Who hosts Middle Grade Matters?

Middle Grade Matters is hosted by Shannon Balloon. They have published 118 episodes. The show covers arts, with a books focus.

What has Middle Grade Matters covered recently?

Recent episodes include "Ep. 115: Máire Roche / Mary E. Roach (Little Monsters) on Reimagining Little Women for Young Readers Who Love Spooky Stories", "Ep. 114: Perin Gurel (Laleh and the Language of the Birds) on Indie Publishing and Writing for Kids versus Academia", and "Ep. 113: Fleur Bradley on Writing Mysteries (and Other Stories) for Kids and Teens". The latest went out on 25 Aug 2026 and ran about 42 minutes. Reading two or three of these before pitching is the fastest way to see what the show actually books.

How often does Middle Grade Matters publish?

Middle Grade Matters publishes every couple of weeks, a median of 14 days between episodes. Episodes average about 45 minutes. The back catalogue stands at 118 episodes. A show on this cadence plans ahead, so pitch earlier rather than closer to the date you want.

How hard is it to get booked on Middle Grade Matters?

For Middle Grade Matters, Booking Probability sits at 34/100, Listen Score at 29/100, and the guest bar is around 80/100. The show has not signalled guest openness recently, which raises the bar on relevance. A verified contact is on file.

Who should pitch Middle Grade Matters?

Middle Grade Matters covers middle grade, children's books, writing, literature, so guests who can speak to those specifically fit best. The show carries an audience score of 5/100. Lead with a specific result you can describe in numbers rather than a job title, and tie it to something the show has already covered.

arts

Middle Grade Matters

Hosted by Shannon Balloon · arts · EN-US · 118 episodes

Audience: 5

Apple Podcasts Website

About this Podcast:

On the Middle Grade Matters podcast, host Shannon Balloon talks to to authors and publishing professionals about all things middle grade. The show explores topics like the craft of writing, the journey to getting an agent and publishing a book, and why middle grade books should matter to everyone.

Pitch Analysis

Required Pod Score for this show. PitchCentric checks your profile against host openness, topical fit, and audience signals before you generate a pitch.

Contact path

Verified email

Booking probability

34%

Guest openness

Selective

Verified email on file

80/100

Required Score

Signup to Generate a Pitch

What is Middle Grade Matters?

Middle Grade Matters is a arts podcast hosted by Shannon Balloon, with 118 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

About the host

Shannon Balloon hosts Middle Grade Matters, a arts show with 118 episodes published.

Verified host email: ████████@████.comSign in to unlock →

Recent episodes

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

Middle Grade Matters
Ep. 115: Máire Roche / Mary E. Roach (Little Monsters) on Reimagining Little Women for Young Readers Who Love Spooky Stories
Aug 25, 202642 min
I don't know about you, but I love when classic stories are told from a fresh perspective. In this episode, we dive into Mary Roach's newest book, "Little Monsters", a captivating middle grade reimagining of Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel "Little Women". Mary, a former teacher and prolific writer, brings a unique twist to this timeless tale by infusing it with elements of fantasy and the struggles of growing up. Join us as we discuss this imaginative book as well as Mary's writing career which spans genres and age categories. 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!).
Show Notes
Middle Grade Matters
Ep. 114: Perin Gurel (Laleh and the Language of the Birds) on Indie Publishing and Writing for Kids versus Academia
Jul 21, 202645 min
In the world of children's literature, the path to creativity often begins in unexpected places. For Perin Gurel, it was her daughter’s whimsical story idea that sparked the creation of her own middle grade novel, Laleh and the Language of the Birds. In this episode, we explore fascinating insights from Perin about her writing journey, the cultural significance behind her characters, and how she weaves scientific and academic research into her stories. 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!).
Show Notes
Middle Grade Matters
Ep. 113: Fleur Bradley on Writing Mysteries (and Other Stories) for Kids and Teens
Jul 1, 202656 min
In this episode we dive into the world of writing mysteries for middle grade readers with Fleur Bradley, an author known for her engaging middle grade novels including Midnight at the Barclay Hotel and Daybreak on Raven Island. Fleur has now published her method for writing stories in a succinct yet comprehensive craft book titled Get a Clue: How to Plot, Write, and Sell Your MG Or YA Mystery, and in this interview you’ll discover insights from her journey as a writer, tips on crafting compelling mysteries, and the approach she takes to plotting and storytelling. 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!).
Show Notes
Middle Grade Matters
Ep. 112: Nancy Tandon (The Haunting of Walker Pond) on Selling - and then Writing - a Novel on Proposal
Jun 17, 202648 min
Writing is more than just putting words on paper. It’s a journey filled with challenges, perseverance, and growth. Many aspiring authors often wonder what it truly takes to publish a book. In this episode, author Nancy Tandon shares her journey and the ups and downs of writing for middle grade. Join us as we explore her experiences, insights, and the lessons learned along the way. 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!).
Show Notes
Middle Grade Matters
Ep. 111: Huda Al-Mirashi (Hail Mariam) on Faith and the Challenges of a Writing Life
Jun 3, 202643 min
In a world often divided by beliefs, finding common ground can be a challenge. When I sat down with Huda Al-Mirashi, author of the new middle grade Hail Mariam, we delved into the intersection of faith and identity and the profound themes of understanding and respect that transcend religious boundaries. We also talk about Huda's writing journey, the challenges of pursuing traditional publishing, and finding your writing people. 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!).
Show Notes

Guest Appearances

Recent guests on Middle Grade Matters. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Tracy Wolff

The Aftermyth

Philip Stead

author/illustrator

Jasmine Warga

Newbery Honor-winning author

N. West Moss

middle-grade author

Advertisers on this show

Sponsor detection runs nightly. Check back soon.

