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. Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:01:35 +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=7.0.2 Episode 12: How to Avoid Creative Burnout: Work-Life Balance Tips for Authors and Illustrators https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/12/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:01:31 +0000 ce0abfd3-3108-5e74-b39e-81eadf98f365 https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PC-Episode-Posts1.png Episode 12: How to Avoid Creative Burnout: Work-Life Balance Tips for Authors and Illustrators false no 00:13:30 No no Episode 11: How to Market Yourself as an Author or Illustrator https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/11/ Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 86bb6053-3f89-5737-9401-4a27ff4ab6a8 Author marketing made simple. Discover your color palette, craft a one-line pitch, and sell your books or illustrations with authentic confidence. Publishing Cousins Ep. 11.

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]]> Author marketing made simple. Discover your color palette, craft a one-line pitch, and sell your books or illustrations with authentic confidence. Publishing Cousins Ep. 11.

The post Episode 11: How to Market Yourself as an Author or Illustrator first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PC-Episode-Posts.png Episode 11: How to Market Yourself as an Author or Illustrator false no 00:09:44 No no Episode 10: How Authors and Illustrators Can Build a Website and Grow an Email Newsletter https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/10/ Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 3b49cab7-eec8-5c63-8d64-a5e88a1eb2b8 Learn how authors and illustrators can build a website, grow an email newsletter, and use AI tools to market their books. Episode 10 of the Publishing Cousins podcast.

The post Episode 10: How Authors and Illustrators Can Build a Website and Grow an Email Newsletter first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> Learn how authors and illustrators can build a website, grow an email newsletter, and use AI tools to market their books. Episode 10 of the Publishing Cousins podcast.

The post Episode 10: How Authors and Illustrators Can Build a Website and Grow an Email Newsletter first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PC-Episode-Posts-1.png Episode 10: How Authors and Illustrators Can Build a Website and Grow an Email Newsletter false no 00:28:22 No no Episode 9: Social Media for Authors and Illustrators: How to Build an Authentic Brand and Grow Your Following https://publishingcousins.com/podcast/9/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 8a47c5df-69e5-5e20-8a81-f166c40112a3 In Episode 9 of Publishing Cousins, illustrator Nikki Boetger shares her proven social media strategy for authors and illustrators — including Instagram tips, the #kidletartpostcard hashtag, LinkedIn for client growth, and why consistency beats going viral every time.

The post Episode 9: Social Media for Authors and Illustrators: How to Build an Authentic Brand and Grow Your Following first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> In Episode 9 of Publishing Cousins, illustrator Nikki Boetger shares her proven social media strategy for authors and illustrators — including Instagram tips, the #kidletartpostcard hashtag, LinkedIn for client growth, and why consistency beats going viral every time.

The post Episode 9: Social Media for Authors and Illustrators: How to Build an Authentic Brand and Grow Your Following first appeared on publishingcousins.com.

]]> https://publishingcousins.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/PC-Episode-Posts.png Episode 9: Social Media for Authors and Illustrators: How to Build an Authentic Brand and Grow Your Following false no 00:31:18 No no 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