Episodes
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On today’s show, we chat with a self-published creator of books for kids to get some of the best self-publishing advice for picture books that we’ve ever received on the pod. Advice on how to find an illustrator, who you’ll need to work with, what materials you’ll need, information about contracts, how to make and distribute your book. All of this and more. Plus, What’s the Story, Rory is back with some awesome new books and industry info.
Today’s special guest is living the dream. Sharing stories with the world has always been a dream, and now she’s visiting schools, seeing her books in the big stores, seeing kids dressed up as characters that she’s created, and all due to the hard work, dedication and passion she has for children’s literature.
She’s popped in today to chat all about her latest book, and to go behind the scenes with us to show us how she weaves her magic. Everybody please welcome, Kelly Louise Jarris.
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Keen persisting. Keep creating. Keep coming up with ideas
On today’s show, we chat to an author who has just celebrated her 200th Rejection. However, due to years of persistence, and honing her craft, she’s gone and got herself published for a second time with a second traditional publisher. We’ll chat all about this process and what we can all learn.
Plus Liv reviews two junior fiction masterpieces, featuring a swash-buckling mouse, and a world record breaking boy.
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Episodes manquant?
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Kev, Trev, Kylie and Ken
On today’s show, we chat to an author/illustrator about how to create a graphic novel series, what’s involved, where to find characters, how to develop them, and so many amazing tips on creating books for kids. Plus, Liv reviews two awesome new picture books.
Today’s special guest began her working life as a graphic designer, before realising that involved spending way too much time on dry land. And, as someone who is actually part fish, her time would be better spent merging her love of sea creatures with amazing and super fun stories for kids.
She has swum with whale sharks, manta rays and humpback whales in Ningaloo. Piranhas and pink dolphins in the Amazon. She’s braved scuba diving with lionfish in Egypt. Marine iguanas and hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos Islands. And, encountered great white sharks in South Africa!
She’s popped in today to share her author/illustrator journey, and her latest graphic novel titled, Kev and Trev, everybody please welcome, the fintastic, seasational, Kylie Howarth.
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Book Reviews with Liv
On today’s show, we chat with Liv and, well, just Liv. Due to popular demand, Liv’s popped in to share six brand new picture books with us. There’ll be dragons, Days of the week, dogs playing Rock n Roll, and much more.
Today’s special guest has been with us for three years now, as a co-host, co-interviewer, and as our regular book reviewer. Everyone please welcome, the wonderful and amazing, Liv.
Nobody Likes Monday – EK Books
Kelly Lee, Amy Calautti
Walls – Wombat Books
Ruth Mary Smith, Tania Ingram
Rock Dogs – Affirm Press
Sally Barns, Anil Tortop
My Dad. My Rock – Scribble
Victor Santos, Anna Forlati
Dragon Folding – Penguin
Christopher Cheng, Lucia Masciullo
South with the Seabirds – Allen and Unwin
Jess McGeachin
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Writing Great Characters for Books, TV, and Life
On today’s show, we chat about great character writing, various ways of developing characters, and we go inside one of Australia’s favourite TV Show writing rooms. We get the fun and Goss of what goes on behind the scenes.
Today’s special guest is a screenwriter, playwright and author who loves creating stories for young people.
She has adapted four of David Walliams' books for the stage - Mr Stink, Billionaire Boy, The Midnight Gang and Ratburger - as well as Oliver Jeffers' The Incredible Book Eating Boy, all of which premiered at the Sydney Opera House and toured across Australia.
Her first novel, Exit Through the Gift Shop, was shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards, the CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers and the ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children. Her second novel, No Words, was winner of the Children's Peace Literature Award and the Readings Children's Prize.
She’s popped in today to tell us about her latest middle grade novel, Laughter is the Best Ending. Everybody please welcome, the most amazing and wonderful, Maryam Master.
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Binny Talib
An Illustrator for the World Market
On today’s show, we chat to one of the world’s most in demand and talented illustrators all about her creative life. We get some amazing tips and insight into making great art all around the world.
