Guest Posts: Rebecca Fung on Creating A New Children's Press

After I'd written two children's chapter books, I wanted to publish a middle grade novel. 

Everyone talks about how wearying pitching is so I thought - how about publishing it myself? And how about starting our very own new children's press?

I've worked in publishing before so this didn't seem too far-fetched. My last foray in the publishing world though was very different - I worked in legal publishing. There, books often have pages more dedicated to footnotes than the main text! As an editor, you fuss about, ensuring all those Latin legal terms are spelled correctly.

Guest Post: Romi Sharp on Getting Lost In The Pages

When it comes to kids and reading, it’s natural that we’d love for them to get lost in a good book on a regular basis. To get lost in the pages. To get lost in the words. To get lost in the moment and of course, in imagination. 

Children’s books allow us to get lost in different worlds, in alternate realities, or even just a thought about a notion that hadn’t been considered before. 

They are the pinnacle of where wonder, dreams, truths and make-believes can take us. 

And picture books? They add that extra cherry on top with their ability to invite viewers to get lost in the art. But why is this important?

Guest Post: Maura Pierlot on The Problem of Plenty with Maura Pierlot

International award-winning children's book author, playwright and filmmaker, Maura Pierlot visits us today on the eve of her latest picture book release, Clutterbugs; a book that creates a nuanced look at creating vs consuming. Here's why she pursued this concept.

We live in an age where our self-worth is often built on what we have rather than who we are. The problem of plenty. 

Buried in our ‘stuff’ is the notion that property and possessions will improve our lives, but the converse is usually true. 

Abundance diminishes value. The more we have, the less content we seem to be. From every vantage point, fulfilment appears out of reach.

Guest Post: Diana Mercedes Howell on There Is No Wrong Way To Write Fiction

As long as you sit down, put one word in front of the other, never give up, and find a way to navigate the barren days or weeks (Hopefully not that long) between 'I am out of ideas' or 'I don’t want to think about this book anymore!' and the dawn of renewed faith in yourself and your vision…there is no wrong way to do it.

My writing style is willy nilly. I write children’s novels and poetry. Children’s novels demand imagination, well-crafted sentences, suspense, humor, intrigue, and a satisfying resolution that ties all the ends together.

Guest Post: Q & A with Meredith Rusu on The Creative Process by Nia Shetty

There’s a Robot in My Socks by Meredith Rusu is a light-hearted story that skillfully captures the wonders of childhood while addressing the complexities of emotions in a fun, engaging way. 

The book follows Jamie and her trusty robot companion through a delightful adventure that showcases how even ordinary items, like socks, can spark extraordinary moments. 

Rusu’s book is filled with playful humor, vivid imagery, and a creative blend of the real and the imaginary, making it a perfect read for young children and their parents who are navigating their own big feelings.

One of the standout features of this graphic novel  is how themes of comfort, emotion, and the occasional chaos of childhood are wonderfully mixed. 

Through the imaginative lens of a child’s world, Rusu touches on separation anxiety, the need for routine, and the importance of emotional expression, all with a charming robot by Jamie’s side. The vibrant illustrations by Martín Morón bring Jamie’s world to life with bright colors and whimsical designs, perfectly complementing the story.

Now, let’s hear from the author herself, Meredith Rusu, as she shares insights into the inspiration, characters, and creative process behind There’s a Robot in My Socks in our exclusive KBR interview:

Review: Ink And Light: Poetry Anthology

There are moments in life, fuelled by the actions of people you may barely know but have always admired from afar that bring you to your knees, and in my case, induce a surge of tearful emotions. 

This book, Ink and Light, an anthology of poetry by our very own,  Nia Shetty is filled with such moments.

Raw. Powerful. Immediate. Shetty’s subject matter strikes an impressive chord. Each line resonates energy and angst, anguish and anticipation. Clarity and an unnervingly keen conception of ‘how it is’.

