Storymix: Craft and Conversation

Storymix
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Welcome to Storymix: Craft and Conversation, the podcast from inclusive fiction studio Storymix, exploring the craft of children’s storytelling, the realities of publishing and the people creating the books we want to see in the world.Season 1, co-hosted by author and creative writing tutor Maame Blue and former BBC journalist Azi Farni, was created to support racially minoritised writers and illustrators working in children’s books. Across the series, they explore key elements of craft, from creating believable characters and authentic dialogue to writing for different age groups, alongside conversations about heritage, bias, representation and finding your way into the publishing industry.In Season 2, Storymix founder and author Jasmine Richards takes the conversation behind the books themselves, speaking with the writers and illustrators behind Storymix collaborations about how stories are made. They get into the creative choices, unexpected challenges, publishing journeys and big ideas behind the work, from identity and history to humour, genre, representation and writing for today’s young readers.Whether you are developing your own voice, curious about how books move from idea to bookshelf, or simply love hearing writers and illustrators talk about their craft, Storymix: Craft and Conversation offers practical insight, candid conversation and a look inside the making of inclusive, commercial children’s stories.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Imagine Differently (I Feel Your Pain)

    This week on our episode of Storymix: Craft and Conversation Season 2, Jasmine Richards chats with YA author Angelica Ellis, who writes under the pen name A. M. Ellis, about blending two genres, who gets to write which stories, and the expectation around stories centering pain and trauma. A.M Ellis's book, I Feel Your Pain, published by Penguin Random House, came out on 25th June 2026. Listen, share and get into the conversation! Useful Links: Follow Angelica on Instagram: @amonaiellisTranscript can be found hereBuy I Feel Your Pain at Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/storymix-craft-and-conversaton-the-reading-shelf Buy Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/their-eyes-were-watching-god-zora-neale-hurston/7130ce64b4702b25?ean=9780060838676&bkshp-astro=tBuy Divergent by Veronica Roth at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/divergent-veronica-roth/5c707406766d2a58?ean=9780062387240&bkshp-astro=tBuy the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris at Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/beta-search?bkshp-astro=t&keywords=sookie+stackhouseBuy the Daughters of the Moon series Work with Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Credits Host: Jasmine Richards Producers: Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @amonaiellis Support our mission to make children's books more inclusive by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/storymixfundraising Why support us? Storymix creates original, high-concept fiction with inclusive casts of characters, giving every child the chance to be the hero. Founded in 2019 by author Jasmine Richards, we act as a springboard for racially-minoritized creators, incubating talent to produce stories that resonate with young readers everywhere. Since our launch, publishers have sold over 500,000 copies of our titles. ____________________________ Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  2. Aug 13

    Writing the In-Between (Princess Apparently)

    In the first episode of Season 2 of Storymix: Craft and Conversation, Storymix founder Jasmine Richards talks to debut children’s author Siren Knight about mixed race identity, Caribbean history, teenage life and the creative journey behind her new novel, Princess (Apparently).Siren and Jasmine explore what it means to write characters who live “in-between”, including Della, the mixed race teenager at the heart of Princess (Apparently). They discuss belonging, Black royalty, the imagined Caribbean island monarchy of St Antonique, and the real history that provided the “sliding door” inspiration for the novel.They also talk about why stories featuring marginalised young people should be allowed to be commercial, romantic and joyful, rather than existing simply to educate readers. Drawing on Siren’s experience as a teacher, they get into what adults often misunderstand about teenagers, ambition, work and politics, as well as the books that shaped Siren as a young reader, from The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton to Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman.Princess (Apparently) by Siren Knight is published by Usborne on 13 August 2026.In this episode: Writing mixed race identity and belongingCreating Della, the teenage heroine of Princess (Apparently)Black royalty, Caribbean history and St AntoniqueRepresentation without turning characters into lessonsWriting joyful, commercial stories with big ideasWhat teaching teenagers reveals about writing for young peopleThe books and writers that shaped Siren’s storytelling Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  3. 07/24/2023

    How do I get a seat at the publishing table?

    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! Useful Links: Davinia Andrew-Lynch at Curtis Brown The Fab Prize Follow Davinia on Twitter @nocturnalreader and Instagram @andlynlit Credits www.storymix.co.uk Hosts: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi Recorded at Dream Factory Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  4. 07/19/2023

    Getting your work out there

    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! Useful Links: Writers and Artists YearbookSCBWI Illustrator Gallery Credits www.storymix.co.uk Host: Maame Blue Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi Recorded at Dream Factory Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  5. 07/17/2023

    How do I tackle big topics like slavery and racism?

