Author Interviews

Mixed-Up Member Spotlight: Mike Hays

By on May 11, 2026   /   Articles, Author Interviews  

All About Mike Hays

From the Mixed-Up Files is a place to celebrate middle grade books—new books, collections of books on a particular theme, STEM books—as well as a place to interview authors. Now I get to celebrate a fellow MUF blogger: Mike Hays, who has been a part of the team for more than eleven years.

Hi Mike! It’s nice to finally meet you and get you “in front of the camera” for a change. First, tell us about your non-writing life.
My life firmly orbits around my family. Faith, family, food, and an insatiable curiosity for the world is probably the dime store philosophical motto for my life. The writing and creating parts are deeply rooted in all those things.

What do you do for fun?
Much to the chagrin of people I live with, I try to do everything for fun. Of course, there are times when one has to buckle down, pinch your nose, and get the dog poo of life cleaned up. But, even then, I try to infuse those times with an element of a fun challenge. The things I do for fun are all over the board; playing with my grandkids, gardening, biking, drawing, games of any sort, and, most of all, reading.

I see you are a molecular microbiologist by day. Fill us in on what that entails.
Unfortunately, being a molecular microbiologist is not as exciting or as sexy as it sounds. It’s work and it’s failure. The general aim of our research laboratory within a veterinary medical college is to use molecular biology and gene editing to make viral and bacterial pathogens less dangerous. We also focus on using isolated aspects of those pathogens and/or their genes as treatments for other diseases and conditions, i.e. knocking down the body’s inflammation response in autoimmune disease. It’s a bugs to drugs approach.


How does your day job impact your writing?
I get to approach every day with a discovery mindset. We are using what scientists have previously done to forge new ground in our field. Constantly interested. Constantly investigative. I like doing what I do because it’s a hands-on job that requires thought and analysis every dang day. It’s the Fail Cycle in daily action ⇒ Try. Fail. Analyze. Problem solve, Try again. Repeat. (Sound familiar, creators in the crowd? The Fail Cycle is how we create.)

Were you always interested in being a writer? Did you like to write as a child?
No! And No! I had trouble reading and writing as a child. It was a struggle. I’m sure I have some learning issue that was beyond the capacity of a mid-1970’s lower middle class Catholic grade school. The key was that my lower middle class Catholic grade school had people who cared and refused to allow me to slip through the cracks. I made a breakthrough in sixth grade reading Jack London’s To Build a Fire on mimeographed sheets of paper while tucked deep in a storeroom where a volunteer provided kids extra help. It changed everything! It opened the doors for my creative brain that were previously locked. The fire was lit. One of the things I preach to all who will listen is: Reading is a Superpower!

If you could interview any middle grade author (past or present), who would it be and why?
This is an impossible question to fully answer, so here is my shortened version of a list that could encompass this entire interview post. I spared you my long-winded why and just include their almost perfect book(s) I’d talk to the author about and beg to know how they did performed their perfect alchemy.
Terry Prachett (The Tiffany Aching series)
Louis Sachar (Holes)
Kelly Barnhill (The Girl Who Drank the Moon)
Neil Gaiman (Coraline/The Graveyard Book)
Jennifer L. Holm (The Fourteenth Goldfish)
Erin Entrada Kelly (We Dream of Space)
Okay for Now (Gary D. Schmidt)
Ray Bradbury (Something Wicked This Way Comes, Dandelion Wine)
Michael Chabon (Summerland)
Jonathan Stroud (The Lockwood & Co. series)

About His Books

Tell us about the types of books/short stories you write. Would you say there’s a common thread in them?
The common thread at the core in everything I write or create is probably similar to a great number of creators. I write for me. In particular, I write stuff the young me would have appreciated. I wrote a MUF post called Creative Braining that kind of touches on how this process works on a neuroprocessing level.

What is your favorite book/short story you wrote?
Ha! Isn’t this like asking me to pick a favorite child? I think the honest answer is the favorite piece is the one I’m working on. That love and passion helps drive through that mucky slog every piece must trudge through.

I know you are a coach—what sports do you coach? How has your love of sports and/or coaching impacted your books?
I was a Rule 10 (non-certified staff) high school football, baseball, and strength & conditioning coach. Now, I volunteer with youth sports and love to work with kids on the fundamentals of hitting a baseball.
A love of sports, and participation as a player and coach, has had a huge impact on my creative work. First, it instilled in me the value of practice in developing technical ability and skill. Second, it taught me the value of work ethic and discipline. Show up and do the work because hard work is the magic. Finally, I learned to compete. In creativity, this competition is 100% a competition against my own self to finish a project to the very best of my ability at that particular time and place.

