Storymix: Craft and Conversation

Storymix: Craft and Conversation

Welcome to Storymix: Craft and Conversation - a brand new podcast from Inclusive Fiction Studio Storymix! Co-hosted by author and creative writing tutor Maame Blue and former BBC journalist Azi Farni, this series aims to support racially minoritised creators of children's books. Each week listeners will be introduced to key elements of the writing craft, including creating realistic characters, writing for different ages and developing authentic dialogue. You'll also hear conversations with creators and industry experts discussing how we identify our internal biases when writing for children, and how we include our heritage in our work in an authentic way! Tune in each week to find support in discovering your voice writing or drawing for children and navigating the many paths you could take into the world of children's books!

Episodes

How do I get a seat at the publishing table?

July 24, 2023 • 51 mins
This week on the final episode of the season of Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue and Azi Farni chat extensively with children’s literary agent Davinia Andrew-Lynch about what it really means to be a literary agent, industry expectations, and answering the constant question: how do you get a seat at the publishing table? Listen, share and get into the conversation!

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Getting your work out there

July 19, 2023 • 30 mins
This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, in our final Craft episode of the season, Maame Blue takes you through the crucial steps needed to get your stories out of your head and into the hands of agents and publishers. Plus, our 5 Minute Mentor Jasmine Richards shares some great tricks for writing the elevator pitch for your story idea! Listen, share and get into the craft!

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How do I tackle big topics like slavery and racism?

July 17, 2023 • 60 mins
This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue and Azi Farni sit down with author and teacher J. T. Williams - who wrote The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries - to discuss how research can play a part in story development, what it takes to create characters from real figures in history, and how to navigate the question: How do I tackle big topics like slavery and racism when writing for children? Listen, share and get into the ...
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Writing For Different Ages

July 12, 2023 • 29 mins
This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue explains the differences in creating stories for children depending on their age, with the help of three Storymix Studio books! Plus, our 5 Minute Mentor Jasmine Richards breaks down publisher expectations and rules around the age ranges of books for children! Listen, share and get into the craft!

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Transcript

How do I use slang or foreign words authentically?

July 10, 2023 • 50 mins
This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue and Azi Farni take a closer look into dialogue, language and heritage, in conversation with Tania Tay - the author writing as Crystal Sung on the upcoming middle grade series Spellcasters. From research to personal history and more, the question is: How do I use slang or foreign words authentically when writing for children? Listen, share and get into the conversation!

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Writing Authentic Dialogue

July 5, 2023 • 24 mins
This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue is discussing dialogue! How to make it sing, how to make it ring true, and what to avoid, especially when writing for kids. Screenwriter and author E. L Norry will be doing a reading of her brand new middle grade book Fablehouse, and our 5 Minute Mentor Jasmine Richards - writer, editor and screenwriter - will be back with some invaluable tips on dialogue inspired by her exp...
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Who or what do I draw?

July 3, 2023 • 50 mins
This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue and Azi Farni dig deep into the world of children’s illustration with the help of illustrator Selom Sunu, who discusses diversity in children's book characters, how to decide what to draw, and tackles the question: How do I avoid creating white characters that are just shaded in? Listen, share and get into the conversation!

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Finding Characters

June 28, 2023 • 25 mins
This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue takes the helm of another Craft episode, this time to help you find inspiration for creating authentic characters that reflect your reader's worlds - that is, the world of children. With a reading from The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger from author J.T. Williams, and an immersive journey back to your childhood bedroom from our 5 Minute Mentor Jasmine Richards, ...
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How do I reflect my heritage without resorting to stereotypes?

June 26, 2023 • 54 mins
This week on Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Maame Blue and Azi Farni get into the Conversation with Storymix Founder, author and editor Jasmine Richards to explore the question: How do you reflect your heritage without resorting to stereotypes when creating children's books? Listen, share and get into the conversation!

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Archetypes vs Stereotypes

June 21, 2023 • 23 mins
Welcome to the first ever episode of Storymix: Craft & Conversation! In our first Storymix Craft episode, host Maame Blue shares some tips on differentiating between Stereotypes and Archetypes when creating stories for children. Plus, we'll hear a reading by Storymix author Isaac Mckenzie, one of the writers behind Future Hero: Mission To The Shadow Sea. And on top of all of that, our fearless Storymix leader Jasmine Richards j...
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