book illustration

An Uncommon Author's Odyssey: Crafting Modern-Day Nursery Rhymes

Step into children's literature with our latest episode of Talking Book Publishing! Join your hosts Kathleen Kaiser and Adanna Moriarty as they dive into a captivating conversation with Kelly Anne Manuel, the brilliant mind behind 31 unique and delightful children's books.

Kelly Anne's journey is as extraordinary as it is inspiring. She embarked on her writing adventure in March 2022. Within a year and a half, she transformed her creative vision into a collection of modern-day nursery rhymes for children. These charming stories are brought to life through rhythmic verses that flow effortlessly like a breath of fresh air.

Discover the magic behind Kelly Anne's imaginative process. The remarkable synergy between her words and the illustrations resembles the movie "Field of Dreams." Where creativity blossoms, and if you build it, they will indeed come. With an iPad, a cell phone, and an unwavering determination, Kellyanne's poetry evolved into a spectacular series of books that captivates the hearts of young readers and their parents alike.

Prepare to be transported into a world where words find their perfect artistic match. Don't miss this episode as we delve into the spellbinding world of Kellyanne Manuel's imaginative creations. Welcome to Talking Book Publishing – where the magic of storytelling takes center stage! 

We’d like to hear from you. If you have topics or speakers you’d like us to interview, please email us at podcast@talkingbookpublishing.today and join the conversation in the comments on our Instagram @writerspubsnet.

Content is King. How many times have you heard that statement? And how many times did you take that statement seriously? Today’s podcast episode is focused on teaching you strategies and tactics to build your brand identity as a toy creator. In today’s world, a big part of building that identity is going to be the content you create. So that’s why I reached out to Albert Lawrence, an experienced show host who has interviewed Oprah, Dolly Parton, and Kermit The Frog throughout his media career.

Albert shares how he first started building his media personality within the white space that he identified within his own industry. You’ll learn there's a cross between opportunity, passion, and identity that generates the magnetism and vibe that leads to organic engagement and virality. In this conversation, we even chat about Amazon Live which is essentially a home shopping channel filled with social media influencers. If you’re looking for inspiration and motivation to build your toy brand, this episode is a must-listen.


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/57

🎓 5 Streamlined Steps To Your Next Playful Product Launch in 1 Interactive Masterclass: learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass

💡 The Great Toy and Game Idea Bootcamp: Visualize, Validate, and Vow to make your toy or game idea real in just 5 days. Register here: learn.thetoycoach.com/bootcamp

Have you ever thought about inventing or designing a game? There are two markets you can create games for. The mass market and the hobby market. And on today’s podcast episode, we have Eric Slauson, an accomplished game designer who specializes in designing social and party games. Eric shares with us the process he uses to develop his game concepts, and this process is proven and works!

As the creator of two popular games, Tattoo Stories, and MonsDRAWsity, Eric jumps into a valuable conversation around the different tiers of trade shows for new game inventors and what value you can take from each. What’s especially interesting about this conversation is the conversion of mass from The Toy Coach and hobby from Eric. Get ready to learn from both sides, and pick up insights along the way.


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/56

🎓 5 Streamlined Steps To Your Next Playful Product Launch in 1 Interactive Masterclass: learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass

💡 The Great Toy and Game Idea Bootcamp: Visualize, Validate, and Vow to make your toy or game idea real in just 5 days. Register here: learn.thetoycoach.com/bootcamp

Get your notebook and pen toy people, because we’re about to get down to business. In today’s podcast episode, we talk about the grind of obtaining funding for your toy business. My guest is Terri Nichelle Bradley, the founder, and CEO of Brown Toy Box. Terri’s toy company, Brown Toy Box, makes STEAM culturally representative, accessible, and fun. In 200, Terri was named one of Inc’s 100 Top Female Founders, her company received $10,000 as a part of Targets Accelerator program and was also a recipient of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. Terri drops in to share her toy business journey. From failures to successes and everything in between, Terri shares tips and advice based on her personal experience.

This episode also touches on very sensitive topics to black women in business. Terri and I chat about the monetary limits black women tend to place on themselves. We talk about the importance of asking for what you need and not what you can “make work”. If you’re ready to learn some actionable next steps to take in raising funding for your toy business, give this episode a listen.


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/55

🎓 5 Streamlined Steps To Your Next Playful Product Launch in 1 Interactive Masterclass: learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass

💡 The Great Toy and Game Idea Bootcamp: Visualize, Validate, and Vow to make your toy or game idea real in just 5 days. Register here: learn.thetoycoach.com/bootcamp

Ever toyed with the idea of creating a children’s book but unsure where to start? Today’s guest, Afro Latina author and illustrator Yesenia Moises, knows exactly what it takes. A graduate of the Fashion Industry of Technology with a BFA in Toy Design, Yesenia has two successful children’s books under her belt and even more exciting projects in the works.  In a time where the world can be a scary place, she wants it to be filled with big hair, bright colors, and lots of sazón from the heart!

In this episode, Yesenia takes us through her journey from her beginnings as a new college graduate working as a freelancer, to an unexpected big break that came from a Twitter hashtag to the book that put her talents on the map. She’ll offer valuable advice on getting your work in front of the right person when first starting out, finding an agent using a great online resource, and her tried-and-true secret to making your artwork stand out.


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/50

🎓 5 Streamlined Steps To Your Next Playful Product Launch in 1 Interactive Masterclass: learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass

💡 The Great Toy and Game Idea Bootcamp: Visualize, Validate, and Vow to make your toy or game idea real in just 5 days. Register here: learn.thetoycoach.com/bootcamp

Andrew

• William Shatner dead
• the Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse: https://www.disneyplus.com/series/the-wonderful-world-of-mickey-mouse/6PVlUlZEyNjS
• The Mandalorian: https://www.cnet.com/news/the-mandalorian-season-2-episode-6-recap-boba-fett-makes-awesome-comeback/
• KFC - A Recipe for Seduction: https://ew.com/tv/mario-lopez-colonel-sanders-lifetime-mini-movie/
• Established Titles: https://establishedtitles.com/

Lauren

• Wondery Podcasts: https://wondery.com/
• Thank The Maker: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thank-the-maker-a-star-wars-podcast/id1497139499
• The LadyLorians: https://linktr.ee/ladylorians
• Rexin' Around: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPJcFesCtKSBEVYlUi0BP1w
• Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399584021/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• Lost Boy Illustrations: https://arealtrashact.tumblr.com/post/187446467930/the-first-lost-boy

Patrick

• Modern Warfare Cold War: https://www.callofduty.com/blackopscoldwar
• HBO Max Acquires WB's 2021 Movie Slate

Watch us live on Twitch every Monday at 7pm CT: https://www.twitch.tv/mof1podcast