Send us Fan Mail

When crafting the perfect story climax, what's your character's greatest fear or deepest wound? According to New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz, that's exactly what they must face in your finale. In this compelling conversation, Gratz reveals his formula for powerful endings: establish early what a character would never do, then force them to do exactly that when the stakes are highest.

But this masterclass in storytelling craft is just the beginning. Gratz takes us behind the scenes of his journey from writing varied genre fiction to creating what he calls "social thrillers" – page-turning adventures that tackle real-world issues like displacement, prejudice, and censorship. His insights on why middle-grade readers respond so powerfully to social justice themes challenge the notion that children should be sheltered from difficult topics.

"Middle schoolers care about justice," Gratz explains. "They have a heightened sense of fairness." This understanding has shaped books like "Refugee" and "Ban This Book" that give young readers windows into complex realities while encouraging empathy and critical thinking.

The conversation takes an urgent turn when discussing the alarming rise in book banning across America. As co-founder of Authors Against Book Bans (AABB), Gratz dispels the myth that banned books automatically sell better, revealing how censorship silently devastates careers, particularly for authors from marginalized communities. His call to action reminds us that defending literary freedom requires showing up – at school board meetings, in our communities, and wherever books are threatened.

Ready to craft more meaningful stories or join the fight against censorship? Gratz offers practical advice for both aspiring authors and concerned citizens. Connect with him at alangratz.com or subscribe to his newsletter to learn more about his upcoming novel "War Games" and how you can help protect the freedom to read.

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=craftchat

Support the show

🎙️ Craft Chat Chronicles with J.D. Myall
Candid conversations on writing, publishing, and creative life — featuring bestselling authors, MFA students, and writers at every stage of the journey.

About J.D. Myall
J.D. Myall is the co-chair of Drexel University’s MFA Alumni Association and a publishing and library professional. She is the creator and host of Craft Chat Chronicles, where she interviews authors, agents, and industry insiders about the art and business of writing.

Her work has appeared in Ms. Magazine, Writer’s Digest, and HuffPost. Her debut novel, Heart’s Gambit, releases with Wednesday Books/Macmillan in February 2026.

When she’s not conjuring magic, murder, and mayhem on the page, J.D. mentors emerging writers through workshops and alumni programs, fostering community among aspiring and published authors alike.

💜 Connect with J.D. Myall
📸 Instagram

🌐 Website & Media Kit

💌 Newsletter

🔗 Linktree

Watch episodes on YouTube as well.

💜 Level up your writing process with Scrivener — the ...