Michael Gerard Bauer On today’s show, we chat about how one of Australia’s favourite picture book authors gets his stories, how they often develop from something small – a thought in his head, or a picture that sparked an idea or a thought, followed by a series of questions to determine what sort of story it would become. Plus, Liv drops in to review a fun and chaotic picture book by one of this country’s fav picture book authors. Today’s special guest is an award-winning Australian author best ...
Jun 27, 2025•47 min•Season 14Ep. 1
Poppy’s Monster On today’s show, we chat about monsters. Those monsters our kids grapple with in their daily lives and their storybooks. Plus, we have an honest chat with our special guest about the real stuff that aspiring authors go through when they start out on their writing journeys. And, Liv is back to review two picture books about a yogo posing wombat and working guide dog named Jemima. Today’s special guest first entered storytelling by telling fibs as a child. It’s not clear whether he...
Jun 07, 2025•52 min•Season 13Ep. 20
Is this a new publishing trend? Complete series out in a year On today’s show, we chat with an international award-winning author about an awesome new series of 6 books for kids, all out in the same year. We chat about the process of writing, acquiring, illustrating, publishing, and distributing a complete series in a single year. Plus, the challenges that come with a new author journey. Today’s special guest is an international award-winning author who adores exploring all the world has to offe...
May 28, 2025•29 min•Season 13Ep. 19
Storytelling with authenticity On today’s show, we chat with an author about storytelling with authenticity, and the process of writing stories that help kids deal with fear, grow to be resilient, and giving kids a sense of belonging. Today’s special guest has a unique journey with storytelling that covers cultures, languages, and the spaces in between. It wasn't until adulthood that she rediscovered her love for reading through stories that finally felt relevant to her experience. This shaped h...
May 26, 2025•31 min•Season 13Ep. 18
On today’s show, we chat to a picture book author about the timeless connection between grandparents and grandchildren. As well as the process of sharing dialogue and connections with kids in our stories. Plus, Liv has her own special guest drop in for today’s book review. Today’s special guest was born in Adelaide, South Australia and she's been telling stories ever since. Although she spent over ten years crafting nonfiction articles for magazines, she finally realised her real love was writ...
May 20, 2025•43 min•Season 13Ep. 17
I can do that! I can write a book! On today’s show, we follow an author with a “Can Do” attitude through her publishing journey. From mastering rhyme, storytelling, attending conferences, getting involved in community, and each step of the way to publication. A must listen and a fun chat for all authors and illustrators looking to carve out their own creative careers. Today’s special guest discovered the power of words and performance as a Drama Teacher, which ultimately led her to exploring chi...
May 06, 2025•36 min•Season 13Ep. 16
What Makes a Good Illustrator? On today’s show, we chat illustrations with a legend of over 30 years of producing quality artwork. We look at what makes a good illustrator. Is it consistency? Is it a unique style and brand? Is it knowing what jobs to take on and what to leave alone? So much to consider as we go behind the scenes with one of my all-time favourite creators of books for kids. Plus, Liv reviews a picture book with too many dogs. Today’s special guest is a multi-award-winning Austral...
May 01, 2025•38 min•Season 13Ep. 16
An interview with Chat GPT AI and the Future of authors On today’s show, we chat to one of the world’s quirkiest digital assistants. We get the future straight from one of the world’s biggest AI Language Models! Yep, who better to ask than the number 1 bot in the business. We chat about what AI can and can’t do for children’s book creators, how authors and illustrators can use AI as a tool, and what is the future of creativity with AI. What is potentially exciting and what’s not. Plus, Liv’s bac...
Apr 29, 2025•31 min•Season 13Ep. 15
How Beautiful is our world? On today’s show, we chat to one of this country’s finest picture book authors about writing humour along with serious and important stories for kids. We chat about planning stories, writing stories, where stories come from, where humour comes from, and a brand-new book showcasing our beautiful world. Today’s special guest is an internationally published children’s author based in Melbourne. She loves to write stories filled with humour and heart. Her debut picture boo...
Apr 21, 2025•33 min•Season 13Ep. 14
How to create, publish, and market stories in the modern world On today’s show, we chat about graphic novels, appreciating stories of all kinds, creativity in the modern world, publishing stories in the modern world, mixing art and marketing, plus, pushing through your creative process when things get tough. And, if that’s not enough, Liv’s popping in to review an Aussie legend. Today’s special guest began his working life in marketing, even winning a Gruen Trophy on TV, but when his kids grew t...
Apr 14, 2025•51 min•Season 13Ep. 13
Dreaming up stories On today’s show, Liv and I chat to a kids author who is making a splash in 2025. With multiple books out this year, we explore stories, storytelling and the process of making dreams come true. Plus, Liv reviews a classic CBCA winning book. Today’s special guest has loved books since she was a little girl. Her parents still tease her because at 4-years-old they took her to see Beauty and the Beast and all she was interested in was the scene with the giant library. “So many boo...
Apr 10, 2025•34 min•Season 13Ep. 12
Challenging traditional publishing norms An honest look at Clutterbugs, publishing and carving out a path to creativity On today’s show, we look for Clutterbugs, chat about children’s publishing, how to navigate your own writing path, taking risks, and ways to come up with new ideas. Plus, Liv tells us why we should never trust fish. She reviews 2 awesome picture books, one about family and one hilarious book about fish. Today’s special guests is an author and playwright. Her acclaimed play, Fra...
