Posts Tagged writing

Author Spotlight: Kalyn Josephson

By Landra Jennings on September 4, 2025 / Author Interviews

In today’s Author Spotlight, Landra Jennings chats with author Kalyn Josephson about her new middle-grade novel, Ravenguard: A Ravenfall Novel (Random House Children’s Books, September 9), the conclusion to the Ravenfall series. Kalyn will talk about what she likes best about this novel and this series and will give us some hints about what’s coming next!

Book Summary:

A girl with psychic abilities and a boy with mysterious powers must unravel secrets and battle dark forces in order to save their world in the final Ravenfall adventure.

As whispers of winter beckon, Anna Ballinkay and Colin Pierce brace for change. The Ravenfall Inn, a magical nexus between worlds, is bustling with preparations for the Winter Solstice ball, which will bring together a mix of otherworldly guests and festive enchantments.

Amid the festivities, a young boy named Declan arrives and claims his new identity as a Raven, sparking a mission to rebuild the legendary Ravenguard.

While the inn buzzes with excitement, a sinister mystery unfolds: Supernatural beings are found lifeless, drained of their magic. As suspicion mounts, Anna, Colin, and their allies must uncover the cause before Ravenfall is destroyed.

Can the Ravenguard rise in time, or will the magic of Ravenfall be lost forever? Ancient legends stir and loyalties are tested in Kalyn Josephson’s thrilling series conclusion.

Interview with Kalyn Josephson

LJ: Welcome to the Mixed-Up Files, Kalyn! Thanks for joining us today.

KJ: Thank you for having me!

Ravenguard: A Ravenfall Novel

LJ: I am a big fan of the Ravenfall series and can’t wait to hear about this concluding novel. What challenges can we expect Anna and Colin and their friends and families to face in this next and final installment?

KJ: In addition to returning to everyone’s favorite inn, this book brings Colin’s and Anna’s journeys full-circle with the return of some threads everyone thought were tied up. RAVENGUARD delves back into Irish mythology, but like all the books in the series, the biggest challenges Anna and Colin face are their own doubts.

LJ: The characters are so well drawn-out, with so much humor. Who is your favorite character in the series, and why?

KJ: Max! I love how mischievous he is, and his rivalry with the inn is my favorite relationship.

LJ: There’s a lot of action in these novels to keep us on the edge of our seats. What was your favorite scene to write in Ravenguard?

KJ: The snowball fight at the beginning. I like how it brings all the characters from the series back together in a fun setting.

LJ: Especially for those readers who have followed along on this Ravenfall journey, what do you want readers to take away from this novel and the series as a whole?

KJ: So much of this series is about accepting yourself, which can be hard to do no matter what age you are, but especially during a time when you’re still trying to figure out who that is. It’s something Anna and Colin struggle with throughout, and that I hope readers can identify with and learn from. Embrace the weird!

On Writing

LJ: What do you like best about being a writer?

KJ: Making up magic systems. It’s where each of my books begin, and my favorite part of fantasy.

LJ: What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

KJ: Find other writers at the same stage you are. Writing can be so solitary, and having friends who understand the process can make all the difference.

What’s Coming Next?

LJ: Is there anything else you would like to share?

KJ: My next middle-grade series kicks off with THE GRIMLORE GAME, out Fall 2026. I like to pitch it as “What if Wednesday Addams and Eeyore had to team up to win the Inheritance Games?” It’s perfect for fans of puzzles, riddles, and hijinks!

Lightning Round Questions:

No MUF interview would be complete without our lightning round, so here we go…

Coffee or tea?

Tea!!!

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunset.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

The ability to fall asleep the moment I get into bed.

Favorite city (other than the one you live in)?

Donegal, Ireland.

Favorite ice cream flavor?

Cookies and cream, though I will accept all ice cream.

Favorite book from childhood?

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede.

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Kalyn!

About the Author

Kalyn Josephson is a NYT Bestselling author, sometimes-baker, and full-time consumer of too much tea. She lives on the California coast with two tiny black cats in a house in constant need of repair. She is the author of the Ravenfall series, The Storm Crow duology, and the This Dark Descent duology.

STEM Tuesday– National Parks– Book List

By STEM Tuesday on September 2, 2025 / National Parks, STEM Tuesday

This month’s book list will take you on a tour of the 63 national parks of the United States. Along the way you’ll encounter amazing wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, important cultural traditions, and fascinating projects in science and conservation!

The National Parks: Preserving America’s Wild Places by Falynn Koch (Science Comics series)

A vibrant graphic-novel history in the Science Comics/History Comics style, narrated by a wise-cracking Bigfoot and Eagle, offering a witty yet substantial look at the founding of the U.S. national parks. It addresses complex themes—colonialism, conservation politics—with playful visuals, making it powerful and engaging for middle-grade readers and beyond.

