Rae Knightly: Taking Middle-Grade Readers on Interstellar Adventures

Embark on thrilling cosmic adventures with Rae Knightly, the imaginative author behind captivating science fiction novels for upper middle-graders. From the acclaimed Alien Skill Series to the upcoming Lost Space Treasure saga, the books are filled with adventure and cosmic mysteries that keep readers glued to the pages.

1. Could you share a little about yourself and your current middle grade novel?  

My name is Rae Knightly and I write science fiction adventure novels for upper middle-graders (10-14 year olds). I live on the West Coast of Canada with my family and grumpy cat. 

I’m best known for The Alien Skill Series - with Ben Archer as the main protagonist - and am now working on a Star Wars-styled series for teens called The Lost Space Treasure.  

Book 1, EXOSTAR, and Book 2, MEGASTAR, published in 2023. The series follows a young girl who goes on an epic hunt to discover a legendary space treasure. The treasure holds the secret to her identity.

 2. What inspired you to start writing middle grade fiction? 

Middle-grade fiction is the perfect medium to tell pure, grandiose adventure that allows readers (and authors) to explore their imagination. I have great memories of reading middle-grade as a child and it’s still my favorite genre as an adult! I believe that readers of all ages can enjoy middle-grade books because they feel a connection to young protagonists who represent their inner child.  

3. How do you approach crafting characters that resonate with middle grade readers? 

I’m not the typical middle-grade author in that my main characters don’t have BFF side-kicks like Hermione and Ron in the Harry Potter books. Having grown up as an only child, my protagonists are more of the ‘lone hero’-type. 

That said, they have strong bonds with their parent-figures, who tend to play major roles in the stories – another unusual trait for middle-grade. But that may be why my stories also appeal to adults.

4. Do you have a favorite middle grade book? 

I remember reading The Dark Is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper over and over. I enjoyed them as a child, but today, the author in me can appreciate Susan Copper’s mastery in building excitement through subtle descriptions and scene setting.

 5. Can you describe your typical writing day? 

Having recently been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), I’ve had to adapt my schedule to fit the energy envelope that I have for the day. I used to work most mornings and then from 10pm to 2am, but this lifestyle became unsustainable. Today, I make sure to write one chapter every morning before I move on to marketing or other obligations. I also take several weeks break between books so as not to burn out. It works out well this way.

 6. What do you hope young readers will take away from your books?

My prime aim is to entertain young readers so that they will say, “I’ll just read one more page… OK, one more… and one more…!”. I hope to provide them with truck-loads of adventure and amazement. I don’t shy away from strong emotions, either. The key is to unlock the young readers’ imagination so that they will continue to create the story in their heads long after they’ve finished the book. That said, there is usually an underlying (environmental) message in most of my stories. 

7. Can you share any tips or advice for aspiring middle grade authors?

A book is written one word at a time. It sounds silly, I know, but that’s the only way it can be done: one word, one paragraph, one page, one chapter at a time. So you might as well enjoy the process and live every scene in detail because what counts is the road, not the finishing line.

To overcome fear and doubt in your craft (yes, I experience that all the time), remember that the first draft is for your eyes only. It’s almost a given that it will be ‘bad’. But, guess what? Now you have something to work on and improve. That’s a giant leap compared to a blank page, right?

 8. How do you incorporate humor and adventure into your middle grade stories?

The fun thing about middle-grade is that humor is allowed and even encouraged. It brings an innocent chuckle to the reader and lightens the mood when the world is dark. My characters usually have quirky flaws, which allows for uncomfortable (and even absurd) situations and friendly jesting. Once the characters are well defined, it’s easy to insert these types of awkward situations.

 9. What upcoming project can readers look forward to from you?

POLESTAR, book 3 in The Lost Space Treasure Series will publish on May 30th, 2024.