Magic & Mayhem: Discover the secrets to creating magnificent books for kids and teens.

Dragonslayer Louise Park is actually quite serious about kids books. Louise loves to come up with outrageous adventure stories for kids - but she always has her reader in mind, and that means doing tonnes of research. Learn why reconnaissance is not just for spies, the importance of plotting, and why every chapter book needs a bit of muesli.

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers’ Centre. Find out more and get the free ebook at magicandmayhem.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Lesley Gibbes went from primary school teacher to successful kids author. Lesley’s experience reading to kids definitely helped when she launched her writing career, and her picture books and junior fiction series have won several awards. Learn how writing is an act of bravery, why it’s okay to write badly, and why you should always finish your manuscript.

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers’ Centre. Find out more and get the free ebook at magicandmayhem.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet publishing sensation Andy Griffiths, who just wants to make kids laugh. Andy is genius behind the popular Treehouse and Bum books. It all started when he wrote what he loved, not what he thought he should write. Learn why you must trust your inner voice, how writing every day can quell your doubt, and why bums are always funny.

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers’ Centre. Find out more and get the free ebook at magicandmayhem.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how Sue Whiting successfully writes across a diverse range of genres. Sue has worked on both sides of publishing and written popular books for different genres and age groups. Picture books are still her first love, although she finds them uniquely challenging. Learn how you can write a novel in 20 minutes a day, why you should write ALL of the things, and why you should read like a writer.

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers’ Centre. Find out more and get the free ebook at magicandmayhem.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Danny Parker turned his poetry into picture books. Danny didn’t realise he was writing picture books until illustrator Matt Otley showed him the potential his words had. Since then, Danny has published five picture books. Learn about the power of collaboration, how to edit fearlessly, and why you should never be afraid to share your work.

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers’ Centre. Find out more and get the free ebook at magicandmayhem.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award-winning author Emma Allen reveals who she found her confidence. Emma’s very first picture book The Terrible Suitcase was a CBCA winner, but she still struggles with self-doubt. Learn how studying can help you feel like a professional writer, the power of industry acceptance, and why you should always keep a backup of your work.

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers’ Centre. Find out more and get the free ebook at magicandmayhem.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover how popular kids author Jen Storer finally cracked picture books. After leaving behind nursing to launch a successful writing career, Jen still struggled to write a picture book. She had to learn how to vanquish her inner critic. Learn how even successful authors feel doubt, how design can affect a picture’s book success, and why you should always write from the heart.

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers’ Centre. Find out more and get the free ebook at magicandmayhem.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How a vision board helped Shelly Unwin find success as a picture book author. Shelly’s popular You’re series has been a huge hit. She hadn’t planned on being a writer, but once she committed, she was all in. Learn why every picture book needs a commercial hook, the benefits of a critiquing group, and why you should definitely do a course!

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers’ Centre. Find out more and get the free ebook at magicandmayhem.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How author Zanni Louise transitioned from reviewing and blogging about picture books to writing her own. Zanni has read just about every picture book ever written - and she has now published her own popular series, Tiggy and the Magic Paintbrush as well as several other books for children. Learn from Zanni about ruthless editing, when to let the pictures tell the story, and the virtue of patience.

The podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers' Centre. Find out more and get the free ebook at magicandmayhem.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tania McCartney writes non-fiction picture books for kids and reveals how to build a career in this niche. Tania's love of facts and figures has seen her publish more than 40 books and illustrated maps, including biographies for the National Library of Australia. Learn from Tania about finding your passion, how to work within the limits of kids publishing, and the importance of community.

This podcast is brought to you by the Australian Writers’ Centre. Find out more and get the free ebook at magicandmayhem.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.