What are you working on now?
Although not recommended to working fast or keeping one’s mental faculties completely in order, I work on multiple projects at a time. I have this memory of Ray Bradbury from an old TV interview talking about how he works three or four projects simultaneously. If he got stuck on one, he rolled his office chair to the next typewriter and got to work on that one. My current problem is limiting my work to three or four projects and not seven. 😀
I’m revising and querying several MG manuscripts, working on an informative fiction graphic novel about the Sputnik I launch, drafting and outlining a new MG fiction project, and making a picture book dummy. Even though it seems to be tough times in the MG universe, we must keep on keeping on. Plus, baby steps are still steps moving forward, right?

Mike’s Roles for MUF

How long have you been writing for From the Mixed-Up Files…of Middle Grade Authors?
In a move the MUF leadership probably wishes they could reconsider, I was accepted to be a part of the team in November of 2014. (Wait! There’s no way is can be that long ago. It seems like just yesterday.)

What hats do you wear for MUF?
I do several regular MUF posts per year and those almost exclusively lean toward creativity and how we do what we do. I’m also the most unreliable member of the MUF Author Interview team and am working to rectify my lack of participation on that important front. As one of the original STEM Tuesday team members, I am part of the STEM Tuesday Week Three Writing Tips & Resources team and helped lay the groundwork for the post’s format, including the O.O.L.F. Files component.
I am the class clown of the STEM Tuesday family and, for some reason, Jennifer Swanson and the others let me get away with it. I am forever grateful they allow me to be my stupid-funny self in the oft-serious arena of STEM.

What are your favorite types of posts to do and why?
At a basic level, I like the posts that allow me to explore the creative process. My most challenging post assignment is having the honor and the responsibility to write the annual STEM Tuesday New Year’s Post.

You write posts for STEM Tuesday. What topics do you like to cover?
I love the challenge of being “forced” into learning something new in order to properly address the monthly STEM Tuesday theme. When one learns more creating the piece than one was able to share in the post, it’s a win for a nerdy boy like me.

What was your favorite post you wrote and why?
Another hard question! On this question, though, there is one that stands out above the rest. The STEM Tuesday New Year’s Post at the end of December 2020. Yes, that 2020! You know, global pandemic, science being attacked from multiple fronts, etc. Truth bomb here, I was so nervous and almost backed out of posting this one for a generic “Happy New Year from the STEM Tuesday Team!” post. I was pulling out the stupid-funny ridiculousness stops and going so far off the standard STEM Tuesday rails that I was worried about embarrassing the whole STEM Tuesday team. In the 11th hour, Jennifer Swanson was consulted and she said to run with it. Honestly, I think she was just desperate to get something posted on New Year’s Eve. It even had to run in two parts. Here are the links:

Part One: A Great Conjunction
Part Two: Partie Deux (Translation…Part Doo.)

For Teachers

Are you doing school visits related to your books?
I am available for free virtual school visits, tailored to all ages, to talk writing, creating, science, and a grab bag of other things that are on the mind of young people. Interested teachers can send a message via my socials or on my website and we can get something scheduled.

How can we learn more about you?
My author website is: https://mikehaysbooks.com/
My blog site (over 500 posts since 2009!) on life, coaching, sports, etc. is: https://coachhays.com/
Instagram: @MikeHays64
Bluesky: @mikehays64.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachhays

Thanks for your time, Mike.

Thank you! I love what the MUF family does on a daily basis and the spotlight it shines on MG space. I’m forever proud and thankful to be a part of this spectacular group.

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Interview with Author/Illustrator J.C. Phillipps

By on May 8, 2026   /   Articles, Author Interviews  
Today, please join me in giving a hearty Mixed-Up welcome to author and illustrator J.C. Phillipps. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, J.C. took art lessons at the Toledo Museum of Art and went on to get degrees in art and theater from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and Emerson College in Boston.
More recently, J. C. has been working as an artist, author, and illustrator in West Hartford, Connecticut. She has written and illustrated four published picture books as well as the graphic novel series Pacey Packer Unicorn Tracker. Her latest graphic MG novel, The Ghost in Cabin 13, has been praised by Kirkus as “A coming-of-age journey worth sharing around a campfire” and is out now from Penguin Workshop.

