The Fremantle Press podcast on how to be a children’s book author who knows how to present
Lesley Reece, founder and former director of The Literature Centre, joins Claire Miller and Georgia Richter for a chat about how to prepare yourself to face a room full of under-17s! Leslie imparts top tips for aspiring children’s book writers while Claire and Georgia discuss the merits of book hoovering. Writer and editor Amanda Curtin shares her reading recommendations, and the Comma Chameleon has a slanging match with the hosts.
Topics discussed:
Becoming a children’s book writer
How sharing our mistakes makes us more engaging
What makes a good children’s book presenter
When to use slang in your book, and when not to
The How to Be an Author editions of the Fremantle Press podcast are an informal series of chats between publishing industry professionals. Co-hosted by Marketing and Communications Manager Claire Miller and Publisher Georgia Richter, it features regular guest appearances by editor Armelle Davies, as the Comma Chameleon, special publishing industry guests and top tips from contributors to the book How to Be an Author: The Business of Being a Writer in Australia.
Show Notes
Extend your podcast
How to Be an Author: The Business of Being a Writer in Australia by Georgia Richter and Deborah Hunn is available in all good bookstores and online. Between its pages you’ll find everything you need to know about the business of being a writer from people who live and breathe books.
Connect with Georgia and many of the contributors to the book and podcast in the Facebook group.
Guests
Lesley Reece AM was the founder of The Literature Centre in 1992 and remained its Director until June 2021. For over 29 years she championed and promoted Australian literature, inspiring thousands of students and teachers through stimulating programmes. She was awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Nan Chauncy Award and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for the Arts for her significant service to children through improving literacy skills and promoting Australian authors and illustrators. Fremantle Press spoke to her a few months before her term at The Literature Centre ended.
Amanda Curtin is the author of novels Elemental (2013) and The Sinkings (2008), short story collection Inherited (2011), and the narrative non-fiction title Kathleen O’Connor of Paris. Elemental was shortlisted for the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards, and in 2016 was published in the UK. Her award-winning short fiction has appeared in Griffith Review, Southerly, Island, Indigo, Westerly, Review of Australian Fiction and several anthologies. She has also worked as a book editor for many years. Amanda lives in Perth with her husband and an opinionated Siamese cat, and works in a backyard studio among magpies, doves and old trees.
Organisations discussed
Children’s Book Council of Australia
Books and authors mentioned
Lines to Horizon foreword by Jock Serong, contributors Sally Breen, Emily Brugmann, Sam Carmody, Madelaine Dickie, Jake Sandtner and Mark Smith
The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
The Petticoat Parade by Leigh Straw
Original music Title Music and Comma Chameleon Theme by Mo Wilson (copyright 2021)
Sound engineering Aidan D’Adhemar, Fremantle PA Hire
Editing Claire Miller
Produced by Tiffany Ko, Claire Miller and Chloe Walton, Fremantle Press Marketing and Communications
This podcast was produced in Walyalup in Whadjuk Boodja, on the lands of the Noongar people.