How to Write Middle-Grade Fantasy That Doesn’t Suck (and Might Even Get You Famous)
So, you’ve decided to write middle-grade fantasy, have you? First of all, congratulations. You’ve entered a world where you’ll be up against Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. No pressure, though! You’ve just got to create an entirely new universe, a gripping plot, characters that make readers laugh and cry, and—oh yes—have it all make sense to an 11-year-old who could spot a plot hole faster than a velociraptor on Red Bull.
But don’t worry. Writing middle-grade fantasy is like baking a cake: Get the right ingredients, mix it up with love (and chaos), and maybe you’ll create something kids want to gobble up. (If not, at least your mum will buy a copy and lie about how great it is.)
Here’s your cheat sheet for writing middle-grade fantasy that won’t make you want to hide under a rock when the reviews come in.
Step One: The Protagonist Can’t Be a Bore (Or Perfect, Which Is Worse)
First things first, your hero. Your protagonist is everything. They’re the avocado on the toast, the Tom to your Jerry, the cherry on the banana split. Middle-grade kids want someone they can root for—someone flawed, funny, and maybe a little insecure, because, well, they are too.
Think Percy Jackson—a kid with ADHD and dyslexia who ends up being the son of a literal Greek god. Or Lyra from His Dark Materials, who spends most of her time being a reckless know-it-all and STILL saves all of humanity. Or even Ariston Baker from Ariston Baker in the Weird Picture Book, a slightly awkward boy sucked into a magical maze where he has to save his best mate.
Your hero doesn’t need to be a genius or a badass, but they need to be real. Kids love characters who feel like a reflection of their own messy, magical, chaotic selves.
Step Two: Build a World So Good Readers Want to Move There
Now we’re talking about world-building, the bread and butter of fantasy writing. This is the part where you get to go full wizard and make a universe where trees might talk, candy grows on bushes, or dragons run a daycare.
The secret is to balance imagination with logic. Think of Hogwarts: It’s a castle, sure, but it’s also a fully operational school with rules, schedules, and staircases that WILL mess you up if you’re late for class. Or the labyrinth in Labyrinth, where every twist and turn feels like it’s out to get you. Kids want magic, but they also need to believe in the rules of your world. Without those, you’ve got chaos—and not the good, funny kind.
If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself: How do people eat, work, and travel in this world? What do they believe in? What do they fear? And most importantly, what would make an 11-year-old go, “That’s COOL!”?
Pro tip: Weird details are your best friend. A river made of fizzy lemonade. A library that speaks. A secret door hidden behind a talking portrait. Kids LIVE for this stuff.
Step Three: Keep the Plot Moving, or Your Readers Won’t Be
Middle-grade readers don’t have time for navel-gazing. They want ACTION. If your story doesn’t hit the ground running by chapter two, they’ll be gone—off to scroll TikTok or build a Minecraft village or read another book that doesn’t waste their time.
So, what does this mean? High stakes, my friend. Give your protagonist a reason to get off their backside and DO SOMETHING. Maybe they need to save their best friend from an evil sorcerer, or find a magical artifact before a bad guy gets it, or survive a terrifying competition where the losers get eaten by ogres.
And don’t forget to throw in some twists. Kids LOVE twists. Just when your hero thinks they’re about to win, have something go horribly, hilariously wrong. Keep them guessing until the last page.
Step Four: Bring the Funny (But Don’t Forget the Heart)
Let’s get one thing straight: Kids are funny. They’re sarcastic, curious, and a little bonkers, and your book should be too. Sprinkle in a mischievous sidekick, an eccentric mentor, or a villain who’s more ridiculous than terrifying. Think Snape’s sarcastic quips or Olaf’s endless optimism in Frozen.
But—and this is important—you also need heart. Underneath the laughs, your story has to MEAN something. Maybe it’s about friendship, bravery, or learning to believe in yourself. Whatever it is, make it hit. When kids finish your book, you want them to feel like they’ve just been on an adventure that changed them in some small, magical way.
Step Five: Know Your Audience (Hint: It’s Not Just Kids)
Yes, middle-grade fantasy is technically for kids. But you’re also writing for parents, teachers, librarians, and reviewers who will decide if your book is worth handing to a 10-year-old. So, keep it clean (no Game of Thrones-style gore, please), keep it clever, and, for the love of all things magical, keep it entertaining.
If you can make a parent laugh while reading bedtime stories, you’ve won.
Step Six: Don’t Forget to Market the Thing
Here’s the reality: Even if you write the next Harry Potter, no one will read it if they don’t know it exists. So, shout it from the rooftops. Send it to book bloggers, post about it on Instagram, pitch it to school librarians.
Pro tip: Kids don’t buy books—parents and schools do. So, create resources for teachers (reading guides, activity sheets) and make your book impossible for parents to ignore.
For extra help, check out these resources:
Final Words: Write the Magic You Wanted as a Kid
Here’s the deal: Writing middle-grade fantasy is hard. But it’s also the most fun you’ll ever have with a keyboard. So, think about what YOU would’ve loved as a kid. Magic wardrobes? Flying horses? A hero who feels like YOU? Write that. Because when you create something kids love, you’re not just telling a story—you’re making magic.
And if you need inspiration, grab a copy of Ariston Baker in the Weird Picture Book by La Kayshal. It’s proof that middle-grade fantasy is still full of surprises.
Now, go forth and write the next great middle-grade fantasy. And remember: If you get stuck, just ask yourself, “What would an 11-year-old think is cool?” That’s always the right answer.