The Ghost in Cabin 13: A Summary

Twelve-year-old Leah is nervous to attend Camp Cottontail for the first time. She’s worried about meeting new friends, sleeping out in the woods, and being away from her family. But Leah didn’t expect to be freaked out about the ghost in Cabin 13. It’s a good thing she brought her beloved doll, Beverly, for comfort. But after getting picked on by the older girls in her cabin, participating in a séance gone wrong, and befriending—and then ditching—a possessed doll, Leah’s experience at camp goes from anxiety-ridden to straight-up spooky. Will she survive or hightail it home?

Interview with J.C. Phillips

MR: Welcome to the Mixed-Up Files, J.C! (May I call you Julie?)

JCP: Absolutely! Thank you so much for having me.

It Started with Inktober

MR: I read that the inspiration for this book came from your participation in a month-long drawing challenge called Inktober. Can you tell MUF readers more about this?

JCP: Sure. Inktober is a 31-day drawing challenge that takes place in the month of October. Each day there is a one-word prompt, like Salty or Bluff, and artists all over the world draw their interpretations and post them on their Instagram pages with the hashtag #inktober and details like the year and prompt. In 2022, one of the prompts was Uh-oh. I thought back to my childhood when my friends and I would play spooky games at slumber parties, and I drew a séance gone wrong. Four poor girls are startled by a Victorian ghost that they have accidentally summoned. I loved the memory of having fun being scared and developed that feeling into the story of The Ghost in Cabin 13.

What a Doll!

MR: Leah, the doll-toting, 12-year-old protagonist, is an extremely sympathetic character. Did you share traits with Leah at that age? Also, did you go to sleepaway camp? If so, what was your experience like? Did you encounter any ghosts? 🙂 

JCP: I absolutely shared (and still share) character traits with Leah. Leah is nervous with new people. My nightmare is a party where I only know one person. Leah wants to be part of the group but she’s afraid of being teased and rejected. I think most of us feel that way. At the end of the day, I think we all want to be around people who like us for who we are. But sometimes it’s hard to find those people, so we pretend we don’t really need them. I’m no different.

As for personal camp experience, I had a one-night sleepover camp during my Girl Scout years and I used to be a counselor for a day camp called Camp Seafaring in the Boston area. (That camp was a major influence on Book 2 in the Cabin 13 series.) I’ve never encountered a ghost, and I’m okay with that. I prefer them in fiction. 🙂

Portrait of an Artist

MR: In addition to writing the novel, you created the illustrations. What was the process like for you? Did you do both at the same time or add the illustrations later? Also, how does being an artist influence your writing and vice-versa?

JCP: I write the story first. Sometime in the first draft I might start to draw the main characters. Knowing what they look like helps me capture their voice. I probably go through two or three drafts of writing before I get serious about illustrating. And I will intentionally over-write scenes knowing that I will cut them down when I start sketching out the pages.

It’s easy to write a long conversation, but once you start to draw it, it becomes visually boring if the characters stay in the same place for too long. It’s great to be both the writer and illustrator because I can choose what I want to say visually. Maybe I want a character to respond with a scowl. Or maybe I want a panel where someone’s jaw drops open in disbelief. I can visualize those moments as I’m writing and just make myself a little illustration note in the text. I call them Notes to Future Julie because I might not draw that scene for months.

Pacey Packer, Unicorn Tracker 

MR: In addition to The Ghost in Cabin 13, you have written and illustrated the popular Pacey Packer, Unicorn Tracker series. How did your experience crafting The Ghost in Cabin 13 differ from your creation of Pacey Packer? What was similar?

JCP: The writing of both projects was similar, although I remember having more difficulty in finding the right tone for Pacey Packer Unicorn Tracker. It took me a long time to figure out how evil or silly the unicorns were going to be. But for The Ghost in Cabin 13 I knew what vibe I was going for, so I had an easier time developing that plot.

I did have a hurdle at the beginning, because in the first draft there was no summer camp. Leah and her parents went to an AirBnB with their extended family. Instead of a cabin of teen girls, Leah was being teased by her teenage cousins who made TikTok videos. But the story focused too much on the relationship between Leah and her mom and it wasn’t as very fun. I had to figure out how to get rid of Mom. Once I landed on sending Leah to summer camp, things really came together.

