Tag Archives: middle grade

15Mar/24

Gary Pedler

Featured Guest, , , , , , , ,

March 15, 2024

It gives us great pleasure to present a Season 9, Episode 11 Interview – Gary Pedler

Gary Pedler returns to share the journey of his novel, Gaydonia, from post-travel idea, to screenplay, to stage play, to publication!

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Bio:

Gary Pedler was raised in the Napa Valley when it produced as many plums as grapes; studied at UC Santa Cruz when it was still small and kooky; and made his home in San Francisco before it was annexed by Silicon Valley.

Gary’s publishing credits include the Middle Grade novel Amy McDougall, Master Matchmaker); the comic novella Gaydonia; and the travel memoir Couchsurfing: the Musical. His shorter works have appeared in The Missouri Review, Berkeley Fiction Review, The Smart Set, the anthology Outer Voices, Inner Lives, and other publications.

Gary is currently single and has no children, though he did once have a cat he was very fond of and still dreams about with intense feeling.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FztvI-guM4[/embedyt]

June 30, 2023

It gives us great pleasure to present Season 8, Episode 28: Gary Pedler + our “The Stroll” review!

Gary Pedler joins us to share his middle-grade novel: Amy McDougall, Master Matchmaker. We talk about being a queer parent, adopting, dating, and libraries. Then we review the documentary The Stroll, and share what’s won our weeks!

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Mentioned in this episode:

Bio:
Gary was raised in the Napa Valley when it produced as many plums as grapes; studied at UC Santa Cruz when it was still small and kooky; and made his home in San Francisco before it was annexed by Silicon Valley.

Gary’s publishing credits include the middle-grade novel Amy McDougall, Master Matchmaker; the comic novella Gaydonia; and the travel memoir Couchsurfing: the Musical. His shorter works have appeared in The Missouri Review, Berkeley Fiction Review, The Smart Set, the anthology Outer Voices, Inner Lives, and other publications.

Gary is currently single and has no children, though he did once have a cat he was very fond of and still dreams about with intense feeling.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):
Apple PodcastsGoogle PlayiHeartRadioSpotifyTuneIn

Or Listen Right Here:

OR Watch on YouTube:

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1Bw-Y4-WXs[/embedyt]

 

 

19Aug/22

Victor Evans

Featured Guest, , , , , ,

August 19, 2022

It gives us great pleasure to present Season 7, Episode 33 – Victor Evans + Our Review of The Sandman!

Victor D’Shawn Evans introduces us to his middle school mystery, The Case of the Missing Lightning Bat. We discuss why it’s so importance to support works with characters of color and different sexualities, especially for young teens who are just starting to question. Then Baz and Vance review The Sandman and share who won the week for them!

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Bio:
Victor D’Shawn Evans has been teaching communications in higher education for the past 20 years. Prior to teaching, he was an entertainment journalist. When he noticed there weren’t many places for gay black teens to see themselves represented, he started writing and a documentary film production company. When he’s not teaching or working on film projects, he can be found on his farm with his partner where they wrangle goats, pigs, and chickens.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):

Apple PodcastsGoogle PlayiHeartRadioSpotifyStitcherTuneIn

Or Listen Right Here:

OR Watch on YouTube:

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uH4IV4BSXU[/embedyt]

13May/22

Greg Howard

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May 13, 2022

It gives us great pleasure to welcome Greg Howard as the guest on Season 7, Episode 19 – Greg Howard + Our Review of Latter Days!

Greg Howard joins us to share his recent novels, Middle School’s A Drag, You Better Werk! and The Visitors. We talk about writing for early adolescent readers in a way that opens conversations about life topics like self-discovery, racism, homophobia, bias, and forgiveness. Then Baz & I share our review of the older film “Latter Days.”

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Bio:
Greg Howard was born and raised in the South Carolina Lowcountry where his love of stories blossomed at a young age. Following his songwriting dream to Nashville, Greg spent years producing the music of others before returning to his childhood passion for writing stories. His critically acclaimed, debut middle-grade novel, The Whispers was nominated for an Edgar Award and is currently being adapted for film. His second middle-grade novel, Middle School’s a Drag, You Better Werk! is being adapted for television by Harry Potter producer David Heyman, Heyday Television, and NBC/Universal.

Greg writes for and about LGBTQ youth, creating the kind of books he wishes he’d had access to as a young reader. When he’s not writing books, Greg enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, and spending time with friends. He lives in Nashville with his two rescued fur-babies—Molly and Riley.

This Podcast episode is available on these channels (in order alphabetical):

Apple PodcastsGoogle PlayiHeartRadioSpotifyStitcherTuneIn

Or Listen Right Here:

OR Watch on YouTube:

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOhqQS2i0O0[/embedyt]