Gosh, 2020 was a year.
But look, so has 2021 been, right? For Kidlit creators with books releasing, it's just  a different world since COVID-19 impacted most of us,  and the funny thing is- this discussion is still (sadly) very relevant.  You may have heard me speak of my Great Technical Meltdown...or not. In any case, that's why this episode is almost a year late being posted. However, what I found talking to Danielle Dufayet (click here for her info) is that Kidlit, Creativity and  Community are also always relevant, right?
Right. Obviously,  so are food and stories and Dani  shares some lovely foodie story memories with me, too.
I'm believing that although this episode is being sent out later than expected, the timing is perfect for someone who needs to hear it or read Dani's empowering, supportive books right now.
Don't forget you can check out the 2020Comeback Crew  online  on FaceBook, Instagram and Twitter too, and have a look at the fabulous creations they collectively launched last year.
See, I can't tell you how to live your life, but I can share a story with you- and maybe it's just the one you need.
Stay safe, dear listeners,
Talk to you soon 
Ellie xx

Gosh, 2020 was a year.
But look, so has 2021 been, right? For Kidlit creators with books releasing, it's just  a different world.  You may have heard me speak of my Great Technical Meltdown...or not. In any case, that's why this episode is almost a year late being posted. However, what I found is that what Susi Schaefer (author illustrator of "Cat Ladies" ,  prolific YouTube poster of gorgeous art tutorials at Susi Schaefer Art and very lovely human being) and I were talking about is still totally relevant. Kidlit community, creativity and picturebooks are always, relevant, right?
Right. Obviously,  so are stories and Susi shares a lovely one with me about creative  community- for you!
I'm believing that although this episode is being sent out later than expected, the timing is perfect for someone who needs to hear it or read Susi's book or find her gorgeous tutorials  right now.
See, I can't tell you how to live your life, but I can share a story with you- and maybe it's just the one you need.
Stay safe, dear listeners,
Talk to you soon 
Ellie xx

What’s on YOUR mind?
Zoe and I always have lots on ours. After “The Great Technical Meltdown of 2021” where I lost all my files for the podcast and then because of various other occurrences the pod had to go into suspended animation for a bit. But while I attempted to ride the waves of Life, this little project stayed in my thoughts and finally - FINALLY - I’m almost er… back where I started?

Anyhoo - we’re here!

Me and Zoe are kicking off the new iteration of “We Are All Made of Stories” sharing stories about intuition, vaccination, ( *note- I say the F word* earlyish on just so you know , but I said it so fast I couldn’t edit it out, apologies to anyone who finds it offensive)  stories about resistance, creativity, business, narrative therapy and SOURDOUGH!
In fact- we’re embarking on an experiment to air dry my sourdough starter and send it to Zoe ! (Tune in next time to see how I go.)

Are you missing a chat with mates down the corner caf? Over the front gate ? Then maybe you’ll enjoy hanging out with us for a bit.

You can find Zoe online at https://www.zoecollins.art/
You can find me online at  https://www.weareallmadeofstories.com/

I’d love you to leave a comment, a review or whatnot on the podcast, but I’d REALLY love you to head over to the Podcast Instagram account @madeofstorieswithellieroyce and
say hi, comment on the episode and tell me what’s on your mind- any thoughts on what you want to hear about ? 

Last but definitely not least, shout out to Gemma Patience for mentioning the pod online and telling us she enjoyed it ( unfortunately this happened just before the aforementioned Great Technical Meltdown so I didn’t get to thank her.)

Stay safe everyone,
I can’t tell you how to live your life, but I can share a story with you - and maybe it’s just the one you need.
Talk to you soon!
Ellie xx

Every story has a beginning , a middle and an end- and every end is actually a new beginning! It's  Mardi Gras time in Australia on Saturday March 6 , so what better time to share   Cabaret/Drag performer  Dolly Diamond's story with you all?
I came across Dolly through Storybox Library initially, where her performances were captivating , and then followed The Kerrie and Dolly Show through it's run online.
So it was big biccies to me when Dolly was kind enough to agree to have a chat about her story.
You can find out more about Dolly at https://dollydiamond.com.au/ , follow her on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/therealdollydiamond/ and on instagram @therealdollydiamond
I forgot to ask Dolly if she was an Auntie Uncle , but I just want to say happy Mardi Gras, especially to all the Auntie Uncles and Rainbow Families out there, and to mention the Rainbow Families organisation in NSW. You can connect with them online at https://www.rainbowfamilies.com.au/ and find out  more about the great work they do.
Talk to you soon, story lovers!
xxx Ellie

Hello Story Lovers! Look, I know you heard Zoe and I in Episode One , but we found out we had so much to talk about and so much we didn't talk about in that episode that we've decided to get the band back together and continue this never ending story/conversation for as long as we all enjoy it.

And why not?

On January 19 we talk creativity and family , staying healthy (or trying to), life stages and changes and how emotion can unexpectedly creep up on you in the most unexpected ways, the fact that I am going to be a grandmother for the first time this year,  the ins and outs of running a creative business, author visits  aaaaaaaaaand- I think that's about everything.

But if you listen you'll no doubt find lots of other things I've forgotten.

Stuff we mention:
"Lovemarks - The Future Beyond Brands" book by Kevin Roberts

SOUL Movie - Pixar (PS I have now watched this movie and it's totally gorgeous!)

