WonderPod: Recent Episodes
Conor Bredin
What does it take to be a children's author? What about being an illustrator? Join aspiring children's author Conor Bredin on WonderPod. WonderPod is the offical podcast for WonderFest, Ireland's first online children's book festival. By listening to WonderPod, you'll get great insight into writing for children, how the publishing industry works, tips on writing and illustrating, and much more!WonderFest is supported by the Pavilion Theatre (https://www.paviliontheatre.ie/) and funded by the Arts Council (https://www.artscouncil.ie/home/)
Join us for the last episode of WonderPod, where our host Conor Bredin chats to Sarah Webb and Ashwin Chacko on the WonderFest committee! In this episode, Conor asks about how WonderFest came to be, how Ashwin and Sarah got started in children's books, chats about some of their favourite children's books and upcoming WonderFest events, and much more!
If you enjoyed this episode, you might enjoy these upcoming events:
WonderFestSchools: Amazing Animal Draw-Along with Ashwin Chacko and Sheena Dempsey (Nov 17th @ 10am)
WonderFestInspires: ProperBook Webinar – So You Want to be a Children’s Illustrator? Chair Margaret Anne Suggs with Ashwin Chacko, Tarsila Krüse and Emma Byrne
WonderFestInspires: ProperBook Webinar – So You Want to be a Children’s Writer? Chair Patricia Forde with Rob Grant, Shane Hegarty and Clare Wallace
WonderFestInspires: Masterclass – Illustrating Children’s Books – Margaret Anne Suggs
In association with Pavilion Theatre
Kindly supported by Children's Books Ireland and dlr Libraries
Funded by Arts Council Ireland
Follow Sarah Webb on socials:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahwebbishere
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sarahwebbwriter/
Follow Ashwin Chacko on socials:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whackochacko
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/whackochacko/
Check out Conor's full time podcast, "Story of a Storyteller" anywhere where you can listen to podcasts! Or by clicking here: https://www.storyofastoryteller.buzzsprout.com
Follow Conor on Social Media below:
Twitter (@Conor_the_Geek)
Instagram (@ConorTheGeek)
Be sure to follow all of our social media!
Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!
Follow us on Instagram by clicking here!
For all things WonderFest be sure to check out our website, www.wonderfest.ie
New episodes out every Monday!
This week we have a very special episode with author Patricia Forde and Laureate na nÓg Áine Ní Ghlinn. This episode is spoken in a mix of English and in Irish. Patricia and Áine speak about their experiences writing children’s books in Irish, and the importance of encouraging children to read books in Irish for fun and to build a love for the language.
If you enjoyed this week's episode, you might enjoy these upcoming WonderFest events:
#WonderFestSchools: Ó Am go hAm with Patricia Forde i mbun comhrá le Sadhbh Devlin (Nov 18th @ 11:00am)
WonderFestFamilies: Eoinín – Muireann Ní Chíobháin agus Róisín Hahessy (Nov 20th @ 2:30pm)
WonderFestFamilies: Lunchtime Tales of Wonder with PJ Lynch and Flora Delargy in conversation with Patricia Forde (Nov 20th @ 1:00pm)
WonderFestSchools: Fowl Adventures – Eoin Colfer in conversation with Patricia Forde (Nov 19th @ 12:00pm)
WonderFestInspires: ProperBook Webinar – So You Want to be a Children’s Writer? Chair Patricia Forde with Rob Grant, Shane Hegarty and Clare Wallace (Nov 18th @ 6:00pm)
In association with Pavilion Theatre
Kindly supported by Children's Books Ireland and dlr Libraries
Funded by Arts Council Ireland
Follow Patricia on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PForde123
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trishforde1/?hl=en
Follow Áine on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaureatenanOg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laureatenanog/?hl=en
Check out Conor's full time podcast, "Story of a Storyteller" anywhere where you can listen to podcasts! Or by clicking here: https://www.storyofastoryteller.buzzsprout.com
Follow Conor on Social Media below:
Twitter (@Conor_the_Geek)
Instagram (@ConorTheGeek)
Be sure to follow all of our social media!
Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!
Follow us on Instagram by clicking here!
