Ten Tips for Debut Authors by Agent Rachel Orr and Author Cathy Carr and Lost Kites and Other Treasures Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m thrilled to have author Cathy Carr and her agent Rachel Orr here to share their tips for debut authors to celebrate the release of Cathy’s new MG contemporary Lost Kites and Other Treasures. It sounds like a fantastic story that really nails the complexities of family dynamics and is a real page-turner. I’m looking forward to reading it.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads: 

Cathy Carr’s Lost Kites and Other Treasures is a moving and heartfelt middle-grade novel about mental illness, the transformative power of art, and the ever-changing complications and joys of family life.

Twelve-year-old Franny Petroski never lets anyone know how often she thinks of the charismatic, troubled mom who left her years ago—any more than she talks about the unaccountable things Mom did while she was still in the picture. Life with Nana is safe and secure, and Franny’s innovative art projects fill in any lonesome times.

But when Nana has an accident and Franny’s estranged uncle comes home to help out for a while, some long-guarded family secrets come to light. Franny has to use all of her courage, as well as all of her creativity, to come to terms with the discoveries she makes about her mother—and herself.

 

Ten Tips for Debut Authors

First off, who are Cathy Carr and Rachel Orr?

Cathy is the author. She was born in western Nebraska and grew up in Wisconsin. Since high school, she has lived in four different US states, plus overseas, and worked a variety of jobs, from burger flipping to technical writing. Wherever she goes, her observations of the natural world give her inspiration. Her first book, 365 Days to Alaska, was called “a wonderful debut novel about compassion, belonging, and finding your way home” by Lynne Kelly, author of Song for a Whale. 365 Days to Alaska was a Junior Library Guild selection and chosen for Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of the Year. Carr now lives in the New Jersey suburbs with her family and two scrappy cats.

Rachel is the agent. Prior to joining Prospect Agency in 2007, she worked as an editor at HarperCollins Children's Books. Because of her editorial background, Rachel continues to do a lot of hands-on work with her clients before sending their projects out on submission. As a literary agent, Rachel loves working with clients who come from diverse backgrounds and have fresh perspectives to offer readers.

Cathy’s literary debut, 365 Days to Alaska, left her with some firm ideas about what fledgling writers needed to know about their literary debuts. Rachel also had plenty of ideas to share based on her experience working with debut creators. So, without further ado, let’s get cracking with their 10 Tips for Literary Debuts.

#1: Get ready for all the feels!

Cathy:

You've fulfilled a hard-won dream, a major life goal. Your first book is coming out. It’s on your publisher’s list, you’ve finally seen your name in places like Publishers Marketplace and Publisher’s Weekly. Kind of like getting into Studio 54 back in the 1970s. Or maybe even a backstage pass for a Beyoncé concert. You can barely believe this has happened. But now that it has, be prepared for uncertainty, anxiety, anger, a fair dash of envy (more on that later), and even some ennui. These are all normal feelings to have. You can't control having them--but you can control how to respond to them.

Rachel:

Well, Cathy, I don’t really know much about either Studio 54 or Beyoncé, but I do know that many creators (especially debuts) tend to get the Pub Day Blues. They wake up that morning, expecting the day to be dramatically different from every other day before it, and yet. . . they still have to put on clothes and maybe pack lunches and (God forbid!) go into the office if they have a day job. Just like everyone else who has never even written a book! But it’s important to make it a point to celebrate, too. (More on that later!)

#2: Find communities.

Cathy:

Debut groups, which are full of first-time authors who band together to support each other, can be super helpful to a new author. There are also communities like kidlit411.com and the many different groups SCBWI creates and promotes. Look around and see what’s there. Don’t be afraid to ask your fellow authors if they know of any supportive groups open to new members.

There are also your friends from your writing workshops, your old friends from college, that high-school alumni group you joined on Facebook—all of these communities can be helpful and supportive when your book comes out. Don’t discount your non-writer friends. Many of them will be thrilled that you are publishing a book, and happy to support you.

Writers, this is no time to give in to our inner introverts, the ones that help us stay focused when we’re doing the actual writing. Get out there and get involved. Be kind to other people in the writing community. Not just writers and readers. Librarians, teachers, agents, and editors: they’re part of our world too. Offer suggestions and support. Boost their social media posts. You might be pleasantly surprised at how many of them are willing to do the same for you. And you may also be surprised at how many of your fellow authors will remember a year or two later—to the letter—the people who gave them reviews on Goodreads or Amazon, and the people who forgot or were too busy to get that done.