The biggest difference between the creation of both books was in the illustrating. Pacey Packer Unicorn Tracker has only one color, purple. The Ghost in Cabin 13 is in full-color. I’m so glad Pacey was only in purple. It was the first time I’d worked digitally and it was a lot for me to learn Photoshop, Procreate, and the fundamentals of paneled storytelling without having to deal with color theory. Now that I know how to use the digital tools, I can spend more time working on the color palette and how to use color to help with the mood and tone of the story, especially the spooky parts!

Picture Books vs. MG

MR: Besides being a middle-grade author and illustrator, you have written and illustrated several picture books. What was it like for you to take the leap to middle grade? Were there any specific challenges creating stories and illustrations for an older audience?

JCP: If anything, the jump from picture books to graphic novels was a little easier. Writing for a middle-grade audience suits my sense of humor a bit more. I can be a little more snarky. A little more myself. Picture books are shorter, but that doesn’t mean they are easier. The ideas and the execution of those ideas have to be clear and concise in picture books. In graphic novels, I have more time to explore character arcs, include a small side plot, or even develop some of the supporting characters.

In Pacey Packer Unicorn Tracker I was able to develop a comic relationship between two unicorn guards. In The Ghost in Cabin 13, I had space to give more details to the counselors and Camp Leader. I think those small details are so much fun! In picture books, I might have been able to sneak some extra details into the art, but there was never space in the text. The biggest challenges for me in creating a middle-grade horror story was staying within the boundaries of what is acceptable spooky fun for the age group without overdoing it. I want the readers to have the thrill of being scared without any nightmares.

Path to Publication

MR: Can you tell us a bit about your path to publication? Was it smooth sailing or bumpy seas?

JCP: Arg! I think, relatively speaking, it was smooth sailing, but it was a roundabout path to get there. I never planned on being an author/illustrator. I got a Bachelors Degree in Art and Theater and a Masters Degree in Theater Education. I wanted to teach college-level theater. After I had graduated from Emerson College, I got a job teaching for a K-1 classroom at an afterschool program, and every day I would read picture books to the class. This was the first time I was looking at picture books as an adult. I looked at the art and knew I could create illustrations. And I looked at the stories, similar to plays, and I knew I could write them. So I shifted my focus to creating literature for children.

I read some books on the craft and joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. One day, they had an Illustrators Day in New York City. I attended workshops while agents and editors looked at my portfolio. On the Greyhound bus back to Boston, I looked at my responses (the agents and editors left cards in my portfolio) and saw that an agent was interested in me. About a year later, I had a contract for my first picture book, Wink the Ninja Who Wanted to Be Noticed.

Julie’s Writing Routine

MR: What is your writing and illustrating process like? Do you have a specific routine or word-count goals? Also, are you a plotter or a pantser?

JCP: I wish I was a plotter! I’m such a type-A person that it would make sense if I was a plotter, but no, I love to sit down with an idea and just type away and see what happens. I’m a pantser through and through.

I always compare writing with pottery. The first draft is making clay. At the end of that draft you just have a big pile of clay in front of you. Then, in revisions, you shape it, remove excess, and it starts becoming a clear story with characters, plot, theme. I usually write in the mornings when my head is clear. I don’t have word-count goals when it comes to writing. For me, the writing process is most successful when I allow myself to be organic and free-flowing.

However, illustration is completely different. I absolutely set goals for myself. Usually it’s one spread (two pages) per day. That can take 4-6 hours depending on how detailed the drawing is. I ink (in Procreate) the entire book then submit it to the editors for notes. Once the ink drawings are approved, I move onto the coloring process. Again, I have a goal of one spread per day, but sometimes I can go faster and get 3-4 pages done per day. Making a graphic novel is a marathon-type project. I have to set a pace for myself that I can maintain for a year. Sometimes it can feel long, but, all in all, I like the routine of it.

Successful Author Visits

MR: Rumor has it you enjoy doing author visits at schools. What is your secret sauce for a successful visit?

JCP: This is where my theater degree gets put to use. I trained as an actor in my undergraduate program. I do not fear a stage. I can project my voice. And I enjoy interacting with young people. When I’m creating a school visit presentation, I build in games, quizzes, and different ways I can interact with the audience. I think of it as an audience-participation show. My goal is to give a 50-minute presentation that informs and entertains, that the students can be a part of.

