Illo Chat is a podcast for illustrators working in the children's book industry. Creative, funny and full of information on how to write, illustrate, and publish picture books and how to become a professional illustrator. Olga Herrera, children's book author and illustrator, teaches about the publishing industry and the behind the scenes work that goes into book design and illustration. Kidlit discussions and insights for artist and creatives.
WEBSITE: www.illochat.com
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
A Light For Lucinda - The story
In this episode Olga shares the story behind her latest picture book, A Light For Lucinda published June 9, 2026. She answers questions from the Kidlit community regardin
Jun 9 33 min
A Chat with Jed Alexander. Writing and Marketing.
In this Episode, I chat with Jed Alexander, author and illustrator of The Black Market. We talked about his writing style, writing for characters and not the plot. We dis
Apr 27 56 min
A Chat with Kerry McQuaide. Finding your pack: Kidlit Community
In This Episode Olga and Kerry chat about the importance of having connections, the benefits of associations and being active in your kidlit community. They discuss Kerry
Mar 24 53 min
What is Narrative Art?
In this episode Olga talks about Narrative Illustration. What does it mean, and how to do it. With examples on how small changes can create story in your illustration wor
Feb 15 13 min
Time Trap. What's stealing your time?
In this episode Olga talks about social media, the ultimate time stealer, and what she did about it. She gives concrete ideas for maximizing your time and rebooting that
Dec 2 2025 18 min
Can Art be a hobby again?
In this episode we have Sunny as a guest! We chat about the constant pull to monetize art. After leaving the industry and not seeking art as career, the siren call to mak
Oct 30 2025 42 min
Illo Chat Comes Back!
The podcast is back! Hosted by Olga Herrera. Let's chat again! There will be thoughtful and insightful conversations with guest artists, and think out-loud wonderings wit
Oct 22 2025 3 min
EP 47 Final Episode
Our journey here is coming to an end. We've loved every minute we have gotten to chit-chat on this platform. We'd like to thank all of our past and future listeners for t
Mar 2 2025 55 min
EP 46 Wrap Up 2024
It's our end-of-the-year episode! Join us while we reminisce about the year and make our plans for the future.
Thanks for listening.
Cover Art by Olga Herrera
Podcast
Dec 22 2024 1 h 00 min
EP 45 Thankful
In this episode, we share what we're thankful for, spending time with friends, finding inspiration in new places, and having the courage to do new things. We'd love to he
Nov 26 2024 1 h 07 min
EP 44 A Chat with Berrie Torgan-Randall
In this episode, we chat with author and illustrator Berrie Torgan-Randall about her early graphic novel Bella and Blue. We discussed her publishing journey and how her p
Oct 27 2024 1 h 06 min
EP43 A Chat with Tara J. Hannon
In this episode, we chat with author and illustrator Tara J. Hannon about her early graphic novel series Birtle. We discussed her process for submitting a graphic novel a
Sep 22 2024 1 h 06 min
EP 42 How to say Yes when you think you're not ready
In this episode, Olga and Sunny talk about how to say yes to projects in spite of the fear of failure and imposter syndrome and just do the thing.
Thanks for listening.
Aug 25 2024 52 min
EP 41 Social Media for Illustrators
In this episode, Olga and Sunny talk about the state of social media for illustrators today. How things have changed and where they are going.
Thanks for listening.
Cov
Jul 14 2024 1 h 02 min
EP 40 The Sting of Rejection
In this episode, Olga and Sunny talk about the sting of rejection and how to overcome the feeling of failure.
Thanks for listening.
Cover art by Olga Herrera
Podcast
Jun 19 2024 38 min
EP 39 Three Year Anniversary
Yay! It's Illo Chat's third anniversary! Join Olga and Sunny as they reminisce on how they got here and some of their favorite highlights from the last three years.
Tha
May 19 2024 44 min
EP 38 Think Like a Designer
In this episode, Olga and Sunny talk about how thinking like a designer can save you time and edits when creating art for children's books.
Thanks for listening.
Cover
Apr 24 2024 49 min
EP 37 Should you be an Author or an Illustrator or Both
In this episode, Olga and Sunny talk about the roles and responsibilities of being an author and an illustrator or wearing the hats of both. And how to decide which fits
Mar 17 2024 50 min
EP 36 Switching Agents
In this episode, Olga and Sunny talk about the steps one can take when switching agents. The use of publisher’s marketplace, and query tracker to research agents and help
Feb 18 2024 51 min
EP 35 2023 Wrap up
In this episode, Olga and Sunny recap what happened this year, where they are now, and their plans for the future. They also discuss how it's easier to stay focused when
Dec 24 2023 54 min
Chart trend
Position in the Visual Arts chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#98#195AugSepOct
#103
all-time peak
17
days in the top 200 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Illo Chat: Illustration Podcast ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 13, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
The topics discussed are so useful and true to life. I really enjoy the dynamic of Sunny and Olga and how they share how to juggle the many aspects of their careers and other day-to-day responsibilities. What you hear is gold, not to mention the FB community page and different events they host.
Harper1985 · Jan 2025
This is a wonderful podcast for illustrators and artists. The conversations are great resources of information while also providing interesting thinking points. The chemistry of Sunny and Olga is so delightful ☺️.
Kristina Lucia · Aug 2024
I recently became aware of your podcast and I would like to thank you both for the kind and honest way you are using your experiences to guide others on their own personal writer illustrator journeys.
I recently listened to your Critique podcast. As a former art student and now a professor I was nodding in agreement along with the recommendations that you offered. Until…
I was part of a critique that did not go well.
The reviewer was very unkind in word and deed. There was no “sandwich” , no suggestions, in fact the reviewer, literally threw my art work back at me. The whole table was agape.
I cannot believe I did not cry, but I didn’t.
On my way home I said to myself I am going to listen to that darn podcast again.
I did and happy ending.
Your podcast helped me to focus on the small nuggets from the critique that I heard the reviewer give to others that I thought I could do to my work. I made changes based on those the next day after a good night sleep.
The advice from you heart felt message helped me get in the right frame of mind to move forward.
I will forever be a devoted listener to your program and hope I get to meet y’all someday soon.
Aspiring Artist School · Apr 2024
I am an aspiring children’s book and illustrator, and this podcast has been so helpful to help me get started figuring out how to get started! You two are so delightful! Thank you!
ifewa · Apr 2023
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About Illo Chat: Illustration Podcast on Reason.fm
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Illo Chat: Illustration Podcast, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
