To kick off the new year, I polled the busy members of From The Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors to share their bookish goals for 2026, whether for reading, writing, or something else. Here’s what they said:
“I’d like to stretch my writerly wings and attempt something out of my wheelhouse, like a picture book or chapter-book series. It’s time to shake off the cobwebs in 2026!” — Melissa Roske
“Instead of reading and writing more, more, more, I want to engage with books in an intentional and thoughtful way.” — Jennifer Kraar
“I’d like to finish the second draft of the middle grade fantasy I’m working on!” — Jackie Peveto
“Like Melissa, I’d like to try something new in 2026 – maybe an adult novel or even some short stories. Time to shake things up 🙂.” — Patricia Heinrich Bailey
“Finish a picture book manuscript I’ve been writing and explore some new topics in a middle grade or YA book. Also make a dent in my to-be-read pile!” — Karen Latchana Kenney
“I’d like to carve out the time to meet my writing goals.” — Faran Fagen “My resolution is to re-read at least 15 of the classics, both adult and children’s.” — Jo Hackl
“Write for at least a little bit 6 days a week!” — Sarah Allen
“I have a few new projects I’ve started and a couple of projects that need to be revisited and revised…but nothing feels finished. I need to focus and finish one of these projects.” — Susan Koehler
“Revise my current work-in-progress to be full of kid-brain imagination and get it ready to query in summer.” — Kate Penndorf “Spend some time with my manuscript every day – even if just for a few minutes.” — Landra Jennings
And for me? I recently started using Pagebound to keep track of the books I’ve read and want to read, and I’ve set a goal there to read 26 books in ’26. Here’s to reading all the books you have in your TBR pile!
Here’s to a healthy and happy 2026! And don’t forget to tell us your goals on MUF’s Facebook or Instagram pages.
—The MUF team