Rachel:

Yes, exactly! And don’t forget about your agency family, either. At Prospect, we work hard to create and nurture a sense of community among our clients, and I know many other agencies do as well. I believe that you’ve been in touch with several other Prospect writers, Cathy, and that you frequently promote each other’s work on social media. Many other Prospect clients have already started pulling together a promotional group for their 2025 releases that will involve sharing cover reveals, book birthdays, reviews, and good news. That’s really smart (and really thinking ahead, too. I don’t know what I’m making for dinner tomorrow, let alone what I’ll be doing in 2025!).

Cathy:

Mike Ciccotello was the first person who told me we were “agency family,” because we were both at Prospect Agency. I had never heard of that concept, and it was such a relief to know that more experienced writers had my back. When you have that attitude of community in your literary agency, it’s the ultimate cozy feeling.

#3: Be thoughtful about your social media presence.

Cathy:

Most publishers now expect you to have an active social media presence. (Some even require it. You might find it in your contract.) So figure out now which platforms you're most comfortable with, and start establishing a coherent presence on the ones you prefer. Get in the habit of posting frequently. It’s also the moment to get your website ready for prime time. Your website doesn’t need to be anything fancy. It’s more important for it to be coherent, well organized, and up to date. It’s very easy to let a website get “dusty,” as the publicists say. But try not to bite off more than you can chew. It's easy to imagine you can send a monthly newsletter or blog frequently, but my experience is not many people keep that up long term.

Rachel:

I totally concur! As you said, it’s important to pick the platform that works the best for you. But, also, just remember that there is no substitute for writing a good book. That should always remain your top priority.

#4: Get organized.

Cathy:  

Early on, make a list of everything you need to get done and when it needs to be finished. Make sure deadlines for interviews and articles all go on your calendar. Don't be late with your promised responses or ask for extensions. Update your website and order your swag. It may seem overwhelming, but just remember that you eat an elephant bite by bite. Also remember that time and effort you spend on book promotion is time spent on your literary career.

Rachel:

Yes, book promotion is an important investment, and shows that you’re taking yourself seriously as an author. After all, once you’ve written a good book, you want people to know about it. So carve out the time in your schedule to make that happen, and give yourself permission to take those necessary steps to further your career. It’s not wasting time; it’s time well spent.

#5: Guard your time and money. Think about what’s really going to move the needle.

Cathy:

Getting a book advance is exciting. Perhaps, like me, you spent years submitting to literary magazines that paid in copies. Now all of a sudden there’s money from a publishing house deposited in your bank account. Now that it’s there, let’s not be in a rush to spend it all at once. (Sorry for sounding like your parents, or your tax accountant.)

If ordering thematic stuffed animals and book-cover cookies for your swag completes your happiness, go for it. I once made an entire no-sew fleece blanket for a book giveaway, so I get it. But—be realistic about what's really going to move the needle in terms of sales and publicity. It worries me when I see authors ordering expensive swag like key chains or mugs, knowing that most folks will toss them straight into a drawer or the recycling bin. The simple old standards of bookmarks, postcards, and stickers are often the best. This isn’t just my opinion. Many of my librarian friends confirm that these simple items are the kids’ favorites. With that in mind, my personal rule is that all my swag should fit into a standard #10 envelope and mail with a Forever stamp.

There are other things people try that are often rarely worth the time and money. I’ve known some authors who have sent their swag postcards to every independent bookstore in the United States. Again, if this gives you joy and a sense of control, go ahead—but most bookstores rely on trade reviews to decide which books to stock. Your postcards might not make much of a difference, and the time and money they require may be better spent elsewhere. Like working on your next book.

I’d also like to mention professional publicists. You’re going to be hearing from some of them. I got several unsolicited emails. One guy actually got my home phone number and called more than once. I admired his enterprise, although he didn’t get the title of my book right. Some of these publicists will promise amazing things. Let me be clear: publicists can be great. I have one I consult occasionally. She gives me advice on the stuff I should be doing to publicize my book and how to establish an appropriate, professional online presence. I feel as if she’s worth every penny. But if I was going to pay for a publicity package of $10,000 or $15,000 (and, yes, I know of writers who have done this) I would want to know exactly what I was likely to gain in exchange for that money. To be clear, at most of the usual royalty rates you’d need to sell around 5,000 books to make $10,000 back. That’s a lot of books.

