I'm currently writing a mid grade in which the protagonist, a magical being from another realm, who grows from five to age twelve in the book. Although she's from another realm and I might get away with keeping her "voice" the same throughout, I've tried my best to change her mannerisms and slang as she grows up. Luckily I've got a nine year old daughter and twelve year old niece as test pilots!
I've been reading some stuff on middle grade and I am very interested in becoming a middle grade author and learn more on storytelling. One question I would have though is I've seen things say that MG setting is mostly school, home, neighborhood, maybe a park, etc. because a kid's ability to go very different places is limited. How would that work if the book is fantasy or sci-fi with made up settings of different worlds and universes? And for some reason, I never thought the first Harry Potter and Percy Jackson would count as middle grade, I mostly think of Goosebumps and Diary of a WImpy Kid.
Thank you for the video. I am currently brainstorming a christmas adventure for kids, and this breakdown helped alot for trying to figure out what exact age range to target. Thank you. Lol. All disney movies have death. Hehe.
Yeah. This was in the early days of my recording, before I learned how to fix the audio to stereo. You'll notice my newer videos don't have that problem. I've also gotten better audio equipment as time has gone on, which records in stereo automatically. I am trying to learn from my earlier mistakes.
@@VenusLM HEY! Thanks for responding so quickly. I liked the video. The Brandon Sanderson/Mull series is fantastic. Going to check out some of your other stuff.
hi, I was curious what size font, point type is used for Middle reader books, and how much line spacing to use as a rule. I wrote a book and am self-publishing. I can't find the answers anywhere. would it be 12 pt and single spacing... or maybe 1.5 line spacing. And is there a rule about no pictures etc. Seems like the covers are different too for this age range. Maybe graphic design instead of hiring an illustrator. So confusing and I can't draw at all. I measured middle reader books to see what is common but can't figure out what size the fonts are. Thanks so much.
What you are asking about is more of a typesetting question. There is no standard font size, particularly for children's books. Attempts to establish an optimal size of type for adults with normal eyesight have been made, but doesn't take into account the book size, gutter, margins, kerning, leading, and the font itself. Character count per line is also important. On average the following point size is used: age 7 and under - 24pt; 30 characters per line age 7-8 - 18pt; 38 characters per line age 8-9 - 16pt; 45 characters per line age 9-10 - 14pt; 52 characters per line age 10-12 - 12pt; 58 characters per line age 12+ - 11; 60 characters per line As for illustrations. Yes, some self-published authors choose to just have digital art or a front cover design that isn't an illustration. Although, there are obviously more illustrated covers on middle-grade books. There is not "right" way to do it though. A lot of publishers, when updating their book covers, have been leaning away from illustrated covers.
I'm currently writing a mid grade in which the protagonist, a magical being from another realm, who grows from five to age twelve in the book. Although she's from another realm and I might get away with keeping her "voice" the same throughout, I've tried my best to change her mannerisms and slang as she grows up. Luckily I've got a nine year old daughter and twelve year old niece as test pilots!
I think this is the part where being an immature 16-year old who adores little kids (older elementary) comes in
Very good vid. Earned a sub
Great vid, thanks for posting!
I've been reading some stuff on middle grade and I am very interested in becoming a middle grade author and learn more on storytelling. One question I would have though is I've seen things say that MG setting is mostly school, home, neighborhood, maybe a park, etc. because a kid's ability to go very different places is limited. How would that work if the book is fantasy or sci-fi with made up settings of different worlds and universes? And for some reason, I never thought the first Harry Potter and Percy Jackson would count as middle grade, I mostly think of Goosebumps and Diary of a WImpy Kid.
Thank you for the video. I am currently brainstorming a christmas adventure for kids, and this breakdown helped alot for trying to figure out what exact age range to target.
Thank you.
Lol. All disney movies have death. Hehe.
Can you talk a bit about trends in MG and YA?
That's a really great idea! I'll rearrange my video schedule to add it in.
Loved this video! Do you offer editing services? I'm currently writing a MGF and would love to hear an honest opinion on it :)
Yes. You can contact me and get more information through my website at www.galaxy-ink.com.
Your videos are on mono audio. No sound in the right speaker
Yeah. This was in the early days of my recording, before I learned how to fix the audio to stereo. You'll notice my newer videos don't have that problem. I've also gotten better audio equipment as time has gone on, which records in stereo automatically. I am trying to learn from my earlier mistakes.
@@VenusLM HEY! Thanks for responding so quickly. I liked the video. The Brandon Sanderson/Mull series is fantastic. Going to check out some of your other stuff.
hi, I was curious what size font, point type is used for Middle reader books, and how much line spacing to use as a rule. I wrote a book and am self-publishing. I can't find the answers anywhere. would it be 12 pt and single spacing... or maybe 1.5 line spacing. And is there a rule about no pictures etc. Seems like the covers are different too for this age range. Maybe graphic design instead of hiring an illustrator. So confusing and I can't draw at all. I measured middle reader books to see what is common but can't figure out what size the fonts are. Thanks so much.
What you are asking about is more of a typesetting question. There is no standard font size, particularly for children's books. Attempts to establish an optimal size of type for adults with normal eyesight have been made, but doesn't take into account the book size, gutter, margins, kerning, leading, and the font itself. Character count per line is also important.
On average the following point size is used:
age 7 and under - 24pt; 30 characters per line
age 7-8 - 18pt; 38 characters per line
age 8-9 - 16pt; 45 characters per line
age 9-10 - 14pt; 52 characters per line
age 10-12 - 12pt; 58 characters per line
age 12+ - 11; 60 characters per line
As for illustrations. Yes, some self-published authors choose to just have digital art or a front cover design that isn't an illustration. Although, there are obviously more illustrated covers on middle-grade books. There is not "right" way to do it though. A lot of publishers, when updating their book covers, have been leaning away from illustrated covers.