The Publishing Cousins https://publishingcousins.com/podcasts/the-publishing-cousins/ Join cousins Nikki Boetger and Melissa LaShure - an author and illustrator duo - as they pull back the curtain on publishing. Through engaging conversations sprinkled with laughter and insider tips, they share their creative journeys, industry insights, and expert advice on writing and illustrating for publication. Whether you're an aspiring creator or just love all things books, tune in for this dynamic family duo's fresh take on the publishing world. Tue, 26 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 en-US © 2026 publishingcousins.com publishingcousins.com Join cousins Nikki Boetger and Melissa LaShure - an author and illustrator duo - as they pull back the curtain on publishing. Through engaging conversations sprinkled with laughter and insider tips, they share their creative journeys, industry insights, and expert advice on writing and illustrating for publication. Whether you're an aspiring creator or just love all things books, tune in for this dynamic family duo's fresh take on the publishing world. publishingcousins.com false https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Publishing-Cousins-Podcast-Cover-scaled.jpg The Publishing Cousins https://publishingcousins.com/podcasts/the-publishing-cousins/ Join cousins Nikki Boetger and Melissa LaShure - an author and illustrator duo - as they pull back the curtain on publishing. Through engaging conversations sprinkled with laughter and insider tips, they share their creative journeys, industry insights, and expert advice on writing and illustrating for publication. Whether you're an aspiring creator or just love all things books, tune in for this dynamic family duo's fresh take on the publishing world. No yes 361e8ff3-b2db-5bab-b01d-9905bd11eec7 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Episode 8: How to Find Your Most Productive Hours, Master Batch Working, and Protect Your Time as an Author or Illustrator https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/8/ Tue, 26 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 159a16be-2ca1-5e04-be83-bbd0e89b147a In Episode 8 of the Publishing Cousins podcast, Melissa and Nikki share how to identify your most productive hours, implement batch working strategies, and use time blocking to make consistent progress on your writing or illustration career. Whether you're juggling a full-time job, a family, or just a packed schedule, this episode delivers practical tools to protect your creative time and keep your publishing goals moving forward.

The post Episode 8: How to Find Your Most Productive Hours, Master Batch Working, and Protect Your Time as an Author or Illustrator first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> In Episode 8 of the Publishing Cousins podcast, Melissa and Nikki share how to identify your most productive hours, implement batch working strategies, and use time blocking to make consistent progress on your writing or illustration career. Whether you're juggling a full-time job, a family, or just a packed schedule, this episode delivers practical tools to protect your creative time and keep your publishing goals moving forward.

The post Episode 8: How to Find Your Most Productive Hours, Master Batch Working, and Protect Your Time as an Author or Illustrator first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PC-Episode-Posts-2.png Episode 8: How to Find Your Most Productive Hours, Master Batch Working, and Protect Your Time as an Author or Illustrator false no 00:18:03 No no Episode 7: How to Overcome Publishing Roadblocks: Rejection, Excuses, Time Management & Juggling Projects https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/7/ Tue, 12 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 83a9c785-e9ed-5364-947f-d13215a7cff8 Feeling stuck in your author or illustrator career? In Episode 7 of the Publishing Cousins podcast, Melissa and Nikki tackle the most common publishing roadblocks head-on. They share honest, actionable advice on handling rejection letters, beating the excuse habit, managing your time like a professional, and juggling multiple creative projects at once. Whether you're an indie author, a children's book illustrator, or just starting your publishing journey, this episode delivers practical strategies you can use today. Listen now and start making real progress toward your publishing goals.

The post Episode 7: How to Overcome Publishing Roadblocks: Rejection, Excuses, Time Management & Juggling Projects first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> Feeling stuck in your author or illustrator career? In Episode 7 of the Publishing Cousins podcast, Melissa and Nikki tackle the most common publishing roadblocks head-on. They share honest, actionable advice on handling rejection letters, beating the excuse habit, managing your time like a professional, and juggling multiple creative projects at once. Whether you're an indie author, a children's book illustrator, or just starting your publishing journey, this episode delivers practical strategies you can use today. Listen now and start making real progress toward your publishing goals.

The post Episode 7: How to Overcome Publishing Roadblocks: Rejection, Excuses, Time Management & Juggling Projects first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PC-Episode-Posts-1.png Episode 7: How to Overcome Publishing Roadblocks: Rejection, Excuses, Time Management & Juggling Projects false no 00:19:40 No no Episode 6: How Critique Groups Work for Authors and Illustrators: What to Expect and How to Thrive https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/6/ Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 8ef2de70-b129-569c-af5a-14ffe7882278 Learn how critique groups work for authors and illustrators. Tips on submitting work, giving feedback, and growing your craft. Publishing Cousins Ep. 6.

