Posts Tagged historical fiction

Author Spotlight: Rosanne Tolin + a Book Giveaway!

Today, Melissa Roske chats author Rosanne Tolin about her middle-grade novel, Freedom’s Game, an edge-of-your-seat thriller about a pair of Jewish orphans, set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Praised by National Jewish Book Award winner Nancy Churnin as “… a thrilling, well-researched historical tale of heroism and hope,” the novel is available now from Reycraft Books. (Don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win a copy of Freedom’s Game! Details below 👇)

Interview with Rosanne Rolin

Melissa: Welcome to the Mixed-Up Files, Rosanne. Thanks for stopping by!

Rosanne: Thanks Melissa, I’m really excited to be here! Especially as a long-time fan of what you and the rest of the group at MUF do for writers and readers of MG by spotlighting books.

Freedom’s Game: A Summary

Melissa: First, congratulations on the publication of Freedom’s Game. I inhaled it in one sitting, during a car ride from New York to Boston. (Don’t worry, I wasn’t driving. 🙂 )  Can you give Mixed-Up Files readers a brief summary?

Rosanne: Of course! Freedom’s Game follows its two young protagonists—both refugee children fleeing World War Two Germany—to their hiding place, an abandoned chateau in France. When a mysterious new instructor arrives to teach gym class, the kids are uncertain about him. Is he there to help them escape into war-neutral Switzerland, or is he a Nazi ally attempting to gain their trust for nefarious reasons? The book is based on a series of true events that were too awe-inspiring, in my opinion, to be omitted from the more talked-about annals of Holocaust history.

Melissa: Freedom’s Game is a dual-perspective novel featuring two 12-year-olds—Ziggy, an introspective bookworm, and Elka, a running-obsessed chatterbox—who meet at a Jewish orphanage in Annemasse France, near the Swiss border. Although Ziggy and Elka seem to have little in common, they quickly become BFFs. Can you tell us more about this unlikely pair of friends and what binds them together?

Rosanne: I think the idea that opposites attract applies to these two. Elka is much more outward in how she moves through the world. For the most part, she says what she thinks, is upbeat and positive and asserts her opinions. Ziggy, on the other hand, is more reserved and skeptical and studious, and Elka’s ability to pull him out of his shell is a big reason they become fast friends. But eventually, it’s Ziggy who coaxes Elka into revealing the source of her sadness. Before they’d met, she’d buried it deep inside.

Because they’re so different, one’s able to sense what the other needs during their darker moments. Wondering what’s happened to their parents and fearing for their safety is part of their daily existence—so the strength they gain from their unlikely friendship becomes a kind of survival mechanism, too.

A Tale of Two Perspectives

Melissa: As above, the novel is told from two perspectives. What was the impetus behind writing a dual-POV story? Also, what was your writing process like? Did you write Ziggy’s section and then Elka’s? The other way around? Or did you alternate?

Rosanne: My first few drafts of the manuscript were told entirely from Elka’s perspective. But when I set out to do serious revision work, I realized that Ziggy was as much at the heart of the story as she was. Although they’re from the same country, Germany, their world views are quite different. For that reason, I thought dual POV would be a great way to explore and contrast their interior lives. Elka believes Georges Loinger is there to rescue them from deportation; Ziggy is suspicious of his real motives. By playing off one another, in alternating viewpoints, I’m hopeful the reader’s experience is more immersive, even magnified. Will they empathize with Elka’s viewpoint, or Ziggy’s? Does that possibly change, chapter by chapter? By getting to know both characters in equal measure, is it harder to discern who’s “right”? I think the dual perspectives also become dueling perspectives, in a sense. And, as the story moves forward, the back and forth helps to push its pacing and momentum.

Georges Loinger: The Man Behind the Story

Melissa: Freedom’s Game is based on the true story of Jewish French Resistance member Georges Loinger, who at first Ziggy and Elka suspect is a Nazi spy. Can you elaborate? Also, what was it about Loinger’s story that compelled you to write about it?

