Reading with a chance of tacos

On today's show, we chat to a publishing expert who has represented Australia at an amazing overseas book Festival. You've got to hear of this amazing adventure! So incredible!! She shares some amazing publishing and writing insight along with a brand-new book. And, Liv's back with an awesome picture book review!   Today's guest is a writer, editor, and a strategic communications consultant. Her d...

On today's show,  w e're Yabba Dabba Dooin' all over the place. We chat to the Yabba president all about The Young Australians Best Book Awards. The YABBAs!! Along with the Crocs of the Northern Territory and Koalas of NSW, these are Australia's only Children's Book Awards chosen soley by the children. We chat about why this is important to you as a creator, and vital to promoting our industry as...

The future of Storytelling Finding the right life balance, the future of AI Bots, and Brock the Croc is back with another snappy adventure. On today's show, we chat to a legend Australian Children's author all about why we write, what we write and how we write for kids. We chat about finding the right life balance, the future of AI bots and their impact on creators, and an exciting new book hittin...

On today's show,  we chat with a self-published creator of books for kids to get some of the best self-publishing advice for picture books that we've ever received on the pod. Advice on how to find an illustrator, who you'll need to work with, what materials you'll need, information about contracts, how to make and distribute your book. All of this and more. Plus, What's the Story, Rory is back wi...

Keen persisting. Keep creating. Keep coming up with ideas   On today's show,  we chat to an author who has just celebrated her 200 th Rejection. However, due to years of persistence, and honing her craft, she's gone and got herself published for a second time with a second traditional publisher. We'll chat all about this process and what we can all learn.  Plus Liv reviews two junior fiction maste...

Kev, Trev, Kylie and Ken On today's show,  we chat to an author/illustrator about how to create a graphic novel series, what's involved, where to find characters, how to develop them, and so many amazing tips on creating books for kids. Plus, Liv reviews two awesome new picture books. Today's special guest began her working life as a graphic designer, before realising that involved spending way to...

Book Reviews with Liv On today's show,  we chat with Liv and, well, just Liv. Due to popular demand, Liv's popped in to share six brand new picture books with us. There'll be dragons, Days of the week, dogs playing Rock n Roll, and much more. Today's special guest has been with us for three years now, as a co-host, co-interviewer, and as our regular book reviewer. Everyone please welcome, the wond...

Writing Great Characters for Books, TV, and Life   On today's show,  we chat about great character writing, various ways of developing characters, and we go inside one of Australia's favourite TV Show writing rooms. We get the fun and Goss of what goes on behind the scenes.   Today's special guest is a screenwriter, playwright and author who loves creating stories for young people. She has adapted...

Binny Talib An Illustrator for the World Market On today's show, we chat to one of the world's most in demand and talented illustrators all about her creative life. We get some amazing tips and insight into making great art all around the world.   Today's special guest is an award-winning author/illustrator who has illustrated over 30 books. I say award-winning, so many awards, Illustrator Austral...

On today's show,  we find out how to think outside the box, when your world exists inside boxes. And, how perseverance with the right attitude has led to a several book contracts. Plus, Liv reviews two totally different picture books sure to get all kids reading.   Today's special guest has a background in speech pathology. Armed with a love of words, she weaves stories with subtle messages of inc...

On today's show, we chat to a debut Author/illustrator who's been waiting a thousand years for a contract, and it's finally happened. Plus, Liv reviews two amazing middle grade books with everything from space aliens to a knife wielding diary with a wicked curse. All on today's show, it's gunna be huge!   Today's special guest is an art teacher, an illustrator, and a writer of books for kids. She'...

On today's show,  we chat to a professional cartoonist all about writing and drawing for newspapers, magazines and kids books. We chat about editing, re-writing, drawing, storytelling in various formats, and a fantastic new book for kids.   Plus, Liv reviews 2 brand new picture books. All on today's show. It's gunna be huge.   Today's special guest is a cartoonist for The Guardian. She's also work...

The Importance of a writers group - a Drinks with Ken episode Today, I catch up with my old writers group for a fun chat about the importance of a writing group - the encouragement, sharing of knowledge, and general industry chat that is invaluable when you're writing and illustrating books for kids.    

A Chat with Mr Luke – promoting on social media On today's show, we chat to an author and popular primary school teacher who has become a social media sensation with 1.8 million Tik Tok Followers.   Today's special guest is a school teacher, a social media sensation, an actor, a plant lover, and now an author. Videos of his work with young kids, or as he calls them, his little legends, get million...

Writing a verse novel, process, self-doubts, taking feedback, killing your darlings, moving your reader   Today's special guest is a multi-award-winning children's author. She's won YABBA'S, KOALA'S, the Outstanding International Book Award, Speech Pathology and Aurealis Awards. And she's a recipient of the Maurice Saxby Award for services to children's Literature.   She's popped in today to chat...

DRINKS WITH KEN Today, we chat to author and teacher librarian Hayley Gannon, Picture Book of the Year Winning author, Andrea Rowe, and one of the funniest comic writers in the country, David Lawrence.  

The Magical World of Numbers and Shapes A brilliant tool to help kids learn to count using nature's building blocks.  See numbers, shapes, and the universe in a whole new awesome way! On today's show,  we chat about an awe-inspiring picture book for those artistically inclined, all about the exciting creative potential of numbers and geometry! Plus, Liv reviews two awesome new picture books. All o...

What does a Publicist do? You've signed with a publishing house, now what? On today's show,  we chat to a publicist from Affirm Press, one of this country's favourite publishing houses, all about what to expect when your book gets accepted. What assistance do you receive? What media? How do they present you and your book to the world? And what your role is in the process. Plus, Liv reviews two awe...

DRINKS WITH KEN G'day everyone, welcome to Friday and Drinks with Ken, where I catch up with some writing and book friends for a relaxing drink and chat about all things writing, illustrating, books, and the industry. A chance to wind down and reflect on life as a creative, what the industry is doing, our place within it, and just how the writing life is treating everyone. Today I'll be catching u...

On Writing with Lian Tanner – writing a sequel, a first draft, where to begin a story and why On today's show,  we chat to a legend children's author about everything writing. How to write a sequel. How to write each draft. Where to begin your story and why. And, even how to work with editors. Today's special guest is one of the most creative and imaginative authors in the country. Her characteris...

Joel McKerrow   On Today's show , we're slamming some poetry your way. We've got one of the country's best and most sought-after poets who is showing our kids how cool this genre is. Plus, we chat about an awesome graphic novel born from brush of this amazing poet.  Today's guest is an award-winning writer, keynote speaker, creativity specialist, children's author, educator and, having performed f...

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 b...

To and Fro. On writing a book from your own experiences On today's show,   we chat to the author of an amazing book of self-identity, the author's own experiences, and how to write a book that means so much to the author. Plus, Liv reviews two fun picture books that you'll sure to want for your collection. Today's special guest enjoys writing stories that make children laugh. His stories explore t...

Creativity and a Giraffe named Jeff On today's show, we go from Sea Cucumbers to Giraffes, from Wombats to Snails. We find out if the right page of a book is better than the left. And we chat to one of the most creative authors in the country about creativity, how she comes up with ideas, and a giraffe named Jeff. Plus, Liv reviews two new books.     Today's special guest is a great friend of the...

This is my Happy Place   On today's show we ask, where's your happy place? And chat to an author all about her happy place, her writing journey, and how to get into writing books for kids. Plus, Liv reviews two amazing new picture books: Dinosaur in my Pocket and Tree.    Today's special guest's love of words, fashion, travel and everyday family life has seen her write fun, feel-good books which s...