Okay, so what does seem to make a difference? School visits! If you can develop a good school visit, and get out there regularly, they can move the needle in terms of sales. And the money you charge for those visits will come in handy too.

Rachel:

You can always feel free to ask your agent for publicity and marketing advice as well.  We can help you to decipher publishing marketing plans and offer wisdom as to how you might best promote your book. While we might not have all the answers, we can always do some asking around to find out. As your agent, we’re invested in helping you to build your career—and we’re always on your side.

#6: Vent away about the book business—but it might be better to vent to family and friends instead of the Internet.

Cathy: 

There's plenty to complain about in the publishing landscape today, from major chains dropping MG hardbacks to a lack of publicity from publishers to professionals who ghost us. However. . . please do consider seriously whether it's wise to complain about your advance, your publisher's publicity department, or your literary agency on social media for everyone to see. Remember that everyone at your agency and publishing house knows how to use the Internet, and they'll see your tossed-off complaints, and may take them really personally.

Rachel:

Exactly, Cathy! And just remember that your agent is a safe person to vent to (unless you’re venting about your agent, of course. Then, vent to your cat). Agents can also help you to discern whether you have a legitimate complaint (and what to do about it, if so) or if your frustration is something that is, unfortunately, commonplace in the publishing industry. (And maybe, in that case, there’s not much you can do about it. But, hey—don’t you feel better now that you’ve vented?)

#7: A thick skin can be useful.

Cathy:

Lately I’m grateful for my years in publishing when I sent out short stories to literary magazines. My record for rejections was 72 for one story. Why am I grateful for those years of repeated failure? Because they gave me the hide of a rhino.

You are going to reach out to a lot of people who decline to review your book on their popular Youtube channel or website. Most of them won't even bother to respond to your email. You are going to get negative reviews, some of which are stupid, and others of which really hurt. (It's hard to know which are worse.) People are going to say petty, unnecessary things to you about your book. I know someone who let me know she didn’t like the cover of Lost Kites and Other Treasures and Franny as a blonde was all wrong. So get ready for stuff like that. It’ll happen.

Rachel:

It’s definitely natural to feel the sting of rejection—but it also shows that you take pride in your work. It’s kind of like being nervous before a recital. If you didn’t get the pre-performance jitters it would mean that you didn’t care—which, of course, is not a good thing. But it’s also important to keep in mind that criticism is subjective (so, so subjective). Some professional reviewers seem to be more in the business of flaunting their own writing skills than giving useful feedback. Try the best you can to dismiss those hurtful jabs. However, if you’re getting the same criticism from several different sources, then you may want to start paying attention to those remarks. It might be good feedback that you could consider implementing in your next work.

#8: Get ready for visits from the green-eyed monster.

Cathy:

I'm talking about envy. It's one of the most common emotions for debut authors to feel, and not the prettiest one. Perhaps, as with so many other things, it's best to just accept its presence and move on.

As an author, you will always know people whose books have more reviews than yours on Goodreads, whose book gets four starred reviews while your book is having trouble scraping up any reviews at all, who get chosen for an interview in Horn Book or Publishers Weekly. This will not seem fair to you. Period. Just please understand that public envy is an ugly look. (I've had friends who dismissed envious social media posts as natural, but I've never seen anyone who really admired one or thought better of someone for posting it.) This is what your friends and family are for.

Rachel:

Yes, the hard truth about publishing (and life in general, really) is that there is always going to be someone who gets more recognition than you. But my advice would be to make your envy work for you, rather than against you. Use it as the fuel to help you focus on your own individual goals and keep your eye on the milestones you can control (finishing that next novel draft!) rather than the things you can’t (winning the Newbery). You’ll never be able to achieve that second goal without finishing that first.   

Cathy:

I love the idea of turning that envy into rocket fuel.

#9: Be yourself. Unleash your inner anchovy pizza.

Cathy:

When Lost Kites and Other Treasures came out, I posted a photograph of myself on social media that I honestly find embarrassing. I have a look of utter joy on my face, I'm holding Lost Kites up over my head, and my coat pockets are bulging in a weird way because my mittens are stuffed in them. I almost didn't post the picture¾but people loved it! So don't be afraid to express your real self¾your love of anchovy pizza, your extensive knowledge of top 40 hits, the picture of you when you were eight in awful eyeglasses with your hair flipped up on one side. Dance like no one's watching.

