This year I was Brave and submitted a session proposal, and lo, I will be running a panel/workshop/forum on blogging the Middle Grade books with Melissa Fox (Book Nut) and Katy Manck (BooksYALove).
I decided to do this not because I am full to bursting of things I want to say, but because I really want to talk to other bloggers who focus on Middle Grade books--I want to share ideas, hopes, anxieties, tips, etc. in a moderated, semi-structured chat. The thought is that there will be particular Topics that we can go through, to keep the conversation going, but that if the conversation wants to go off on its own, that can happen too.
So if you are at all interested, whether you'll be at Austin or not, we'd would love to hear what topics you would find discussion-worthy! Here are some that we have in mind:
--who are the various audiences for middle grade blogs, and how we can keep our blogs growing, extending their reach and their depth
--how can we keep the effort of blogging interesting and fun, and work at it without Working --(assuming we want to--some of blogs may be introverts) how do we connect with each other and form supportive relationships
--blogging with a conscious awareness of race and gender (and other issues of diversity)
--what adults might gain from reading Middle Grade
And other things, like how do you evaluate illustrations in Middle Grade books (I have no idea how to do this beyond visceral reaction--pretty! ugly! distracting! "there were illustrations?")? What's an effective book cover? What useful and supportive memes/round-ups etc are there? What makes for a good Middle Grade author interview? Boy books vs girl books? Why do some blogs get more comments than others, and does it matter?
That sort of thing.
So if you were coming to such a panel, what would you want to talk about? Please share any thoughts you might have!
And as promised, the Official Kidlitcon Announcement in Glorious Technicolor:
I'm looking forward to seeing you again at Kidlitcon! Congrats on the panel! It sounds interesting. You also might want to add to the list discussing one of the things that's been on my mind lately, which is how to get wider reach with our blogs beyond the somewhat incestuous (figuratively speaking) Kidlitosphere. We have so much knowledge to share, but how do we share it with people who could benefit, like teachers, librarians, and parents (beyond than those who are also bloggers). Actually, I see that you said "extending their reach and depth," but I just wanted to expand on that.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I had in mind, Sheila! I have a few thoughts, but I hope people come with more.
DeleteI figured that's what you had in mind, but just wanted to add my $.02! I wish I could attend your session, but it looks like they scheduled mine at the same time.
DeleteBlogger seems to have eaten the comment I just tried to leave.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it just said this sounds amazing and I'm so sad I will not be there. SOMEDAY. But I'm particularly sad about missing this one because it looks like it is going to be stellar.
I can't think of anything you've missed but will give it some thought.
I wish you could come too!!! Next year is west coast, which is touch and go for me, but then it will be east coast, and maybe that would work for both of us!
DeleteWhat you have listed are all questions that I wouldn't mind hearing responses on. I think you covered things very well. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing your thoughts on all of these, Charlotte (or on those that time permits, anyway) :-)
ReplyDeleteI am sorry I will not be in Austin, but I am also interested in the kinds of things you have brought up. Some I know the answer to, most I don't. I am hoping that you will be able to publish an in-depth post about your panel and what was said so that the absentees can read and benefit from them.
ReplyDeleteI will try! Maybe we can record it, and I can extract the best nuggets....
DeleteLooking forward to meeting you and others! I will be attending this one for sure. This is exactly the kind of info I am itching to discuss. You sort of danced around it, but my other thought -- going along with the Cybils to some extent, but important to consider in reviewing MG books -- is how do we know (or maybe even how do we find out -- do we test drive it with kids?) if a kid will like a book. But since adults are reading too, I love the idea of discussing what they can gain or maybe how their tastes are different from the targeted audience. Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you can come! You are right--the issue of kid vs adult opinion is a big one, and a tricky one. What appeals to one kid won't appeal to another, and many things they find pleasing, us grownups find less so. I'll look forward to talking to you more about it in person!
DeleteLike Alex, I couldn't come but I would eagerly read an in-publication or watch the video coverage of your discussions. I love MG books and your blog has helped fire it. :-)
ReplyDeleteaaah this looks like so much fun! Your post almost made me impulse-buy but then I realized that's the weekend my family is flying in from NY. Don't think they'd appreciate me stepping out on them!
ReplyDeleteI'm super interested in your topics. One thing I'm always struggling with on my blog is my perception that my MG reviews aren't as interesting to my readers as my YA reviews. I don't know if this is necessarily true though or if it's in my head. So I'm especially curious to hear about the discussion on what adults can gain from reading MG. I think there's a stigma against MG, and while many adult YA readers have gotten over the stigma of adults reading YA, I think a lot still haven't quite made it over the hurdle of adults reading MG.
That's exactly one of the things that made me want to talk to other people about MG blogging--the sense that so many adult bloggers, who happily read YA books, and YA blog reviews, just aren't interested in the MG blog posts...
DeleteI wish you could come!
I so badly want to be there Charlotte.. but this year its looking really tough :(
ReplyDeleteALL the questions look impressive and would love to hear what folks come up with for answers. I don't review MG books (yet!) but (excuse my lack of know-how) I would like to know what schools and librarians are doing to promote MG books too.