On this episode of the Middle Grade Matters podcast, Laurie Morrison discusses her middle grade novel Keeping Pace and the themes it explores, including the pressure to succeed, the intensity of competition in middle school, and the importance of friendship and relationships . In this conversation, Laurie shares how she discovered her passion for writing and the role of critique partners in shaping her work. Laurie also talks about her journey from getting her MFA to querying agents and getting her books published. She also discusses her writing process, including selling on proposal, and shares her plans for future projects. I love audiobooks! If you do, too, consider switching to <a href='https://libro.fm/middlegradematters'>Libro.fm</a>. For the same price as other major audiobook providers, you can find all your favorites as well as curated lists of audiobooks written by or recommended by guests of the Middle Grade Matters podcast. <a href='https://libro.fm/middlegradematters'>Click here to learn more!</a> Consider buying your books from the <a href='https://bookshop.org/shop/middlegradematters'>Middle Grade Matters Bookshop</a>, where proceeds support this podcast as well as independent bookstores everywhere. For bonus content and info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: <a href='https://www.shannonballoon.com/newsletter'>Newsletter</a>, and follow Middle Grade Matters on <a href='https://www.instagram.com/middlegradematterspodcast/'>Instagram</a> and <a href='https://twitter.com/middlegpodcast'>Twitter</a>. If you&apos;re enjoying this podcast, please be sure to follow us and please leave us a review.