Rachel:

Have you been watching me dance, Cathy? Darn it! I thought no one had seen my killer Flashdance moves. Seriously though, genuineness is a highly likable trait, and one that kids (who are truly your main audience, lest we forget) especially value. Just think of the popularity of the BeReal app with teens. And they can spot a phony a mile away, which is why it’s all the more important to be yourself. (Speaking of, I’ve got to get back to my split leaps now. Where are my leg warmers?)

#10: Enjoy your debut!

Cathy:

It's so easy to forget this. So add it to your calendar. I'm serious about that. You've achieved a magnificent accomplishment, probably something you worked toward for years. Plan a great day for yourself. Treat yourself to some flowers, some good food, a long walk, or whatever you would enjoy the most. You did it!

Rachel:

You did do it. It’s a hard-won dream—and it’s certainly something to celebrate. You may just have to be intentional about it—just like you did this year when Lost Kites and Other Treasures came out, didn’t you?

CC: I did. We had pizza, wine, and Italian pastry—all on one fabulous weeknight. And I hope everyone with a book coming out this year has a debut day that gives them that much joy.

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Cathy and Rachel. You can find Cathy at:

www.cathycarrwrites.com, Facebook at cathycarrwrites, and Twitter and Instagram @cathycarrwrites 

You can find Rachel at: https://www.prospectagency.com/ and Twitter @rachelprospect

Giveaway Details

Cathy is generously offering a hardback of Lost Kites and Other Treasures for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by April 6th. If your email is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog and/or follow me on Twitter or Cathy on her social media sites, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is international.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Friday, April 1st I’m participating in the Honey Bunny Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, April 3rd I have an interview with debut author Trish Lundy and a giveaway of her YA thriller The One That Got Away With Murder and my IWSG post

Monday, April 8th I have an agent spotlight interview with Paula Weiman and a query critique giveaway

Monday, April 15th I have a review and giveaway of Finally Heard by Kelly Yang

Tuesday, April 16th I’m participating in the Rain Drop on Roses Giveaway Hop

Monday, April 22nd I have an agent spotlight interview with Hillary Fazzari and a query critique giveaway

I hope to see you on Friday!

 

 

 

Chasing Rainbows Giveaway Hop

 

Happy Saturday Everyone! Today I'm excited to participate in the Chasing Rainbows Giveaway Hop hosted by MamatheFox. I hope you're enjoying a warmer and earlier start to spring. We are here in Michigan, and I'm loving being able to get outside and walk and work in my yard earlier than normal.

Book of Your Choice or Amazon Gift Card

I am offering a book of your choice that is $20 or less on Amazon. I’m looking forward to seeing what books everyone is looking forward to reading. If you don’t have a book you want, you can win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Giveaway Details

To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by March 31st telling me whether you want a book, and if so, which one, or the Amazon gift card and your email address. Be sure to include your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. The book giveaway is U.S. only and the Amazon gift card giveaway is International.

 Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Monday, March 18th I have an interview with debut author Anne Rellihan and a giveaway of her MG contemporary/mystery Not the Worst Friend in the World

Wednesday, March 20th I have an agent spotlight interview with Stuti Telidevara and a query critique giveaway

Monday, March 27th I have an agent/author guest post by agent Rachel Orr and debut author Cathy Carr and a giveaway of Cathy’s MG contemporary Lost Kites and Other Treasures

Friday, April 1st I’m participating in the Honey Bunny Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, April 3rd I have an interview with debut author Trish Lundy and a giveaway of her YA thriller The One That Got Away With Murder and my IWSG post

I hope to see you on Monday!

And here are all the other blogs participating in this blog hop:

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

Grow Your Characters: 6 Tips to Enrich MG Characters by Author Donna Galanti and $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Card Giveaway to Celebrate Loon Cove Summer

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have Donna Galanti here to celebrate the release of her MG Loon Cove Summer. This is a contemporary story, which is not what Donna usually writes. I’m looking forward to reading it this summer.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

"A warm-hearted novel ... balances profound loss with humor and hope." – Kate Allen, author of The Line Tender

Thirteen-year-old Sarah Richardson is determined that her life will finally get unstuck this summer. She just knows it. Her to-do list? Brave the lake again. Save the loons. Stop missing Mom. Her one bright spot: volunteering at the local wild bird rehabilitation center.

