Today’s guest started in the industry as an educational editor and occasional writer of short stories, before making a pact with friends over dinner to write a full novel and get it published. Well, get it published she did – with major publishing houses all over the world and it’s out in stores today.

To tell us all about this amazing book and her journey to publication, as well as tips on the craft of writing, please welcome, the ridiculously talented, wonderful, amazing, Vanessa Len.

Today’s guest teachers professional writing at Swinburn University in Melbourne, is a former Chair of Writers Victoria, and is the author of over 400 books for kids, many award-winning and many with the world’s leading educational publishers.

So, he’s the ideal person to talk on today’s topic. How to write non-fiction for kids. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Nic Brasch.

Top Tips for illustrating picture books – what tools are needed, how to use them, what to show in your portfolio, how to find and build rapport with publishers. All this and more in our interview with the amazingly talented and prolific illustrator, Jess Racklyeft. 

Today’s guest started out working in publishing as a book seller, before moving in to creating her very own award-winning books for kids. And, when I say creating, I mean both writing and illustrating amazing bodies of work. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Jess Racklyeft. Woo-hooo!

Today’s guest is an author/illustrator writing about her love of the ocean in the incredible Fish Kid series.

To tell us all about her amazing journey, share some writing and illustrating advice with us is Kylie Howarth.

Our second guest today is another picture book author with a beautiful book right on target for Christmas. It’s titled, Star. And to tell us all about it, please welcome Artelle Lenthall.

Today’s guest is a first-time picture book author, who cleverly did her homework, and saw that a particular publisher didn’t have a Christmas book on their list. So, set about writing one.

And, she’s popped in to tell us her story, share some things she’s learned, and talk about this awesome and funny picture book, perfect for the family and right on time for Christmas. Ladies and Gentlemen, ‘tis the season to be joyful so please give it up for the  wonderful Jacinta Froud.

Today’s guest started out as a music journalist, writing articles on hard rock gigs, before marrying a lead singer of a band, having a baby and swapping the mosh-pit for toys, tantrums and penning children’s books.

Her latest book, Toy Mountain is out now and to tell us all about it, along with empowering kids to care for the environment and tips on writing your text visually, it’s the wonderful, the amazing, Stef Gemmill

Today’s guest is an award-winning author/illustrator who thinks a lot about plants, animals, books and equality. And, when she’s not thinking about these things, she’s turning them into wonderful, kind-hearted, soulful expressions of art and amazing picture books.

Her latest book with Hardie Grant is four beautiful books in one (now there’s a deal for you). And, I can’t wait to talk about it with her.

She’s popped in today to share her creative journey with us and reveal her thoughts on finding your hook and writing about your passion.

Today’s guest is an award-winning author of picture books and only picture books. She is super passionate about the genre that she won’t write anything else. Don’t even bother asking her. It‘s picture books that make her heart sing. And, her own picture books have been described as ‘love-filled’, ‘goose-bumpling’, and ‘achingly beautiful’. And I’ll go one more and say ‘hilarious!’

She’s the author of the My Dad Thinks He’s Funny series and much more, including her latest heart-warming book, Before you were born.

She’s popped in today to share her journey with us, as well as some super tips on the craft of creating picture books. It’s Katrina Germain

Today’s guest is an award-winning journalist who has recently turned her hand to writing picture books. She’s an experienced writer who has discovered an obsession for picture books, but as many people know, picture book writing is a skill all to itself.

So, she’s popped in today to share with us the challenges, the frustrations, and all the highs and lows of learning a whole new craft. And, hopefully assist other aspiring kid lit authors through her journey. Ladies and gentlemen give it up for the awesome, Jennifer Ennion.

Today’s guest is a recipient of the Davitt Award and the Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Fiction. Since her breakout novel, Feeling sorry for Celia, she’s been a professional writer for over 20 years.

She’s here today to share her journey with us of positive role models, self doubt, being original in your writing, and to talk about her new book from the super successful Kingdoms and Empires Series, it’s the wonderful and amazing, Jaclyn Moriarty.