Apr 06, 2025•43 min•Season 13Ep. 11
On today’s show, we chat with a first-time author and her experienced illustrator about the behind-the-scenes process of a brand-new picture book and its inspiring message. You’re going to love this dynamic duo and their journey together. It’s a fun and inspiring story that’s sure to resonate and produce a smile or two. Plus, Liv reviews a fun and adventurous junior fiction book. Today’s special guests are an author and illustrator combo. Our author was born in Harbin China and moved to Australi...
Mar 31, 2025•41 min•Season 13Ep. 10
Luna's World. The Process of a Series in the Making On today’s show, Liv and I chat to a teacher librarian who has helped transform school libraries into a hub of energy and fun and has signed a 4-book series with one of our favourite publishers. We go behind the scenes to look at the process of a book series in the making. Plus, Liv reviews a magical middle grade book that’s in stores now. Today’s special guest is a teacher librarian and a big supporter of getting quality books in the hands of ...
Mar 26, 2025•40 min•Season 13Ep. 9
Want the world to hear your stories? Then turn your story into an audio book On today’s show, we chat to an audio narrator, creator and producer of the most amazing audio books for kids. And, we discuss how you can have your work in audio for the world to hear. Today’s special guest has produced audiobooks by some of Australia's best-known authors, including Kate Constable, Hazel Edwards, and Susanne Gervay. She has worked on production contracts for well-known international publishers and with ...
Mar 24, 2025•48 min•Season 13Ep. 8
On today’s show, we chat to someone who went from winning a competition to being recognised as a CBCA Notable and from there went on to publish another book, and that book won a CBCA Notable. And, now she has a 4-book series. We find out how she’s achieved all this, how she goes about her writing, her love of frogs, and her process of being a children’s book author on the rise. Today’s special guest won Just Write for Kids Pitch It! Competition in 2020, and was the recipient of an ASA Award Ment...
Mar 21, 2025•36 min•Season 13Ep. 7
How to write Rhyme and acquire 20 Book contracts On today’s show, we chat to one of Australia’s up and coming picture book stars. In the last 6-years he has signed 20 book contracts and has 15 books already in bookstores, schools, kindas, and libraries all around the country. He has books with various publishers from Larrikin house to Scholastic and more. In today’s episode we look at his journey, share his techniques and see if any can work for you. Plus, Liv reviews the latest and hilarious Na...
Mar 15, 2025•49 min•Season 13Ep. 6
Making Reading Fun for Kids With one of Australia's finest comedy writers, David Lawrence. On today’s show, we chat to one of Australia’s funniest comedy writers, for both television and books, all about his processes, and his family life, in particular life with his beautiful mum Val. And, what started out as a fun way to promote his books that has gone on to entertaining us all on social media. This is going to be a fun and informative episode for anyone writing children’s literature....
Mar 05, 2025•37 min•Season 13Ep. 5
Don’ t Fall for the Trick A guide to smashing gender stereotypes On today’s show, we uncover the trick that has foiled humans for generations. And, ensure that we’re never tricked again. In one of the most important pieces of literature on our shelves this year. Plus, Liv reviews a hilarious graphic novel you just have to get your hands on. All on today’s show. It’s gunna be huge! Today’s special guests are the author and illustrator combo of Don’t Fall for the Trick. The author has always wante...
Feb 27, 2025•29 min•Season 13Ep. 4
On today’s show, we chat to a publishing expert who has represented Australia at an amazing overseas book Festival. You’ve got to hear of this amazing adventure! So incredible!! She shares some amazing publishing and writing insight along with a brand-new book. And, Liv’s back with an awesome picture book review! Today’s guest is a writer, editor, and a strategic communications consultant. Her debut children’s picture book You’ve got yogurt in your nostrils was a joyous celebration of the glorio...
Feb 25, 2025•41 min•Season 13Ep. 3
On today’s show, we’re Yabba Dabba Dooin’ all over the place. We chat to the Yabba president all about The Young Australians Best Book Awards. The YABBAs!! Along with the Crocs of the Northern Territory and Koalas of NSW, these are Australia’s only Children’s Book Awards chosen soley by the children. We chat about why this is important to you as a creator, and vital to promoting our industry as a whole. All on today’s show, it’s gunna be huge!! Today’s special guest is a real-life teacher librar...
Feb 21, 2025•35 min•Season 13Ep. 2
The future of Storytelling Finding the right life balance, the future of AI Bots, and Brock the Croc is back with another snappy adventure. On today’s show, we chat to a legend Australian Children’s author all about why we write, what we write and how we write for kids. We chat about finding the right life balance, the future of AI bots and their impact on creators, and an exciting new book hitting your shelves real soon. Today’s special guest Adrian Beck is an Australian children's author renow...
Feb 17, 2025•42 min•Season 13Ep. 1
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 stori...
Sep 22, 2024•58 min•Season 12Ep. 6
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....
Sep 03, 2024•54 min•Season 12Ep. 5
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 me...
Aug 30, 2024•57 min•Season 12Ep. 4
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 R...
Aug 21, 2024•35 min•Season 12Ep. 3
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...
Aug 15, 2024•41 min•Season 12Ep. 2
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 re...
Aug 13, 2024•45 min•Season 12Ep. 1
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 h...
Aug 09, 2024•40 min•Season 11Ep. 31
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 cha...
Aug 06, 2024•43 min•Season 11Ep. 30
