Middle Grade Fantasy Author Interview: Chip Reeves on The Authentic Imaginings of Oscar White

From Reading in The Middle by Annisha Jeffries

March 24, 2026 · 28 min · Season 3 · Episode 13

About this episode

Annisha interviews debut indie author Chip Reeves about his middle-grade fantasy novel and the themes of imagination and bullying.

In this episode of  Reading in the Middle , Annisha chats with debut indie author Chip Reeves about his middle-grade fantasy novel,  The Authentic Imaginings of Oscar White . Oscar White is an ordinary-sized boy with a vivid imagination. When he falls into a forest pond while avoiding bullies, he emerges in a strange new world ruled by the foolish and ruthless King Jester. After a memorable and somewhat frustrating encounter with a seahorse, Oscar realizes that the world is in danger, and even if this adventure is a dream, it’s one worth having. Chip and Annisha discuss creating authentic middle-grade protagonists, combining real-life issues like bullying with portal fantasy adventures, and how imagination helps kids handle tough moments. They also cover indie publishing, developing a strong middle-grade voice, and what readers can anticipate from the upcoming sequel. If you’re interested in: • Middle-grade fantasy stories • Portal adventures for children • Books about bullying and bravery • Tales that honor imagination • Author interviews for educators and librarians This episode is perfect for you. Ideal for teachers, librarians, parents, and middle-grade fans who…

People in this episode

Host: Annisha Jeffries

Guest: Chip Reeves

Topics covered

middle-grade fantasy
author interview
bullying
imagination
portal adventures

Keywords

middle-grade
fantasy
bullying
imagination
portal fantasy
author interview
Chip Reeves

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Authentic Imaginings of Oscar White