The Children's Book Author Podcast

People will ALWAYS judge your book by its cover: it's the harsh reality! So make sure you get your cover design right. Today we discuss what makes a great cover and how you can make sure your cover helps to sell your book, with Cover Designer, Holly Dunn. Enjoy the episode!
Elena

MORE ABOUT HOLLY DUNN:

Holly is a book cover designer based in New Zealand. She specialises in working with indie authors to make their stories shine through custom illustration and hand lettering. Before switching to full-time design, she worked at a company helping indie authors market their books. Now, along with her design services, she creates resources to help indie authors on their self-publishing journey.

LINKS:

hollydunndesign.com

Instagram

YouTube

Have you ever wanted to write middle-grade fiction? Or perhaps you already do, but want to make it so good that it wins every award it's ever entered into? Then this is the interview for you! Marc has won over 22 awards and has written and self-published eight books and many have been translated into 10 languages. You'll discover how to work with the best editors, writing in series, and which book awards are the best for exposure and feedback. So settle in and find out all about how to write an award winning middle grade book.

Enjoy today's episode.

Elena

MORE ABOUT MARC REMUS:

Marc Remus is a Neo Pop-Art painter, author, and illustrator. Born in Germany, educated in the United States, he graduated in art and illustration from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA in the 90s.

​Having a passion for languages, he travelled to seventy countries, lived a few years in Honduras and Japan, and visited over a thousand cities, of which he has painted over two hundred. His art work has been featured in over one hundred magazine/newspaper articles in Germany, USA, and Mexico (TV documentaries available above.)

​During his studies in California, he took his first children’s book illustration class. His teacher inspired him to start writing and not just illustrating. The result was a picture book called Painting Brian, which led to the Magora series. He began taking classes in children's literature in 2003 and worked with some incredible editors. Over a period of twenty years, he developed the magical world Magora based on places he had visited, people he had met, and things he had learned through his studies in acting, cultural Anthropology, and linguistics.

In 2016 the first book of the Magora series was published on Amazon. It became a big success and ranked for five days as No.1 of all children's book on Amazon, with over 35.000 downloads. Since then, the series has won 20 awards.

In 2019, Remus started a new project. He wrote the children's book "The Chocolate Clouds." Since it is an illustrated book with 150 drawings, three years passed before it was finally published in 2021. In just seven months, it won six literary awards among them the first literary award in the UK (The Wishing Shelf Book Award.)

Following this success, many translators applied to create a version in their language. As a result, many foreign language editions evolved: Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, and Swedish. Some of these editions are already available on Amazon.


Find him at https://www.marcremus.com/author
https://www.instagram.com/marcremus/
https://www.facebook.com/MarcRemusBooks/

And find the best Awards to enter at https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/ask-alli-self-publishing-advice/

​

How much did I learn about writing funny from Rob Kutner in today's episode of The Chidren's Book Author Podcast? A huge amount and you can too, by tuning in to the wonderful conversation. Rob shares his journey writing his first spooky-comedy graphic novel for kids, and gives timeless advice on how you can be funnier in your writing too.

MORE ABOUT ROB:

Rob Kutner has won 5 Emmys, a Peabody, a TCA, and a Grammy writing for such shows as TBS’ “CONAN” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and co-created the fact-based comedy TV show “Gander.”

Rob’s other TV writing includes “Teen Titans Go!” “Ben10” “Angry Birds: Summer Madness” and HBO’s “Dennis Miller Live.” He has also written material for the Oscars, Emmys, Writers’ Guild Awards, MTV Movie Awards, Guys’ Choice Awards, and two White House Correspondents’ Dinners. He has developed kids’ and adult animated series for Warner Brothers and SyFy.

Rob is the author of the satirical end-of-times bestseller Apocalypse How: Turn the End Times into the Best of Times! and the Amazon Kindle e-bestseller/Audible audiobook The Future According to Me. He is also the creator of the graphic novel “Shrinkage” for Farrago Comics. He has published humor and feature pieces for the New Yorker, New York Times, Esquire, Huffington Post, McSweeney’s, and the Weekly Forward.

Rob’s new horror-comedy kids’ anthology “Snot Goblins and Other Tasteless Tales” (First Second) is now on sale, as is “Look Out For The Little Guy,” the “in-universe” memoir of Scott “Ant-Man” Lang he ghostwrote. This makes Rob technically part of the MCU.