The Ghost in Cabin 13: What’s Next

MR: The Ghost in Cabin 13 is the first in a series. Would you mind sharing a bit about what readers can expect in the books that follow?

JCP:  Cabin 13 is an anthology series, so every book is its own individual story. Different characters. Different camp. Different ghosts/monsters. But they are all spooky and there’s always a Cabin 13. I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to say about Book 2, but here’s a clue: Arrr, mateys!

When my editor and I were discussing book 2 of the series, we debated continuing Leah’s story or expanding the world of the books beyond Camp Cottontail. I figured I could extend Leah and Beverly’s story for one more book, but it would be challenging after that. Then I started brainstorming all the fun ideas for new monsters in new camps, and that seemed a lot more exciting. Plus, after the series is built up a bit, readers can choose any book in any order, which also appealed to me. I also like the idea of having many main characters so readers can hopefully find themselves reflected in one of the books.

Merch!

MR: Last question. You have the most incredible selection of artistic merch on Redbubble, including T-shirts, mugs, notebooks, phone cases, and more. What inspired you to branch out in this way? Also, will you have merch available for The Ghost in Cabin 13?

JCP: Okay, business talk. As an artist, it’s good to have multiple revenue streams. I love making books, but sometimes I don’t have a book under contract. So, I also have art in several local galleries and gift shops. I do art fairs. I teach paint-n-sip watercolor classes for adults. I do author visits. And I upload my art to print-on-demand sites like TeePublic and Redbubble.

I started uploading work to Redbubble about ten years ago. I liked being able to print my work on bags, T-shirts, and stickers so I could sell them at my art shows. But it’s also a good way for people to find my art online. If, say, someone in Chicago who follows me on Instagram likes a painting, they could buy a print on Redbubble. Or, sometimes people tell me they like one of my Inktober drawings and ask if I’ll post it on Redbubble so they can buy a print. I’m happy to do that. Right now there are two Cabin 13 designs in my Redbubble shop, so if you wanted to check them out, you’d go to Redbubble.com and search JCPhillipps Cabin13.

Lightning Round!

MR: No MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so…

Preferred writing snack? Pretzels.

Coffee or tea? Iced coffee.

Zombie apocalypse: Yea or nay? In fiction, Yea – all the way. I love zombies. In reality, I think the zombies would eat my brains pretty quickly. Surviving a zombie apocalypse isn’t in my skill set.

Favorite camp activity? I’d be a theater girlie: painting sets, sewing costumes, making puppets. The show must go on!

Favorite ghost story? This is a tough one. The first thing that comes to mind isn’t a ghost story, but rather a scary, creepy story and it’s Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado. It’s a story about cold, calculated revenge. My favorite ghost movie is The Sixth Sense, where a little boy can see ghosts, many of whom don’t know they are ghosts. He’s scared at first, but then he learns that he can help them. Neither of these stories are for kids, although I think I read The Cask of Amontillado in high school. I love Edgar Allan Poe.

Superpower? Teleportation. I love being places, but I hate getting there. I’d love to blink my way to Paris!

Favorite place on earth? Buck Island. It’s a small uninhabited island off the coast of St. Croix. If you go on a snorkeling trip, a boating company will take you out there, you can snorkel for an hour then spend about 20 minutes on the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen. The sand is soft and white. The water is warm. It’s so peaceful and lovely. If I need to calm down, I just take a deep breath.

MR: Thank you for chatting with me, Julie, and congratulations on the publication of The Ghost in Cabin 13! I thought it was a lot of fun, and I know readers will think so, too!

JCP: Thank you so much. What great questions! I really hope your readers enjoy The Ghost in Cabin 13.

Bio

Originally from Toledo, Ohio, J. C. Phillipps took art lessons at the Toledo Museum of Art. She went on to get degrees in art and theater from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and Emerson College in Boston. More recently, J. C. has been working as an artist, author, and illustrator in West Hartford, Connecticut. She has written and illustrated four published picture books as well as the graphic novel series Pacey Packer Unicorn Tracker. Learn more about J.C. Phillipps on her website and follow her Instagram.