Best industries to pitch Middle Grade Matters for

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

artsstrong

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.

Podcasts like Middle Grade Matters

All podcasts More arts Top in US Top 100 by Booking Probability Booking Probability Index How scoring works How to get on podcasts

Is this podcast yours and you'd like to remove or correct details? Request removal or email privacy@pitchcentric.com.

FAQs

Every question we get asked before
someone starts their trial.

If you have a concern about deliverability, AI quality, data privacy, or whether this will actually work for your specific situation, it's probably answered below.

What is the difference between Founder Solo and Founder Pro?

Founder Solo gives you 50 AI pitches per month using the credit model (Standard pitches cost 1 credit, Enriched pitches cost 2). Founder Pro raises that to 200 credits per month and adds full Booking Probability access, unlimited Magic Match, Apollo enrichment credits, and data export capabilities. Both plans use the same credit system, so you can stretch your monthly budget further by using Standard-mode drafting.

How do agency tiers work?

Agency tiers have no base fee. You pay per managed client and per talent profile. Agency Standard is $199 per client per month; Agency Pro is $399 per client per month. Both add $39 per talent profile per month. Your own team's user seats are always free.

What is a talent profile?

A talent profile represents one person (founder, executive, or spokesperson) you are booking onto podcasts. It includes their bio, topics, headshots, and outreach history. Team plans include 5 profiles; agency plans are pay-as-you-go.

Can I switch plans later?

Yes, at any time. Upgrades take effect immediately; downgrades apply at the end of the current billing period. Contact support if you need help migrating between plan families.

Do you offer a free trial?

Every paid plan includes a 15-day free trial. Your card is saved at signup but you will not be charged until day 16. Cancel any time from your dashboard.

What happens if I cancel?

You keep access until the end of your current billing period. No charges after that. Your data is retained for 30 days in case you reactivate.

Is the 20% annual discount automatic?

Yes. Select Annual on the pricing toggle and the discounted price is applied automatically at checkout. The annual price shown is the full year cost.

What if I have more than 50 profiles or 20 clients?

That is our Enterprise tier. Contact our sales team and we will build a custom plan with volume pricing, a dedicated account manager, and SLA guarantees.

Every question we get asked before
someone starts their trial.

If you have a concern about deliverability, AI quality, data privacy, or whether this will actually work for your specific situation, it's probably answered below.

What is the difference between Founder Solo and Founder Pro?

How do agency tiers work?

What is a talent profile?

Can I switch plans later?

Yes, at any time. Upgrades take effect immediately; downgrades apply at the end of the current billing period. Contact support if you need help migrating between plan families.

Do you offer a free trial?

Every paid plan includes a 15-day free trial. Your card is saved at signup but you will not be charged until day 16. Cancel any time from your dashboard.

What happens if I cancel?

You keep access until the end of your current billing period. No charges after that. Your data is retained for 30 days in case you reactivate.

Is the 20% annual discount automatic?

Yes. Select Annual on the pricing toggle and the discounted price is applied automatically at checkout. The annual price shown is the full year cost.

What if I have more than 50 profiles or 20 clients?

That is our Enterprise tier. Contact our sales team and we will build a custom plan with volume pricing, a dedicated account manager, and SLA guarantees.

Middle Grade Matters

About this Podcast:

Pitch Analysis

What is Middle Grade Matters?

About the host

Recent episodes

Ep. 115: Máire Roche / Mary E. Roach (Little Monsters) on Reimagining Little Women for Young Readers Who Love Spooky Stories

Ep. 114: Perin Gurel (Laleh and the Language of the Birds) on Indie Publishing and Writing for Kids versus Academia

Ep. 113: Fleur Bradley on Writing Mysteries (and Other Stories) for Kids and Teens

Ep. 112: Nancy Tandon (The Haunting of Walker Pond) on Selling - and then Writing - a Novel on Proposal

Ep. 111: Huda Al-Mirashi (Hail Mariam) on Faith and the Challenges of a Writing Life

Guest Appearances

Tracy Wolff

Philip Stead

Jasmine Warga

N. West Moss

Advertisers on this show

Best industries to pitch Middle Grade Matters for

Podcasts like Middle Grade Matters

Every question we get asked beforesomeone starts their trial.

Middle Grade Matters

About this Podcast:

Pitch Analysis

What is Middle Grade Matters?

About the host

Recent episodes

Ep. 115: Máire Roche / Mary E. Roach (Little Monsters) on Reimagining Little Women for Young Readers Who Love Spooky Stories

Ep. 114: Perin Gurel (Laleh and the Language of the Birds) on Indie Publishing and Writing for Kids versus Academia

Ep. 113: Fleur Bradley on Writing Mysteries (and Other Stories) for Kids and Teens

Ep. 112: Nancy Tandon (The Haunting of Walker Pond) on Selling - and then Writing - a Novel on Proposal

Ep. 111: Huda Al-Mirashi (Hail Mariam) on Faith and the Challenges of a Writing Life

Guest Appearances

Tracy Wolff

Philip Stead

Jasmine Warga

N. West Moss

Advertisers on this show

Best industries to pitch Middle Grade Matters for

Podcasts like Middle Grade Matters

Every question we get asked beforesomeone starts their trial.

Every question we get asked before
someone starts their trial.

Every question we get asked before
someone starts their trial.