Stories behind the stories.
The KidLit Pod is a new podcast set to launch in June 2026! It will be a hub of discussion for everything kidlit, with the central theme of how we’re working collectively as an industry to get more children to read.
This is not any single person’s job. It’s a mammoth, joint effort. A team of people all creating, discussing, sharing and celebrating kidlit, in the hopes of capturing children’s hearts and minds. Because we all have the same objective — to make and talk about books that kids want to read. To share our love of literacy. And to encourage more people to pick up a book, rather than a device.
KLP will be joining a wonderful network of podcasts already talking about kidlit. And in my opinion, there can’t be enough discussions about children’s literature! If you’re looking for someone to interview you for your upcoming book release, I recommend getting in touch with the wonderful teams at Your Kids Next Read, The Book Deal Podcast, Real Stories with Random Writers, and Middle Grade Mavens to name a few.
The focus of KLP will be more of a collective, industry-wide discussion with Australian and NZ creators and industry professionals, where we’ll share opinions, thoughts, ideas, research and science around the importance of children’s books and what we’re doing about it.
I’ll be chatting with marketing teams to discuss trends and changes. Booksellers to share their observations. Librarians and teachers to understand their first-hand experiences at the ground level. Specialists including psychologists to discuss the importance of reading, particularly for a child’s brain. Publishers around how they’re continually adapting and pivoting. And for aspiring and published authors and illustrators, we’ll be delving deep to uncover the stories behind the stories.
If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, keep reading!
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A collective, industry-wide discussion around the importance of books for kids, sharing opinions, thoughts, ideas, research, and the science around the importance of stories and why we need to persist in encouraging our children to turn to a book, rather than a device.
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In short, I’m passionate about inspiring creativity in kids. I have a strong interest in the importance of connection and play, as well as the neurological development of children and how devices are impacting this. And the more discussions we have around the importance of reading, the better.
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To be the hub of everything kidlit, opening up discussions, sharing opinions, thoughts, ideas, as well as research and science, to show how important books are for kids and what we’re doing about it.
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To have meaningful, in-depth conversations about how we get kids to read.
To delve deep with our author and illustrator interviews, getting to the stories behind the stories.
To offer a balanced approach by including a wide variety of voices from in and around the industry.
To discuss the hot topics and stay up to date with industry news that listeners will find interesting.
To spotlight children’s books from Australia and New Zealand.
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Read below to find out more, sending in a pitch, or to enquire about the pod.
Get in Touch
If you're interested in working with The KidLit Pod, complete the form with a few details. I'll review your message and aim to get back to you within 48 hours.
Tips for contacting The KidLit Pod:
As mentioned, if you’d like to be featured on the podcast to promote an upcoming book, we recommend getting in touch with one of the other wonderful kidlit podcasts out there. While we will be sure to mention the books of authors and illustrators on the pod, this is not our primary focus. Our focus is the discussion of how we get children to read, and what we’re doing about it.
However, we will do book mail and spotlights. These will be on a pitch basis. If you’re interested, please get in touch. The postal address for book mail will be sent upon request.
Tips for writing a pitch to be on The KidLit Pod:
Think of it as practice for submitting a book! I’d love to hear your hook first - what you’d like to bring to the table and discuss. Then include further details. If you’d rather send an email than use the form provided, you can contact: thekidlitpod(at)gmail(dot)com.
Hook first - what you’d like to chat about.
Short biography within the industry.
Preferred day/s of the week and time/s to chat (availability).
Please keep in mind I am based in New Zealand.
Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you!