This post is reblogged with permission from Susan Kaye Quinn’s March 7, 2014 post. I, too, planned to write a post about Middle Shelf, a wonderful new digital magazine featuring cool reads for kids, but Susan’s post is so well done, I couldn’t have covered as much as she has, so here you go:
I am pumped that both Faery Swap and the Emblazoners are in the March issue of Middle Shelf!
“Middle Shelf is a digital-only magazine featuring the best books for middle grade readers. Each bi-monthly issue includes author interviews, reviews, excerpts, and photo essays. Subscriptions are free.”
Look at this gorgeous ad they ran for Emblazoners!
Ad designed by Emblazon member, Dale Robert Pease.
And a full-page excerpt for Faery Swap!
The Emblazoner Ad
The folks at Middle Shelf offered us a great discount for our ad (Middle Shelf is new and they’re just getting started, but they’re an off-shoot of the larger Shelf Unbound company). This is where having an indie group of authors is a great advantage – the ad was more than any one of us would spend individually (even at the discount) but together, it was a no brainer. Plus we’re (hopefully) building some brand-recognition for our group, as authors who strive to emblazon our stories on the hearts of children. Check out our group and subscribe to receive our catalog to see what other great things we’re doing! Check out Middle Shelf’s Facebook page to see how to advertise with them.
The Faery Swap Excerpt
I was surprised when Laurisa, Editor-in-Chief at Middle Shelf, reached out to me, saying she had read the sample chapter of Faery Swap and thoroughly enjoyed it! And wanted to feature an excerpt in their March edition! Of course, I was happy to do that, and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it came out. It’s possible I may be in a future issue as well with an interview about being an indie MG author.
Two things impress me about Middle Shelf – that they’re actively reaching out to indie authors and that they have the super-glossy, top-shelf look a professional magazine should.
From their premiere issue last fall:
“Good books have the power to entertain, to spark imaginations, and to transform lives, which is precisely why Middle Shelf came into being. We want to connect middle grade readers to the very best books, whether they’re on the bestseller lists, published by small or indie presses, or self-published.”
Amen.
I wish Middle Shelf all the success possible in their mission – they’re off to a great start!
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Thanks so much, Susan, for permission to share your post on my blog. Well said! Cheers to many more fabulous issues from Middle Shelf!
I’m so excited to find a new ezine with material aimed at the MG level. I’ll have to check it out for sure.
Lee – Great! I’m so glad this post helped you discover Middle Shelf. Enjoy!
I cannot figure out how to sign up for that. I’ve tried. But you’re link sent me right to it. See? You’re so cool, bestie. CONGRADS to Sue and all the Emblazoners. (I’ve been LOUSY at getting by there.) I ADMIT IT. I’m a STINKY bestie. 🙁 xoxo
Robyn – Okay, I clicked on the link, and it has a subscribe button or whatever you call it in the right sidebar, so click on that and it takes you to a screen where you fill out all your info and then submit it. Hope it works!
And you mean to tell me that in the midst of all those family emergencies, running a farm, homeschooling, caring for a seriously ill kid, and cooking and cleaning and writing when you can squeeze it in, you still haven’t visited the Emblazon site? Go figure!
Now stop being silly and stinky you definitely aren’t. Bestest bestie evuh! Hugs and more hugs. We know you can always use another hug! 🙂
Er, but YOUR link…. I’m not only STINKY, I’m a dummy on top of that. *sigh* WHERE’S MY DANG COPY EDITOR??!!
Oh, stop it! But if you find that copy editor, send ’em my way. I don’t know if I have a loose wire in my brain (besides the usual ones) because for the past two weeks my fingers aren’t cooperating when I’m typing. It’s strange. Hope that loose wire reconnects soon because I’ve been publishing comments w/o reading them over and it’s embarrassing. 🙁
I’ll definitely check it out even though my kids are too old for MG…I still read MG and write it too! 🙂
Yes, check it out, Teresa. I think you’ll like it. My kids are all too old for MG, too. And the grandkids are too young, but, hey, if we like to read and write for MG, this is a great magazine to read!
Hi Lynn! I’m really excited for you. Middle Shelf sounds awesome. Congratulations! 🙂
Hi Karen! Thanks a million. It’s a cool magazine and super cool for us Emblazon authors to have a full page ad in it. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Fantastic, Lynn. The power of Not being alone 😉
Thanks, Alarna! Yes, the power of Not being alone, you said it, girl! For sure!
Just had a browse through March’s issue! It’s very good – lots of things – excerpts, reviews by MGs and poetry!! Yay! take care
x
Old Kitty – Glad you enjoyed browsing through the March issue. Yes, it’s jam packed with good stuff. You take care, too!
What a cool looking magazine! And extra-cool that they are open to indie books. Congrats to the Emblazon authors and Susan on the feature!
Jennette – Thank you! It’s definitely a very cool magazine, and I think it’s awesome that they’re open to indie books.
Another writer friend just told me about this magazine too. Thanks for the link, Lynn! 🙂 Cool info.
Yvette – Small world! It’s good that news of this new ezine is spreading by word of mouth. Thanks for stopping by!
Oooh- Middle Shelf sounds so good! Perfect for me. I am looking into signing up as soon as I finish this comment. Love the things you shared. Awesome to learn about something new! Thanks!
Jess – Great! I’m so glad you’re going to subscribe to Middle Shelf. Enjoy!
Sounds like a great publication. Thanks for spreading the word!
Ruth – You’re welcome. It’s so nice to see you here. Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like really cool ezine! Thanks for reposting about it here!
You’re welcome, Kourtney. Hope you enjoy Middle Shelf! Take care!