[LISTEN AGAIN] Ep. 74: James Ponti (Part 1) (City Spies) on Writing a Bestselling Middle Grade Series

Book 7 of James Ponti's City Spies series comes out February 10th, so it's a great time to re-air part 1 of our interview. James shares heartfelt stories about his teachers, particularly Mrs. White, who inspired him to become a writer. The conversation also touches on the importance of education and the impact of family on his path to success. James also discusses his journey as a writer, focusing on his experiences with the City Spies and The Sherlock Society series. He shares insights into his writing process, the challenges of balancing multiple series, and the inspiration behind his stories. Ponti emphasizes the importance of setting in his books, using real locations to enhance the narrative and engage young readers. He also explores the appeal of thrillers and mysteries, highlighting the interactive nature of these genres and his unique approach to blending different storytelling elements.For bonus content and  info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.I love audiobooks! If you do, too, consider switching to Libro.fm, a platform that supports indy bookstores.If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave a rating and review (thank you!).