She doesn’t spare the truth either. Diaspora, the forced shedding of cultural identity, racial discrimination, and the eternal search for buried hope; all chime subtly throughout each poem but amazingly, never in an oppressive nor despairing way. 

There is a force of optimism and expectation behind each verse that somehow provides light to the various patches of shade.

The resulting pieces are articulate, elegant odes to the author’s cultural roots and sharp contemporary observations. And, as mentioned, stirring enough to incite genuine emotion.

Guest Post: Kelly Louise Jarris on Staying True to Your Voice

Picture book author, Kelly Louise Jarris addresses the balance of navigating both self-publishing and traditional publishing, their benefits and shortfalls. 

What Do Publishers Want? Ah, that’s the magical question and the golden ticket for someone like me who is self-publishing my work. 

Like so many of us, we put in the hard yards: promoting, reaching out to our target audience, staying active on social media, booking Book Week readings, pitching, getting manuscript assessments, entering writing competitions—the list goes on. 

Guest Post: Elly Both on ADHD As A Superpower!

A Kids Book About ADHD had been bubbling around in my mind for a long time before I put my fingers to the keyboard.  

I wanted to write a book that shared my experience growing up and telling the story of the struggles I had experienced.  

I wanted to share with kids who are experiencing what I did.  I wanted to write a book that shared all the awesome things that come along with having ADHD. 

I have been a big fan of the publishing company A Kids Co. for many years and loved their series of books designed to be read together (grownup and kid) to create open discussion around some big topics. 

Guest Post: Peter Millett on How To Go From ‘Not Quite Right’ to Published!

Most people who read this post would have heard the term ‘not quite right’ used to describe their efforts or attempts to do something difficult during their lifetime. 

Every author who reads this post would have been told that their story idea was ‘not quite right’ at least two times this week! J 

Most often, it’s a polite method for editors to tell their authors that it’s the end of the road for their project and it’s time to close the door forever. 

However, sometimes ‘not quite right’ does lead to a positive result in the highly unpredictable world of books. My picture book This is the Ship that Jack Built is one such example.

A few years ago, I was busy straining far too hard to create a fractured fairy tale by rebooting a Mother Goose rhyme in a way that I thought hadn’t been done before. 

Guest Post: Maria Meakin on Being Me: Transgender and Non-Binary Identities

I am an everyday Mum with a passion for books but I’m also a Mum with a passion for advocating for books to read to children about current issues, acceptance, and inclusion.

So, in saying that, I decided to write a book that I had struggled to find in libraries and on shelves in bookstores.

I wanted to be able to read a book to my daughter that addressed the many questions she had about transgender and non-binary identities amongst her peers and because we often talked about pronouns and how important respecting them is, due to my profession.

Guest Post: Chelsea Luker on A Journey Into The Autistic / ADHDer Experience

In a world that often feels like it's not built for everyone, Square Me, Round World: Stories of growing up in a world not built for you offers a refreshing and insightful perspective on the lives of Autistic/ADHDer individuals. 

As an author, psychologist, and advocate, I’d like to share a personal journey that has led to the creation of this book aimed at bridging the understanding gap and fostering inclusivity.

I am deeply passionate about advocating for the rights and well-being of Autistic and ADHDer individuals. 

Guest Post: Romi Sharp on A Look Into The Lens Of Our Australian HeArt

As a creative in the children’s book industry, it’s quite common for inspiration to come from memories or experiences or nostalgic moments that remind us of our own childhood. 

Then, we blend those sentiments with our here and now. It’s like tying the pieces together to form some kind of warm and fuzzy ball of string that comes back around in a full circle (or something like that!).

The Just Write For Kids anthology – Our Australian HeART – was inspired by this very ball-of-string collection of moments for me.

Guest Post: Independent Publishing Q&A with Kristy Nita Brown

A couple of years ago, Kristy Nita Brown released her first junior novel with resounding success. She did it all herself. 

