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. Sh...
Aug 02, 2024•41 min•Season 11Ep. 29
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.
Jul 19, 2024•43 min•Season 11Ep. 28
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 mu...
Jul 18, 2024•38 min•Season 11Ep. 27
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 t...
Jul 15, 2024•45 min•Season 11Ep. 26
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.
Jul 12, 2024•55 min•Season 11Ep. 25
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...
Jul 01, 2024•37 min•Season 11Ep. 24
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 work...
Jun 26, 2024•52 min•Season 11Ep. 23
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....
Jun 21, 2024•50 min•Season 11Ep. 22
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 ...
Jun 19, 2024•53 min•Season 11Ep. 21
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 performa...
Jun 04, 2024•44 min•Season 11Ep. 20
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, ...
May 31, 2024•30 min•Season 11Ep. 19
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 b...
May 29, 2024•32 min•Season 11Ep. 18
Creativity and a Giraffe named Jeff On today’s show, we go from Sea Cucumbers to Giraffes, from Wombats to Snails. We find out if the right page of a book is better than the left. And we chat to one of the most creative authors in the country about creativity, how she comes up with ideas, and a giraffe named Jeff. Plus, Liv reviews two new books. Today’s special guest is a great friend of the show. An Award-Winning Author, whose love of animals and rhyme has seen her publish seven hilarious book...
May 02, 2024•36 min•Season 11Ep. 17
This is my Happy Place On today’s show we ask, where’s your happy place? And chat to an author all about her happy place, her writing journey, and how to get into writing books for kids. Plus, Liv reviews two amazing new picture books: Dinosaur in my Pocket and Tree. Today’s special guest’s love of words, fashion, travel and everyday family life has seen her write fun, feel-good books which showcase contemporary culture and capture the joy of childhood. Her first picture book, Wonderful Shoes, w...
Apr 30, 2024•37 min•Season 11Ep. 16
Saturday is Pancake Day On today’s show we chat about pancakes, creating stories, and the process of writing picture books. And Liv reviews not one, but three amazing new picture books. All on today’s show. It’s gunna be huge. Today’s special guest grew up in a magical world with animals great and small, from rabbits and mice to dogs and cats, to goats and horses. So, it’s no wonder her stories are full of magic and animals. Initially studying to be a youth worker, she soon found that it was wri...
Apr 23, 2024•39 min•Season 11Ep. 15
Gathering a Body of Work – what to do while you’re waiting to be published. On today’s show we chat to one of Australia’s busiest authors about gathering publishing deals, and how important it is to gather a body of work before you’re published. Today’s guest has written over 50 books for children and young adults. Her stories are full of humour, heart, mystery, magic, and adventure. She’s popped in to chat about her latest book, which is book two in the Super Sloth Series, along with her author...
Mar 20, 2024•29 min•Season 11Ep. 14
On today's show we chat to Mike Lucas and Heidi McKinnon and go insearch of a cheeky monster. These two amazing creatives share thier process for writing and illustrating award-winning picture books. Plus, Hayley in the Library is back to let us know what kids are reading, what they're excited about, and what they're learning in class. And, we countdown the Taco Top 5 most borrowed books. We chat about two exciting book launches happening over the weekend at Readings Kids Bookstore in Carlton Me...
Feb 29, 2024•41 min•Season 11Ep. 13
On today’s show we chat to one of Australia’s most popular authors for kids. She’s always so much fun to talk to, and Bianca’s Book Club is back to chat about books by Sally Rippin, Phillip Bunting, and a popular series that’s coming to an end. Today’s special guest is one of Australia’s most popular authors for kids. In 2019, she was Australia's #1 bestselling debut Aussie Author of children’s fiction for her book, Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire . It has now been sold into the UK, US, Ital...
Feb 27, 2024•42 min•Season 11Ep. 12
On today’s show we chat to an author who persisted in a manuscript he believed in, rode the rejections, and now looks like being a big success. We’ll discover what the book is, why it was rejected, how it got published, and watch it burst into the world. Today’s guests are an author and illustrator of children’s books. The author is a regular and favourite amongst our listeners, and the kid lit community in general, with his encouraging nature and social presence. The illustrator has a whopping ...
Feb 20, 2024•32 min•Season 11Ep. 11
On today’s show we chat about what kids are reading at school, what’s changing, and what kids are excited about, with one of the most celebrated teacher librarians in the country. As well as an awesome new picture book all about Bees. There’s a real Buzz in the air. Today’s guest was awarded the ASLA Australian Teacher Librarian of the Year 2023 and the SLAQ Queensland Teacher Librarian of the Year, as well as the national Dromkeen Librarians Award. A former national vice-president of the Childr...