 

Melissa Roske is a writer of middle-grade fiction. Before spending her days with imaginary people, she interviewed real ones as a journalist in Europe. Upon returning to her native New York, Melissa contributed to several books and magazines, selected jokes for Reader’s Digest, and received certification as a life coach from NYU. In addition to her debut novel Kat Greene Comes Clean (Charlesbridge), Melissa’s short story “Grandma Merle’s Last Wish” appears in the Jewish middle-grade anthology, Coming of Age: 13 B’Nai Mitzvah Stories (Albert Whitman). Learn more about Melissa on her Website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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Author Spotlight: Chrystal Giles

By on May 7, 2026   /   Author Interviews  

In today’s Author Spotlight, Sydney Dunlap chats with author Chrystal Giles about her highly acclaimed new middle-grade novel, Listen to the Girls.

Chrystal D. Giles is a champion for diversity and representation in children’s literature. Chrystal often says she’s a lover of both words and numbers, she spent fifteen years as an accountant before transitioning to writing full-time. Chrystal made her debut with Take Back the Block, which received multiple starred reviews, was a Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and NPR Best Book, and won the IRA Social Justice Literature Award. Her latest middle-grade novel, Not An Easy Win, received four starred reviews and has been named an ALA Notable Children’s Book. She is continuing to expand her catalog with new releases in 2026, a novel, Listen to the Girls, and her debut picture book, We Are Joy, illustrated by Kitt Thomas. Chrystal lives outside Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and son.

All About the Book!

When Calla finds out her favorite teacher has been accused of inappropriate conduct, she decides to take action in this powerful story about growing up and speaking up, about listening to others and learning to listen to yourself. Because the more Calla listens . . . the more she realizes that maybe she has something to say too.

“Important and empowering—this story is a testament to the power of girls supporting one another.”—Kate Messner, New York Times bestselling author

What if the truth really is as powerful as it feels?

Calla has always had smart-girl energy. She’s Josiah the track star’s practical younger sister. Charlee and Jacoby’s problem-solving best friend. Attorney Dionne Howard’s model daughter. So it’s nice when someone seems to see her for her, outside of all that. But what if that person is a grown-up who maybe isn’t as trustworthy as Calla thought? Calla’s mom likes to say “Always do what you know is right.” But what if you don’t know what the right thing is?

These are the questions Calla faces on the last day of seventh grade, when she finds out that her favorite teacher has been accused of inappropriate conduct at his old school. Calla doesn’t know what really happened. She does know that people are saying mean things about the girls who have spoken out—and that can’t be right . . . can it? Inspired by her favorite newsblogger, EboniiNews (whose motto is Amplify. Connect. Truth. ACT.), Calla has an idea. Can she find a way to ACT?

Interview with Chrystal Giles

Welcome, Chrystal! Thank you so much for being a guest on the Mixed-up Files! Congratulations on your new release! I found LISTEN TO THE GIRLS to be absolutely riveting. What a timely story that is sure to resonate with young readers and also with older teens/adults. What was your inspiration for writing this?

Thanks so much for reading and for having me on Mixed-up Files!

There are lots of inspirations for this story, but two main concepts guided my writing.

One, the real life issue of young girls (and boys) being placed in inappropriate situations with adults who are in a place of authority; whether it be a coach, neighbor, member of clergy, or family member. For this particular narrative, I used a teacher, in part, because of the high incidents of misconduct reported over the years in my own school district.

Two, I wanted to capture the emotional battle many people face when trying to navigate the process of understanding and reporting sexual harassment—a process I’ve battled with myself.

Craft

This novel is sure to spark many important conversations about what kind of behavior crosses a line and what makes something not okay even if it isn’t necessarily a criminal action. It will be such a wonderful resource for schools to use to promote discussion, as well as for kids to read at home. You weave in nuance beautifully throughout as your protagonist struggles to come to terms with her experience. Was it difficult to craft this novel? What was your biggest challenge in writing it?

Yes, definitely difficult at times. I understand and accept the weight of tackling a topic like grooming and sexual harassment, but I also know how needed this work is. The most challenging moments were waiting to hear from my main character, Calla. I always try to remove myself from the story and let my characters lead me and for this story that required patience. Lots of patience.

There were moments of complete silence from Calla during the drafting process and I had to pause and wait to find her voice again. The story (and me as a writer) are better because of those pauses, but it was definitely challenging.

Ideas

I loved the EboniiNews blog and how it ultimately helped Calla to find her own voice. Was this blog based on a certain one? If not, how did you come up with the idea for it?