50 True Tales from Our Great National Parks written by Stephanie Pearson and illustrated by Madeline Kloepper

This beautifully illustrated treasury shares 50 real-life stories from iconic national parks. From heroic people to animals, astounding features, and conservation triumphs, each tale connects deeply with its setting. Entertaining and informative, it brings parks to life across the U.S., making it a perennial favorite for families and young nonfiction lovers.

National Parks Guide USA Centennial Edition: The Most Amazing Sights, Scenes, and Cool Activities from Coast to Coast! by National Geographic Kids

A rich, celebratory children’s guide packed with dazzling color photos, maps, fun facts, Ranger tips, conservation ideas, and activity suggestions. Created for the 100th anniversary of the U.S. National Parks, it’s an ideal visual companion brimming with inspiration for young explorers preparing for a visit—or dreaming of one.

Lonely Planet Kids America’s National Parks written by Alexa Ward and illustrated by Mike Lowery

This lively, visually stunning guide covers all 63 national parks (including the newest), with jaw-dropping photography, quirky illustrations, fun facts, thematic spreads (e.g., “Parks at Night”), and a conversational tone parents and kids both enjoy. Packed with history, tips, and secrets, it’s a dynamic and immersive read for aspiring young adventurers.

The National Parks: Discover all 62 National Parks of the United States! by DK

A bright, cheerful travel guide for kids, showcasing all 62 U.S. national parks (not including New River Gorge, which joined the list in 2020) via striking photos and accessible text. Features fun facts—like “Wrangell-St. Elias is bigger than Switzerland”—activity tips, flora and fauna highlights, and safety advice. A perfect primer to spark young nature lovers’ curiosity and promote outdoor stewardship.

The Unlikely Hero: The Story of Wolf 8 (Young Readers Edition) by Rick McIntyre and David A. Poulsen

Biologist Rick McIntyre has teamed up with YA author David Poulsen to bring to life the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. This action-packed nonfiction story follows the life of Wolf 8 as he fends off grizzly bears, adopts a litter of pups, and helps his family to survive. (In keeping with the conventions of scientific research, all the wolf characters are identified with numbers instead of names.) The scenes in the book are based on McIntyre’s own observations, and readers will find themselves rooting for this underdog on his journey to become an alpha wolf.

National Parks: A Kid’s Guide to America’s Parks, Monuments, and Landmarks written by Erin McHugh and illustrated by Neal Aspinall

Each page of this fact-filled book features a site managed by the Natural Park Service—not just national parks, but also scenic riverways, parkways, national forests and recreation areas, historical parks, and more. Every state and U.S. territory is represented, so U.S.-based readers will be able to find sites both far away and close to home. The images in this book include vintage travel posters as well as historical photographs and eye-popping sidebars.

Park Scientists: Gila Monsters, Geysers, and Grizzly Bears in America’s Own Backyard written by Mary Kay Carson with photographs by Tom Uhlman

National parks serve as “natural laboratories” and “living museums” that offer unique possibilities for scientific research. This book follows in the footsteps of real-life biologists, ecologists, geologists, herpetologists, and citizen scientists in three different national parks: Yellowstone, Saguaro, and Great Smoky Mountains. Aspiring scientists will learn what makes geysers erupt, what happens when bears hibernate, how Gila monster venom can be used, and more.

Where Is …? by Penguin Random House/Who HQ

This bestselling nonfiction series includes three titles specific to U.S. national parks: Where Is Yellowstone? by Sarah Fabiny and Stephen Marchesi; Where Are the Everglades? by Nico Medina and Gregory Copeland; and Where Is the Grand Canyon? by Jim O’Connor and Daniel Colon. Each book is divided into nine chapters and provides a deep dive into the history, culture, and ecology of the featured park.

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This month’s STEM Tuesday book list was prepared by:

Author Lydia Lukidis

Lydia Lukidis is an award-winning author of 60+ trade and educational books for children. Her titles include UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere (Capstone, 2025), DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars to New Heights (Albert Whitman, 2024), and DEEP, DEEP, DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone, 2023) which was a Crystal Kite winner for the Canada and North America division, Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Honor, a Cybils Award nominee, and winner of the Dogwood Readers Award. A science enthusiast from a young age, Lydia now incorporates her studies in science and her everlasting curiosity into her books. Another passion of hers is fostering a love for children’s literacy through the writing workshops she regularly offers in elementary schools across Quebec with the Culture in the Schools program. For more information, please visit www.lydialukidis.com.

Callie Dean is a researcher, writer, and musician living in Shreveport, LA. Her first picture book, Marvelous Mistakes: Accidents That Made History, will be published in 2026. For more information, please visit https://calliebdean.com.

