What's Your Story - Lori Starling , Author of "Toby Wears A Tutu"

01/12/21 • 35 min

We Are All Made of Stories with Ellie Royce

Welcome to episode two! What better way to start 2021 than celebrating the launch of a beautiful new picture book?
I chat to Lori Starling about their gorgeous picture book "Toby Wears A Tutu" out on January 12th .
Lori Starling is a writer, poet, amateur ukulele player, and lover of all things Poe, Dickinson, and Plath. They are both a children’s and young adult fiction writer, who strives to make their world realistic for readers. Fans of their work love to find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their experiences and can find solitude within its pages. As an esteemed logophile, (lover of words), and an advocate for all, they bring these marginalized voices, (especially LGBTQ+), to their writing, so they can be heard. Starling wishes to empower readers and give them a sense of belonging, as well as confidence.

Starling holds an MFA in Creative Writing, a B.A. in English and Creative Writing, as well as other associate degrees in Business Administration, Science, and Computer Information Systems. They have written for various online publications, such as Planting Seeds in South Carolina Magazine and One Green Planet. Their short stories and poems can be seen in Life in 10 Minutes Literary Magazine, Beyond Queer Words: A Collection of Poems, The Daily Drunk, and WriteNow Literary Journal. They are a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, (SCBWI), and an emerging writer member of The Author’s Guild. When they’re not writing, you can find them outside in the garden, doodling, making music with their five-year-old son, or cooking up something good in the kitchen. They work as a freelance writer/editor and is the co-founder/editor of Clay Literary, a monthly online publication featuring work from creators aged 14+. Their next children’s book, Toby Wears a Tutu, debuts in early 2021.
We talk all things children's literature, diversity, inclusion and inspiration ( Even Bob Ross gets a mention!)
Toby Wears A Tutu
Lori Starling (Author), Anita DuFalla (Illustrator)
It's the first day of school, and Toby is dressed in their best and ready to make new friends! But first, Toby’s new classmates want to know: Is Toby a boy or a girl? Toby isn’t sure how to answer. Toby likes to wear basketball shorts and tutus. Toby plays ninjas and dances ballet. Finally, after a little thought and some encouragement from Mom, Toby has a declaration to make: they can eat, wear, do, or be anything they want! Toby isn’t a boy or a girl—Toby is just Toby

Publisher : Brandylane Publishers, Inc. (12 January 2021)
Language: : English
Print on Demand (Hardcover) : 32 pages
ISBN-10 : 195156538X
ISBN-13 : 978-1951565381
Reading age : 4 - 8 years
Dimensions : 17.78 x 0.64 x 25.4 cm

Publisher : Brandylane Publishers, Inc. (12 January 2021)
Language: : English
Print on Demand (Hardcover) : 32 pages
ISBN-10 : 195156538X
ISBN-13 : 978-1951565381
Reading age : 4 - 8 years
Dimensions : 17.78 x 0.64 x 25.4 cm

Previous Episode

Ellie chats with Zoe Collins- "So Many Questionable Career Choices, So Little Time To Apologise"

Hello Story Lovers! I'm Ellie Royce, author, story catcher and creative human. Stories are threads that weave us into families, communities and cultures. As this strange year of 2020 draws to a close, I'm setting off on an exploration of stories, what they are, what they mean , how we consume them and how they help us navigate our way through this twisty, turny thing called" life". I have no idea where it will take me but one thing I know for sure, it'll be interesting. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
NOTE TO LISTENERS- THIS PODCAST IS ADULTS HAVING AN ADULT CONVERSATION (MORE OR LESS...) SO THERE IS AN OCCASIONAL SWEAR. NOTHING EXPLICIT BUT IF YOU HAVE LITTLE ONES AROUND YOU MAY WANT TO WEAR HEADPHONES.
EPISODE ONE- In spite of the title , Zoe and I never actually got around to discussing her questionable career choices. Maybe that's because we talked about so many other things- creative voice, how creativity manifests itself, finding the exact right sticky tape, talking to yourself, rabbit holes leading to mathematical explanations for individuality, how to maintain your creative flow when you're a Mum and the dire consequences of not, introversion versus extroversion, plus a food story or two.
I also discuss how this year has been for me as an Aussie kidlit author with her very first U.S publication "Auntie Uncle ; Drag Queen Hero" (published by POW!Kids Books in New York, illustrated by Hannah Chambers) when the world has basically shut down!
Find me at https://www.ellieroyceauthor.com/ Our amazing Podcast Art is by Mardi Davies https://www.mardidavies.com/
Zoe Collins BIO
In writing her bio, Zoe Collins finds it increasingly difficult to define her creative endeavours. She writes, paints on canvas, collages, draws on her iPad, crochets, cooks, eats, talks, writes newsletters and sometimes imagines herself as a backing vocalist for an 80s rock band. She also has a quiet ambition and desire to avoid working for the man. Her latest creative endeavours include a range or two of spunky earrings, a tea towel design and random drawings on Noritake fine china.

As a graphic designer and illustrator she has worked in studios, run her own business and taught in universities. Her current teaching endeavours are strictly unbureaucratic and lean heavily towards creative problem solving and play.

Zoe lives in Brisbane with her three favourite humans, the best dog ever and a bastard of a cat. She enjoys making paper journals with her long-arm stapler and feeding appreciative eaters.
Bachelor of Arts — English and Media Studies, University of Queensland
Diploma in Visual Communication, Design College Australia .Graphic designer & illustrator — 2003 – current( I used to be a bookseller, nanny and a terrible secretary. I also worked for a summer in USA, teaching kids art and craft. So many questionable career choices, so little time to apologise). Find Zoe at https://www.hellozoecollins.com.au
Fabbo people we mention:
Julia Cameron https://juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way/
'Wooly'John Woolrych - director at Colour Chiefs https://www.colourchiefs.com.au/
Jen Storer https://girlandduck.com/
Lilla Rogers https://makeartthatsells.com/

Next Episode

"What's On My Mind" January 19th 2021 with ZOE COLLINS!

Hello Story Lovers! Look, I know you heard Zoe and I in Episode One , but we found out we had so much to talk about and so much we didn't talk about in that episode that we've decided to get the band back together and continue this never ending story/conversation for as long as we all enjoy it.
And why not?
On January 19 we talk creativity and family , staying healthy (or trying to), life stages and changes and how emotion can unexpectedly creep up on you in the most unexpected ways, the fact that I am going to be a grandmother for the first time this year, the ins and outs of running a creative business, author visits aaaaaaaaaand- I think that's about everything.
But if you listen you'll no doubt find lots of other things I've forgotten.
Stuff we mention:
"Lovemarks - The Future Beyond Brands" book by Kevin Roberts
SOUL Movie - Pixar (PS I have now watched this movie and it's totally gorgeous!)
Marie Forleo
Nutritious Movement
Where you can find us :
Ellie Royce www.ellieroyceauthor.com
Zoe Collins www.hellozoecollins.com.au