Friends with Pens Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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Friends with Pens Podcast

Elissa Elwick and Jo Lindley

Arts

Frequency: 1 episode/100d. Total Eps: 9

Elissa Elwick and Jo Lindley are children’s book illustrators and friends. Join them for a weekly catch-up about the life of an illustrator in the children's publishing industry, discussing creative processes, inspirations, favourite books, comics, animations and, well, anything really! For anyone who loves to eavesdrop on conversations about children’s books, illustration, character design, animation and a little bit of good old 80s and 90s nostalgia!

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Data updated on 26/09/2026

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Score global : 17%

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"It's all about prospective"

Season 2 · Episode 3

Thursday, April 23, 2026 • Duration 36:47

Elissa and Jo are back and this time they’re chatting about prospective work. They discuss how their initial story and character ideas are turned into actual books and how they juggle working on new pitches alongside commissions.

Elissa discusses how she initially pitched the idea for her new graphic novel (The Gumdrops), and Jo talks through the picture book pitch she’s currently working.

Books/courses discussed in this episode:

Bookfox Academy

Duo published by Glénat

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"A juvenile sense of humour"

Season 2 · Episode 1

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 • Duration 29:14

Elissa and Jo talk about the challenges and joys of drawing in front of people, Muriel’s (or is it murals?), the delayed pay offs with illustration work, how Elissa’s publication week went for her new graphic novel The Gumdrops and, well, the usual nonsense!

Books, podcasts, and films referenced:

The Gumdrops Quest for Bravery, by Elissa Elwick

The Gumdrops Main Character Energy, by Elissa Elwick

Sirat, directed by Oliver Laxe.

Building Your Brand Live, podcast hosted by Liz Mosley

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"From horror to children's books"

Season 2 · Episode 1

Monday, February 23, 2026 • Duration 26:41

Friends With Pens is back with Series 2! Elissa and Jo chat about what they’ve been watching, reading and creating. And they share details of the new developments in their illustration careers.

Elissa talks about the leap into writing and illustrating her first graphic novels and Jo shares what it’s been like designing a children’s art trail for Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Inspired by the animated series The Amazing World of Gumball, they also discuss the joy of rehoming old characters that have been stashed away for years.

Books discussed in this episode:

Blankets by Craig Thompson

Wands Away! by Emma Farrarons

Claude by Alex T Smith

King Coo by Adam Stower

Bird and Bear by Jarvis

The Gumdrops: Quest for Bravery by Elissa Elwick

Izzy the Inventor (books 6 & 7) by Zanna Davidson and Elissa Elwick

The Beaver Who Saved Christmas by Will Millard and Jo Lindley

The Squirrel Who Lost Her Nuts by Will Millard and Jo Lindley

Chi Chi the Panda by Maisie Chan and Jo Lindley

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"It's all character-building"

Season 1 · Episode 6

Friday, March 22, 2024 • Duration 33:40

Elissa and Jo discuss their favourite reference books that they turn to when in need of some inspiration, and the unique prizes their drawings got them as kids! It’s the last episode of series 1 and they really hope you’ve enjoyed listening in on their chats. They'll be back for series 2 soon!