Rosanne: Georges was born in Strasbourg, France—and because Strasbourg is so close to Germany, he grew up fluent in both German and French. This benefitted him later, during the war, allowing him to navigate travel through Germany—speaking whichever language he needed to, based on whom he encountered. His fair hair and blue eyes also aided his ability to move about freely, since his looks were classically “Aryan”—therefore he wasn’t suspected of being Jewish. He was also a world class runner and used his athletic prowess to evade Nazi patrols. Without giving too much away about the book, his work with Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants (OSE), a Jewish children’s aid organization, would become his primary mission. On the fictional side of things, Ziggy and Elka felt it was frivolous to have gym class when they were in hiding, causing them to question his true intentions.

It was after reading Georges’ obituary in The New York Times in 2018 that I felt compelled to write about him. As a children’s author—and a former journalist—his story captivated me for so many reasons. I was sure it would captivate children, too! Beyond that, the real events that shaped the story were too incredible to keep to myself. It’s not that Georges’ role during the Holocaust was unheard of, but personally I’d not known it before. I figured others probably hadn’t, either.  That spurred me to bring these events, and the bravery these children displayed, to the literary forefront.

Marcel Marceau: Surprise Appearance

Melissa: As a follow-up, Georges Loinger had a famous cousin—Marcel Marceau—who makes a surprise appearance in the novel. Without giving away spoilers, can you tell us more about Marcel Marceau’s role in the novel, and in real life?

Rosanne: I was excited to learn that Marcel was Georges’ first cousin! His last name was originally Mangel, but he changed it to blend in (in France, during wartime). His father, Charles Mangel, was deported to Auschwitz and killed. This sad fact fueled Marcel to work with the resistance, and entertaining children with his antics and miming skills played a fascinating part in that. An interesting detail of note: I’ve read that the reason Marcel always wore a sad face—his makeup when miming included a teardrop drawn on his cheek—was because of the devastating circumstances surrounding World One Two and the genocide of Jewish people.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Melissa: Ziggy and Elka have to keep their Jewish identity a secret, in order to survive. What were you trying to say about the nature of secret keeping, including the toll it takes on those hiding in plain sight?

Rosanne: I think that toll was unquestionably profound. Not only did the kids have to be hyper-vigilant about their surroundings, but also, adopting false identities was confusing. Ziggy questions his faith, his hope, family traditions. For him, this manifests in a loss of trust in others. Elka struggles with isolation and loneliness, and the fear of losing her loved ones. She becomes extremely anxious when she’s alone with her thoughts, and the stress takes its toll on her physically.

“Where There’s Life, There’s Hope”

Melissa: Another important theme in the novel is hope. While Ziggy is afraid to be hopeful, Elka—like Anne Frank, who famously said, “Where there’s hope, there’s life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again”— survives on hope. Can you share your thoughts on this?

Rosanne: I didn’t totally shy away from the psychological harm the Holocaust had on children in Freedom’s Game. Kids in hiding were worried they’d never be reunited with their families again, but hope was their lifeline to this happy possibility. Bonding with the other children who understood their darkest fears was paramount, and small gestures—like Ziggy caring for Elka with simply an extra spoonful of stew or soup—allowed them to cope with their undeniable traumas. Anne Frank’s diary was and still is one of the ultimate testaments to hope we have of that painful period. Despite her confinement and being constantly under threat, she wrote about her dreams for the future, and her continued belief in the goodness of people. Can you imagine her inner strength? To say it’s admirable is a vast understatement.

It’s All in the Details

Melissa: Since Freedom’s Game is based on true events, you clearly had to do a ton of research to maintain the story’s authenticity. Can you tell MUF readers what this entailed? Also, where in the story were you able to take poetic license?

Rosanne: I did do a great deal of research to get it right. That’s a strong suit for me to begin with, or at least something I’m passionate about! Historical accuracy is one thing, but I love going down all the rabbit holes and finding unique details that make a story come to life.

Prior to writing a first draft, I scoured hundreds of pages of books and hours of Holocaust documentaries, particularly about refugee children living in chateaus in France during the war. I also watched several Shoah tapes and corresponded with incredible resources like the United States Holocaust Museum and the Library of Congress. I relied on resources offered by my local librarians, too. Once I felt the true events were in place that would propel the plot of the novel—and that I could authentically reflect the world inside and outside of the orphanage—I could concentrate on the little stuff. That was a lot of fun. I took poetic license with some details, but they’re still rooted in real life. For instance, I Googled things like, “What kind of candy would a young child have eaten in Germany in 1936?” The answer I got was Riesen Candies. So those became Ziggy’s favorite sweet treat, apart from his mother’s homemade confections.

