FAQs
Every story begins with a question, and every answer is a doorway. To enter into the realm of imagination and storytelling is to seek the hidden threads behind the page. From the alchemy of the writing process to the mysteries of the publishing path, I have gathered these insights to guide your way. Explore the wonders below and satisfy your curiosity.
What is magical realism?
Magical realism is a literary genre set in your world, but with fantastical or supernatural aspects woven into the story as if it's perfectly normal to have a colony of scraebins living in a magnolia tree in the middle of the Birkhead Wilderness in the Uwharrie National Forest! Sometimes, magical realism is referred to as low fantasy.
What is middle-grade?
Middle-grade is that sacred threshold between childhood and young adulthood where 8- to 12-year-olds dwell. This is the era of the "Awakening," when young readers first master the alchemy of the written word and begin to summon their own tastes in voice and vision. It is a realm of pure wonder, not to be mistaken for the turbulent storms of middle school, where the shadows of adolescence begin to lengthen for those entering the teen years.
How long does it take you to write a book?
The length of time it takes for the collaboration between me and my muse to form a first draft depends on the genre. Once an idea for a picture book settles in my brain, I can sit down and tap out the manuscript in an afternoon. Early-reader chapter books, like my Thurston T. Turtle series, take a month or so to hammer out, assuming I have a solid grasp on the plot arc. For a middle-grade novel, which is more like an ancient oak that grows in a slow and steady manner, I need at least four months or more to hammer out a draft. It is important to note, however, that my first drafts are awful. They require extensive refinement before they are suitable for the eyes of agents and editors.
Have your books won any awards?
I'm always thrilled when someone else sees something worthy in my work. It's as extraordinary as it is humbling. Society of the Sentinelia and Blind Fairy were bestowed the AAUW NC Young People's Literature Award in 2022 and 2023. Also in 2023, Society of the Sentinelia was selected for the Green Earth Book Award Long List. More recently, the stars aligned for Omega Crag and Kimimila Returns, both named as Golden Wizard Book Prize books in 2024 and 2025.
Have a question?
Do you have a question for Micki Bare? She'd love to answer your questions. You may even find your question added to our FAQ page!
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