Interview with Jill Davis, Executive Editor from Harper Collins: https://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2018/07/interview-with-jill-davis-executive-editor-from-harper-collins/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,641 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Want a chance to win a copy of the awesome middle grade novel SIX FEET BELOW ZERO by our own Ena Jones? Check out her interview and giveaways on the Mixed-Up files blog. It contains fun facts and an exercise that's great for writers and students.

I had so much fun interviewing Ena! I hope you love her responses, too. She also shares a writing exercise that led her to create this amazing blurb for her MG:

A dead body. A missing will. An evil relative.

The good news is, Great Grammy has a plan. The bad news is, she’s the dead body.

https://fromthemixedupfiles.com/ena-jones-interview-two-giveaways/