Once the manuscript was in the hands of my publisher, and we began revising together, much of the minutiae fell into place. I also relied on my “inner circle”. For queries about what children in these orphanages might have known about concentration camps during the Holocaust, I turned to my former professor at Indiana University-Bloomington, who now heads the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism. To be sure I was using German phrases properly, I asked an aunt who is a Harvard professor in Germanic languages and literature.

More Than Marmelade

Melissa: This is not your first children’s book to feature real-life characters. Your debut MG, More Than Marmalade (Chicago Review Press, 2020), chronicles the life of children’s author Michael Bond, the creator of Paddington Bear. What is it about historical figures’ lives that captures your imagination enough to write about them?

Rosanne: It’s probably the former journalist in me. That, and I’ve always found the truth to be stranger than fiction! And perhaps, too, there’s a piece of me that wants to carry on my father’s legacy. He was a pediatrician by day, but a historian and scholar whenever he had time to pursue those interests. He had a whole library at home with books about the Holocaust, World War Two, the Civil War…he was always reading. I’ve always been a bookworm too, but it’s only been recently that I’ve realized I possess that same history bug. Having a deeper understanding of the people and events that came before us can go a long, long way toward peaceful co-existence. Expanding our knowledge of the past is paramount for that. Plus, it’s just interesting!

Writing with Rosanne

Melissa: What does your writing routine look like, Rosanne? Do you have any specific rituals? Also, are you a plotter or a pantser?

Rosanne: Like a lot of writers, I’d say…it depends. Both are true! I’ve done three NaNoWriMo’s and have come close to writing a first novel draft each time. Freedom’s Game included. However, Freedom’s Game started out as a picture book, and I only decided to write the MG novel version after getting feedback from my agent and critique partner. That scared the heck out of me, because at the time, I’d never written a longer work of fiction—so participating in the 30-day November writing frenzy was a perfect, pressure-free way to get words on the page. Even considering that I needed to have the facts straight, the book was more of a “pantsing” project.

Since then, I’ve written a couple of other novels, one that’s currently out on submission that I’d say was both pantsed and planned, and the other that was more heavily plotted. With the latter, I’ve introduced a historical story in epistolary form, and I wanted the beats of the story to correspond with the letter writing. So that one required some outlining to really get going.

Melissa: What are you working on now? (If you’re able to spill the beans, of course!)

Rosanne: I’m working on my first YA novel. And, also, a dual POV MG mystery that scales younger than most of the manuscripts I’ve written. I love to challenge myself, and both projects are new territory for me. I also like to have multiple projects going at once, to mix things up, and having manuscripts at different stages—for example, outlining versus polishing—helps to keep me focused. It seems like the opposite would be true, but nope.

Lightning Round!

Melissa: And finally, no MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so…

Preferred writing snack? Peanut butter granola + dark chocolate covered almonds.

Coffee or tea? BOTH! I enjoy a mug of Pete’s dark roast ‘Major Dickason’ coffee every morning when I set out to write, and an iced tea or hot tea later in the day…weather dependent. It’s my little pick-me-up and helps to redirect me, during the afternoon lull.

Favorite Paddington Bear fun fact? A few things come to mind—more so about the Paddington Bear movies! The creator of the Paddington character, Michael Bond, also appeared briefly in the first film. He played the role of the Kindly Gentleman. And when the films were dubbed into Ukrainian, Paddington was voiced by the country’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy! Also, in the third Paddington film coming out soon, Paddington in Peru, the late Queen Elizabeth has a small cameo. She filmed it just a few months before she died.

Zombie apocalypse: Yea or nay? Like Night of the Living Dead stuff? No. I’m a scaredy cat, so I stay away from books and movies with zombies or ghosts (unless they’re friendly ghosts).