Today we delve a little deeper into her independent publishing journey and her second junior novel, Mavey and Beth's Double Act. Welcome back, Kristy!

What is independent publishing?
With independent publishing, the author takes on the duties of the publishing company – printing, distributing, marketing, and everything in between. 

An author who independently publishes has full control over their work and their rights. They set the recommended retail price and earn a more substantial slice of the sales pie. 

On the flip side, it’s a hefty responsibility. 

Guest Post: Martine Murray on World

I wrote the book World because I feel that our relationship to trees is somehow central to our relationship to life, to aliveness and to the natural world.

The tendency to see a tree or a forest only as a resource to be extracted rather than a source of life– an essential and beautiful, alive transmitter of all that is good, seems to be one of the fallouts of modernity, urbanisation and consumerism.

In the book, a man approaches a tree with an axe and says, Sorry tree, but I need a house. The tree replies that it houses a whole world.

Guest Post: Alyssa Ainsworth on Why Theme Is So Important In Children's Books

When I first started writing, I knew I wanted my first book to be a fairytale, but wanted a theme that reached beyond the pages of the book. 

What I find so vital about the theme of my first published book, Tea Time With Tolly, was that the parents do not shy away from allowing her (Olivia) to have such an open mind and a vast imagination. When she goes to bed that night, she dreams of the people who could show up at her door, but her dream has some restrictions on who might show up.

Guest Post: Louis White on Writing About The Environment For Children

Today we welcome Louis White and his take on why educating our young people on the world in which they live is important.

One of my favourite memories as a child was to sneak off to my bedroom and read a book. This was not an easy task, as I grew up in a big family – one of nine children – and shared a bedroom with two brothers (first two younger brothers and then two older brothers) until I was 17.

Guest Post: Penny Macoun on The Poetry of Christmas

Christmas is my favourite time of year. I have always found it to be special, not because of the religious aspect of the day, but because of the magic and closeness to loved ones it creates.

I wanted to write a Christmas story but wasn’t sure if I could create something new. I was worried that all the good story ideas had already been written. The Night Before Christmas has always been magical for me and I can still recite it off by heart. 

I am not a natural poet; however, I have dabbled with this style now and then, and by using The Night Before Christmas as inspiration I had a go at writing a Christmas poem. 

I wasn’t sure that I would publish it, but it turned out better than I expected so I decided to publish it as The Christmas Door.

Guest Post: Kristy Nita Brown on Independent Publishing

My name is Kristy Nita Brown. I write junior fiction chapter books about small characters who do big things. In July, I independently released my debut junior fiction chapter book, Looking for Lily. 

I had a specific publisher in mind when I wrote Looking for Lily. Unfortunately, I found out (very late in the writing process) that this publishing company doesn’t accept unsolicited manuscripts. I pitched Looking for Lily to a couple of other publishers via Kid Lit Vic and slush piles, but in my heart, I knew Looking for Lily wasn’t a good fit for them. 

Guest Post: Hina Nauman on Connecting With Nature

Did you ever consider getting your child connected with nature? Or to fall in love with the mysteries of nature?

As an author of the e-series, Hanna the Guardian of Nature aged for children 7 to 12 years, I aimed to make children understand their emotions and to help them, not only to heal their negative emotions but to use their energies positively by connecting themselves with the nature around them. 

This will surely help them become better mature adults in society. I believe whatever you write for children should always be humorous so that children should love their childhood and enjoy themselves being a kid. That is the reason why I focus on putting my main character as a naughty, mischievous 8-year-old girl in this series.

Nature is a gift. We must let our children feel the power of nature in our souls. Nature has the power to connect people regardless of our cultural differences. As parents, it is our responsibility to let our children understand how to stand for themselves in hard times in positive ways.

Guest Post: Ellie Royce on The Fantastic Journeys of Storytelling

This week we welcome, Ellie Royce as she uncovers how we are all made of stories and explores the many ways to tell them.