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An author. A Duck. And an Octopus

Reading with a chance of tacos

Release Date: 05/31/2024

I Can Do That! I Can Write a Book! show art I Can Do That! I Can Write a Book!

Reading with a chance of tacos

I can do that! I can write a book!   On today’s show, we follow an author with a “Can Do” attitude through her publishing journey. From mastering rhyme, storytelling, attending conferences, getting involved in community, and each step of the way to publication. A must listen and a fun chat for all authors and illustrators looking to carve out their own creative careers.   Today’s special guest discovered the power of words and performance as a Drama Teacher, which ultimately led her to exploring children's literature. She is now a children's author based on the...

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What Makes a Good Illustrator? show art What Makes a Good Illustrator?

Reading with a chance of tacos

What Makes a Good Illustrator? On today’s show, we chat illustrations with a legend of over 30 years of producing quality artwork. We look at what makes a good illustrator. Is it consistency? Is it a unique style and brand?  Is it knowing what jobs to take on and what to leave alone? So much to consider as we go behind the scenes with one of my all-time favourite creators of books for kids.  Plus, Liv reviews a picture book with too many dogs.    Today’s special guest is a multi-award-winning Australian illustrator based in Sydney, with over two decades of...

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An Interview with Chat GPT show art An Interview with Chat GPT

Reading with a chance of tacos

An interview with Chat GPT   AI and the Future of authors On today’s show, we chat to one of the world’s quirkiest digital assistants. We get the future straight from one of the world’s biggest AI Language Models! Yep, who better to ask than the number 1 bot in the business. We chat about what AI can and can’t do for children’s book creators, how authors and illustrators can use AI as a tool, and what is the future of creativity with AI. What is potentially exciting and what’s not.  Plus, Liv’s back to review a big bunch of brand-new books!   ...

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Our Beautiful World show art Our Beautiful World

Reading with a chance of tacos

How Beautiful is our world?   On today’s show, we chat to one of this country’s finest picture book authors about writing humour along with serious and important stories for kids. We chat about planning stories, writing stories, where stories come from, where humour comes from, and a brand-new book showcasing our beautiful world.   Today’s special guest is an internationally published children’s author based in Melbourne. She loves to write stories filled with humour and heart. Her debut picture book Mozzies Vs Flies was shortlisted in the Speech Pathology...

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How to create, publish, and market stories in the modern world show art How to create, publish, and market stories in the modern world

Reading with a chance of tacos

How to create, publish, and market stories in the modern world   On today’s show, we chat about graphic novels, appreciating stories of all kinds, creativity in the modern world, publishing stories in the modern world, mixing art and marketing, plus, pushing through your creative process when things get tough. And, if that’s not enough, Liv’s popping in to review an Aussie legend.   Today’s special guest began his working life in marketing, even winning a Gruen Trophy on TV, but when his kids grew to reading age, he realised there were no appropriate comics. So he...

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Dreaming up Stories show art Dreaming up Stories

Reading with a chance of tacos

Dreaming up stories On today’s show, Liv and I chat to a kids author who is making a splash in 2025. With multiple books out this year, we explore stories, storytelling and the process of making dreams come true. Plus, Liv reviews a classic CBCA winning book.   Today’s special guest has loved books since she was a little girl. Her parents still tease her because at 4-years-old they took her to see Beauty and the Beast and all she was interested in was the scene with the giant library. “So many books!” She’s popped in today to share her love of storytelling, how she comes...

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Challenging traditional publishing norms show art Challenging traditional publishing norms

Reading with a chance of tacos

Challenging traditional publishing norms   An honest look at Clutterbugs, publishing and carving out a path to creativity   On today’s show, we look for Clutterbugs, chat about children’s publishing, how to navigate your own writing path, taking risks, and ways to come up with new ideas. Plus, Liv tells us why we should never trust fish. She reviews 2 awesome picture books, one about family and one hilarious book about fish.   Today’s special guests is an author and playwright. Her acclaimed play, Fragments has been produced as a web series and a...

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My Mum is a Bird show art My Mum is a Bird

Reading with a chance of tacos

On today’s show, we chat with a first-time author and her experienced illustrator about the behind-the-scenes process of a brand-new picture book and its inspiring message. You’re going to love this dynamic duo and their journey together. It’s a fun and inspiring story that’s sure to resonate and produce a smile or two. Plus, Liv reviews a fun and adventurous junior fiction book.   Today’s special guests are an author and illustrator combo. Our author was born in Harbin China and moved to Australia at 18 to pursue a Commerce Degree in Accounting. But fate had other plans....

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Luna's World. The Process of a Series in the Making show art Luna's World. The Process of a Series in the Making

Reading with a chance of tacos

Luna's World. The Process of a Series in the Making On today’s show, Liv and I chat to a teacher librarian who has helped transform school libraries into a hub of energy and fun and has signed a 4-book series with one of our favourite publishers. We go behind the scenes to look at the process of a book series in the making. Plus, Liv reviews a magical middle grade book that’s in stores now.    Today’s special guest is a teacher librarian and a big supporter of getting quality books in the hands of kids. We first met her by her social media handle, ‘Hayley in the...

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Want the world to hear your stories? show art Want the world to hear your stories?

Reading with a chance of tacos

Want the world to hear your stories? Then turn your story into an audio book   On today’s show, we chat to an audio narrator, creator and producer of the most amazing audio books for kids.  And, we discuss how you can have your work in audio for the world to hear. Today’s special guest has produced audiobooks by some of Australia's best-known authors, including Kate Constable, Hazel Edwards, and Susanne Gervay. She has worked on production contracts for well-known international publishers and with small-house publishers alike and has narrated for Bolinda...

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More Episodes

On today’s show, we chat to an Aussie author about different ways to write, places to write, various opportunities, magazines, and of course, picture books. Plus, Liv reviews an amazing picture book perfect for kids everywhere.

Today’s special guest has been a Deputy Editor of a magazine, a copywriter, a travel columnist for an in-flight magazine, a podcast host, and a picture book author.

Her book Walking Your Human was read by Sarah Ferguson on Fergie and Friends, was released in the USA, UK, and translated into Korean. And, she’s popped in today to chat about her latest book, all about an octopus and a duck.

To tell us all about it, along with her working process and a writing tip or two along the way, please welcome the wonderful, Liz Ledden.