Superpower? Flying! I hate traffic, so being able to bypass it would be awesome. I’d love to ride the wind—like a bird. Can I add an element of teleportation in there too? Where time is compressed, and I can fly somewhere in the blink of an eye—and be with loved ones who live faraway, within seconds.

Favorite place on earth? Anywhere at all as long as I’m with my family. After that, probably the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

If you were stranded on a desert island with only three things, what would they be?

I assume “things” can’t include my husband or kids? Then let me take my dog(s), please!—plus a book (figuring out which one is a whole other issue), and a bottomless cup of strong coffee.

MR: Thank you for chatting with us, Rosanne—and congratulations on the publication of Freedom’s Game. I’m sure Mixed-Up readers will enjoy it as much as I did!

Rosanne: It was my pleasure. Thank you so much for your thoughtful questions, Melissa. I really hope readers enjoy it, too!

GIVEAWAY!

To win a copy of Freedom’s Game, please leave a comment on the blog. (U.S. only, please.) Giveaway ends at midnight EST on December 16.

All About Rosanne 

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Rosanne Tolin is the author of More Than Marmalade: Michael Bond and The Story of Paddington Bear and Freedom’s Game. An experienced and respected journalist, her work has focused primarily on children’s publications. She was the creator of an ALA notable website for kids, the managing editor of a children’s magazine, and a Hoosier State Press Award-winning features writer. She lives in Chesterton, Indiana, with her husband. When not working, she can be found hiking with her dogs in the Indiana Dunes or Colorado’s Tenmile Range. Learn more about Rosanne on her website and follow her on Twitter/X and Instagram.

New books for the holidays!

Exciting new books coming out this month for the middle-grade readers on your holiday gift list.
The titles below include new additions to several New York Times Bestselling series, and two war-time historical fiction titles. Although intended for younger readers, A Sea of Gold, the latest by the amazing author/illustrator Patricia Polacco, would make a great companion to either of the historical fiction works.
Time for Kids has two new nonfiction titles coming out at the end of the month. One offers the “scoop” for young cub reporters, the other a thoroughly researched listing of amazing athletes.
Links are included to bookshop.org, which supports local booksellers. Want to learn more about the authors? Simply click on their names.
Happy shopping and reading!

The past and present unravel into staggering truths in this can’t-miss installment of the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series told entirely from Keefe’s point of view.
Please be careful. Please be happy. And PLEASE forget all about me. It’ll be better for everyone that way.
Those were the last words Keefe Sencen wrote to Sophie Foster before he ran away to the Forbidden Cities. He didn’t want to leave, but it was the only way to keep his friends safe while he figured out how to control his scary new powers and searched for answers about his past.
What he found was so much more than adventures in Humanland.
Where did he go? What did he do? And who did he meet while the rest of his friends worked to solve the mystery of Stellarlune? The answers go far beyond anything anyone could have ever imagined and give Keefe the power to change his destiny.

 

 The End of the Story, Author; Melissa De La Cruz, Roaring Brook Press, December 3

Return to the land of Never After for the last time in the riveting conclusion to New York Times-bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz’s hit middle-grade series perfect for fans of The Land of Stories books. The Never After crew is back for a final epic adventure . . . With Queen Olga drawing ever nearer, Filomena and her friends race to find the last surviving fairy, Sabine, and protect her at all costs. For if Sabine dies, so does all of Never After. Without a moment to lose, Filomena, Jack, Alistair, Gretel, and the rest of the gang–along with some new pals like Captain Hook–set off for Pan’s Neverland to find Sabine. But even in Neverland, there’s mischief afoot. Pan is no ordinary boy, and the group discovers Sabine goes by another name in this mysterious realm: Tinker Bell! But trickster gods and undercover fairies are just the beginning for Filomena and her adventurous friends. As Olga’s evil forces close in, will Filomena find a way to protect the magic of Never After once and for all, and ensure a happily-ever-after for the End of the Story?

 

Swimming with Spies, Author: Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger, Scholastic Press, December 3

As war escalates between the Russians and Ukrainians in the port city of Sevastopol, can one girl and a pod of dolphins prove that communication is the greatest weapon of all?

