WRITERS' RUMPUS

HOW TO MIDDLE GRADE

Hi! My name’s James Ponti, and I write Middle Grade book series such as City Spies and The Sherlock Society. I’m excited to share some pointers with you, but only with a major caveat. I know a bunch of writers and we all do it differently. I’m not talking plotting vs. pantsing, but radically different approaches.

SKIPSHOCK by Caroline O’Donoghue: A Master Class in World Building

For writers of fantasy, science fiction, and romance, this genre-blending novel is a master class in how to create details and imagery that pull readers into the plot and keep them riveted from first page to last, and importantly, leave them eager for more.

INTERVIEW WITH #JEWISH #KIDLIT #PICTUREBOOK AUTHOR DOREEN KLEIN ROBINSON, PLUS A DOUBLE CRITIQUE AND BOOK GIVEAWAY

January 27, 2026 DrZatHome

Doreen is my talented, lovely, cheering-with-all-her-soul at every beautiful book that is birthed, Jewish writing partner who I’ve known for years now. Thanks to PJ

Interviews with Elly Berke and Luciana Navarro Powell, the gifted author and illustrator duo of LISTEN, WONDER, ASK … and a giveaway, too!!

January 20, 2026 Laura Fineberg Cooper

It’s my great honor to introduce Listen, Wonder, Ask (Tilbury House Publishers, September 17, 2024) and the gifted author/illustrator team of Elly Berke and Luciana Navarro Powell to our Writers’ Rumpus audience in my first post of 2026.

Meet the Talented Alexandra Thompson, Author & Illustrator!

January 13, 2026 Amy Amberg

Amy Amberg (AA): Hi Alexandra! I’m looking forward to the publication of your newest book, Hazel and Herbert, due out at the end of February!

Growing the Creepy: How Aaron Reynolds’s Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales! Grows With Young Readers

January 6, 2026 Hilary Elizabeth Margitich

A look at how Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown grow their beloved Creepy picture books into early chapter books — and why spooky stories work year-round for young readers.

The 2025 Writers’ Rumpus Year in Review

December 30, 2025 Laura Fineberg Cooper

Before we close the book on 2025, I welcome you to peruse my annual Writers’ Rumpus Year in Review. As with my first review post back in 2017, my goal for 2025 is to showcase the breadth and depth of our offerings from our talented contributors with a single post from each.