The KidLit Pod

And we're back! It's time for our monthly chat with Australian kidlit legends Bethany Loveridge and Adrian Beck, accompanied by our host, NZ author Shara Curlett. The team joke about Zoom call distractions (including Bethany’s dog, Sugar Plum),  before introducing their recent and upcoming books and launches, including Shara's Protector of Beyond launch plans in Brisbane, Bethany’s...

Kristen Willis lives a life full of creativity, from her graphic design work to children's book illustration and her brand new venture, Piccolo Prints. If you love art and creativity, then this is the episode for you! Host Shara Curlett welcomes award-winning Australian children’s book illustrator and author, Kristen Willis of Tondo Creative. Kristen is a Brisbane-based creative with a Fine A...

Having been part of the Debut Crew 2024 for her memoir, Ariane Beeston is a debut once more with her new YA contemporary novel, Don't Forget to Smile. Host Shara Curlett welcomes author Ariane Beeston to The KidLit Pod. Ariane is a former child protection caseworker and psychologist who now works in perinatal mental health and also teaches dance. Ariane shares how her childhood creativity was...

After signing a three-book deal as a debut, Tina Strachan has launched onto the Australian kidlit scene in a big way, becoming a wonderful advocate for children's literature, a popular emcee for events, and co-host of the The Book Deal podcast. Shara and Tina share recent updates, including Tina drafting a new project and Shara finishing final edits for Protector of Beyond, before discussing...

Published at 19, Jack Heath had an early introduction to being an author, and shares the knowledge and insights he's learned over the past twenty years. In this episode of The KidLit Pod, host Shara Curlett delves deep with Jack Heath, an Australian author known for writing action-driven books for reluctant readers, including the Minutes of Danger series and his latest 12+ thriller, I Know Wh...

A children's author who has published 67 novels, Jacqueline Harvey has turned her passion into a career, and shares wise insights on being an author. In this episode of The KidLit Pod, host Shara Curlett chats with Jacqueline Harvey about growing up around stories. Jacqueline describes growing up in a family of strong storytellers, valuing intergenerational stories, and her love of talking wi...

Host Shara Curlett introduces a monthly “KidLit Hang” format with Bethany Loveridge (Betty Love) and Adrian Beck, where a few authors hang out and chat. In their first hangout, they banter about deadlines, school visits, teaching, and do a rapid “Would You Rather” game, before discussing recent reads / listens / watches. They talk about author-work balance, procrastination, and scheduling around f...

Helen Farch is a high school librarian and Instagram influencer who shares how her hustle has turned a passion for books into success for both her school, and herself. In this episode of The KidLit Pod, host Shara Curlett chats with Helen Farch about her role as librarian at Forest Hill College, a secondary school in Melbourne. Helen is an advocate for school libraries, reading for pleasure, and A...

In this episode of The KidLit Pod, host Shara Curlett chats with author-illustrator and almost-neighbour, H P Fryer on becoming a published author, and motherhood H P Fryer (Hannah Powell Fryer) is the New Zealand author-illustrator of OGG, her debut picture book published by Scholastic Australia in 2025. Hannah shares how she entered the publishing scene via an illustrator portfolio call, how she...

Introducing The KidLit Pod: A New Industry-Wide Conversation on Children’s Books The Kid Lit Pod is a new podcast launching in June 2026, hosted by Shara Curlett, author of the middle grade fantasy novel Welcome to Miracle (Scholastic Australia, 2025) and the upcoming series Protector of Beyond (Penguin Australia, releasing September 2026). The KidLit Pod will be focused on inspiring creativity in...