I love listening to craft-focused podcasts, and find them a fantastic way to learn and feel connected to a wider KidLit writing community. I’m so grateful to the talented writers and illustrators who create and/or feature in each episode – thank you, Podcasters!
Below are 3 of my current favourite podcasts. I hope you find the recommendations useful, and if you know of any others you think KidLit-focused writers would enjoy, please leave the title in the comments below.
Happy listening!
SCBWI Podcast
Target listener/about:
Anyone interested in learning more about books for children and hearing conversations with both authors and illustrators. From the podcast About section: “The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conversations with publishing pros, and award-winning and bestselling writers and illustrators who inform and inspire the ins and outs of the children’s book industry…”
What I love about SCBWI Podcasts:
In each episode, host Theo Baker shares an in-depth interview with a well-known KidLit creator (writer, illustrator, or translator). I love Theo’s interview style, and how at ease he seems to make his guests. The questions and subsequent discussions are always so illuminating and inspiring. At the end of each episode, I feel like I’ve learned so much about craft, mindset, community, and feel motivated to keep pushing forward with my own work.
Where to find more info:
https://www.scbwi.org/podcasts
3 Point Perspective: The Illustration Podcast
Target listener/about:
Although this is called “the illustration podcast,” I think so much of what is discussed on this podcast relates to writers and other creatives. There’s a KidLit focus, for sure, and many mindset and business takeaways. From the podcast About section: Illustrators Will Terry, Lee White, and Jake Parker talk about illustration, how to do it, how to make a living at it, and how to make an impact in the world with your art.
What I love about 3 Point Perspective:
The hosts! Will, Lee, and Jake all have very different styles yet gel so well together. I love how honest and open they all are about the publishing industry and their own creative journeys. They share such actionable tips and advice each episode as well as interviewing some amazing illustrators. I’ve applied many of their mindset tips to my own fiction and poetry writing practice, and the way I conceive of the work I do. For illustrators, they also answer listeners’ questions and give very specific feedback on submitted art work.
Where to find more info:
https://www.svslearn.com/3pointperspective
Writers with Wrinkles
Target listener/about:
Aspiring fiction authors, and although it’s not a specifically KidLit-focused podcast, it does contain lots of children’s book references. From the podcast About section: Authors Beth McCullen and Lisa Schmid iron out the wrinkles in writing, publishing, and everything in between … one podcast at a time. Writers with Wrinkles is the go-to podcast for aspiring authors, and those in the trenches, who want to successfully publish a novel … or ten!
What I love about Writers with Wrinkles:
I love the combination of interviews and tips/advice from the two hosts, Beth and Lisa. Their episodes really get to the heart of what it means to be a writer and how to overcome the inevitable challenges along the way. There’s a lot of great mindset as well as focused craft advice. The hosts are very open about their own struggles, successes, and publishing journey, which I find incredibly reassuring. After listening to this podcast, I always feel uplifted, motivated, and determined to embrace both my “failures” and successes.
Where to find more info:
https://www.writerswithwrinkles.net/
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Kim T. Harrison 