For all things WonderFest be sure to check out our website, www.wonderfest.ie
New episodes out every Monday!
There’s nothing like having your first book out in the world! Debut authors Robert Grant and Caitriona Sweeney reveal the thrills and spills of their journeys, and how their ‘real life’ passions permeate their work, in this upbeat, engaging interview.
If you enjoyed this week's episode, you might enjoy these upcoming WonderFest events:
WonderFestInspires: New Irish Books 2021 Showcase - Books for Age 8+ Years (Nov 19th @ 7:45pm)
WonderFestSchools: New Voices with Paul Coomey, Freddie Alexander, Helen O’Higgins, Dara McAnulty (Nov 18th @ 12pm)
WonderFestInspires: ProperBook Webinar – So You Want to be a Children’s Writer? Chair Patricia Forde with Rob Grant, Shane Hegarty and Clare Wallace (Nov 18th @ 6pm)
Follow Catriona Sweeney on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitriona.sweeney/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaitrionaSween2
Follow Robert Grant on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobGrant_
Check out Conor's full time podcast, "Story of a Storyteller" anywhere where you can listen to podcasts! Or by clicking here: https://www.storyofastoryteller.buzzsprout.com
Follow Conor on Social Media below:
Twitter (@Conor_the_Geek)
Instagram (@ConorTheGeek)
Be sure to follow all of our social media!
Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!
Follow us on Instagram by clicking here!
For all things WonderFest be sure to check out our website, www.wonderfest.ie
New episodes out every Monday!
In this episode Conor gets talking to Matthew Parkinson-Bennett, editor at Little Island Books, one of Irelands many wonderful children's publishers. Matthew kindly peels back the curtain a bit and explains everything about publishing. How books are worked on, how to get noticed by publishers, what publishers want, and much more. A fantastic episode for anyone out there interested in being a traditionally published children's author some day!
Little Island Books are currently open for submissions, so be sure to take a look at their website here: http://littleisland.ie/submissions/
If you're interested in learning more about the writing and publishing industry, check out our upcoming #WonderFestInspires events:
How Books are Created with Judi Curtin and her editor, Helen Carr (November 20th @ 11:00am): https://www.wonderfest.ie/events/11am-how-books-are-created-with-judi-curtin-and-her-editor-helen-carr/
ProperBook Webinar So You Want to be a Children's Writer? Chair Patricia Forde with Rob Grant, Shane Hegarty and Clare Wallace (November 18th @ 6:00pm): https://www.wonderfest.ie/events/6pm-properbook-webinar-so-you-want-to-be-a-childrens-writer-chair-patricia-forde-rob-grant-clare-wallace-shane-hegarty/
ProperBook Webinar So You Want to be a Children's Illustrator? Chair Margaret Anne Suggs with Ashwin Chacko, Tarsila Krüse and Emma Byrne (November 17th @ 6:00pm): https://www.wonderfest.ie/events/6pm-properbook-webinar-so-you-want-to-be-a-childrens-illustrator-chair-margaret-anne-suggs-ashwin-chacko-tarsila-kruse-emma-byrne/
WonderFest is
In association with the Pavilion Theatre
Kindly supported by Children's Books Ireland and dlr Libraries
Funded by Arts Council Ireland
Check out Conor's full time podcast, "Story of a Storyteller" anywhere where you can listen to podcasts! Or by clicking here: https://www.storyofastoryteller.buzzsprout.com
Follow Conor on Social Media below:
Twitter (@Conor_the_Geek)
Instagram (@ConorTheGeek)
Be sure to follow all of our social media!
Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!
Follow us on Instagram by clicking here!
For all things WonderFest be sure to check out our website, www.wonderfest.ie
New episodes out every Monday!
Conor gets the amazing chance to speak with Polly Nolan, founder of PaperCuts Ltd, a literary agency. Polly tells all in this interview, how she became an agent, how to stand out from the crowd, and the most common mistakes that aspiring authors often make! A must listen!
