This week our featured author is Ian Slatter. He’s relatively new to the Middle Grade world, but he can write a great book! Let’s get on to the interview.

What made you decide to become an author?
I’ve wanted to write for almost as long as I can remember. I started writing short stories when I was in school and university, then wrote news stories for a spoof news website and comedy sketches for TV and radio. I really wanted to write books though, and started off with a couple of non-fiction books about sport, before completing and publishing Eco Worrier, my first novel. I’ve had ideas for novels for years, and have notebooks full of plot outlines, but this is the first time I’ve managed to convert one into a fully completed novel.

What made you want to write middle grade?
Reading is massively important for kids of all ages, but it’s when you reach the age of 9, 10 and 11 that you start to get a feel for what sort of stories you like to read, whether it’s comedy, adventure, sci-fi or anything. I remember loving the books that I read when I was that age, and to think that books that I’ve written might be enjoyed anywhere near as much as I enjoyed the work of Roald Dahl, CS Lewis, Norton Juster etc is pretty cool.

I also think that middle grade is the perfect length for my writing style. I like to be quite concise, so telling a story in 35-45,000 words is just right for me.

If Hagrid and Mrs. Oleary (the Hell hound from Percy Jackson and the Olympians) were in a hot dog eating contest, who would win?
I’m not sure Hagrid would be particularly fond of hot dogs, so my money would be on Mrs O’Leary.
Now if it was pizza it might be a different story!

Are you working on any new books right now? If so, what is it called, and what’s it about?
I have plot outlines for a couple of sequels to Eco Worrier, but first I’m writing a book about a young football fan who thinks he’s found a way to make sure his favourite team always wins. It’s in the early stages and I’ve yet to think of a good title for it, but I’m hoping to finish it over the next few months ready for publication early next year.

What other books have you written?
As I mentioned earlier, I’ve written a couple of non-fiction books, both aimed at adults. The first is called Premier League Legends, featuring the ten best (in my opinion) players in the history of the English Premier League. The second is called Incredible Moments in Sport, which is all about the 101 greatest moments in sporting history (again in my humble opinion), and includes sporting greats like Muhammad Ali, Jesse Owens and Tiger Woods, and massive events like the Olympics, FIFA World Cup and Wimbledon.

If you could be any kind of donut, what would you be?
I think I would be a chocolate custard donut. Why? Probably just because that’s my favourite, and if I’m going to be donut I’m going to be THE tastiest one out there!
Does that mean, I want to eat myself though? Is that weird? Oh well.

What book are you reading right now?
At the moment I’m reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams. It’s one of those books that I’ve meant to read for as long as I can remember but for some reason never have. I’d heard all about it, and knew that it’s an absolute classic amongst sci-fi fans, and I’d seen the movie, but I’d never read it. I can see why so many people love it though – I’d definitely recommend it.

The last middle grade book I read was The Phantom Tollbooth, by Norton Juster. I had read that one before, but not for a long time. It’s still a classic, and I can see exactly why I enjoyed it when I was younger.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?
Check out my website – ianslatter.com

Just Middle Grade had the chance to interview the lovely Kerri Lukasavitz this week. We think you’ll like her answers.

What made you decide to become an author?
I was born passionate about reading, writing, and books, although it wasn’t until I was an adult that I noticed writing books by Natalie Goldberg, Julia Cameron, Dani Shapiro, and other classic authors suddenly taking up space on my bookshelves. I lost my interior designer job in December, 2008 when the world’s economic situation took a nosedive and felt pulled to pursue writing instead. I had already been a daily journal writer for 13 years, so the habit to write was already well-established. I wanted to start writing short pieces, maybe newspaper articles, so I found myself applying to and being accepted into a formal master’s degree writing program. I didn’t expect to be called to write novels, especially for children, but that’s what happened.

What made you want to write middle grade?
I have always loved reading children’s literature, even as an adult. When I was in graduate school, I originally thought I would study journalism because I also enjoyed people’s stories, but I veered hard right and entered the world of writing novels, taking as many Middle Grade/Young Adult workshops that I could. I was fortunate that the university offered the opportunity to study children’s literature.