Here's the official link for Snot Goblins:

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250780805/snot-goblins-and-other-tasteletale

And here's a fun video trailer of the book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhSAjep4UPg

Essie Bell is a multi-talented picture book author and publisher having written, published and marketed six picure books. In today's interview we talk about how to write a great rhyming book and why they're still relevant to the market, school visits, markets and more! It's a wonderful time to be a Children's Book Author!

MORE ABOUT ESSIE:

Essie Bell is a wife and mother of three cute kids. She loves staying at home and playing with her kids every day and enjoys writing in the evenings. Her favorite animals are elephants, flamingos and penguins. She currently lives in Utah, but has lived in Georgia, Iowa, and Idaho as well. Essie is also a Certified Recreational Therapist which means she loves helping people while still having fun.


Website: www.essiebellbooks.com

Instagram: instagram.com/essiebell.author

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Essie-Bell/author/B097XP57YQ?

Wow what encouragement I received in todays interview with Sean E. Avery. I've always wanted to secretly learn how to draw and Sean is an art teacher, and illustrator of his own authored books. He made me believe perhaps I can illustrate my own books one day, and you'll believe so too once you listen to this episode. Will it take time and consistent action? Absolutely! But it can happen when you practise aggressive patience.

Enjoy the show!

MORE ABOUT SEAN E. AVERY:

Sean E Avery is a teacher, writer-illustrator, sculptor and designer born in South Africa; living in Perth, Western Australia. Locally, he’s best known as the writer-illustrator of best-selling children’s picture book, All Monkeys Love Bananas, published by Fremantle Press. His last picture book, Happy as a Hog Out of Mud, won the 2022 WAYRBA Picture Book of the Year Award and his latest picture book, Frank’s Red Hat, is shortlisted for the 2023 Indie Book of the Year Award and already a hit with kids in Australia, Korea, France and Denmark. He also has a new graphic novel series for younger readers out this year called Friendly Bee and Friends. Internationally, he’s best known as a sculptor who uses CDs and DVDs to create breathtaking works of art that reside in galleries and private collections all around the world. He is curious, enthusiastic and ready to work hard for the things he believes in.

Find him at https://seaneavery.com

Today I'm joined by podcaster, author, mother, writing festival enthusiast and gosh so may more titles that still don't sum up DANI VEE!! A fun talk where we cover writing, getting published, writing festivals, creativity, and of course the magic of making connections and how important they are in the writing world! Enjoy today's show.

MORE ABOUT DANI VEE:

DANI VEE is an author, podcaster and works in publicity and acquisitions at Larrikin House.

Her picture books include ‘My EXTRAordinary Mum', and her new book ‘My EPIC Dad! Takes Us Camping,’ the first book in the EPIC Dad series.

Dani Vee hosts the popular literary podcast Words and Nerds. With up to 50,000 listeners every month and more than 500 episodes, the podcast has become a significant part of the Australian literary community. She has interviewed Matthew Reilly, Trent Dalton, Jackie French, Tara Moss, Andy Griffiths and many more.

As well as working in Publicity at Larrikin House, she assesses manuscripts and works in acquisitions with the publisher.

You’ll also find her facilitating panels or running workshops at literary festivals such as BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, The Sutherland Shire Writers' Festival, Somerset Storyfest, Kids and YA Festival and Mansfield Readers and Writers Festival and in 2023 at the Sydney Writers’ Festival.

Dani has been on judging panels for picture book awards, the Ned Kelly Awards and Ngaio Marsh Awards.

Find her athttps://www.danivee.com.au/

Self-publishing extraordinaire Karen Inglis joins me on today's episode to talk all about her wonderful books, her incredible author and publishing journey, and how she sold over 500,000 copies of The Secret Lake! We talk writing, publishing, marketing, foreign rights and through this interview you will understand, it's never too late to market your book!

MORE ABOUT KAREN:

Karen Inglis is an international bestselling children’s author of picture books, illustrated chapter books and middle grade novels. Her time travel adventure The Secret Lake for ages 8-11has sold over half a million print copies in English and is in translation in 11 languages. Her other titles have all sold in their thousands.

Return to the Secret Lake, Karen’s long-awaited sequel to her bestseller, was recently shortlisted in the children’s categories for both the Wishing Shelf Book Awards and the UK Selfies Awards.

Karen has written and presented extensively about children’s self-publishing and children’s book marketing. She has received traditional publishing offers over the years but has preferred to retain creative control over her work.

