In this episode, we're talking to Lui Sit, who writes under the pen name Scarlett Li, author of The Lucky House Detective Agency, published by Storymix Books on 11th June 2026. We talk about why Lui thinks that collaboration with Storymix made The Lucky House Detective Agency all the more richer. We get into the pressure she's felt at points in her career to — in her words — "Chinese-ify" a story, and how she found a way to write authentically without that becoming the whole book. We also cover the rollercoaster of having her publisher going into administration and the book's new life with Storymix Books. So here's my conversation with Lui Sit.

  Useful Links: ●      Check out Lui’s website: https://www.lui-land.co.uk/ ●      Follow Lui on Instagram: @lui.land ●      Buy The Lucky House Detective Agency at Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/storymix-craft-and-conversaton-the-reading-shelf ●      Buy The Land of the Last Wildcat at Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/land-of-the-last-wildcat-lui-sit/37047eafeab0ddeb?ean=9781035040315&listref=storymix-craft-and-conversaton-the-reading-shelf&aid=7068&bkshp-astro=t ●      Pre-order The Wildcat and the Gathering Storm at Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-wildcat-and-the-gathering-storm-lui-sit/a596e2226d700f7b?ean=9781035040346&listref=storymix-craft-and-conversaton-the-reading-shelf&aid=7068&bkshp-astro=t ●      Work with StoryMix: https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us     

Follow Storymix:
https://www.storymix.co.uk
https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us
Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght   
The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie.
Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail 
Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

This week on our episode of Storymix: Craft and Conversation Season 2, Jasmine Richards chats with YA author Angelica Ellis, who writes under the pen name A. M. Ellis, about blending two genres, who gets to write which stories, and the expectation around stories centering pain and trauma. A.M Ellis's book, I Feel Your Pain, published by Penguin Random House, came out on 25th June 2026. Listen, share and get into the conversation!
Useful Links:

• Follow Angelica on Instagram: @amonaiellis
• Transcript can be found here
• Buy I Feel Your Pain at Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/storymix-craft-and-conversaton-the-reading-shelf 
• Buy Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/their-eyes-were-watching-god-zora-neale-hurston/7130ce64b4702b25?ean=9780060838676&bkshp-astro=t
• Buy Divergent by Veronica Roth at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/divergent-veronica-roth/5c707406766d2a58?ean=9780062387240&bkshp-astro=t
• Buy the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/beta-search?bkshp-astro=t&keywords=sookie+stackhouse
• Buy the Daughters of the Moon series 
• Work with Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us

Credits
Host: Jasmine Richards
Producers: Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic
Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram
Socials: @storymixstudio @amonaiellis

Support our mission to make children's books more inclusive by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/storymixfundraising
Why support us? Storymix creates original, high-concept fiction with inclusive casts of characters, giving every child the chance to be the hero. Founded in 2019 by author Jasmine Richards, we act as a springboard for racially-minoritized creators, incubating talent to produce stories that resonate with young readers everywhere. Since our launch, publishers have sold over 500,000 copies of our titles.



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Follow Storymix:
https://www.storymix.co.uk
https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us
Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght   
The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie.
Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail 
Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

In the first episode of Season 2 of Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Storymix founder Jasmine Richards talks to debut children’s author Siren Knight about mixed race identity, Caribbean history, teenage life and the creative journey behind her new novel, Princess (Apparently).Siren and Jasmine explore what it means to write characters who live “in-between”, including Della, the mixed race teenager at the heart of Princess (Apparently). They discuss belonging, Black royalty, the imagined Caribbean island monarchy of St Antonique, and the real history that provided the “sliding door” inspiration for the novel.They also talk about why stories featuring marginalised young people should be allowed to be commercial, romantic and joyful, rather than existing simply to educate readers. Drawing on Siren’s experience as a teacher, they get into what adults often misunderstand about teenagers, ambition, work and politics, as well as the books that shaped Siren as a young reader, from The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton to Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman.Princess (Apparently) by Siren Knight is published by Usborne on 13 August 2026.In this episode:

• Writing mixed race identity and belonging
• Creating Della, the teenage heroine of Princess (Apparently)
• Black royalty, Caribbean history and St Antonique
• Representation without turning characters into lessons
• Writing joyful, commercial stories with big ideas
• What teaching teenagers reveals about writing for young people
• The books and writers that shaped Siren’s storytelling

Follow Storymix:
https://www.storymix.co.uk
https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us
Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght   
The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie.
Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail 
Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

This week on the final episode of the season of Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue and Azi Farni chat extensively with children’s literary agent Davinia Andrew-Lynch about what it really means to be a literary agent, industry expectations, and answering the constant question: how do you get a seat at the publishing table? Listen, share and get into the conversation!