The summer looks even brighter when Sarah meets Theo, the boy staying at her family's Maine lakeside campground who cares about protecting the loons just like she does. But when Sarah's family may have to move, she adds a new to-do item: save their home. And when she suspects Dad is dating Theo's aunt, the naturalist helping research environmental dangers to the loons, Sarah is caught in a new world of grief.

With the looming reality of losing her dad, her home, and the loons, Sarah must make a big statement to take control of her life. Capturing inspiration from her late mother's Appalachian Trail hiking journal, she boldly plans a solo wild adventure. But as her challenges mount, she wonders if her courage will earn her the voice she seeks-or if she's made a reckless choice that just might claim her life.

More praise for Loon Cove Summer:

“An original and fun read from start to finish … inherently compelling and skillfully crafted. With its unexpected plot twists and deftly crafted characters, this thoroughly 'kid friendly' action/adventure novel is unreservedly recommended.” – Midwest Book Review

"As sparkling, refreshing, and mysterious as a Maine lake in summertime." – Cathy Carr, author of 365 Days to Alaska

“The cast of unforgettable characters and tender relationships stays with you.”
– Jessica Rinker, author of The Dare Sisters

“A page-turning read set in the wilds of Maine.” – Paul Greci, author of Surviving Bear Island 

Now here’s Donna!

Middle grade readers tend to live life more in the moment. As a writer, our readers are living busy, mundane often overwhelming lives so we must give them something to read that surprises them, thrills them, and lifts them up. We must give them a story that transports them to a new world from the one they are in.

These readers also want to get deep into the mind of their characters. They want to love them or hate them—and passionately. So, bring passion to the page! This starts with YOU being passionate about your main character.

Here are 6 ways to enrich writing your middle grade (MG) characters:

1.     UNDERSTAND THE MIND OF AN MG READER

First, let’s get more inside the mind of an 8- to 12-year-old reader. They live in a contrasting world. For example, they…

·       Want to be loyal to their family but crave independence

·       Want to define themselves with their own identity but want to fit in

·       Feel a yearning to grow up and make big choices but also want to feel safe and have things decided for them when life gets tough.

·       Are focused on themselves.

·       See how friendships start to get complicated.

·       Come to understand that things they once thought about friends and family changes (like believing their parents were perfect or invincible).

·       Have many new experiences for the first time.

This contrasting world of tweens offers resourceful areas to explore and deepen your character development.

2.     VOICE

Are there places in your book where the language feels a little too formal? Could you change formal

dialogue to contractions to be more conversational? You can have mature MG characters, but make sure when writing for tweens, you think like a tween. The reader needs to believe that this is a 12-year-old boy or girl that is going through all of this. Her thoughts, actions and reactions need to match that. 

Also, be consistent with your character’s voice. Does one character speak formally without contractions unlike the others? Carry that through. You don’t want your readers to say “Oh, she wouldn’t say that or talk like that. That’s so out of character.”

3.     SLOWLY BUILD UP YOUR CHARACTER

In your manuscript, do a search for character info dumps. Do you have sections where things are moving along and then a new character enters the story, and you give us a description dump list?

For example, the “author” stops the action to narrate and tell us about Emily with:
“Emily was tall. She had deep blue eyes and light brown hair that was mid-shoulder length. Emily was leading her class with a 4.6 grade point average. She played flute in the orchestra, first chair, and three days a week she worked at the gift shop at the hospital; where she also volunteered evenings.” Etc. etc. etc.

Have you done this in your novel?
TIP: Rewrite this section in the character’s voice to see how much stronger this scene can be told or show us the main character from another character’s point of view (POV).

Build up your characters as you write them. Show us their faults, their desires, their conflicts with others—and especially show us their reactions. Reactions are stronger than “telling” us how they feel and even stronger than “dialogue” because  what characters “tell” us is not always the truth (like an unreliable narrator). However, it’s their reactions that show us who these characters truly are.

4.     REWRITE ONE-DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERS INTO 3D

Could your characters be one-dimensional?

Ask yourself: Are your characters people we are being told about? We need to get a sense of their personality or what they fear, or what they are capable of from an emotional or physical standpoint. We can’t see this if mostly the narrator (you) tells us.