If you're interested in learning more about the writing and publishing industry, check out our upcoming #WonderFestInspires events:
How Books are Created with Judi Curtin and her editor, Helen Carr (November 20th @ 11:00am): https://www.wonderfest.ie/events/11am-how-books-are-created-with-judi-curtin-and-her-editor-helen-carr/
ProperBook Webinar So You Want to be a Children's Writer? Chair Patricia Forde with Rob Grant, Shane Hegarty and Clare Wallace (November 18th @ 6:00pm): https://www.wonderfest.ie/events/6pm-properbook-webinar-so-you-want-to-be-a-childrens-writer-chair-patricia-forde-rob-grant-clare-wallace-shane-hegarty/
ProperBook Webinar So You Want to be a Children's Illustrator? Chair Margaret Anne Suggs with Ashwin Chacko, Tarsila Krüse and Emma Byrne (November 17th @ 6:00pm): https://www.wonderfest.ie/events/6pm-properbook-webinar-so-you-want-to-be-a-childrens-illustrator-chair-margaret-anne-suggs-ashwin-chacko-tarsila-kruse-emma-byrne/
Follow Polly on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/PNPapercuts
Check out Paper Cuts website here: https://www.papercutsltd.com/
Have a look at Paper Cuts submissions process here: https://www.papercutsltd.com/agent-representation
Check out Conor's full time podcast, "Story of a Storyteller" anywhere where you can listen to podcasts! Or by clicking here: https://www.storyofastoryteller.buzzsprout.com
Follow Conor on Social Media below:
Twitter (@Conor_the_Geek)
Instagram (@ConorTheGeek)
Be sure to follow all of our social media!
Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!
Follow us on Instagram by clicking here!
For all things WonderFest be sure to check out our website, www.wonderfest.ie
New episodes out every Monday!
Listen in on two hugely different writers for the hugely diverse, discerning, demanding Middle Grade audience. Ann Murtagh and Padraig Kenny (yes, really!) discuss their obsessions with history, family and community, their approaches to writing, the power of narrative, the importance of character and excitement, and a heck of a lot more. Take notes!
If you enjoy this episode, you might be interested in attending some of these upcoming WonderFest Events:
💙 Masterclass – Writing Fantasy and Time-Travel Novels for Children and Teens with Eve McDonnell (November 21st @ 2:00pm)
💛 New Irish Books 2021 Showcase – Books for Age 8+ (November 19th @ 7:45pm)
💙 New Irish Books 2021 Showcase – Teachers’ Night – Non-fiction and Novels for Primary School Children (November 18th @ 7:45pm)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WonderFestIre
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderfestire/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WonderFestIre
You can follow Ann on twitter here:
https://twitter.com/aine_treasa
You can follow Padraig on twitter here:
https://twitter.com/padraig_kenny
Check out Conor's full time podcast, "Story of a Storyteller": https://www.storyofastoryteller.buzzsprout.com
Follow Conor on Social Media below:
Twitter (@Conor_the_Geek)
Instagram (@ConorTheGeek)
Check out Conor's full time podcast, "Story of a Storyteller" anywhere where you can listen to podcasts! Or by clicking here: https://www.storyofastoryteller.buzzsprout.com
Follow Conor on Social Media below:
Twitter (@Conor_the_Geek)
Instagram (@ConorTheGeek)
Be sure to follow all of our social media!
Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!
Follow us on Instagram by clicking here!
For all things WonderFest be sure to check out our website, www.wonderfest.ie
New episodes out every Monday!
The wild, witty, warm world of Chapter Books, explored with three classy proponents of the genre - Swapna Haddow, Sheena Dempsey and Shane Hegarty. You’re welcome!
