Today I have the absolute joy of hosting my dear friend, Jodi Kendall, on the show! Jodi and I go way back, to those days when DIY MFA was just the glimmer of an idea tickling the back of my brain.

Jodi has nurtured a lifelong passion for animals, and has now turned that passion into a beautiful middle grade novel. I am so excited to share Jodi’s debut, The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City, and her inspiring story of a tough road to publication with you.

Listen in as we geek about animals and middle grade fiction, and hear some of Jodi’s tips on growing through rejection to reach your publishing goals.

In this episode Jodi and I discuss:

• How funneling your passion into your writing helps you find your voice.
• Outlining for pantsers, what Jodi’s techniques are.
• Why making a simple matter feel like life and death stakes for your character creates a page turning experience.
• How Jodi battled through years of rejection on her road to publication, and why you can do it, too.
• How to tap into your own emotions to create characters and themes that impact middle grade readers.

Plus, Jodi’s #1 tip for writers.

About Jodi Kendall

Jodi Kendall grew up in the Midwest with her family of seven, and a household of countless pets including hamsters, ducks, dogs, rabbits, an iguana, and yes…even a farm pig! As a freelance writer, Jodi once followed a secret nighttime transport of a manta ray over state lines, swam with seven species of sharks, got up close and personal with venomous snakes, and motored through a saltwater crocodile breeding ground.

These days, you can find Jodi typing away at home in New York City, where she’s still an animal lover at heart. Jodi holds an MFA from The University of Arizona and is an active member of SCBWI. Her debut novel,The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City, is available now. To connect with Jodi check out her website at www.jodikendall.com.

The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City

Josie Shilling’s family is too big, their cramped city house is too small, and she feels like no one’s ever on her side.

Then on Thanksgiving Day her older brother, Tom, brings home a tiny pink piglet he rescued from a farm outside the city. Her name is Hamlet. The minute Josie holds Hamlet she feels an instant connection.

But there’s no room for Hamlet in the crowded Shilling household. And who ever heard of keeping a pig in the city? So it’s up to Josie to find her a forever home.

This modern-day homage to Charlotte’s Web is a heartwarming tale of family, belonging, and growing bigger when you’ve always felt small.

If you decide to check out the book, we hope you’ll do so via this Amazon affiliate link, where if you choose to purchase DIY MFA makes a small commission at no cost to you. As always, thank you for supporting DIY MFA!

Link to Episode 167

(Right-click to download.)

If you liked this episode…

Head over to iTunes, Stitcher Radio or Google Play and subscribe so you’ll be first to know when new episodes are available.

Also, remember that sharing is caring so if you know anyone who might enjoy this podcast, please tell them about it or leave us a review so other listeners will want to check it out.

Until next week, keep writing and keep being awesome!

The post Episode 167: Publishing Through Perseverance — Interview with Jodi Kendall appeared first on DIY MFA.