The Middle Grade Market: The Business of Writing and Publishing Books for Kids

It’s common to feel nostalgic about our favorite books from childhood, and many writers want to bring that literary magic to the next generation of readers. The novels, nonfiction books, and comics that make up the Middle Grade category are beloved by many, but the success of this category has made it a competitive category to break into as a writer. It’s crucial to understand the current market for Middle Grade books if you want to become a published author in this space.

There are many expectations surrounding content, narrative structure, and character development when it comes to writing for the Middle Grade market. If you want to be an author in this category, you need to be seeking answers to the following questions: What components make up a bestselling Middle Grade book? How can you make your book stand out in the crowded Middle Grade market? What kind of Middle Grade projects are editors looking to acquire at major publishing houses? How can the pitch for your Middle Grade manuscript catch the attention of literary agents? This live webinar offers answers to all of these questions and more.

In The Middle Grade Market, literary agent Maria Vicente covers everything you need to know about the business of writing and publishing books in this space. This is an OnDemand webinar.

What You Will Learn:

• The common elements of a Middle Grade book
• What the current Middle Grade market looks like in publishing—and predictions for the future
• What the Middle Grade audience is looking for in a book
• What editors want to acquire in the Middle Grade space
• The appropriate word count for Middle Grade manuscripts of all genres
• The common themes and topics found in Middle Grade books
• How to find your own Middle Grade writing voice
• How to create engaging and diverse Middle Grade characters
• The importance of a high concept plot with high stakes conflict
• The mistakes to avoid in your manuscript’s opening chapter
• How to write a successful pitch for your Middle Grade project
• The best resources to return to as you continue writing, revising, and pitching

Who Should Attend:

• Writers who want to better understand how to write for Middle Grade readers
• Writers who want to learn about the Middle Grade market in publishing
• Writers of other categories who want to transition into writing Middle Grade
• Writers interested in writing compelling, diverse characters for children
• Writers interested in writing unique, adventurous worlds for children
• Writers and illustrators seeking information about the Middle Grade graphic novel market
• Writers who want to write an effective pitch for their Middle Grade project
• Writers looking for Middle Grade publishing resources

Instructor:

Maria Vicente is a Senior Literary Agent and Advisor at P.S. Literary Agency representing creators of innovative and beautiful books for readers of all ages. With over a decade of experience in the publishing industry, Maria has helped launch the careers of many bestselling, award-winning, and critically acclaimed authors and illustrators. Whether it’s collaborating on manuscript drafts and proposals, negotiating book deals and contracts, or exploring adaptation opportunities, she advocates for her clients every step of the way. Maria is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents (PACLA) and the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). She lives in New Brunswick, Canada, reading and selling books from the Atlantic Ocean shore. Learn more at www.mariavicente.com.