Skip to main content

#HistFicThursdays - Well, it's Byron, isn't it?

 As it's National Poetry Day, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on Byron. The celebrity cult of Lord Byron began while he was still alive, boomed when he died, and still continues today. He remains an object of fascination, scandal, and appeal. I've been interested in him since I first read about him in a "Famous People" encyclopaedia. It was a children's book, so it did not explore the more infamous aspects of his life. But it was enough to inspire me to delve further into research on the man and the myth - including the puzzle of the mirror . Ultimately, Byron went on to become a major inspiration for my first published book Day's Dying Glory , right down to its title. His early poems (generally my favourite ones) feature heavily in the book, and I enjoyed weaving in lines and references which Byron-fans would spot where others might not even notice them. Poets and poetry have inspired hundreds of writers. It is fascinating that language can be so power...
1 comment

#MGMonday... Middle Grade Genres: An Introduction

Middle Grade Genres: An Introduction


Image by eightonesix on Freepik

I used to think that middle grade was a genre in itself, partly due to the number of awards and competitions that have all the genres known to man for adult books, and only one category for middle grade.

Middle Grade, however, is simply a suggested age range, much like the suggested ages on board games. The genre list is the same for children as it is for adults, although adapted to make it suitable.

One genre that you won’t find in middle grade is Romance. For obvious reasons! That doesn’t mean, however, that romance is banned in middle grade, and I’ll be covering this more in February, for Valentine’s Day. It just means that it will be a very minor subplot.

Every month throughout 2025, I’ll be looking at different genres for middle grade. No, I’ve not covered everything because the possibilities are endless! This genre series will run on the second Monday of each month...


The Schedule


10/2/25        Romance in Middle Grade
10/3/25         Middle Grade Science Fiction
14/4/25         Middle Grade Fantasy
12/5/25             Middle Grade Non-fiction
9/6/25          Middle Grade Adventure
14/7/25                 Writing Danger in Middle Grade
11/8/25          Middle Grade Historical Fiction
8/9/25         Suspense in Middle Grade
13/10/25         Middle Grade Horror
10/11/25         Comedy in Middle Grade
8/12/25         Why I Don’t Set my Books at Christmas


Favourite Genre

I think everyone has a favourite genre or two, no matter how much they deny it! Personally, my favourite is adventure, closely followed by fantasy. Whatever you enjoy reading, that should be your first genre to try writing. Not only will you enjoy it more, you’ll also automatically know more about that genre than any others. You’ll have already done some involuntary research when you’ve been reading your favourite books time and time again!

Most of my books are fantasy adventure, simply because that is my favourite genre to read. What's yours?


Campaign to Stop Seeing Middle Grade as a Genre

No, I don’t really have a campaign going, but I’ll join under the flag of anyone who wants to take up this battle!


What’s New With Crowvus

All the Crowvus team have other jobs, meaning that the publishing is a part-time affair. We’re setting aside Wednesday for the admin bits and bobs, and we have a concise calendar for our to-do list.

We had initially meant to publish non-fiction picture book "Sir Louis Curlewy" in May. But did you know that World Curlew Day is on 21st April? What better way to celebrate these amazing birds than publishing a book all about them? We've therefore brought forward the release date a month, so it's all systems go!

All the book covers for books to be published this year are to be finalised in February. Watch this space!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book Review - Mrs Murray's Home

I'm thrilled to be taking part in the book tour for this really enjoyable book "Mrs Murray's Home" by Emily-Jane Hills Orford! Mrs Murray's Home Blurb Home is where the heart is, or so they say. It’s also been said that a home is a person’s castle. But home is also with family and friends. Mrs. Murray longs for home, the family home, a castle an ocean away. The Brownies also crave for home, the same castle Mrs. Murray considers home. And Granny? Mary’s Granny hasn’t been home since she was Mary’s age. It’s time to visit the homeland, Scotland. Mary’s excited to tag along with Granny, Mrs. Murray and the Brownies. And then there’s the witch. The one they thought they’d killed. And the treasure. The one they had found. And it all ties together, for better or for worse. Join the adventure in book 3 of the popular “Piccadilly Street Series”. Review I loved most of the characters, in particular Brunny. He seemed human (although, of course,...
16 comments
Read more

50 Years and Celebrating

  50 years ago today a small event occurred in a small town in a small county in a small country. That event was a wedding, and today Crowvus HQ have been celebrating it. After all, it's safe to say that if this event had never happened, neither would Crowvus! The couple were - of course - our Mum and Dad. Being a family business (if you weren't aware: Crowvus is the creation of three sisters) has so many advantages, and being able to be together for occasions such as these is just one of them. So please do join us in extending congratulations and very best wishes to Mr and Mrs Crow on 50 years of marriage. 💒 50 Years On
1 comment
Read more

Book Review: A Paraphrase of "Paradise Lost" For Youngsters

  Blurb: This retelling of books V and VI of the epic poem Paradise Lost, written by John Milton, follows  the story of Satan's rebellion and fall from grace. The Father announces his heir, Satan rebels,  Abdiel tries to reason with the fallen angels, followed by a war scarring Heaven's landscape.  Brother against brother, the rebellious few against their Father, a family torn apart by war,  concluded by the victor, the Father's chosen Son, casting the disobedient out of paradise. Excerpt: At God’s declaration of war, dark clouds covered all of Heaven and smoke began to roll down  the sacred hill. Then the countless hosts of Heaven marched on the enemy, fully armed from  head to toe with helmets, spears, and shields. Satan gathered together his army as well. He stood on his chariot, bright as the Sun,  surrounded by his fiery angels with their golden shields, and marched toward the throne of God. He hoped that if he moved swiftly enough, he could ...
4 comments
Read more