    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 conversation! Useful Links: J. T. Williams booksFollow JT Williams on Instagram (@lizzie_and_belle) and Twitter (@ojibrown73) Credits www.storymix.co.uk Hosts: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi Recorded at Dream Factory Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  6. 07/12/2023

    Writing For Different Ages

    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! Useful Links: Age levels for children’s booksBooks: Magic Faces: Heroes of the Pirate Ship written by Esi Merlah & illustrated by Abeeha TariqSecret Beast Club: The Unicorns of Silver Street written by Robin Birch & illustrated by Jobe AndersonThe Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Portraits and Poison by J. T. Williams Credits www.storymix.co.uk Host: Maame Blue Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi Recorded at Dream Factory Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  7. 07/10/2023

    How do I use slang or foreign words authentically?

    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! Useful Links: Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Book: Spellcasters by Crystal Sung Follow Tania on Instagram (@taniatay88) and Twitter (@taniatay88) Credits www.storymix.co.uk Hosts: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi Recorded at Dream Factory Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  8. 07/05/2023

    Writing Authentic Dialogue

    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 experience in the scriptwriting world! Listen, share and get into the craft! Useful Links: Dialogue with StorygridBook: Fablehouse by E. L. Norry Follow E. L. Norry on Instagram (@elnorry_writer) and Twitter (@elnorry_writer) Credits www.storymix.co.uk Host: Maame Blue Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi Recorded at Dream Factory Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  9. 07/03/2023

    Who or what do I draw?

    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! Useful Links: Line of Action - Practice Tools for Artists Book: The Marvellous Granny Jinks And Me written by Serena Holly & illustrated by Selom SunuFollow Selom on Instagram (@selomsunu86) and Twitter (@mrsunu) Credits www.storymix.co.uk Hosts: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  10. 06/28/2023

    Finding Characters

    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, this one requires multiple replays! Listen, share and get into the craft! Useful Links: Writers & Artists Yearbook: On creating your cast of charactersBook: The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger by J. T. WilliamsFollow JT Williams on Instagram (@lizzie_and_belle) and Twitter (@ojibrown73) Credits: www.storymix.co.uk Host: Maame Blue Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  11. 06/26/2023

    How do I reflect my heritage without resorting to stereotypes?

    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! Useful Links: Create for StorymixJasmine’s books Follow Jasmine on Instagram (@writeonauthor) and Twitter (@jrichardsauthor) Credits www.storymix.co.uk Hosts: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  12. 06/21/2023

    Archetypes vs Stereotypes

    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 joins us for our 5 Minute Mentor segment - talking about different ways to find mentorship! Listen, share and get into the craft! Useful Links: https://storygrid.com/hero-archetype/https://write-mentor.com/Book: Future Hero: Mission to The Shadow Sea by Remi BlackwoodFollow Isaac on Instagram (@isaac.mckenzie) and Twitter (@IsaacHMcKenzie) Credits: www.storymix.co.uk Host: Maame Blue Producers: Azi Farni and Maame Blue Music by @Alexthetruefoodie on Instagram Socials: @storymixstudio @maame_blue @art.by.azi Follow Storymix: https://www.storymix.co.uk https://www.storymix.co.uk/create-with-us Instagram: @storymixstudioFollow Siren Knight: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirenknight TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sirenkn1ght    The music for Storymix: Craft and Conversation is by @Alexthetruefoodie. Artwork is by Reyhana Ismail  Produced by Jessica Horton and Sonja Stojiljkovic

  • 12 Episodes

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About

Welcome to Storymix: Craft and Conversation, the podcast from inclusive fiction studio Storymix, exploring the craft of children’s storytelling, the realities of publishing and the people creating the books we want to see in the world.Season 1, co-hosted by author and creative writing tutor Maame Blue and former BBC journalist Azi Farni, was created to support racially minoritised writers and illustrators working in children’s books. Across the series, they explore key elements of craft, from creating believable characters and authentic dialogue to writing for different age groups, alongside conversations about heritage, bias, representation and finding your way into the publishing industry.In Season 2, Storymix founder and author Jasmine Richards takes the conversation behind the books themselves, speaking with the writers and illustrators behind Storymix collaborations about how stories are made. They get into the creative choices, unexpected challenges, publishing journeys and big ideas behind the work, from identity and history to humour, genre, representation and writing for today’s young readers.Whether you are developing your own voice, curious about how books move from idea to bookshelf, or simply love hearing writers and illustrators talk about their craft, Storymix: Craft and Conversation offers practical insight, candid conversation and a look inside the making of inclusive, commercial children’s stories.

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