· kareninglisauthor.com — for readers

· @kareninglis — twitter

· facebook.com/kareninglisauthor — Facebook

· @kareninglis_childrensbooks — Instagram

· selfpublishingadventures.com — for writers

Today I interview Children's Book Author Adrian Beck and we talk in depth about school visits, yes again, and this time I must admit I felt like maybe I really could do school visits... and boy do I laugh through this entire interview. I was tempted to name this episode How to Be the Funnest Author, because Adrian is fun, fun, fun!!! And if you, like me, want to be a fun type kids author, this is the interview for you.

But then we get serious and Adrian gives the most encouraging advice about tenacity, grit, and never giving up!! I want to put every sentence he said on a giant poster so the next time I get discouraged I remember to never give up! You'll love learning and laughing along with Adrian Beck today, so after you listen to the podcast go and check out all the amazing books he's written!

Elena

MORE ABOUT ADRIAN BECK:

Adrian Beck writes, funny, action-packed stories for kids. He is the author of the Derek Dool series, the Champion Charlies series, plus Alien Zoo 1 and 2 and he is the co-author of the Little Legends series with Nicole Hayes plus the Kick it to Nick series with AFL hall-of-famer Shane Crawford. As well as being an author, Adrian is a TV producer and a lover of very bad ‘dad jokes’. Together with Sally Rippin, Adrian edited the Total Quack Up! & Total Quack Up Again! books which contain an awesome line-up of writers who each provided hilarious short stories to raise money for Dymocks Children’s Charities! Adrian draws on his showbiz roots to create engaging, interactive school presentations and is passionate about fostering a love of reading amongst the next generation.

Adrian was born in Hobart, Tasmania but is not related to Princess Mary. (As far as he knows). He is passionate about raising childhood literacy levels across the country and is a fierce supporter of the endangered teacher-librarian species.

As a TV producer and author, Adrian uses both skill sets to deliver entertaining schools visits with lively, humorous and interactive sessions on writing, working in television and sport. If you would like to enquire about Adrian as a speaker, please head to the Booked Out website. Or check him out at his website at AdrianBeck.com.au

NBA player C.J. Watson & author released his fourth book for kids this March 2023, called "CJ and His Magic Socks". The first book "CJ's Big Dream" received great reviews and was an Amazon best seller. CJ has two other children's books "CJ's Big Project" & "CJ's Big Moment". The new book is available now on Amazon & Kindle, links below.

Today I chat with C.J about his basketball career, his four children's books and how to beat the odds and every obstacle to follow your dreams, and then inspire others to do the same. C.J was a lot of fun to talk to and watch out because I might just surprise him with a visit to Las Vegas for a joint school visit!

MORE ABOUT C.J WATSON:

C.J. Watson's basketball career has allowed him to play for some of the best teams in NBA history. While his professional basketball experience is impressive, his skills go far beyond the basketball court.

Philanthropy has been at the center of Watson's career since the start of his scholarship fund. The fund honors his late grandmother, Mary L. Watson, and helps support students studying education. In his hometown of Las Vegas, Watson also started the Quiet Storm Foundation in order to foster learning opportunities that include social skills development and health and fitness activities to help the youth grow and achieve their goals in his community.

In addition to his non-profits, Watson has developed a children's book series named CJ's Big Dream. With this series, he hopes to inspire young kids to chase their dreams and work hard for what they want.

For more information on "CJ and His Magic Socks" or to purchase visit
http://cjpens.com
Connect with CJ:
Instagram:@ quietstorm_32
Twitter: @quietstorm_32
Facebook: @officialcjwatson

This episode of The Children's Book Author Podcast is number 25, and is such a special one. I am joined by Jen Storer, Australian Children’s Author and Chief Inspirationalist at girlandduck.com, where she mentors, nurtures and guides creative souls from all over the world. And in today's interview she shares so much of her wisdom and inspiration with us writers and creatives. It's a not to be missed episode. Enjoy the show! Elena

More About Jen:

Jen Storer is a commercially successful and critically acclaimed Australian Children’s Author. As Director and Chief Inspirationalist at girlandduck.com, she is also a big-hearted businesswoman who mentors, nurtures and guides creative souls from all over the world.

Jen LOVES what she does, believes in working to her strengths and is always looking for new and inspired ways to help others.

She lives with her beloved in a divinely pretty Central Victorian town.

Read more at Girl & Duck.com