INTERVIEWS
Illustrated interview for Die Spiegel, Germany, 2011
Below are some interviews originally published in online and print magazines and newspapers. Excuse the necessary repetition of answering common questions. You can also find more answers to commonly asked question, things like influence, background, style and publishing on my FAQ page, and the commentary accompanying each BOOK page.
Video & Audio Interviews
SCBWI PODCAST, May 2023
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is a global community that provides the resources, professional networking, and community-building opportunities that support writers, illustrators, and translators throughout their careers. They regularly interview creators from around the world. In this episode I speak with author Theo Baker about creative block and other artistic problems.
Spotify Link
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7BjrwtBKyEZ35aSeqrPf4j?si=d2b892a9f671451f
Apple Podcasts Link
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-mind-of-shaun-tan/id1465188050?i=1000616199353
Amazon Music Link
Talking Drawing, Melbourne, 2019
An extensive interview with book designer Tony Palmer, a discussion of family, background, race, art, study, science fiction, introversion, illustration and picture book design.
The Garret, a podcast with authors and illustrations from The Wheeler Centre, Melbourne. The focus here is on Cicada (2018)
INKSTUDS, Vancouver 2008, a fairly casual interview hosted by Robin McConnell. A great podcast for fans and creators of indie and underground comics and graphic novels. This interview focuses mainly on The Arrival, which had recently been published in North America at the time.
Interview with Cotsen Children’s Librarian and Princeton University, a fairly broad ranging discussion touching on most picture books, from Arrival to The Singing Bones and Tales from the Inner City, and a fun chat about a key childhood influence, The Dark Crystal.
The Drawing Room, a Radio National Australia program, this interview focusing on Tales from the Inner City (2019)
Discussion with author-illustrator Sally Rippin at the Wheeler Centre, Melbourne, on questions of audience and publishing.
Other Recommended Audio and Video Links:
ABC Radio National interview, Tales from the Inner City, 2018
Sydney Opera House Author Talk, 2019, answering questions from younger readers
In the Studio, 2012, short Sydney Opera House profile video
ACMI The Lost Thing, interviews with the creative team behind the short film, 2012
Text Interviews
Below are some interviews recommended for research (as well as general interest) with print and online media. Excuse any repetitions of both questions and answers, as happens over the years!
Guardian UK Interview with author Neil Gaiman, Edinburgh 2010 Discussing approaches to writing and illustration, with particular attention to ‘Eric’.
Kate Greenaway Medal interview, Books for Keeps, UK, 2020. An interview following the announcement of Tales from the Inner City as the winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration.
Questions from Schoolchildren in Hiroshima, 2016. Kids questions always get straight to the point!
Interview with Mitchell Jordan, Bookslut, 2009. An extensive online interview, link here. This interview shortly followed publication of Tales from Outer Suburbia (2008), and discusses childhood influence, themes of disconnection, fantasy worlds, subrubia, the connection between words and picture.
Kirkus Interview, USA, June 2011. On publication of ‘Lost and Found’, and omnibus edition comprising three picture books, The Rabbits, The Lost Thing and The Red Tree, Scholastic 2011.