The Children's Book Author Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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What makes a child who “hates reading” suddenly devour books?

In this episode, I’m joined by hugely successful children’s author Dustin Brady, best known for his blockbuster Trapped in a Video Game series, which has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide. Dustin writes books for kids who think they hate reading — and somehow, miraculously, he turns them into readers.

We talk about how he comes up with ideas that are both wildly fun and highly commercial, what keeps kids turning pages, how he writes fast-paced books for reluctant readers, and what he’s learned from school visits, parents, teachers, and years of connecting with real kids.

We also dive into Dustin’s publishing journey — from self-publishing to being picked up by a traditional publisher — plus what he’s discovered about writing books that feel approachable, addictive, and impossible for kids to put down.

If you write for children, want to better understand reluctant readers, or dream of creating stories kids genuinely beg to keep reading, this episode is packed with insight.

• Writing for kids who think they hate reading
• What makes a children’s book truly page-turning
• How Dustin comes up with high-concept commercial ideas
• The importance of writing the book you would have loved as a child
• Keeping books tight, fast, and approachable for younger readers
• Cliffhangers, pacing, and chapter length
• School visits and what Dustin has learned from meeting real readers
• Dustin’s journey from self-publishing to traditional publishing
• How Trapped in a Video Game grew into a multi-million-copy success
• What to do when a book just isn’t working
• How to tell the difference between laziness and a story problem
• Why fun matters so much in children’s fiction

Dustin Brady is the bestselling author of books for kids who think they hate reading. His hugely popular Trapped in a Video Game series has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide, and he’s also the author of Escape from a Video Game, Adventures in a Video Game, Leila and Nugget Mystery Series, and The World’s Worst Time Machine.

Known for his fast-paced, funny, highly approachable books, Dustin has built a loyal following among reluctant readers, teachers, and parents alike. He writes stories that help kids discover that reading can actually be fun — and often addictive in the very best way. 

Website: https://dustinbradybooks.com/
Instagram Andrews McMeel Kids: HERE
Books: Trapped in a Video Game, Escape from a Video Game, Adventures in a Video Game, Leila and Nugget Mystery Series, The World’s Worst Time Machine

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In this episode, I'm joined by Alysson Bourque from Expound Publicity—and she's making history as the first guest ever to return to the Children's Book Author Podcast!

We dive deep into holiday marketing strategies and modern publicity tactics that actually work:

• Why October is the best time to get prepared for Christmas book sales
• The genius of unexpected collaborations (think dirty soda carts and boutique book nooks!)
• How to use AI without losing your authentic voice
• The difference between earned and paid media—and why paid is now useful for authors
• Getting featured in satellite media tours and holiday gift guides
• When to invest in a PR firm vs. DIY marketing
• Thinking of your book as a product (the mindset shift that changes everything)
• Scaling beyond books: developing your IP into plush toys, musicals, and more

Whether you're gearing up for your first holiday selling season or looking to take your author business to the next level, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can start implementing today.

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🧡 Learn more about Alysson and Expound at: expoundpublicity.com

MORE ABOUT ALYSSON & EXPOUND PUBLICITY:

Alysson Bourque is a bestselling, award-winning children's book author who began her career as a teacher after graduating from University of Louisiana Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education. She earned a Juris Doctor law degree from the Southern University Law Center in 2007. Alysson is the author of seven books in The Alley Cat Series, including her upcoming Christmas release. Her work has been featured in major media outlets, and she's currently developing her IP for potential adaptation, including discussions with Apple about turning her series into a cartoon.

Using the latest industry trends, Expound's mission is to build a platform for an author to succeed and maintain their success as a writer. Created by a team of multi-award winning, bestselling authors and seasoned marketers, Expound Publicity is a full-service book marketing agency specializing in custom integrated campaigns tailored to each author's unique needs and goals.

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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?

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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

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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 at https://www.danivee.com.au/

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Todays episode is all about having a writing group! I interview first time children's book author, Christina Dankert, about her journey to publication and how having a collaborative and supportive writing group made all the difference. I'm now on the hunt for a writers group too lol!! You will want one too after you listen to this episode - be forewarned. And most of all learn from Christina, and enjoy the show. 

Elena

ABOUT CHRISTINA DANKERT

Christina Dankert is a children’s book author, elementary educator and literacy enthusiast. As an educator, she believes books are a beautiful way to continue to learn and grow. She believes all children should be able to find themselves in picture books. It is through children’s literature and reading to the children in our lives, that will change the world.

FIND HER AT:

https://christinadankert.com/
https://www.instagram.com/christina.dankert/
https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaDankertAuthor

BUY THE KINDNESS MACHINE (and leave a review as it helps an author extraordinarily):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1955119090?pf_rd_r=80RYQMEPDRYJD6JMQ2AT&geniuslink=true

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