And we're back! It's time for our monthly chat with Australian kidlit legends Bethany Loveridge and Adrian Beck, accompanied by our host, NZ author Shara Curlett.

The team joke about Zoom call distractions (including Bethany’s dog, Sugar Plum), before introducing their recent and upcoming books and launches, including Shara's Protector of Beyond launch plans in Brisbane, Bethany’s Josie Mack and the Mega Division, and Adrian’s newly released Nowhere House and his double launch with Amy Doak.

Adrian questions launches, and they discuss how publication days can feel anticlimactic and whether launches make books feel “real”. Betty offers fantastic tips, including assigning people to take photos!

The trio plays a series of would-you-rather questions, shares Bethany’s story of befriending a donkey as a teen, before our shoutout to Adrian's new mystery novel, Nowhere House.

Adrian raises concerns from a recent Guardian Australia article about books going to market too quickly and disappearing fast, touching on sales windows, discoverability, and the value of independent bookshops and smaller presses. This segues into a who would survive a haunted house situation. The answer? Not Adrian. This all leads to a signed-book giveaway. (Information available on The KidLit Pod instagram page.)

The trio finish the chat with some current reads, a film recommendation (Wolfwalkers), shout-outs, and a humorous “surprise” close-up ant image.

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BOOK SHOUTOUT LINK:

Nowhere House by Adrian Beck - published by Scholastic Australia

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FURTHER LINKS:

Bethany Loveridge website - bethanyloveridge.com

Bethany Loveridge on Instagram

Adrian Beck website - adrianbeck.com.au

Adrian Beck on Instagram

WHAT WE'RE READING:

Survival Show by Juno Dawon - published by Simon and Schuster

The Witches of Winderry Spires (upcoming release) by Karen Foxlee - published by Allen & Unwin

Don't Forget to Smile by Ariane Beeston - published by Black Inc. Books

TV RECOMMENDATION:

Wolfwalkers

SHOUTOUTS:

Amy Doak

Hira Nathan - The Mindful Māori

If I Could Eat the Stars

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)