Useful Links:

• Davinia Andrew-Lynch at Curtis Brown
• The Fab Prize
• Follow Davinia on Twitter @nocturnalreader and Instagram @andlynlit

Credits
www.storymix.co.uk
Hosts: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram
Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi
Recorded at Dream Factory

Follow Storymix:
https://www.storymix.co.uk
https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us
Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght   
The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie.
Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail 
Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, in our final Craft episode of the season, Maame Blue takes you through the crucial steps needed to get your stories out of your head and into the hands of agents and publishers. Plus, our 5 Minute Mentor Jasmine Richards shares some great tricks for writing the elevator pitch for your story idea! Listen, share and get into the craft!

Useful Links:

• Writers and Artists Yearbook
• SCBWI Illustrator Gallery

Credits
www.storymix.co.uk
Host: Maame Blue
Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram
Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi
Recorded at Dream Factory

Follow Storymix:
https://www.storymix.co.uk
https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us
Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght   
The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie.
Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail 
Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue and Azi Farni sit down with author and teacher J. T. Williams - who wrote The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries - to discuss how research can play a part in story development, what it takes to create characters from real figures in history, and how to navigate the question: How do I tackle big topics like slavery and racism when writing for children? Listen, share and get into the conversation!

Useful Links:

• J. T. Williams books
• Follow JT Williams on Instagram (@lizzie_and_belle) and Twitter (@ojibrown73)

Credits
www.storymix.co.uk
Hosts: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram
Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi
Recorded at Dream Factory

Follow Storymix:
https://www.storymix.co.uk
https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us
Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght   
The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie.
Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail 
Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue explains the differences in creating stories for children depending on their age, with the help of three Storymix Studio books! Plus, our 5 Minute Mentor Jasmine Richards breaks down publisher expectations and rules around the age ranges of books for children! Listen, share and get into the craft!

Useful Links:

• Age levels for children’s books
• Books:
  • Magic Faces: Heroes of the Pirate Ship written by Esi Merlah & illustrated by Abeeha Tariq
  • Secret Beast Club: The Unicorns of Silver Street written by Robin Birch & illustrated by Jobe Anderson
  • The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Portraits and Poison by J. T. Williams

Credits
www.storymix.co.uk
Host: Maame Blue
Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram
Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi
Recorded at Dream Factory


Follow Storymix:
https://www.storymix.co.uk
https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us
Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght   
The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie.
Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail 
Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue and Azi Farni take a closer look into dialogue, language and heritage, in conversation with Tania Tay - the author writing as Crystal Sung on the upcoming middle grade series Spellcasters. From research to personal history and more, the question is: How do I use slang or foreign words authentically when writing for children? Listen, share and get into the conversation!

Useful Links:

• Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
• Book: Spellcasters by Crystal Sung
• Follow Tania on Instagram (@taniatay88) and Twitter (@taniatay88)

Credits
www.storymix.co.uk
Hosts: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram
Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi
Recorded at Dream Factory

Follow Storymix:
https://www.storymix.co.uk
https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us
Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght   
The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie.
Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail 
Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue is discussing dialogue! How to make it sing, how to make it ring true, and what to avoid, especially when writing for kids. Screenwriter and author E. L Norry will be doing a reading of her brand new middle grade book Fablehouse, and our 5 Minute Mentor Jasmine Richards - writer, editor and screenwriter - will be back with some invaluable tips on dialogue inspired by her experience in the scriptwriting world! Listen, share and get into the craft!


Useful Links:

• Dialogue with Storygrid
• Book: Fablehouse by E. L. Norry
• Follow E. L. Norry on Instagram (@elnorry_writer) and Twitter (@elnorry_writer)

Credits
www.storymix.co.uk
Host: Maame Blue
Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram
Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi
Recorded at Dream Factory

Follow Storymix:
https://www.storymix.co.uk
https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us
Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght   
The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie.
Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail 
Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue and Azi Farni dig deep into the world of children’s illustration with the help of illustrator Selom Sunu, who discusses diversity in children's book characters, how to decide what to draw, and tackles the question: How do I avoid creating white characters that are just shaded in? Listen, share and get into the conversation!

Useful Links:

• Line of Action - Practice Tools for Artists
• Book: The Marvellous Granny Jinks And Me written by Serena Holly & illustrated by Selom Sunu
• Follow Selom on Instagram (@selomsunu86) and Twitter (@mrsunu)

Credits
www.storymix.co.uk
Hosts: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue
Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram
Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi

Follow Storymix:
https://www.storymix.co.uk
https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us
Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght   
The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie.
Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail 
Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic