During this difficult time, as we #stayhomeforlove in support of those workers battling the Coronavirus, and the vulnerable doing their best to avoid it - I wanted to open the door to a series of Q+A on kids' books - their creation, production, promoting, enjoying - the whole lot. These will be shorter chapters, and will not feature interviews. Be sure to send me your question on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. And be sure to check out the additions to my YouTube Channel - I'm adding lots of bookish content for kids (and maybe for adults, too!). Lots of love to you all. Stay well. Tx

HELLO!

Welcome to Chapter 21 of The Happy Book-one of a series of shorter podcasts to provide inspirational content during this Covid-19 shutdown. Things are tough right now. Staying home, sticking together, being connected, diving into books - it's vital.

Email or message me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - send me your questions!

Fire up your device, cram in those earbuds and enjoy this foray into the magical world of kids' book creation. If you have any questions or comments, you can say hello at [email protected].

I'm Tania McCartney and I'm an author, illustrator and editor of children's books. I've always wanted to live inside a book, and now I practically do. Welcome to the Happy Book.

SHOW NOTES

00:30 Introduction

01:38 A coffee with cream

02:13 Resources for kids, parents teachers, librarians on my YouTube channel

03:22 Question: Meredie from Melbourne - when submitting manuscripts, what does it mean when we're asked to compare our books to others in the market?

06:32 Question: Emmeline from Ipswich - Emmeline wants to become an author when she grows up and she would like to know how I practised writing as a child, and what activities I like to do.

09:39 Question: Kim from Melbourne - I've love to hear more about your skills with typography

10:27 How typography makes or breaks a book - sizing

10:53 Typography for comprehension and literacy - size and font changes, short paragraphs, etc, referencing Evie and Pog

12:38 How my typography journey began, referencing Riley and the Sleeping Dragon

13:45 The importance of kerning

14:33 Developing typography skills through play and courses

15:02 iFontMaker

15:37 More tips on exploring fonts

16:00 Immersing in books with great typography, referencing Ivy Bird

17:42 About narrative text and its layout with pictures, referencing Mamie

19:52 Question from Kellie in Canberra - plotter or pantser, which one are you and what's your process?

23:09 Question from Kelly in Brisbane - how do you create your books when writing and illustrating. What is your process, do you write the words first or do both at the same time? Referencing Fauna.

26:22 Practise pictures book with laying out pages

26:54 A coffee with cream

27:19 Another coffee and a big glass of water

28:18 Book inspiration: reviews on my Instagram

30:20 The End

Music: Ukulele Whistle by Scott Holmes

PODCAST LINKS

My YouTube Channel

Evie and Pog

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon

iFontMaker

Skillshare