Welcome to the Middle Grade Matters Podcast!

Hi! I’m Shannon Balloon, producer and host of the Middle Grade Matters Podcast, and this is my spunky sidekick, Dash.

I thought I should introduce myself and tell you a little about why I’m starting the Middle Grade Matters podcast. I’m an agented middle grade writer with two manuscripts on submission, and I’ve published shorter pieces in various literary journals.

I'm finally launching a podcast!

I’m also a former radio news journalist and talk show host, so producing and hosting a podcast is something I knew I'd enjoy.

Oh, and I love podcasts, especially podcasts on books and writing, and I hope to follow in the footsteps of all the fabulous writerly podcasters that have helped me grow and develop as a writer.

I live just outside of Atlanta, Georgia and have been married to my college-sweetheart husband for more than twenty years. We have three kids—one in college, one in high school, and one in middle school—so we are always on the go.

In addition to Dash, I have another furry sidekick, a yellow Labrador named Lucie who loves to eat things, especially pizza boxes and sweaty socks.

If you’ve read this far, thanks, and please drop me a line and tell me about yourself. Because of all the reasons I wanted to start a podcast, getting to know other writers, readers, and book lovers was the absolute #1 reason.

Talk soon.