Check out Sheena's events at WonderFest 2021:
Amazing Animal Draw-Along with Ashwin Chacko and Sheena Dempsey (Nov 17th @ 10am for 1st/2nd/3rd class): https://www.wonderfest.ie/events/10am-bad-panda-with-swapna-haddow-and-sheena-dempsey/
Check out Shane's events at WonderFest 2021:
New Voices with Paul Coomey, Freddie Alexander, Helen O'Higgins, Dara McAnulty in Conversation with Shane Hegarty (Nov 18th @ 12pm for 2nd/3rd/4th class): https://www.wonderfest.ie/events/12pm-new-voices-paul-coomey-freddie-alexander-helen-ohiggins-dara-mcanulty/
ProperBook Webinar - So You Want to be a Children's Writer? Chair Patricia Forde with Rob Grant, Shane Hegarty, and Clare Wallace (Nov 18th @ 6pm for adults): https://www.wonderfest.ie/events/6pm-properbook-webinar-so-you-want-to-be-a-childrens-writer-chair-patricia-forde-rob-grant-clare-wallace-shane-hegarty/
Website: www.wonderfest.ie
Twitter: @WonderFestIre
Instagram: @WonderFestIre
Facebook: @WonderFestIre
Find out more about Swapna, Sheena and Shane here:
Sheena Dempsey
Website: https://www.sheenadempsey.com
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/sheenadempsey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheenadempsey/
Swapna Haddow
Website: http://www.swapnahaddow.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/swapnahaddow
Shane Hegarty
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shanehegarty
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shanewhegarty
Check out Conor's full time podcast, "Story of a Storyteller" anywhere where you can listen to podcasts! Or by clicking here: https://www.storyofastoryteller.buzzsprout.com
Follow Conor on Social Media below:
Twitter (@Conor_the_Geek)
Instagram (@ConorTheGeek)
Be sure to follow all of our social media!
Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!
Follow us on Instagram by clicking here!
For all things WonderFest be sure to check out our website, www.wonderfest.ie
New episodes out every Monday!
Three cracking picture book makers - Paddy Donnelly, Úna Woods and Tarsila Kruse - have been making big waves in the picture book world, and now they reveal all to Conor about their route to publishing, with lots of behind-the-scenes hints on the way! Make a cuppa, sit back and listen in...
You can find out more about them, and see their work, here:
Tarsila KruseWebsite: www.tarsilakruse.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarsilakruse/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tarsilakruse
Facebook: https://www.fb.com/tarsilakruseillustration
Úna WoodsWebsite: www.unawoods.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unawoods/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UnawoodsUna
Paddy DonnellyWebsite: http://lefft.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/paddy/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/paddydonnelly/
Check out Conor's full time podcast, "Story of a Storyteller" anywhere where you can listen to podcasts! Or by clicking here: https://www.storyofastoryteller.buzzsprout.com
Follow Conor on Social Media below:
Twitter (@Conor_the_Geek)
Instagram (@ConorTheGeek)
Be sure to follow all of our social media!
Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!
Follow us on Instagram by clicking here!
For all things WonderFest be sure to check out our website, www.wonderfest.ie
New episodes out every Monday!
Conor gets to talk to children's author, illustrator, and climate activist Oisín McGann about his new book "A Short Hopeful Guide to Climate Change."
In the episode they discuss what a non-fiction book for children really is, Oisín's journey to becoming an author/illustrator, and why he decided to write a non-fiction book with a difference.
Check out Oisín's website here: www.oisinmcgann.com
Follow Oisín on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OisinMcGann
Follow Oisín on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oisinmcgann/
Check out Conor's full time podcast, "Story of a Storyteller" anywhere where you can listen to podcasts! Or by clicking here: https://www.storyofastoryteller.buzzsprout.com
Follow Conor on Social Media below:
Twitter (@Conor_the_Geek)
Instagram (@ConorTheGeek)
Be sure to follow all of our social media!
Follow us on Twitter by clicking here!
Follow us on Instagram by clicking here!
For all things WonderFest be sure to check out our website, www.wonderfest.ie
New episodes out every Monday!
Welcome to WonderPod!
WonderPod is the official podcast for WonderFest, Ireland's first online children's book festival. Host Conor Bredin will be interviewing children's authors, agents, publishers and more about writing for children, how the industry works, and more.
WonderFest has three branches of events. WonderFest Familes is for those of you at home that want to share the magic of books with the little ones in your life. WonderFest Schools are for all the teachers, librarians and educators out there. Finally WonderFest Inspires is for the aspiring writers and illustrators, as well as all others who are hoping to become part of the children's literature industry!
Follow WonderFest on Instagram
Follow WonderFest on Twitter
Check out our website
WonderFest is supported by the Pavilion Theatre (https://www.paviliontheatre.ie/) and funded by the Arts Council (https://www.artscouncil.ie/home/)