Writing YA is awesome. Hearing from teen readers who loved We Hear the Dead and The Caged Graves has been a high point of my publishing experience.
But here are 3 reasons why I’m loving Middle Grade:
1. BOOK LOGS
2. SNAIL MAIL
3. FAN FICTION
This is called: If Jax Could Teach Evangeline to Text and it even includes a little MG-style “shipping”
And the book’s been out less than two months.
Yes, that’s the enthusiasm of middle grade readers.
I think I’m in love.
Aw! *squeee* Too stinkin’ cute! Yes, MG fans let it all (their love and enthusiasm) hang out there and it must be an absolute delight!
They are very enthusiastic book lovers, that’s for sure!
I taught 8th grade and love middle school kids. Such a great age to write for. Congrats on these awesome pieces of mail. 🙂
Thanks, Kelly!
My students have been an appreciative audience, but I’m thrilled that some of these come from kids who aren’t students and therefore can’t be jonesin’ for an A!
All of those would make a writer’s day! I particularly like the text exchange–brilliant!
Michael, Yes — that one cracks me up every time I read it!
I do believe I will be smiling the rest of the day after reading this. TOOOO CUTE!
Smiling for days, even.
What fun!
I have had a great deal of fun with this!
So agree with you about MG readers. And they have so much more time to read for pleasure. It’s a sad commentary on how busy it gets for them once they get to high school.
Natalie,
Agreed! In our high school they read classics and nothing modern unless it is non-fiction. Modern YA is sneered at. 🙁
That is so awesome! I think the “text transcript” is hilarious. It also means you have your very own fan fiction. Congrats! 🙂
Jeanne, Yes, the texting cracks me up — especially since there is no modern technology on the eighth day. Texting is impossible, which shows me this student really is writing a fictional addendum to my book, imagining a revision of the rules that will allow the characters to engage in her favorite activity!
Those are awesome. When kids respond, it’s something special.
Alex, I have always loved it when readers contacted me after reading my work. But nothing has been as cool as these kids’ responses.
HA! Those “text messages” are precious! What a great way to get feedback on your writing. It must be so cool to hear from your target audience!
Julie, It’s pretty much a dream come true!
That is awesome and the texting one is super cute. Getting fan mail is something special. 🙂
Elise, yes this was pretty cool, especially all showing up within a week or so.
I am not commenting on them all, but I went back and read everything that I missed. The settings tool is not working on blogger so I can delete blogs out of my reader and I can’t add any more by copy/pasting the URL and hitting “Add.” Ugghh. I will stick with it and hope that the settings tool begins to work soon.
That said… this cracked me up. I love the text message from Jax to Evangeline. That was seriously CUTE. That kid has a wonderful imagination. I can see why you are loving MG!
Hi Diane .. that’s just wonderful and no wonder you’re so chuffed! Cheers Hilary