Today’s special guest is an award-winning author/illustrator who has illustrated over 30 books. I say award-winning, so many awards, Illustrator Australia and Illustrator New York awards. Her book with Sarah Tagholm Sam Francisco King of the Disco was read at the Glastonbury Festival and appeared on CBeebies Bedtime Story.
Recently, it won the prestigious North American Moonbeam Children’s Book Award.
She’s popped in today for a delicious taco and to share her extraordinary journey with us. Everybody please welcome, the amazing, Binny Talib.
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On today’s show, we find out how to think outside the box, when your world exists inside boxes. And, how perseverance with the right attitude has led to a several book contracts. Plus, Liv reviews two totally different picture books sure to get all kids reading.
Today’s special guest has a background in speech pathology. Armed with a love of words, she weaves stories with subtle messages of inclusivity, encouraging readers to think outside the box.
Her first picture book Bernie Thinks in Boxes has been selected as one of five picture books to be included in the Victorian School Starters pack for 2025. This Victorian Govt. initiative will see approximately 65,000 children receiving this bag of books. Plus the books will also be produced in Braille with tactile illustrations for vision impaired students.
She’s popped in today to tell us all about her author journey, everybody please welcome, the wonderful Jess Horn.
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On today’s show, we chat to a debut Author/illustrator who’s been waiting a thousand years for a contract, and it’s finally happened. Plus, Liv reviews two amazing middle grade books with everything from space aliens to a knife wielding diary with a wicked curse. All on today’s show, it’s gunna be huge!
Today’s special guest is an art teacher, an illustrator, and a writer of books for kids. She’s a real live wire with a passion for making the writing life her career.
She’s popped in today to chat about her first and brand-new picture book out in the world this week. Everybody please welcome, the awesome Ramona Davey.
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On today’s show, we chat to a professional cartoonist all about writing and drawing for newspapers, magazines and kids books. We chat about editing, re-writing, drawing, storytelling in various formats, and a fantastic new book for kids.
Plus, Liv reviews 2 brand new picture books. All on today’s show. It’s gunna be huge.
Today’s special guest is a cartoonist for The Guardian. She’s also worked for a wide range of publications, including The Age, The Australian, and The Sydney Morning Herald. She creates cartoons on topics of politics, gag cartoons, and Human Rights. And was awarded Political Cartoonist of the Year for 2023.
She’s popped in today to tell us all about her latest book for kids and aliens titled, Hi, From Outer Space.
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The Importance of a writers group - a Drinks with Ken episode
Today, I catch up with my old writers group for a fun chat about the importance of a writing group - the encouragement, sharing of knowledge, and general industry chat that is invaluable when you're writing and illustrating books for kids.
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A Chat with Mr Luke – promoting on social media
On today’s show, we chat to an author and popular primary school teacher who has become a social media sensation with 1.8 million Tik Tok Followers.
Today’s special guest is a school teacher, a social media sensation, an actor, a plant lover, and now an author.
Videos of his work with young kids, or as he calls them, his little legends, get millions and millions of views. He’s joined the ABC Playschool’s Storytime team. And he lends his voice to multiple characters on the popular ABC Kids TV show, Reef School.
He’s popped in today to share his latest picture book, Guess what we are doing today?. Everybody please welcome, the amazing Mr Luke Springer.
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Writing a verse novel, process, self-doubts, taking feedback, killing your darlings, moving your reader
Today’s special guest is a multi-award-winning children’s author. She’s won YABBA’S, KOALA’S, the Outstanding International Book Award, Speech Pathology and Aurealis Awards. And she’s a recipient of the Maurice Saxby Award for services to children’s Literature.
She’s popped in today to chat about her new book all about kindness. She is one of this country’s best loved authors, please welcome the amazing superstar of kindness, Deborah Abela.
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DRINKS WITH KEN
Today, we chat to author and teacher librarian Hayley Gannon, Picture Book of the Year Winning author, Andrea Rowe, and one of the funniest comic writers in the country, David Lawrence.
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The Magical World of Numbers and Shapes
A brilliant tool to help kids learn to count using nature’s building blocks.
See numbers, shapes, and the universe in a whole new awesome way!
