And we're back with another KidLit Hang! Shara Curlett hosts Bethany Loveridge and Adrian Beck for a bonus episode, where they chat about everything - and absolutely nothing at the same time.

They discuss the Book Week/Book Month juggle, deadlines across multiple publishers (Adrian), and balancing school visits with parenting commitments. Shara recaps a Sydney trip where she visited the Penguin studios and attended the Dymocks conference in the Hunter Valley. She shares a bit about Sofie Laguna and Mark McBride’s Blunderbore presentation, and she asks Bethany and Adrian for their thoughts on using reference images.

Adrian discusses his school visit tips shared on The Book Deal, as well as performing at the Whitsunday Voices Festival, praising the energy of festivals and likening them to The Big Day Out for kids, which Shara loved.

Bethany previews upcoming appearances (including StoryFest St George) where they discuss illustrator battles, and she also shares about a Girls Write Now workshop she did.

This month's book spotlight is Bethany’s new picture book The Picture Perfect Present.

This is followed by another "Would You Rather", this time hosted by Adrian as he attempts to bring the conversation back to books. The trio then swap current reading/watching, give industry shout-outs (Tim Harris, The Lighthouse Toowoomba, Jess Horn), and note upcoming events including Shara’s Protector of Beyond launch plans.

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BOOK SPOTLIGHT: The Picture Perfect Present by Bethany Loveridge and Amie Sabadin

Sofie Laguna and Marc McBride, author and illustrator of Blunderbore

Melbourne Kids Book Fest 2-3 October 2026

Lachlan Carter Author

Mick Elliot - author / illustrator of Uranus FC

Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival

Storyfest St George

Tim Harris Author

Jess Horn - A Hat for Every Harriet

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Bethany Loveridge Website - bethanyloveridge.com

Bethany Loveridge on Instagram - @bethanyloveridgeauthor

Adrian Beck Website - adrianbeck.com.au

Adrian Beck on Instagram - @adrianbeckbooks

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)