The kinds of characters that have a history, actions, and reactions are the most well-developed— and the most enjoyable to read—and the ones we can create an emotional connection with. Using the senses to show character is a great way to do this.

Ask yourself: Is your main character always having one emotion or the other? Like being shown as either angry or super sad. How else can he feel? Show him feeling other things. Look for repetitive sections where he is telling us what he feels and change to action. SHOW him reacting vs. TELLING us what’s in his head.
TIP: Revealing setting through you character’s eyes is a great way to show their emotional state.

Finally, do a global search for your character’s actions. Are they always throwing their hair back? Snapping their fingers? Tapping their feet? Chewing their bottom lip? Waving a hand? Grinning? Trying mixing up their actions.

5.     DIALOGUE

How to beef up your dialogue? First, check for long blocks of dialogue and cut them up. Skim your manuscript visually to see where these blocks reveal themselves.

Once you’ve identified these blocks you can shorten info dumps, sprinkle the information throughout the story as needed, or incorporate dialogue in creative ways such as through characters quizzing another, news articles, journal entries, or action scenes.

Every piece of dialogue is important so be selective. Keep in mind that we don’t get to know a character because they are talking—but because they are reacting (once more!).
Ask yourself: What would this character be DOING in this situation instead of SAYING?

Are you a fan of exclamation points? Then you might have too many in your dialogue. A character that is always hollering, screaming, and shouting does not reveal a fully dimensional character. So, DELETE that exclamation and see how else you can write that sentence/scene without it to convey the urgency and excitement. You don’t want your characters to be simply remembered as characters that yell a lot!!! :)

Are you writing in the first person? It’s hard to avoid using “I this” or “I that” in first person narrative BUT you must find alternate sentence structures to reduce those “I” sentences. It will bring your readers closer to your character. My editor of my first children’s book made this very clear to me and I had to re-work the entire manuscript. Because of this, I am very conscious of reducing my “I’s” in writing. In doing so, it also helps me write a tighter first draft with a final draft mentality.

Here’s an example from my first children’s book, Joshua and the Lightning Road:
Original sentence in the manuscript in Joshua’s POV:
“I searched for Charlie in the dark, but I couldn’t make out the heads on other bunks.”

Compare it to the final version in Joshua’s POV with no “I’s”:
“In the dark it was hard to make out the heads on the other bunks. Where was Charlie?”

Can you see how this gets us closer to Joshua’s POV and delivers a stronger effect?

Try this throughout the novel. Your readers will thank you for it.

6.     CHARACTER CLICHÉS AND QUIRKS

Watch out for character clichés when writing for pre-teens. You’ve likely read them in other books:

·       The dumb jock

·       The nerd kid who’s a genius

·       The mean, popular girl

·       The kid who gets powers at a certain age

·       The goth kid who wears black and hates the world

·       The secret spy kid

·       The kid who’s prophesied to change the world

Take these clichés and see how you can change things up to make interesting and different but relatable characters. Give them a big goal, show us their world view, show us how they relate to others, and give them a specific characterization detail that shows us who they are.

TIPS:

·       Write a scene where  your character is forced to make a decision and must do the right thing.

·       Give your character a conflict: Then write about her internal conflict with it (what she feels about her life and about herself) then write about how she feels about it with an external conflict (something going on in the world around her).

Think LESS is MORE. It’s fine to give your character a quirk or special detail but not five! Don’t overdo it and make them chaotic and cartoonish.

A fun way to get to know your character is to journal about them in their voice and in the first person—even if their character is written in third-person in your story. This can be a stream of consciousness about what they desire, are anxious about, and can involve their past, present, and future.

Journaling is a powerful way to lean into your character and truly discover who they are—and help you get deep into their mind so your readers can too.

Do you have more tips on how to enrich your middle grade characters? Share them here!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Donna! You can find Donna at:

Donna’s website:  https://www.donnagalanti.com/loon-cove-summer/

Giveaway Details 

Sorry the Rafflecopter giveaway looks a bit weird. Please enter only once.