On today’s show, we chat about an awe-inspiring picture book for those artistically inclined, all about the exciting creative potential of numbers and geometry! Plus, Liv reviews two awesome new picture books. All on today’s show. It’s gunna be huge!
Today’s special guest believes that we live in a visual world more than ever before. He is an artist and photographer inspired by the internal shapes of the universe from the microscopic all the way up to the swirling of the galaxies.
He’s popped in today to chat about his latest picture book Magic Counting, which aims to help kids and adults alike to both learn to count and discover the magic in the numbers and shapes that surround us every day. Everyone please welcome, Nabeel Khan.
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What does a Publicist do?
You’ve signed with a publishing house, now what?
On today’s show, we chat to a publicist from Affirm Press, one of this country's favourite publishing houses, all about what to expect when your book gets accepted. What assistance do you receive? What media? How do they present you and your book to the world? And what your role is in the process.
Plus, Liv reviews two awesome new picture books. All on today’s show, it’s gunna be huge.
Today’s special guest began her working life in journalism before moving into the exciting and busy world of book publishing. Today she works as a much-loved publicist at Affirm Press based in Melbourne Australia.
She’s popped in today to share with us exactly what a publicist does. How they differ from marketing, and how her job is all about assisting authors and illustrators get the most out of their publishing experience. Everyone please welcome the amazing and wonderful, Dana Anderson.
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DRINKS WITH KEN
G’day everyone, welcome to Friday and Drinks with Ken, where I catch up with some writing and book friends for a relaxing drink and chat about all things writing, illustrating, books, and the industry.
A chance to wind down and reflect on life as a creative, what the industry is doing, our place within it, and just how the writing life is treating everyone.
Today I’ll be catching up with 3 people I love spending time with. Adrian Beck, Sarah Speedie, and Rory H Mather.
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On Writing with Lian Tanner – writing a sequel, a first draft, where to begin a story and why
On today’s show, we chat to a legend children’s author about everything writing. How to write a sequel. How to write each draft. Where to begin your story and why. And, even how to work with editors.
Today’s special guest is one of the most creative and imaginative authors in the country. Her characterisation, imagination, and sheer storytelling expertise engage her readers from the moment they pick up her books.
She’s popped in today to chat about her latest book, as well as offer up tips and tricks on the craft. Everyone please welcome, the amazing Lian Tanner.
Plus, Liv reviews My Dad is the Best by Nic McPickle and Tommy Doyle
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Joel McKerrow
On Today's show, we’re slamming some poetry your way. We’ve got one of the country’s best and most sought-after poets who is showing our kids how cool this genre is. Plus, we chat about an awesome graphic novel born from brush of this amazing poet.
Today's guest is an award-winning writer, keynote speaker, creativity specialist, children's author, educator and, having performed for hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world, is one of Australia’s most successful performance poets. He’s represented Australia in the World of Slam Poetry, which we’ll hear more about shortly, along with his new graphic novel series, please welcome the mind-blowingly brilliant, Joel McKerrow.
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On today’s show, we chat to an Aussie author about different ways to write, places to write, various opportunities, magazines, and of course, picture books. Plus, Liv reviews an amazing picture book perfect for kids everywhere.
Today’s special guest has been a Deputy Editor of a magazine, a copywriter, a travel columnist for an in-flight magazine, a podcast host, and a picture book author.
Her book Walking Your Human was read by Sarah Ferguson on Fergie and Friends, was released in the USA, UK, and translated into Korean. And, she’s popped in today to chat about her latest book, all about an octopus and a duck.
To tell us all about it, along with her working process and a writing tip or two along the way, please welcome the wonderful, Liz Ledden.
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To and Fro. On writing a book from your own experiences
On today’s show, we chat to the author of an amazing book of self-identity, the author’s own experiences, and how to write a book that means so much to the author. Plus, Liv reviews two fun picture books that you’ll sure to want for your collection.
Today’s special guest enjoys writing stories that make children laugh. His stories explore themes of self-identity, family relationships and friendship, drawing from his experiences of being a black person with light-skin, growing up in a large adoptive family and raising four children.
Everybody please welcome, Anton Clifford-Motopi.
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