It’s February of 2014 in the seaport city of Sevastopol in Crimea. Sofiya Oleksandrivna only wants two things: to figure out a way to get Ilya Ilyich to stop bullying her, and to convince her mother to come back home. But as battleships come to populate the waters around their city and Russian forces, including Ilya’s father, start to make their presence known, an even greater threat takes over Sofiya’s life.

The only escape Sofiya has is the dolphinarium where her father is a trainer at the forefront of teaching sign language to a pod of dolphins. And now the Russian military has ordered the dolphinarium to hand over its animals for military use. As armed Russian troops invade Crimea and conflict and tension continue to rise, Sofiya will do everything she can to keep her pod safe. And what she knows better than any of the soldiers occupying her city, is that the most powerful force is communication.

Based on the true events of the 2014 annexation of Crimea, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger depicts a familiar world where divisions are sown by hate, but where love can make a world of difference.

Wolves at the Door, Author: Steve Watkins, Scholastic Press, December 3

War. Wilderness. And the will to live.Asta and her younger sister, Pieta, have watched in terror as Hitler’s invasion spreads across Europe. Eventually, the war arrives in their city, bringing with it destruction and death. As the Nazis clash with Stalin’s Red Army and relentless bombing rains from above, the girls flee to their grandparents’ farm. But no place is safe. Surrounded by enemies, Asta and Pieta are presented with one chance at escape: a transport ship leaving from the Baltic Sea.

Getting from the farm to the coast is an impossible trip through a brutal war in the dead of winter. With food scarce, warm clothing lacking, and few resources, the sisters have little chance of making it. And Asta and Pieta are not alone in their plans–everyone is headed to the harbor with the same desperate hope. Securing a place on the ship will require nothing short of a miracle. Their dangerous journey is only just beginning, though, and the sisters can’t begin to imagine what they’ll have to sacrifice to survive . . .

 

A Sea of Gold, Author/Illustrator Patricia Polacco, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, December 3

“An empathetic, heartbreaking look at how warfare can tear families apart–and how traditions still endure.” –Kirkus Reviews

Beloved and bestselling storyteller Patricia Polacco draws on her Ukrainian heritage in this picture book following one family’s history through the generations and the powerful bond of their love.
In the village of Cherinovska, Ukraine, a family raises sunlasknuk (sunflowers) through the generations. When war erupts, they’re forced to leave their beloved home for a faraway world: America. Arriving with nothing but the clothes on their back–and the seeds in one little girl’s pockets–can they make a living…and a new home?

 

 

Time for Kids* Kid Reporter Field Reporter: A How-To Book for Junior Journalists,

Author: Hannah Rose Holzer, Penguin Young Readers, December 29

Learn how to be a junior journalist with this TIME For Kids Field Guide!

This field guide teaches you how to write many types of articles across several different sections including News, Opinion, Reviews, Arts and Culture, Sports, and more! Learn how to be a journalist in this book that explains how to interview sources, cover sports events, critique restaurants, write features on impactful people, and create great articles. This guide also features biographies on several famous journalists throughout history, including Ida B. Wells and Nellie Bly.

Providing reliable sources for parents and educators for over 25 years, the TIME for Kids field guide is an excellent gift for young readers who want to learn more about the world and how to write about it.

 

 

Time for Kids* Amazing Athletes:101 Stars You Need to Know! Author: James Buckley, 

Penguin Young Readers, December 29

Learn about 101 of today’s greatest athletes in this TIME for Kids book!

The fact-filled TIME FOR KIDS: AMAZING ATHLETES includes biographies on 101 of today’s most impressive sports stars. Kids will be inspired by the careers of LeBron James, Simone Biles, Travis Kelce, Caitlin Clark, Coco Gauff, Nathan Chen, and more! Perfect for young sports fans, this book is a great introduction to the best of the best athletes across eighteen different sports.

Providing reliable news sources to parents and educators for over 25 years, this TIME for Kids book is perfect for sports fanatics and introducing different types of sports.

Interview with New York Times Bestselling Author Michael P. Spradlin

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome New York Times bestselling author Michael P. Spradlin to the Mixed-Up Files! Michael, who happens to be one of the most prolific authors on Earth–he’s written dozens of books for children, teens, and adults–is here to talk about his latest MG novel, Rise of the Spider, the first of a planned six-book series set in pre-World War II Germany. The novel, praised by Kirkus as “[A] fast-moving, stirring tale….Clear of stance and cogent of theme,” is out now from Margaret K. McElderry Books.

