BRIONY STEWART: BETWEEN THE PAGES

“You know what I am just gonna try and do the thing I most want to do first, and if it doesn’t work and if I turn out to be really crappy at it, life is long and I’m sure I can pivot and find some other job I can do” - Briony Stewart

On today’s show we are talking to multi-award winning author and illustrator Briony Stewart.

With over 25 children's books to her name and a trophy shelf full of industry awards, Briony is a true powerhouse in the world of children's literature.

In this conversation we cover her creative process, business advice for artists, how she defines success, dealing with set-backs and rejection, long service leave for creatives, how to negotiate your first book deal, balancing motherhood with work, burn out, creative fatigue, the importance of finding your creative tribe and so much more!!!

EY HIGHLIGHTS:

1’36 - How Ambo and Briony met (thank you Bonnie xox )

2’31 - Briony as a kid

5’31 - Year 7 ‘Summer of Reading’

08’24 - Journaling on the train

10’00 - Mr Williams feedback

12’04 - Second ‘Summer of Reading’

14’56 - Split focus at school

17’31 - Writing to Tim Winton 

21’21- Letter from the head of creative writing

22’48 - Double degree

25’51 - Creative writing for children

28’27 - Graduated and entering a book competition 

29’47 - Deciding to go to the festival

30’ 20 - AH-HA moment at the writers festival

33’12 - How to negotiate your first book deal

36’49 - First book out

38’11 - First year as an author

41’23 - Fav moments along the way

43’13 - Rejected and going on to win

47’24 - The creative journey

49’44 - Her creative process

52’33 - The turning point in her creative journey

1:00’26 - Burnout ‘creative fatigue’ and pacing yourself

1:06 - Where to start in 2025

1:08’46 - Business advice

CONNECT WITH BRIONY STEWART:

Briony Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briony_stewart/?hl=en