Episode 807: Exploring Middle Grade Fantasy

The Blasters & Blades PodcastMagic Through Younger Eyes: Exploring Middle Grade FantasyMiddle Grade fantasy is where true lifelong readers are forged. This week, we assemble a panel of incredible authors to explore the magic, heart, and high stakes of writing fantasy for ages 8 to 12. We’re discussing how MG fantasy tackles real-world issues like grief, friendship, and identity through a magical lens, why the “wonder factor” is so crucial, and how today’s authors are building rich, inclusive worlds for the next generation of fantasy fans. Pull up a chair and rediscover the power of middle grade storytelling!Hosts: JR & JanaWe work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling!Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandleyOur LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcastToday's SponsorA Spring for Spears by Katie J Cross and Derek Siddoway: https://katiecrossbooks.com/products/spring-for-spearsFollow Lindsay Flanagan on social mediaLindsay’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lindsay-Flanagan/author/B0CFGFTN4VLindsay’s Website: https://authorlindsayflanagan.com/Lindsay’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/authorlindsayflanaganFollow Melissa McShane on social mediaMelissa’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Melissa-McShane/author/B00TON8E1QMelissa’s Website: www.melissamcshanewrites.comFollow R Max Tillsley on social mediaRob’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/R-Max-Tillsley/author/B0769JJWT5Rob’s Website: https://www.blackskybooks.com/Rob’s Tea Addiction: www.epicblendz.com.auFollow Sabine Berlin on social mediaSabine’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sabine-Berlin/author/B07P6FGJNHSabine’s Website: https://www.sabineberlin.com/Sabine’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@WestofthePage/videosSabine’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/sabineberlinFollow Trevor Ryback on social mediaTrevor’s Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/trevor-rybackTrevor’s Cover Artist: https://www.instagram.com/royalomari_ #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #scificons #podcastlife #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #religionquestion #coffee #tea #JRHandley #NickGarber #MadamStabby #JanaSBrown #JenaRey #OpalKingdomPress #LindsayFlanagan #MelissaMcShane #warmaster #WarHamster #RMaxTillsley #SabineBerlin #TrevorRyback #ExploringMiddleGradeFantasy #PercyJackson #RickRiordan #MiddleGrade #MGFiction #MGLit #MGBooks #MiddleGradeBooks #KidLit #MGFantasy #MGBookTalk #MGAuthors #WritingMiddleGrade #RaisingReaders #MGLitPanel #KidLitPanel #MiddleGrade #MiddleGradeReads #KidLit #KidsBooks #FantasyBooks #MiddleGradeAuthors #ChildrensBooks #FantasyCommunity #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #MustReadFantasy #JuiceBox #DietCoke #Coke #CocaCola #MoroccanMintTea #EnglishBreakfastTea #IcedChai #JuniorFiction #TheHobbit #JRRTolkien #Tolkien #LotR #LordOfTheRings #CSLewis #OldYeller #FredGipson #BridgeToTerabithia #KatherinePaterson #WhereTheRedFernGrows #WilsonRawls #WhereTheWildThingsAre #MauriceSendak #TheDarkIsRising #SusanCooper #TheGooseGirl #ShannonHale #LloydAlexander #PrydainChronicles #TheWorldOfTheUnknown #WorldOfTheUnknownMonsters #TerryPratchett #TheBorribles #Discworld #TerryPratchettMiddleGrade #TheBookOfThree #HowlsMovingCastle #DianaWynneJones #TheMiraculousJourneyOfEdwardTulane #KateDiCamillo #AnneMcCaffrey #TheKaneChronicles #RickRiordan #RangersApprentice #JohnFlanagan #TiffanyAching #TheWeeFreeMen #Narnia #TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe #Fablehaven #BrandonMull #MiddleGradeFantasy