[OddBerryCreations]

There are so many acronyms for writers...I'm confused. I'm not a writer but would love to be able to keep up with the discussions. What is YA, MG, etc. ??

[elissacruz Posts: 728 Status: Offline]

OddBerry,

YA=Young Adult
MG=Middle-Grade
PB=Picture Book

You can also check out my tongue-in-cheek Official Glossary of Writing Terms for Non-Writers (aka the list of definitions I put together for when my family/non-writing friends asked me what in the heck I was talking about): http://elissacruz.blogspot.com/2011/12/official-glossary-of-writing-terms-for.html

Enjoy!

[OddBerryCreations]

Ahhh, well that helps tremendously. I'm not AS confused now. Thanks so much!! 

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Hop on over to the Mixed-Up Files site to see my favorite recent middle-grade novels. With the holidays around the corner, this list plus all the New Release posts and book list categories like books for boys, books for girls, books that help kids take the leap from picture books into MG, fantasy, etc. can help you find some new gems.

A huge thanks to my friends on the Blueboards who shared their favorites!
 
http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2012/12/favorite-middle-grade-novels-2/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Want to learn some secrets and truths about me...and several of the Mixed-Up Files members? Hop on over and see why middle grade books are special to us, what we wish we knew when we were the same age as the children who read our books, plus several other secrets we share. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2013/03/secrets-truths-mixed-up-files-members/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Want a chance to win one of two signed copies of Playing with Fire--the first book in Bruce Hale's amazing new School for S.P.I.E.S. middle grade series? Hop over to the Mixed-Up Files blog to enter and check out my interview of Bruce, where he discusses how he learned spy techniques, how to develop characters strong enough for an entire series, and gives an amazing tip for writing humor. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2013/07/school-s-p-i-e-s-giveaway-interview-bruce-hale/

[hvandyne]

Just entered! Thanks so much for posting the link!

[Jennifer D G Posts: 670 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Today I posted on From the Mixed-Up Files about critiques, how to find a CP and how to best use the feedback given. Wow, someone should write a book about this topic because there was still so much more to say!

In the comment section a question was asked about the difference between a critique partner and a beta reader. I'm not sure if I got the answer right but if anyone else wants to take a stab at it, please be my guest.

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2013/07/tricks-critiques/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Want a chance to win a 10 page MG or YA critique or two signed Lindy Blues chapter books from Dorian Cirrone? Hop on over to the Mixed-Up Files and check out her interview, which includes tips on coming up with high concept premises and great beginnings (this can be a huge help when brainstorming a new novel...and NaNoWriMo is almost here).

I've had critiques from Dorian at FL SCBWI events, and she is AMAZING! Good luck to everyone who enters. I can't wait to see who the winners will be.

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2013/09/interview-amazing-giveaways-author-dorian-cirrone/

[JohnellDeWitt Posts: 54 Status: Offline WWW]

Love it. Hopped on over and entered my comment to win.  :

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Love it. Hopped on over and entered my comment to win.  :

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. I absolutely loved the workshop that Dorian gave, and couldn't wait to share the info with our readers.

Good luck with the giveaway!

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Today, I posted an interview and giveaway with Laurie Friedman. She's the author of 23+ Mallory books and a new series called The Mostly Miserable Life of April Sinclair. She talks about what it's like to write two series at the same time and shares some great writing tips, too. She's going to stop by the Mixed-Up Files blog, and offered to answer questions. 

Laurie is giving away a signed copy of either the newest Mallory book (which the winner would receive before it's released in stores) or the first book in her April Sinclair series.

Here's the link to the post: http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2013/12/interview-giveaway-laurie-friedman/     

[j-brown Posts: 23 Status: Offline]

Fantastic!!!!! I enjoyed reading through. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Today, I posted tricks to defeat writer's block. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2014/02/tricks-defeat-writers-block/

[elissacruz Posts: 728 Status: Offline]

Today I posted an mulit-person interview about how a small press works (in this case, the small press is called Familius).  I am interviewing the co-authors (Carol Lynch Williams and Cheri Pray Earl), the illustrator (Manelle Oliphant), the design director (David Miles from Familius), and the CEO (Christopher Robbins from Familius).  We cover everything from conception of the book's ideas to the post-published marketing. 