$50 Barnes & Noble Gift Card Giveaway: Runs 5/6/25 – 5/13/25 Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ddcc91cd33/? Embed giveaway code in your website: a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Wednesday, May 7th I have an interview with author Aimee Phan and a giveaway of her YA The Lost Queen and my IWSG post

Monday, May 12th I have a guest post by author Leah Stecher and a giveaway of her MG A Field Guide to Broken Promises

Wednesday, May 14th I have an agent spotlight interview with Analía Cabello and a query critique giveaway

Friday, May 16th I’m participating in the Moms Rock Giveaway Hop

Monday, May 19th I have a guest post by author Carol L. Pauer and a giveaway of her MG Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost

Wednesday, May 21st I have an agent spotlight interview with Isabel Lineberry and a query critique giveaway

Sunday, June 1st I’m participating in the Berry Good Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, June 4th I have an interview with author Aaron Starmer and a giveaway of his YA Night Swimming and my IWSG post

Monday, June 9th I have an interview with author Nancy McCabe and a giveaway of her MG Fires Burning Underground

Wednesday, June 11th I have an agent spotlight interview with Mark O’Brien and a query critique giveaway

Monday, June 16th I’m participating in the Dad-o-Mite Giveaway Hop

Monday, June 23rd I have an interview with author Michael Spradlin and a giveaway of his MG Threat of the Spider

I hope to see you on Wednesday!

Debut Author Interview: Anne Rellihan Interview and Not the Worst Friend in the World Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have debut author Anne Rellihan here to share about her debut MG contemporary mystery Not the Worst Friend in the World. I’m excited to read it after reading the blurb that describes the main character as a modern-day Harriet the Spy.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

 

Can Lou Bennett keep a secret? She’ll do just about anything to prove herself to her new friend—and the best friend she betrayed—in this debut novel that is a modern-day Harriet the Spy with high emotional stakes.

It’s the thirty-fourth day of sixth grade at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Missouri, and eleven-year-old Lou wishes she could rewind time.

Lou wants to go back to the ninth day of sixth grade—the day before she fought with her best friend Francie and said the terrible, horrible things she can’t unsay. Or better yet, she would go back to fifth grade when Francie was still the Old Francie.

Then the new girl, Cece Clark-Duncan, passes Lou a mysterious note. It says she was kidnapped. (!) If Lou can help Cece, maybe she can prove she’s not the world’s worst friend.

But as observant Lou uncovers the complicated truth about Cece’s family, she starts to panic. Can she help Cece without hurting her? Or will Lou end up losing another friend instead?

Anchored by an outstanding voice and a page-turning mystery, this remarkable debut novel honors the powerful middle school friendships that can both break and heal a tender eleven-year-old heart. Perfect for fans of Fish in a Tree and My Jasper June.

Follower News

Before I get to Anne’s interview, I have Follower News to share. Shannon Lawrence has a new release, Myth Stalker: Wendigo Nights. Here’s a blurb: When Selina gets a shocking call from her mentor she must set aside everything she knows about Wendigo and find a solution that will save a loved one's soul. Here are a few links: 

Website: www.thewarriormuse.com Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/4AaOJd

Interview With Anne Rellihan

Hi Anne! Thanks so much for joining us.

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

I grew up wanting to be an author. I was constantly reading and writing, and I would write books and gift them to my friends, family, and teachers. As I got older, I thought the way to have a career in writing was to be a journalist, so I majored in Journalism, but English, too, because I still loved literature and creative writing. I quickly figured out that I didn’t love reporting the news, so I joined Teach For America after college and spent ten years teaching 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grades. After my second son was born in 2017, I left the classroom and got serious about writing. Not the Worst Friend in the World was the first book I wrote—although it’s changed a lot from the initial draft to the book it is now.

2. Where did you get the idea for Not the Worst Friend in the World?

I drew inspiration from the books I loved to read as a kid, my own experiences growing up, and my students over the years. I went to Catholic school from kindergarten through high school, so I included that experience in the book. I also have such strong memories of my friendships at that age, and how important they were to me, so that was a big part of the inspiration.

Your Writing Process

3. That’s great that you drew on your own experiences for the idea for this book. How did you plot out the mystery of Cece’s kidnapping and Lou’s attempts to find her? Do you have any tips and resources for MG and YA writers who want to write a mystery, including me?

A lot of the specific scenes where Cece and Lou find clues and are actively trying to track down Cece’s mom were added on revision. The general plot remained the same, but I added a lot to make the story more mysterious and tie all the clues together. So my best piece of advice is to not be afraid to revise. Drafting is the hardest part of the process for me, so I would say the most important thing is to get a story down because once it’s there you can add, change, and cut as much as you need to make it work together the way you want it to.