Feb 16, 2024•43 min•Season 11Ep. 10
How to be creative and stand out from the crowd On today’s show we chat to one of the most creative illustrators, authors and designers in kids books. We chat about what creativity is and what goes into making a book really stand out from the crowd. Today’s guest is a creator of modern, quirky, innovative stories with humour and heart. She began her career as graphic designer, before moving into writing and illustrating award-winning books for kids. Books such as Colouroos, Anemone is Not the En...
Feb 12, 2024•31 min•Season 11Ep. 9
How to be a ground-breaking, top-selling author On today’s show we chat to a legend and ground-breaking, top-selling author of kids books, who was one of the first authors to get reluctant readers excited about books. He’s garnered several awards, including six Australian Children Choice Book Awards. In 2013, t oday’s guest was named Koala Legend of the year, and in 2020 was awarded the YABBA Graham Davey Award for his contribution and impact on Australian Children's Literature. But what I’ve no...
Feb 08, 2024•46 min•Season 11Ep. 8
Finding your Creative Path On today’s show we chat about finding your true creative path. We talk to someone who turned his life around focussing on his true life-dreams. And Liv is back with what could be one of the big, laugh-out-loud, picture books of 2024! Today’s guest says he was the world’s worst accountant. After a desire to be Michael J Fox, aka Alex P Keaton from the TV show Family Ties, took him down the corporate path, he spent years gaining a Commerce Degree and working for a gigant...
Feb 05, 2024•42 min•Season 11Ep. 7
On today’s show we dive into the heart of Australia with three amazing and creative people who have helped put together a wonderful anthology celebrating the diversity, life, and colours of Australia. The book is called, Our Australian Heart. The purpose, the joy, and everything this book is about is all right there in the title. The heart of this great land is in its diverse landscape, its colours, its life, and its people. One of its people, Romi Sharp, and her team at Just Write for Kids, hav...
Feb 02, 2024•33 min•Season 11Ep. 6
Wear a purple poppy to remember war animals On today’s show we look at a book that’s remembering animals in war and chat about the purple poppy. Plus, Liv is back with two picture books that are sure to be huge hits throughout 2024. All on today’s show. It’s gunna be huge! Today’s guest is a primary school teacher with a lifelong love of horses and animals. This passion has spawned the most wonderful picture book about something I think is so worthwhile. Something that I think kids at school, an...
Jan 31, 2024•37 min•Season 11Ep. 5
Publishing Picture Books with Mary Anastasiou On today’s show we look inside two publishing houses with Mary Anastasiou. We talk about what she does in publishing, what books she’s working on, the process these books go through with the publishers, and how they get out into the world. Today’s guest is an author of children’s books and a publishing professional who has popped in to share her incredible journey. She shares key tips for anyone looking to write and publish children’s books. Everybod...
Jan 23, 2024•33 min•Season 11Ep. 4
On today’s show we chat about books for first readers, struggling readers, and books being read in early primary school. We’re talking today about Decodable Books – how they assist young readers to engage in fun and adventurous books, and we’ll share tips on writing for the genre. Today’s guest is a Tacos Fav, we love having him on for his humour, fun nature, and the awesome work he’s putting out into the world of young readers. He’s popped in today to chat about his latest series of decodable b...
Jan 15, 2024•23 min•Season 11Ep. 3
So Many Self-Publishing Tips On today’s show we have a fun chat with a super enthusiastic and successful indie author who so generously shares her process and tips on self-publishing. Plus, we chat about her author journey and all things kid lit. Today’s guest is what you’d call a real go-getter, an active member of the Australian writing community, who throws herself into her work with such enthusiasm. She began in her working life in the music and television industry before being drawn back in...
Jan 13, 2024•50 min•Season 11Ep. 2
Neurodiversity in books – with Ky Garvey, Kate Foster and Michelle Worthington On today’s show we chat with 3 amazing creators who live in neurodiverse families. We discuss what the publishing industry looks like for kids and families living with neurodiversity, what’s still needed, and why it’s crucial to our industry that we cater for everyone’s needs. Today’s guests are the incredible Ky Garvey. The dynamic Michelle Worthington. And, the awesome Kate Foster DANZ Awards: https://www.thedanzchi...
Jan 11, 2024•43 min•Season 11Ep. 1
The journey of a picture book – from a manuscript to a bookstore On today’s show we chat to a first-time author and follow the journey of her picture book from submitting to acceptance, what marketing ideas she has, and how she’ll work to make it a success. Plus we share a very spicy chilli con carne taco with guacamole and sour cream. Yum. All that and more. Let’s start the show. Today’s guest is a writer and a primary school teacher who has her first picture book (published by Five Mile Books)...
Dec 21, 2023•28 min•Season 10Ep. 33
