The Ultimate Guide to Writing Middle Grade Fantasy
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a seasoned pro, writing middle grade fantasy is a great way to capture the imaginations of dynamic young readers everywhere. It’s a perennially popular genre in middle grade, and you’re only limited by your imagination here. From creating the most robust book idea possible, to writing characters that middle grade readers will relate to, there are many elements involved in crafting a successful middle grade fantasy story. Let’s break down why this market is so attractive and how you can create something that stands out in a crowded marketplace.
Crafting Your Middle Grade Fantasy Idea
Coming up with something unique and exciting all starts at an idea that captures your imagination and inspires others. The rules of fantasy are as wide-ranging as your dreams, as long as you do develop specific worldbuilding that you can combine with an adventure-hungry character. When it comes to writing for tween readers ages nine to twelve, which is the target middle grade age range, it’s important to think about what kind of stories have already been told and how you can add something new to the conversation. Middle grade readers have been consuming media their entire lives, and are very savvy when it comes to story.
Think about universal themes that you want to explore, and how they might resonate with your audience. A book premise (or idea) is a combination of your fantasy world, a compelling protagonist, an interesting plot, and something fresh that your book says to its reader.
Middle Grade Fantasy Characters
When you’re writing middle grade, it’s important to craft characters that kid readers can relate to and root for. Think about life as seen through the eyes of a tween reader, focus on age-appropriate issues and show characters conquering fantastical story obstacles in a proactive way—which is an archetype for actual teens overcoming issues in their ordinary lives. But be forewarned, you shouldn’t be writing middle grade fantasy solely to preach a message or moralize. Your young readers don’t want to read a lecture with a flimsy fantasy wrapper.
Every character should be well-rounded with strengths and vulnerabilities that affect how they interact with each other throughout the story. And don’t forget your antagonist! Middle grade fantasy usually has a strong external conflict that involves a literal battle between good and evil at the climax. The fantasy world also plays a role. You need to have a strong reason for the type of fantasy story you’re telling, and the fantasy tropes you’re playing with. (Don’t be tempted to throw every single fantasy element into your story, either. The more focused your world, the stronger your premise.)
Understanding the Middle Grade Fantasy Market
Before getting too far into your drafting process, you will want to understand the middle grade fantasy market guidelines, because they’re quite specific. Children’s books tend to have more rules about word count, language, etc. because your audience is still learning to read, in a lot of cases . Furthermore, many publishers have specific guidelines on content, length, formatting, etc. For example, middle grade fantasy word count expectations are between 50,000 and 90,000 words, in most cases, which is longer than your standard middle grade word count.
As you learn about the market, don’t forget to read books within the same genre and category as yours so you can get an understanding of what types of stories appeal most to readers of this age group and in the fantasy realm—this will help inform your own work. Don’t forget to practice reading like a writer, so you’re learning as much as you can every time you sit down.
Pursuing Publication for MIddle Grade Fantasy
Once you feel confident in your material, have drafted and revised, maybe even with the help of writing groups or a freelance editor, it’s time to pursue publication. You should begin by researching literary agents or publishers, though you should know that most major publishers don’t accept unsolicited submissions. Self-publishing is always an option, but it can be tougher for middle grade because your readers aren’t actually making their own purchasing decisions. They don’t have an ereader or credit card, so they can’t simply browse and find your work on their own.
It can be helpful if you attend writing conferences or join a writing group dedicated specifically to middle grade fantasy. The children’s book community is small and very welcoming, so don’t be daunted. Writing middle grade fantasy is a fun way for aspiring writers and established authors alike to captivate young readers with stories full of adventure, friendship, and growth—all wrapped up into one magical package!
Click here to purchase Writing Irresistible Kidlit, my book on fiction craft for MG and YA novels, out from Writer's Digest Books. This will show you my writing craft philosophy and give you lots of valuable advice, including tips for the novel revision process and self-editing. There are over 35 example novels cited and discussed throughout. It’s a valuable resource for any writer’s toolkit.