If Hagrid and Mrs. O’Leary (the Hell hound from Percy Jackson and the Olympians) were in a hot dog eating contest, who would win?
Hmm, not sure. I’m not familiar with the stories, so I looked them up. They would certainly be strong competitors against each other. I keep leaning toward Mrs. O’Leary the Hell hound, although Hagrid looks like he could consume a ton himself.

Are you working on any new books right now? If so, what is it called, and what’s it about?
I am working on the novel, “Dark Horse at Oak Lane Stable,” the third book in the Oak Lane Stable Adventure Series. It’s a continuation of the same characters from the first two books and their adventures in and around the stable and at horse shows, plus face growing pains with their classmates. The main character, Cassie, enters the world of show jumping but finds that the fast-paced competition is more than she can handle.

What other books have you written?
“Mystery Horse at Oak Lane Stable” (Book 1)
“Gray Horse at Oak Lane Stable” (Book 2)
“Rudie the Happy Dog” is a completed picture book manuscript I’m currently submitting to agents/publishers

If you could be any kind of donut, what would you be?
A jelly donut because you look plain on the outside, but have a wonderful, surprising sweet filling inside.

What book are you reading right now?
You mean books, right?

“Embassy of the Dead” by Will Mabbit, illustrated by Tarryn Kight (middle grade).

“Discovering You Soul Signature: A 33-Day Path to Purpose, Passion & Joy” by Panache Desai (on day 31).

I literally just finished “Newsletter Ninja: How to Become An Author Mailing List Expert” by Tammi Labrecque and “Goodreads for Authors: How to Promote Your Books with Goodreads” by Michelle Campbell-Scott, and am halfway through “An Author’s Guide to Goodreads: How to Network with millions of Readers” by Barb Drozdowich – all for business, of course.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?
www.kerrilukasavitz.com
Goodreads
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
LinkedIn
Pinterest
SCBWI.org
Amazon.com
HenschelHAUS books.com
Books for Horse Lovers.com
Just Middle Grade.com
Authors Den

This week our featured author is Alba Arango. You might have heard of her if you’re familiar with the Decoder Mysteries series. She has a lot of middle grade books out there, and she’s working on some more, but we’ll let her tell you that. So, let’s get on to the interview.

What made you decide to become an author?
I’ve always loved to write. When I was a kid, I would write the craziest stories whenever we had writing prompts in class (my 5th grade teacher told me I had quite the imagination lol). In my late 20s, I decided to start writing a book. It took me 10 years! Once I finished it, I attended a writer’s conference in my hometown of Las Vegas, just to get a feel for the industry. Attending that conference is what made me decide I truly wanted to become an author.

What made you want to write middle grade?
It has always been, and still is, my favorite genre to read. I grew up reading Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, and (my favorite) The Three Investigators.

If Hagrid and Mrs. O’Leary (the Hell hound from Percy Jackson and the Olympians) were in a hot dog eating contest, who would win?
Mrs. Oleary, hands down. I feel like she would gobble them down, then shadow transport across the world and eat all the hot dogs there as well.

Are you working on any new books right now? If so, what is it called, and what’s it about?
I am currently working on two books: the 7th book in the Decoders Mysteries series, called The Dragon’s Horn, and the 5th (and final) book of the JJ Bennett: Junior Spy series, called Last Stand in London.

What other books have you written?
I have 10 books published altogether, 6 in the Decoders Mysteries series and 4 in the JJ Bennett: Junior Spy series. I also have a free short story called Sherlock of Timberton available to everyone who signs up for my once-a-month newsletter.

If you could be any kind of donut, what would you be?
Maple Bacon. I’d be that donut that people are hesitant to try because it sounds weird, but then, once they try it, they like it.

What book are you reading right now?
Currently reading The Dark Prophesy, Book 2 of the Trials of Apollo series. I love, love, LOVE Rick Riordan. He is my favorite author.

Where can we find out more about you and your books?
You can find out all about me on my website, AlbaArango.com. I also have free activities, like word searches and mazes, to download and print for free! You can also join my once-a-month newsletter to catch up on the latest news, see my latest book review, learn a crazy law in history, and get to know me a little better. (newsletter link on my website)