The post Episode 6: How Critique Groups Work for Authors and Illustrators: What to Expect and How to Thrive first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> Learn how critique groups work for authors and illustrators. Tips on submitting work, giving feedback, and growing your craft. Publishing Cousins Ep. 6.

The post Episode 6: How Critique Groups Work for Authors and Illustrators: What to Expect and How to Thrive first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PC-Episode-Posts-1.png Episode 6: How Critique Groups Work for Authors and Illustrators: What to Expect and How to Thrive false no 00:18:13 No no Episode 5: How to Build Your Author-Illustrator Community, Find Publishing Conference, and Discover Go-To Experts in Publishing https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/5/ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 7452c9dc-643b-5842-a30e-6eb4294ab34e In Episode 5 of the Publishing Cousins podcast, author Melissa Lasher and illustrator Nikki Becker share
practical strategies for building your author-illustrator community, finding the best writing and illustration
conferences, and identifying go-to experts for your publishing journey. Learn how to create your own critique
group, discover resources like SCBWI, ACFW, the Highlights Foundation, and the Authors Conservatory, and
find out why embracing slow growth in publishing may be the key to long-term success. Perfect for aspiring and
established children's book writers and illustrators.

The post Episode 5: How to Build Your Author-Illustrator Community, Find Publishing Conference, and Discover Go-To Experts in Publishing first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> In Episode 5 of the Publishing Cousins podcast, author Melissa Lasher and illustrator Nikki Becker share
practical strategies for building your author-illustrator community, finding the best writing and illustration
conferences, and identifying go-to experts for your publishing journey. Learn how to create your own critique
group, discover resources like SCBWI, ACFW, the Highlights Foundation, and the Authors Conservatory, and
find out why embracing slow growth in publishing may be the key to long-term success. Perfect for aspiring and
established children's book writers and illustrators.

The post Episode 5: How to Build Your Author-Illustrator Community, Find Publishing Conference, and Discover Go-To Experts in Publishing first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PC-Episode-Posts.png Episode 5: How to Build Your Author-Illustrator Community, Find Publishing Conference, and Discover Go-To Experts in Publishing false no 00:18:40 No no Episode 4: How Authors and Illustrators Learn from Failure — Building Your Platform, Handling Rejection & Growing Your Creative Career https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/4/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 82d9bed0-950f-54e9-afba-d774a50b4743 https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PC-Episode-Posts-2.png Episode 4: How Authors and Illustrators Learn from Failure — Building Your Platform, Handling Rejection & Growing Your Creative Career false no 00:26:11 No no What We Learned From Our First Published Projects (And What We’d Do Differently) | Publishing Cousins Ep. 3 https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/3/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 bca6d9a4-c28a-5073-9883-1d6beb2c6741 https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/PC-Episode-Posts-1.png What We Learned From Our First Published Projects (And What We’d Do Differently) | Publishing Cousins Ep. 3 false no 00:40:40 No no Episode 2: Creative Career Launch: Author and Illustrator Training Resources https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/2/ Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000 d95500b4-21d7-5bae-85f9-8bd0a3c2a846 Ever wondered where to start if you're dreaming of becoming an author or illustrator? Find out how to start your publishing career with these author and illustrator training resources.

The post Episode 2: Creative Career Launch: Author and Illustrator Training Resources first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> Ever wondered where to start if you're dreaming of becoming an author or illustrator? Find out how to start your publishing career with these author and illustrator training resources.

The post Episode 2: Creative Career Launch: Author and Illustrator Training Resources first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PC-Episode-Posts.png Episode 2: Creative Career Launch: Author and Illustrator Training Resources false no 00:20:32 No no Episode 1: Publishing Secrets from an Author-Illustrator Dream Team https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/1/ Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000 b2b06da4-8546-5c95-95ee-2ae170536d4b Dive into Publishing Secrets from an Author-Illustrator Dream Team. We're thrilled to launch Publishing Cousins, a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the wild and wonderful world of book publishing. We're Melissa Lasher (the author) and Nikki Becker (the illustrator), and we're partners in publishing—and actual cousins!

The post Episode 1: Publishing Secrets from an Author-Illustrator Dream Team first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> Dive into Publishing Secrets from an Author-Illustrator Dream Team. We're thrilled to launch Publishing Cousins, a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the wild and wonderful world of book publishing. We're Melissa Lasher (the author) and Nikki Becker (the illustrator), and we're partners in publishing—and actual cousins!

The post Episode 1: Publishing Secrets from an Author-Illustrator Dream Team first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Publishing-Cousins-Podcast-Cover.png Episode 1: Publishing Secrets from an Author-Illustrator Dream Team false no 00:27:29 No no