STEM Tuesday– STEM in Sports– Writing Tips and Resources

By STEM Tuesday on August 19, 2025 / STEM in Sports, STEM Tuesday

Get Your Gestalt Going!

Perception psychology is not one of the first things that pops into the mind when thinking about STEM. Perception is one of those things too often taken for granted. It runs in the background 24/7/365, helping the brain make sense of the world.

Gestalt psychology emerged in the early 1900s as a discipline devoted to explaining how the brain perceives experiences by establishing a structure as a whole instead of by its parts approach through automatic grouping and associations of the individual parts. Gestalt psychology, as its own discipline, disappeared after World War II, as most of the leaders of the field were German psychologists who fled Nazi Germany and had to reestablish a new career in new countries.

The principles and ideas, however, did not disappear but seeped into other disciplines, especially those involved with visual processing and visual design. Gestalt principles are key elements in graphic design and visual marketing.

Gestalt & Sports

Around 2004, when I was still coaching high school football and tasked with our training and conditioning program and methodologies, I ran across a 1999 New Yorker article by Malcolm Gladwell called, The Physical Genius.

After reading about NHL hockey great Wayne Gretzky, and his unique ability to “see” scoring opportunities on the ice in real time, it got me thinking about the possibilities and the potential of developing this type of gestaltian perception in high school athletes. Small tweaks is our existing drills and the creation of new drills with the mindset of developing the pattern recognition of our players in football situations.

See the patterns, drill the response. Repeat the patterns, repeat the response. Again and again until the response is second nature.

Chunking

Psychologists use the term “chunking” to describe how we store familiar sequences, like phone numbers and passwords, in long-term memory as a single unit, or chunk. These particular sequences are stored as a unit instead of as individual parts. Think about chess masters, top-shelf neurosurgeons, and great athletes like Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, and Tony Gwynn.

These masters of their craft developed their skills through hours and hours of practice combined with visualization of their actions. They used Gestalt principles in both practice and in visualization to be prepared for any situation that might arise. That’s the physical genius.

Gestalt principles in writing? Is it even possible? Beyond the gestalt-leaning recognition of concepts formed from letters, words, sentences, paragraphs, etc., what can gestalt principles do as part of a writer’s toolbox?

Well, a breakdown of the basic Gestalt Laws might help the writer create stories where the whole shines because of the individual parts. We can also be aware of how perception works, so the good story ideas don’t get lost in the individual parts, and we don’t lose our readers.

Gestalt Laws

Figure-Ground Perception – How the brain visually distinguishes an object from its background.
Proximity – When objects are placed close to each other, they are perceived as a group.
Common Fate – Objects moving in the same direction are looked at as a group.
Similarity – When objects look similar to one another, they are perceived as a group or pattern.
Continuity –The objects are arranged such that the eye moves from one object to another.
Closure Principle – The eye fills in when an object is not completely enclosed or is incomplete.
Good Gestalt – The mind looks for order and simplicity in groups of objects or images.
Past Experience – Based on what was seen previously or repeated, the perception of the whole is saved. Chunking.

As writers, we can train ourselves through our practice and by applying the Gestalt Laws to create satisfying stories, but that is not the only thing we can do. Reading can help develop these skills too. Look at reading as practice, like running through cones at football practice, as a way to hone our ability to see the patterns in the parts.

In writing, just as with football drills, see the patterns, drill the response. Repeat the patterns, repeat the response. Again and again until the response is second nature.

Incorporating a Gestalt mindset may not get one into the NHL Hall of Fame or become the greatest middle-grade author on Planet Earth, but it can help middle-grade authors create better and more satisfying stories.

Mike Hays has worked hard from a young age to be a well-rounded individual. A well-rounded, equal-opportunity sports enthusiast, that is. If they keep a score, he’ll either watch it, play it, or coach it. A molecular microbiologist by day, middle-grade author, sports coach, and general good citizen by night, he blogs about sports/life/training-related topics at www.coachhays.com and writer stuff at www.mikehaysbooks.com. Two of his science essays, The Science of Jurassic Park and Zombie Microbiology 101, are included in the P utt ing the Science in Fiction collection from Writer’s Digest Books. He can be found roaming Bluesky under the guise of @mikehays64.bsky.social and @MikeHays64 on Instagram.

The O.O.L.F Files

This month on the Out Of Left Field (O.O.L.F.) Files, we take a deep dive into visual perception through Gestalt Principles, and a highlight reel from The Great One himself.

What is Gestalt Psychology? Theory, Principles, & Examples via Simple Psychology

The Physical Genius. Malcolm Gladwell, New Yorker, 1999

7 Gestalt Principles (Definition + Examples) via Practical Psychology

The Basics of Gestalt Theory – Lesson 1 – Graphic Design Theory

Top 10 Wayne Gretzky Moments