And now, without further ado…

Interview with Michael P. Spradlin

MR: Welcome back to the Mixed-Up Files, Michael! It’s a pleasure to have you here.

MPS: I’m happy to be here! Wherever here is! 🙂

Rise of the Spider: A Summary

MR: Your latest novel, Rise of the Spider, the first in a planned six-book series, is set in pre-World War II Germany during the Nazi Party’s rise to power. Can you tell MUF readers more about the book and its 11-year protagonist, Rolf?

MPS: Rise of the Spider takes place in 1929. Each book–which will feature a different protagonist and examine how the rapid, accelerating change in Germany affects all of them–will be set in a different year, leading up to 1934 and after Hitler is named Chancellor of Germany.

The first book features Rolf Von Huesen who lives in Heroldsberg, Germany, with his father and brother. Rolf’s older brother died in the Great War, and his mother passed during the Spanish Flu right after he was born.

MR: At the beginning of the novel, Rolf suspects that his older brother, Romer, is being courted by the Hitler Youth. What impact does this have on Rolf and the choices he makes throughout the novel?

MPS: Ultimately it nearly tears Rolf apart. Romer is Rolf’s idol, the person who has most taken care of him since his mother died during the Spanish Flu. Romer’s got it all: He’s smart, handsome, and athletic. To see him so easily seduced by Nazi ideology is devastating to Rolf.

The Role of Friendship

MR: While Rolf is struggling with his brother’s involvement in the Hitler Youth—and later, his role in the destruction of Jewish-owned shops in their small Bavarian town—he leans on his outspoken best friend, Ansel, for support. What role does friendship play in the novel? How does it help—and, in many ways, hinder—Rolf’s struggle?

MPS: I’ve been told by many readers and librarians that the central theme of my novels is often the true meaning of friendship. I guess that’s right. In this case, Ansel’s friendship helps by giving Rolf a sounding board. While Ansel is definitely a wiseacre, he is also a good listener. He’s just as puzzled by Rolf at what is happening. Yet he also pushes the envelope and likes poking the bear, which often leads to trouble. But, if nothing else, Ansel is loyal as all heck to his friends.

The Real Heroldsberg

MR: Since the novel takes place in pre-World War II Germany, in a small Bavarian town called Heroldsberg, what sort of research did you do in order to ensure authenticity? I know you traveled to Bavaria, and to Heroldsberg itself. How did the trip deepen your understanding of the historical events fictionalized in your novel?

MPS: I’m obsessed with Heroldsberg! What an idyllic, beautiful, and picturesque place. And like most of Europe it is just dripping with history. Major battles of the Thirty Years War were fought there. Bavaria is just stunning, and every time you turn around you think you are going to see Cinderella’s castle. Being there had a real influence on writing this book. Usually in my historical novels, I’m writing about a place that no longer exists. In this case, I could walk the streets and cobblestones that had been there since the middle ages.

The Long-lasting Impact of WWII

MR: This isn’t your first middle-grade novel set in Nazi-occupied Europe. Into the Killing SeasThe Enemy Above, and Prisoner of War all are set during WWII. What impels you to write about this historical period? What makes it meaningful to you?

MPS: I think it’s because I was deeply affected by the war. I say this because my dad was a veteran. Other than his children being born, I think it had to be the most profound experience of his life and it impacted his beliefs greatly. Notably, his brother was killed in action on Omaha Beach.

I grew up in a small town and every single man within five years of my father’s age had served. They were my teachers, coaches, scout leaders, bosses, and mentors. I know it had an impact on them, and therefore on me. I think my father, a quiet, sensitive man, was greatly influenced by his brother’s death. I think he had horrible survivor’s guilt.

I also believe that World War II is the most transformative event in human history thus far. We are still living with many of its outcomes today. First, it was truly a global conflict with more than eighty countries taking part. In our country, we saw women enter the workforce in large numbers as well as the beginnings of racial desegregation. We also made enormous technological advances in a very short time. While the war was a horrific loss of blood and treasure, it also served to propel humanity forward in many ways.

