Here are some notes on a great panel at Life the Universe and Everything SF/F symposium. The topic is on Middle grade fiction and picture books.

– Think of the cool factor and write about it. Middle grade readers like silly humor. Fantasy is very popular in middle grade fiction. Keep in mind that kids are excited about the world around them and that they see the world, filled with wonder. If you can capture that wonder that will be great. Middle grade fiction is in very high demand. Some authors may not be able to write in middle grade or why a voice. Middle grade authors are often people who remember there elementary years
– A popular middle grade author is Chuck Coverage
– Middle grade books like action and adventure. Check out the book called dog vomit. Other authors, such as Jessica George and Percy Jackson, Chronicles of Narnia and Brandon Mall, another popular book is Jennifer Nelson of a book called the faults prints.
– Grandparents often the buyers of middle grade for their grand kids. They are the gatekeepers
– Picture books are usually for the age under seven, while early reader is about the length of 70 8K words. For example, Magic School Bus. In order for chapter books to be successful, they have to publish at a high volume. There’s a lot of repetition in the chapter book. The length of a chapter book is about 10K. Nothing is to say to a child

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