Today’s guest is an author that has burst on to the scene. With four books out currently and more under contract for next year, he has used social media, trial and error, and a get up and go attitude to awesome effect.

He’s dropped in today for a taco, share his latest book and some of what he’s learned with us, please make him welcome. The super talented, totally awesome storyteller, Rory H Mather. Woo-hooo!

Today’s guest is Australia’s highest-selling female author, with over fifty books for kids and young adults. Her popular Billy B Brown books are loved all over the world. But, of course, it wasn’t always this way. Even the big names have to start somewhere. Today, ladies and gentlemen, our special guest has dropped by for a taco, to tell us about her journey, and offer up a few tips along the way. So, please give a huge cheer for the one and only, the amazing, the absolutely wonderful, Sally Rippin. Woo-hoo!

Today’s guest is an absolute legend in the world of children’s books. She has written hundreds of books for kids over an astonishing career. Together with illustrator, Tony Ross, she’s delighted kids all over the world with her amazing humour and crazy stories. 

Her book, Tadpole’s Promise was a Silver Smarties Prize Winner. She penned the accompanying novel to the Paddington Bear movie and was a contributor to the Winnie the Pooh sequel. Today, she’s popped in for a taco and to share her writing journey with us.

All the way from London Town, please give a huge cheer to the wonderful, the amazing, the legend that is Jeanne Willis. 

Today’s guest is an amazing inspiration. Born in Iran, she came to Australia at the age of nine. Here, she not only learned the English language, but went on to write for television and stage. In 2011 was selected by Sesame Workshop as the writer for Elmo’s Tour of Australia. She has written and developed stage shows for David Walliams, Leigh Hobbs, Oliver Jeffers and more. And, she’s popped in today for a taco and to tell us all about her debut novel, Exit through the Giftshop. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the super-talented, amazing, wonderful, Maryam Master. Woo-hooo!

Today’s guest is a picture book author with an amazing story. And, amazing passion for her craft. Her book Ribbit Rabbit Robot is up for two major awards and her latest book, The Lion Who Came to Stay, has a backstory that you’re not going to believe. She’s popped in today for a taco, share a few writing tips, and tell us all about her amazing work, Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for  the wonderful Victoria Mackinlay. Woo-hooo!

Plus our Lay of the Land segment we feature Sally Rippin with some writing truths

Today’s guest is a copywriter who’s passionate about getting kids excited about literature and her first picture book is such a lovely foray into the genre. She’s popped in today for a taco and to share her journey to publication, her inspiration and how she went about writing the amazing picture book Daisy and Bear and the very ordinary day. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome, Haylee Hackenberg

Today’s guest is a burst of energy and an absolute legend in the audio book world. He’s the voice of everybody from the Bugalugs Bum Thief to the Boy who Swallows the Universe to Paul Jennings, Andy, Terry and the entire Treehouse series. He’s an actor. An author. A narrator. And he’s flying the flag for kids authors and kid literature for everybody. Ladies and Gentlemen, give it up for the totally amazing, Stig Wemyss. Woo-hooo!

In today’s podcast, we talk to the author of Who Fed Zed – a wonderful example of a fun and entertaining picture book that contains a very important message. We talk about how to put a message in your book.

And, following up on our Kidlit Q and A episode we have some more questions for publisher, Sandra van Doorn of Red Paper Kite Publishing.  

Today’s guest began her career in kids books as an illustrator, but it’s her passion for writing, and the love of her best friends, that has inspired her latest book that she both writes and illustrates with Allen and Unwin Publishing. It’s titled Mertails, and to tell us all about it, and share her journey with us, it’s the wonderful Rebecca Timmis. Woo-hooo!

Aspiring authors, illustrators and anyone who creates books for kids were invited to send in their burning questions. We received a variety of questions such as: How many drafts does it take to write a picture book? How do I submit my story? How do Public Lending Rights and Educational Lending Rights work? What does an Acquisitions meeting look like? How many books get printed on the first run? How do I get paid? And many more.

Now, it’s put to the panel of experts for their answers. So, get your notepads ready.