Patience, persistence, and passion are three core elements that led Shara to writing her middle-grade fantasy novel, Protector of Beyond (Penguin Australia), which is out the day this podcast goes to air.

This episode of The KidLit Pod flips the usual format, as Jennifer Ennion, a freelance travel journalist and emerging children’s author/illustrator with her first picture book slated with Thames & Hudson, interviews Shara to mark the release of Protector of Beyond (Penguin Australia), where they discuss its origins, title, themes of found family and self-belief.

Throughout this in-depth chat, Shara shares how her writing journey began because of a significant period of grief, where she took to writing to process this and wrote two 90,000 word novels. Following this, she had further challenges that led her to writing in "the cracks" in whatever way possible and persisting despite what was thrown at her.

This chat delves into resilience, parenting challenges, the pantser process, and the editing process. Shara and Jennifer discuss community, including the KidLitMums, as well as Shara’s debut middle-grade novel, Welcome to Miracle (Scholastic Australia, 2025), before Shara asks Jennifer to share a bit more about Jen's debut picture book novel with Thames & Hudson.

They talk illustrations and covers, and finish with Shara sharing her upcoming launch events in Brisbane and Sydney.

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Jennifer Ennion on Instagram:

@jenniferennion

@jenniferennion_art

Follow The KidLit Pod on Instagram (@thekidlitpod)

Find out more about The KidLit Pod host, Shara Curlett, here:

Shara Curlett on Instagram (@sharacurlett)

Shara Curlett Website (www.sharacurlett.com)