And the publisher is giving away the first two books in the series, so stop by and leave a comment to be entered.


http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2014/04/small-good-conversation-small-press/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

My post is up on the Mixed-Up Files today, and it's full of tips for how to promote your book...and promotional red flags to avoid, like sending a promotional link to your book thinly veiled as a thank you for following or friending you on a site or hopping onto a forum just to promote your book without taking time to interact with others. Hop on over, and share what works for you! http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2014/06/reaching-middle-grade-audience/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

My post is up on the Mixed-Up Files today. I gave NaNoWriMo and PiBoIdMo tips--how to come up with and flesh out ideas, and tricks to defeat writer's block. I also link to an interview with Dorian Cirrone that shows ways to come up with high concept ideas. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2014/10/tips-november-writing-challenges/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Today, I posted an interview with Gail Nall on the Mixed-Up Files. Her debut MG, Breaking the Ice, was just released. She shared a fantastic writing exercise and a great list of favorite middle grade books as well as insight into her debut MG and upcoming novels.

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Breaking the Ice!

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2015/01/gail-nall-interview-giveaway/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Hop over to the Mixed-Up Files site for my post filled with tips for making reading fun this summer. I'd love to know your tips, too--and what's on your must-read list. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2015/07/reading-fun/

If you're looking for some great middle grade novels, check out our unique reading lists where you can search for categories like new releases, humorous, mystery, action & adventure, animal, fantasy & paranormal, etc. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/book-lists/

[koozoo Posts: 84 Status: Offline Writing=Breathing! WWW]

Great blog! Thanks Elissa & everyone involved! 

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Thanks, Koozoo! 

If anyone is looking for great new MGs to read, check out the awesome books being released in August! I added so many to my must-read list, it's hard to choose which ones to dive into first. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2015/08/august-releases-4/

[mrh Posts: 4,220 Status: Online www.marciahoehne.com WWW]

Thanks, Mindy.  What a list! My bedside table overfloweth at the mere thought. 

[Marcia Posts: 474 Status: Offline Never Too Late To Be What You Were Meant to Be WWW]

Great list of new titles!

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Thanks! I love having a quick way to check out the new MG releases each month. Now if I could triple my reading speed or add more hours to each day, maybe I could get through them before the September new releases try to lure my attention. It's so hard to choose which books to read first!

[kateindc Posts: 11 Status: Offline WWW]

Hi everyone! I posted on Mixed Up Files today about my favorite writing podcasts. I'd love to hear any additions to the list! http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2015/09/writers-talk-podcasts-middle-grade-authors/

[Josiecv Posts: 40 Status: Offline WWW]

Thank you for posting these! I can't wait to listen to them!

[LadySlipper Posts: 174 Status: Offline]

I see I'm 5 years late to the party - -but still---I'm at the party! Thanks for re-posting. I've been looking for a solid MG list.

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

  I'm glad you've been enjoying our posts!

I shared a bunch of revision tips on the Mixed-Up Files blog. Years ago, I used to spend so much time trying to make my prose sing when revising a first draft, but so much of those areas disappeared or changed during future revision rounds, I've changed my strategy so much since then. I'd love to know how you attack revisions.

I absolutely love using Joyce Sweeney's Plot Clock...both before I begin a draft, and after revising to see if the plot is strong enough. I linked to my notes about a Plot Clock workshop I had taken a while back--and also shared how to watch Joyce's amazing hour and a half Plot Clock webinar for free!

http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2015/09/digging-revisions/


If you're looking for more great middle grade novels to read, here's a link to our list of September new releases: http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2015/09/september-releases-3/

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

With all the awesome middle grade novels published, how can you decide what to read next? Check out my post on the Mixed-Up Files site for some ideas including links to unique book lists by topics such as humorous, fantasy, books for reluctant readers, multicultural, action and adventure, books for strong readers, contemporary, sports, historical fiction, etc. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2016/02/find-great-middle-grade-novels/

In my post, there's a link to all the New Release posts. Those always help me find wonderful new books to read.

I gave a special shout out to the SCBWI Blueboards! There was a thread a while ago about the 10 best MGs, and I linked to the middle grade section, too. I couldn't include the recent picture book thread about books that involve the act of trying to write or read in my blog post, but I'm absolutely loving the responses and have built up a huge must-read library list. I LOVE the Blueboard!

[Mindy Alyse Weiss Posts: 3,323 Status: Offline A long journey - but I'm determined to get there!]

Are you a plotter or a pantser? I used to be a total pantser when I wrote my first few novels, but soon realized how much work it took to totally overhaul each of them so they had strong enough plot arcs. I'm a bit outline-phobic, and worked hard to find other techniques I could use before writing future novels so my first drafts would be much stronger.

Check out my post on the Mixed-Up Files site with lots of helpful tips I picked up from experts like Joyce Sweeney, Lorin Oberweger, and agent Jill Corcoran. http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2016/04/plotter-pantser/

Also, if you have an upcoming MG from a PAL publisher, let us know and we'll make sure we include it in a New Release post. They go up the first Monday, Wednesday, or Friday of each month, so the month before yours is published would be perfect timing. We love helping readers, teachers, media specialists, etc. find great new middle great novels.