4. Drafting is hardest for me too. One of the appeals of your story is that Lou is such a compelling character, and it sounds like your story tugs at readers’ hearts. How did you develop Lou as a character?

I tried to get inside Lou’s head as much as possible by envisioning what she would do in a number of different situations. I also wrote scenes from her perspective that weren’t included in the book just to make sure I really knew her inside and out and could convey her convincingly on the page.

5. I saw that you were in the Author Match Program. Tell us about what that program is and how it helped you strengthen your writing and your manuscript.

Author Mentor Match was an invaluable experience for me. I submitted my manuscript to a number of agented and published middle grade authors, and it was selected my Megan E. Freeman and Nicole M. Hewitt. They read my full manuscript, sent me a detailed editorial letter, and we met over Zoom to discuss their proposed changes. They were both so insightful and really understood the book and the characters, and so all of their feedback was spot on and was critical in helping me tell the story I had set out to tell.

Your Road to Publication

6. That’s great that your mentors were so helpful. Your agent is Elizabeth Bennett. How did she become your agent and what was your road to getting a publishing contract like?

I finished working with Megan and Nicole in September of 2021. Elizabeth, who is not usually open to unsolicited queries, opened for a short time in December 2021. She posted that she was looking for a heartfelt middle grade or YA story, so I queried her right away. I got another offer of rep shortly after submitting to her, and then Elizabeth offered, too. I felt confident in Elizabeth’s experience and belief in the story, and I couldn’t be happier or feel luckier to have her as my agent. I signed with her in January 2022, and she took my manuscript out on submission a few weeks later. The book was out on submission for three weeks before we got an offer from Sally Morgridge at Holiday House. Sally and Holiday House have been amazing and such a wonderful fit for me and my book. I’ve felt incredibly lucky and like the stars have aligned for me more than once on this journey.

7. Wow! That’s an amazingly quick turn around time from getting an agent to getting a publishing contract. Share something you learned from working with your agent or editor about your writing craft and how this strengthened your manuscript.

Sally had some really helpful insights into some of the side characters, especially Cece’s grandmother and Francie. That helped me to grow in the ways that I develop all characters and make sure that every person who appears in the book is a full and complete character.

Promoting Your Book

8. Your book was recently released. What did you do to celebrate it, and how are you promoting your book?

I’ve been incredibly lucky to have had lots of launch celebrations with my family, my friends, and my community. Launch day was February 6^th, and that afternoon I had an After School Book Party at The Learning Tree, a local toy and book store. We had a great turn out and that was my first opportunity to sign books! I also did a private launch party for family and friends, presented to the middle schoolers at my kids’ school, and had the incredible opportunity to discuss the book and lead a writing workshop for young writers at Rainy Day Books, an amazing independent bookstore here in Kansas City.

9. What advice do you have for those of us who are unpublished about developing your social media platform and getting ready for your book’s release?

Make sure you have a website so readers have an easy way to learn about the book and can also contact you. I try to keep my website and social media platforms consistent. And the most important aspect of social media for me is connecting with other writers.

10. What are you working on now?

I’m drafting a second middle grade novel now, but it’s been slow going as I’m juggling writing, this book release, and my four kiddos, who are eight, seven, four, and almost one. My goal is complete it within the year!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Anne. You can find Anne at annerellihan.com, @anne.rellihan on Instagram, and @annerellihan on X

Giveaway Details

Anne’s publisher is generously offering a hardback of Not the Worst Friend in the World for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by March 30th. If your email is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog and/or follow me on Twitter or Anne on her social media sites, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Wednesday, March 20th I have an agent spotlight interview with Stuti Telidevara and a query critique giveaway

Monday, March 27th I have an agent/author guest post by agent Rachel Orr and debut author Cathy Carr and a giveaway of Cathy’s MG contemporary Lost Kites and Other Treasures

Friday, April 1st I’m participating in the Honey Bunny Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, April 3rd I have an interview with debut author Trish Lundy and a giveaway of her YA thriller The One That Got Away With Murder and my IWSG post

Monday, April 8th I have an agent spotlight interview with Paula Weiman and a query critique giveaway

Monday, April 15th I have a review and giveaway of Finally Heard by Kelly Yang

Tuesday, April 16th I’m participating in the Rain Drop on Roses Giveaway Hop

Monday, April 22nd I have an agent spotlight interview with Hillary Fazzari and a query critique giveaway

I hope to see you on Wednesday!