Liz Ledden is a Sydney-based children’s author, with her picture book Tulip and Brutus released in October this year. Liz has another picture book due out in 2020. Liz also co-hosts a podcast with a focus on Australian kids’ books, with her author friends Nat Amoore and Kate Simpson. She a Master of Arts majoring in Children’s Literature, and a background writing in a range of other formats, from marketing materials to magazine articles.

Liz, what made you decide to become a children’s author?

Things came full circle for me, in that creative writing was something I loved as a child and I used to say I wanted to be an author when I grew up. But life, study, work and all of those other grown up things took hold, and it wasn’t until my 30s when I rediscovered kids’ books again. I was writing in other capacities from marketing work to writing for publications, and started a travel blog while living overseas. One type of writing led to another, but after all of that while studying for a Master of Arts, I chose some children’s literature subjects and fell in love with them. It was also a combination of remembering my own childhood love of books and writing, plus discovering a new world of current-day children’s books through reading with my own kids.

You’ve lived all over the world, tell us about some of those experiences and what you were doing whilst overseas?

There have been several overseas stints, from a long ago adventure in Canada to a long-term backpacking trip throughout Asia, then living in Cambodia and Vietnam for a few years each. While in Cambodia I worked in a marketing role for a hotel for a while, then wrote for a magazine that had just started up, AsiaLIFE. I ended up becoming the Deputy Editor, and it was an amazing time of interviewing fascinating people, reviewing restaurants, and penning some travel pieces. This then led to other roles like researching a few editions of the Cambodia and Laos LUXE guides, and when I moved to Vietnam, I wrote a city column about Saigon’s hotspots for Tiger Airways inflight magazine, plus lots of freelance articles for other publications.

You also do a children’s podcast.. tell us about that and the reason behind?

So that came about when I transitioned into writing for kids. Two friends of mine from my writers’ group and I started the podcast when we saw a gap in the Australian podcast market for a show dedicated solely to kids’ books. Since then, a whole bunch of bookish podcasts have started, but that’s probably only helped us in that more and more people are into podcasts! We focus on picture books through to middle grade novels for kids, and interview authors, illustrators and other book industry professionals like booksellers and publishers, plus kids are involved too. The podcast helps raise the profile of Australia’s amazing kids’ book creators, from debut authors to well-established creators with inspiration to share. And of course, it’s a great avenue to market our own books, too! I have a picture book just out about ladybugs and stinkbugs, differences and friendship, called Tulip and Brutus. The podcast has been a fabulous way to spread the word!

Can you share with us your top 3 tips to keep organised and on track as you would be surrounded every day by deadline?

I actually love a deadline and flounder without one! My top three tips for tackling the to-do list are:

1. Lists! I feel like goals are easier to achieve when broken down into small steps, and there’s something so satisfying about ticking things off.
2. OneNote – I really love using OneNote to keep organised. I use it to keep track of everything from podcast bits and pieces, to recording story ideas, to life to-do lists, all in the one spot. And I love it that it syncs from your computer to your phone, so you can update it on the go.
3. Rewards – some form of self-bribery is a great way to get things done, like achieving a writing word count. Even if it’s something little, like deciding to get a coffee or some chocolate once you’ve achieved a certain thing, or something a little bigger and better for reaching a bigger goal!

And what’s next on the agenda for Liz Ledden?

In addition to promoting my picture book Tulip and Brutus, I’m working on a novel for older primary school-aged kids, which I’d love to have complete by the end of the year, even if it will still need major editing! In 2020, my second picture book is out, about a sassy and somewhat delusional dog, so I’m looking forward to that hitting the shelves!

Favourite movie and why?

Lost in Translation – as an Asia-lover and former dweller, I really identify with that feeling of being in a strange new place, and the quirkiness of Japan just captivates me too.

What is one thing that you do for yourself every day?

Read. As I’m picture book obsessed, I love to dive into a new one or re-read an old favourite, for the inspiration for my own stories but also because picture books often have a whole new level of meaning for older readers to absorb.

Who would you most like to meet and why?

I’d love to meet Greta Thunberg and find out what makes her so driven and resilient in the face of so much criticism – such an amazing person!

To find out more about Liz head to:

http://www.lizledden.com/about/

https://www.booktopia.com.au/tulip-and-brutus-liz-ledden/book/9781925804348.html

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