Marie Forleo

Nutritious Movement

Where you can find us :

Ellie Royce  www.ellieroyceauthor.com

Zoe Collins  www.hellozoecollins.com.au

Welcome to episode two! What better way to start  2021 than celebrating the launch of a beautiful new picture book?
I chat to Lori Starling about their gorgeous picture book "Toby Wears A Tutu"  out on January 12th .
Lori Starling is a writer, poet, amateur ukulele player, and lover of all things Poe, Dickinson, and Plath. They are both a children’s and young adult fiction writer, who strives to make their world realistic for readers. Fans of their work love to find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their experiences and can find solitude within its pages. As an esteemed logophile, (lover of words), and an advocate for all, they bring these marginalized voices, (especially LGBTQ+), to their writing, so they can be heard. Starling wishes to empower readers and give them a sense of belonging, as well as confidence.

Starling holds an MFA in Creative Writing, a B.A. in English and Creative Writing, as well as other associate degrees in Business Administration, Science, and Computer Information Systems. They have written for various online publications, such as Planting Seeds in South Carolina Magazine and One Green Planet. Their short stories and poems can be seen in Life in 10 Minutes Literary Magazine, Beyond Queer Words: A Collection of Poems, The Daily Drunk, and WriteNow Literary Journal. They are a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, (SCBWI), and an emerging writer member of The Author’s Guild. When they’re not writing, you can find them outside in the garden, doodling, making music with their five-year-old son, or cooking up something good in the kitchen. They work as a freelance writer/editor and is the co-founder/editor of Clay Literary, a monthly online publication featuring work from creators aged 14+. Their next children’s book, Toby Wears a Tutu, debuts in early 2021.

We talk all things children's literature, diversity, inclusion and inspiration ( Even Bob Ross gets a mention!)

Toby Wears A Tutu
Lori Starling (Author), Anita DuFalla (Illustrator)
It's the first day of school, and Toby is dressed in their best and ready to make new friends! But first, Toby’s new classmates want to know: Is Toby a boy or a girl? Toby isn’t sure how to answer. Toby likes to wear basketball shorts and tutus. Toby plays ninjas and dances ballet. Finally, after a little thought and some encouragement from Mom, Toby has a declaration to make: they can eat, wear, do, or be anything they want! Toby isn’t a boy or a girl—Toby is just Toby

• Publisher : Brandylane Publishers, Inc. (12 January 2021)
• Language: : English
• Print on Demand (Hardcover) : 32 pages
• ISBN-10 : 195156538X
• ISBN-13 : 978-1951565381
• Reading age : 4 - 8 years
• Dimensions : 17.78 x 0.64 x 25.4 cm

Hello Story Lovers! I'm Ellie Royce, author, story catcher and creative human. Stories are threads that weave us into families, communities and cultures. As this strange year of 2020 draws to a close, I'm setting off on an exploration of stories, what they are, what they mean , how we consume them and how they help us navigate our way through this twisty, turny thing called" life". I have no idea where it will take me but one thing I know for sure, it'll be interesting. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
NOTE TO LISTENERS- THIS PODCAST IS ADULTS HAVING AN ADULT CONVERSATION (MORE OR LESS...) SO THERE IS AN OCCASIONAL SWEAR. NOTHING EXPLICIT BUT IF YOU HAVE LITTLE ONES AROUND YOU MAY WANT TO WEAR HEADPHONES.
 EPISODE ONE- In spite of the title , Zoe and I never actually got around to discussing her questionable career choices. Maybe that's because we talked about so many other things- creative voice, how creativity manifests itself, finding the exact right sticky tape, talking to yourself,  rabbit holes leading to mathematical explanations for individuality, how to maintain your creative flow when you're a Mum and the dire consequences of not,  introversion versus extroversion, plus a food story or two.
I also discuss how this year has been for me as an Aussie kidlit author with her very first U.S publication "Auntie Uncle ; Drag Queen Hero" (published by POW!Kids Books in New York, illustrated by Hannah Chambers) when the world has basically shut down!
Find me at https://www.ellieroyceauthor.com/
Our amazing Podcast Art is  by Mardi Davies https://www.mardidavies.com/
Zoe Collins BIO
In writing her bio, Zoe Collins finds it increasingly difficult to define her creative endeavours. She writes, paints on canvas, collages, draws on her iPad, crochets, cooks, eats, talks, writes newsletters and sometimes imagines herself as a backing vocalist for an 80s rock band. She also has a quiet ambition and desire to avoid working for the man. Her latest creative endeavours include a range or two of spunky earrings, a tea towel design and random drawings on Noritake fine china. 

As a graphic designer and illustrator she has worked in studios, run her own business and taught in universities. Her current teaching endeavours are strictly unbureaucratic and lean heavily towards creative problem solving and play. 

Zoe lives in Brisbane with  her three favourite humans,  the best dog ever and a bastard of a cat. She enjoys making paper journals with her long-arm stapler and feeding appreciative eaters.
 Bachelor of Arts — English and Media Studies, University of Queensland
 Diploma in Visual Communication, Design College Australia .Graphic designer & illustrator — 2003 – current( I used to be a bookseller, nanny and a terrible secretary. I also worked for a summer in USA, teaching kids art and craft. So many questionable career choices, so little time to apologise). Find Zoe  at  https://www.hellozoecollins.com.au

Fabbo people we mention:
Julia Cameron https://juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way/
'Wooly'John Woolrych - director at Colour Chiefs https://www.colourchiefs.com.au/
Jen Storer    https://girlandduck.com/
Lilla Rogers https://makeartthatsells.com/