If you’ve read Clubhouse Jr., Clubhouse, Brio, or Focus on the Family magazine over the last 30 years, or listened to the “Official Average Boy” podcast, or enjoyed one of his fifty Christian books for teens and kids, chances are you’ll recognize the name of today’s guest. In September, publishing professional Jesse Florea will join us to share his expertise on “Writing for the Children’s Magazine Market” at Write2Ignite’s next Master Class. Today, I’m delighted to introduce Jesse to you, and to pass along his thoughts on strategies for connecting with readers, time management skills, and more. 

Interview

Sue: You’ve written and co-written more than 50 books on a huge variety of subjects, including Bible archaeology and literacy with Karen Whiting, as well as the popular Average Boy book series with Bob Smiley, and more. Please tell us about the process that you follow when co-authoring a book.

Jesse: I really love the co-authoring process because you can capitalize on each person’s strengths. I’ve been asked many times if I like editing or writing better. The answer is editing, mainly because I’m a better editor than writer. God has given me the ability to see a story and be empathic toward the author and audience. Empathy is so key to being a good editor. So when I work with Karen or Bob, I want them to shine and use the gifts God has given them. For Karen, she is amazing at idea generating, crafts/activities, marketing and creating lots of content. So when I work with her, it’s more about bringing my editing skills and adding in content where she needs it. But Karen always has a plan for the content and the marketing, so she’s awesome to work with.

Bob is also an amazing content creator. As a professional comedian, he knows what’s funny. Plus, I’ve been editing his “Adventures of Average Boy” column in Clubhouse magazine for nearly 25 years. I know his voice. So, again, my role is to let my co-authors shine. If I have an idea for a joke, I put it in there. And if I think I can make the bit more funny, I go for it.

With both Karen and Bob, we’ll go back and forth on a manuscript. We respect each other enough to look at each other’s thoughts and take the constructive criticism. But we’re also confident enough in our roles that we can push back on each other. There’s really no ego working together. We all just want the best content for the consumer.

Sue: Your books and Focus on the Family magazines target a wide range of ages, from children in their preschool years to adult readers. When it comes to writing for the middle grade audience, voice, they say, is everything. Any strategies that you might suggest our readers keep in mind when aiming to nail the middle grade voice?

Jesse: This is probably obvious but be a reader and hang out with your audience. There are amazing middle grade books in the mainstream market. Sure, some of them contain content that isn’t necessarily appropriate for the demographic. But as an author, we need to be aware of what’s in the market and how it’s being written. A unique voice is key. Kids are savvy and smart, especially kids who read. They’ll get bored quickly, if your protagonist isn’t engaging. Take this first page from A Place to Hang the Moon, by Kate Albus: “Funeral receptions can be tough spots to find enjoyment, but eleven-year-old Edmund Pearce was doing his best. He was intent on the iced buns. Some of them had gone squashy on one side or the other, some had lost their icing when a neighboring bun had been removed, and a few had been sadly neglected in the icing department from the start. Undaunted, Edmund picked through the pile, finding two that met with his approval. He shoved one into each of his trouser pockets and, scooping up a handful of custard cream cookies to round out the meal, navigated through the crowd until he found a vacant armchair. There he settled, quite content despite the occasion. It helped that he’d never cared much for his grandmother, anyway.”

The writer points out insightful details and ends with a surprising bit of information. Knowing kids helps too. I’m an Awana leader and teach the large group lesson to K-2nd and 3rd-6th graders. Interacting with these kids and asking questions keeps me in tune to who they are. It doesn’t hurt that I have grandchildren who are 7 and 10 that I see all the time.

Sue: Editor-in-chief, podcast co-host, author/co-author, husband, father, grandfather. That’s a lot of hats! We’d love to hear your secrets to time management.

Jesse: Do the things you love. Don’t take on projects or responsibilities that are outside your passions. When you do what you love, you work with joy and accomplish things more quickly. And even if they do take longer, it’s worth it because the work is worth it. 

As far as time management goes, set up a work space that allows your mind to be creative and get in the “zone” quickly. For me, when I sit at my desk at Focus on the Family, my brain knows it’s doing magazine and podcast work. If I’m in my office at home, my book brain turns on. I can’t really edit magazine stuff in my office because my brain thinks I’m in the wrong place. So whether it’s a coffee house, kitchen table or office, do the same kind of work at the same place so you can use your time wisely.

Sue: Please finish these thoughts:

One Bible character I’d love to hang out with… Paul. I’d ask him why he wrote such long sentences. Ha! Well, I might ask him that. But I’d definitely love hearing about his travels, God’s protection of his life and how he kept going and trusting through all the adversity.

When I’m not at my desk… I’m playing disc golf, basketball or hanging out with my wife at the gym. I sit so much at my desk that when I’m not working, I like to be moving.

I was hoping you’d ask… where I get my ideas for Clubhouse and Club Jr. magazines. I like to joke that I ran out of ideas 15 years ago. I get ideas and stories by teaching at writers’ conferences and meeting authors. The magazines rely on conferees to fill the pages with the stories, experiences and ideas that God gives them. That’s why I still teach at conferences after 30 years.

Thank you for joining us today, Jesse! We’re excited about your presentation at our upcoming Master Class.

Children’s author and educator Sue Irwin has written nature features, and biographical and how-to craft articles for various magazines, including AppleSeeds and Highlights for Children, and she’s a frequent contributor to Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. Her middle grade books for the general market have won several awards, and she’s thrilled about the recent release of her debut board book, Hey There, Blue Bird, Why Do You Chirp?  (B&H Publishing, 2026) – and more kids’ books coming in 2027. Sue hosts W2I’s monthly Time2Write sessions, and she invites you to connect with her here.