The Takeaway

MR: What do you hope readers will take away from the series?

MPS: I want them to understand that evil is insidious and can be presented in all kinds of promises and pretty packages. It can also be very hard to spot–especially at the beginning. It can even sound appealing. That’s why it’s important that kids understand how someone like Hitler came to power; how he tailored his message to the those who were disenfranchised by war, poverty and a lack of hope. But all along he was selling a pig in a poke.

Michael’s Writing Routine

MR: Switching gears, let’s talk about your writing routine. Do you have a specific time of the day when you like to write? Any particular writing rituals? Also, what’s the secret to being so prolific? You’ve published a gazillion books! (Well, 33 and counting.)

MPS: By and large, I write mostly at night–but sometimes during the day as well. Usually my computer is open to a manuscript all day and I am sitting down and tapping out a couple of sentences throughout the day.

As for being prolific, it is a blessing and a curse. I have a brain that doesn’t believe in downtime. I’m always thinking about new ideas and new projects, and I always have multiple projects in the works.

Planning and Organizing a Series

MR: As stated above, Rise of the Spider, is the first installment in a planned six-book series. How do you organize the writing process for such a big project? It seems like a herculean task!

MPS: I use a lot of spreadsheets. I keep them for continuity, and correctly spelling character names. And keeping track of physical descriptions. I have general outlines for all six books, but they aren’t strict so if the story takes me in a different, better direction I can adapt.

MR: In addition to MG, you also write picture books, YA, and books for adults, including a volume of haikus about pirates (!). What’s the key to writing books for different age groups? 

MPS: I’m not sure there’s a key. Obviously with kids’ books there are things like language and themes you need to watch out for, but the main goal is to write as well as you can. Kids need to be the hero, and you can’t have them saved by adults at a critical moment. Other than that, I’d say to be honest… and treat your audience with respect.

Lessons from Buffy the Vampire Slayer

MR: Rumor has it that you’re a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan. I have questions…

MPS: OMG! DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS? I was never so saddened to learn the truth about what happened to the creator of the show. It was so brilliantly written and acted. But I came to realize that a lot of art throughout history has been created by not so great people. In the case of a movie or television show, it takes far more than the writer to make it work.

Hundreds of people contribute from actors to cinematographers and their contributions also play a key role. I think you can still appreciate it from that perspective. If someone horrible did something behind the scenes, aren’t we further punishing the actors and the hundreds of other people involved in the show who can least afford to be punished by us no longer watching? That’s a rhetorical question. I’m not sure what the answer is. But in a vacuum: BTVS is a great accomplishment by all involved.

MR: What are you working on now, Michael? More books in the Web of the Spider series, I’m guessing?

MPS: Yes, more Web of the Spider books. Then I have a trilogy I’ll be shopping soon, but these books will be my main focus for the next couple of years.

Lightning Round!

MR: And finally, no MUF interview is complete without a lightning round, so…

Preferred writing snack? Oatmeal schotchie cookie

Coffee or tea? Neither

Cat or dog?  Love both. Own a dog. Allergic to cats

Plotter or Pantser?  Total pantser

Zombie apocalypse: Yea or nay? Um. YES!

Superpower? I can melt an ice cube with my mind. It just takes a while. Also, I can do a killer Sean Connery impersonation, but no one knows who he is anymore.

Favorite place on earth? My house with my family present

If you were stranded on a desert island with only three things, what would they be? Boats. Boats. Boats

MR: Thank you for chatting with us, Michael—and congratulations on the publication of Rise of the Spider!

MPS: Thank you for having me! Watch for The Threat of the Spider coming in summer 25!

Bio

Michael P. Spradlin is the New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award–nominated author of the Spy Goddess series, The Youngest Templar series, and the Web of the Spider series, as well as several works of historical fiction, including the Western Heritage Award–winning Off Like the Wind: The Story of the Pony Express. He currently resides in Lapeer, Michigan, with his wife, daughter, and his schnoodle, Sequoia. Learn more about Michael on his website and follow him on X, and Facebook.