The blogger in story isn’t based on anyone in particular. It was important to me to have a safe, trusted, well-liked adult in Calla’s orbit that she could glean guidance from. EboniiNews acts as an information source but also as a seeker of truth and a guide for Calla when she’s navigating the uncertainty. EboniiNews also highlights the need for independent journalism—especially imperative in our current environment.

Characters

Along with Calla, I especially enjoyed Jacoby, Charlee, Si, and Emery.  Do you have a favorite secondary character? Who and why?

Creating characters is my absolute favorite part of writing novels! I love bringing real-feeling characters to my stories. Because the events of this book can be emotionally weighty at times, I wanted Calla to have support and uplift and ease in her friendship group and all the characters you named add to that goal. I don’t know if I have a favorite, but Si has a special place in my heart. He was my way to add a supportive (and sometimes irritating) older brother, but also model a kind, empathic male figure who Calla can trust.

Reader Takeaways

This novel is so empowering as it examines what it means to believe girls and to believe yourself. What do you hope readers take away from the story?

I hope Listen to the Girls can be part of a larger conversation around grooming, sexual harassment, and right versus wrong. I hope any reader who has experienced this type of unwanted attention will feel less alone and know it is not their fault. I also hope readers will feel more empowered to find a safe place—or be a safe place for someone else—and to listen and speak out against wrongdoing.

Writing About Tough Topics

You handle the difficult topic of Calla being groomed by her teacher with grace, care, and sensitivity. I’m always interested in hearing how authors make tough topics accessible to young readers and would love to hear your thoughts on this.

I approach all my stories with care, honesty, and balance. As an author of contemporary realistic fiction, it is incredibly important to reflect and document society as it is, while also remembering my obligation to protect the readers—and my characters— from harm on the page. For this story in particular, I offer moments of levity and humor to balance the heavier ones with banter between characters, through Calla’s love of flowers, and in her free time enjoying summer break fun.

Process

Will you tell us a little about your writing process? Are you a plotter or pantser? Where/when do you prefer to write?

My process begins with forming and connecting to the main character. I wait until I hear their voice loud and clear before I attempt a draft.

I am a panster, for sure. I start with a good idea of the overall plot but I like to dance on the page without a strict outline to follow. Writing is the place where I am most creative, so I let that creativity flow. Which also means my revision rounds are long and arduous!

Influences

What are some current books that have influenced you as a kidlit writer?

The first time I read Ghost by Jason Reynolds, I was captivated by how real his characters felt. It totally inspired me to change my focus to more character-driven stories. I also always return to Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia and Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri. All three are modern classics for me.

Advice

What is your advice for aspiring writers?

Read. Write. Reflect.

Read wide and varied—great writers read a lot.

Write whenever you can, even if it’s not formal story writing—notes and journal entries count too.

Reflect on your art—who it’s for, and who you want to share it with.

Other Works

Can you share a bit about your other books?

Both my other middle-grade titles Take Back the Block and Not an Easy Win are contemporary stories that focus on community, friendship, and finding one’s voice. Both books also explore real life topics that impact society and the Black experience, i.e.: gentrification, parental incarceration, social justice. My work also balances those real topics with childhood fun, growth, and connection.

Upcoming Projects

Can you give us some insights into what you’ll be working on next?

In June my debut picture book, We Are Joy, illustrated by Kitt Thomas will be an exciting addition to my catalog. I’m thrilled to share this joyful, lyrical book that has been called, “Persistently lovely and hopeful,” in a Kirkus starred review.

And for the lightning round:

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset

Favorite place to travel:

Any place that is warm, welcoming, and has great food.

Favorite dessert:

Anything that includes chocolate ganache!

Superpower:

Planning! I pride myself on analyzing situations and developing a well-thought-out plan of execution.

Favorite music:

Lately, 1980s soul music.

Favorite book from childhood:

The first book I loved was Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe.

Thanks again, Chrystal! It was so much fun to learn about you, your writing journey, and your amazing novel! Learn more about Chrystal on her website and follow her on Instagram, Blue Sky, and Threads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coffee or tea?

Coffee

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset

Favorite place to travel:

Any place that is warm, welcoming, and has great food.

Favorite dessert:

Anything that includes chocolate ganache!

Superpower:

Planning! I pride myself on analyzing situations and developing a well-thought-out plan of execution.

Favorite music:

Lately, 1980s soul music.

Favorite book from childhood:

The first book I loved was Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe.

 

 

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