Brave Good Shippers at Bologna - we shoved a microphone in these illustrators faces 😆 (part 1!)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Brave Good Shippers at Bologna – We Shoved a Microphone in These Illustrators’ Faces 😆 (Part 1!)

Podcast: The Good Ship Illustration
Hosts: Helen Stephens, Katie Chappell, Tania Willis
Date: April 24, 2026
Episode Theme:
A vibrant, on-location edition recorded at the bustling Bologna Children’s Book Fair. The hosts chat with a range of illustrators about their personal experiences navigating the fair, overcoming nerves, the realities of portfolio reviews, creative self-acceptance, the importance of perseverance, and community in the illustration world.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Overwhelm – Bologna as an Illustrator ([00:21]-[04:14])

• Paulina (Third-Year Attender) & Kate (First-Time Attender):
  • Bologna is inspiring but very overwhelming regardless of experience level.
    • Paulina: “Year three, I am in record breaking, unprepared. Every single time I promise myself I’m going to be prepared. And every single time I feel super overwhelmed.” ([00:46])
    • The size and competition can feel daunting: “Even coming in and seeing the massive wall of illustrators and you’re just a tiny, tiny little fish in the sea.” ([01:08])
    • Hosts reassure: even experienced attendees find it hard not to compare themselves.
  • Opportunities vs. Comparison:
    • Reframing the crowd: “But then you could flip it and be like, there’s so many opportunities because you see all the publishers and genres.” ([01:18])
    • Kate finds the diversity of work and color palettes inspiring but acknowledges it can be “overwhelming” ([01:25]).
  • Pro Tips for First-Timers:
    • Research and arrive later on the first day for a calmer introduction. “Arriving in the afternoon is maybe a good idea on the first day.” ([01:45])
    • Plan meetings but leave room for spontaneity.
    • Have business cards and a portfolio ready—progress, not perfection.

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2. Tackling Portfolio Reviews & Publisher Interactions ([02:16]-[03:27])

• Kate’s Portfolio Review Strategy:
  • Booking meetings felt like “getting Glastonbury tickets” due to high demand ([02:20]).
  • She secured reviews with both illustrators and companies (toy & stationery).
    • “But then I might be freaked out after it. It could either be very motivating or a little bit demotivating.” ([02:39])
  • Dilemma: Is it okay to approach publishers directly?
    • The hosts recommend approaching, but also suggest following up after the fair when publishers are less overwhelmed.
      • “Helen’s been telling people to send samples after the fair when they get back. And they’re a bit more relaxed.” ([03:13])

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3. Dealing with Comparison & Overstimulation ([03:27]-[04:14])

• Helen shares her first Bologna experience:
  • “I was so overwhelmed. Like, I literally couldn’t come back. I did one day and I was like, nope, we’re done.” ([03:30])
  • The chaos is both sensory (“The lights too much to look at”) and psychological (“where do we even begin?”).
  • Advice: Take breaks, regroup, and have a plan for each new day.
• Planning and Support:
  • “We’re going to make a list of what we want to achieve tomorrow. I’ve got a list of publishers I want to go to and just shove my cards in front of them and please take them…” ([04:02])

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4. Community, Courses, and The Good Ship’s Growing Influence ([04:16]-[05:36])

• Having a “base” at the fair is helpful; the hosts gave away “over 700” goodie bags in just a few days ([04:22]).
• Attendees mention the Good Ship’s impact:
  • “Your courses are so popular.” ([04:39])
  • “Lots of people saying that they’ve just listened to the podcast and then that’s them getting into, getting books published…” ([04:42])
• Course Participation:
  • Discussion about lifelong access to courses:
    • “[It’s] why we do the Lifetime Access. So that because life happens…you can come back and do it again.” ([05:22])

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5. Creative Breakthroughs & Learning to Trust Your Voice (Lola Burt’s Story) ([05:34]-[12:26])

• Lola on Last Year’s Bologna vs. This Year:
  • “Last year…felt kind of flat about my work...felt I had to tick certain boxes. You should have bears…” ([05:49])
  • Boilerplate portfolio advice can be random and tied to reviewer’s biases.
  • The shift: Connecting with her authentic work after taking the “Freak Flag” course. “The work that people have really loved…is all the work that poured out of me since doing the finding your creative voice, the Freak Flag course…” ([06:22])
    • This year, her honest, personal work is being noticed and appreciated.
• Advice to Illustrators:
  • “Research who you’re going to see beforehand.” ([07:18])
  • Negative feedback is often about reviewer taste, not objective value.
    • “So maybe it’s not wrong. Maybe it’s okay to be wobbly and, you know, and have make…letting the ink bleed over…” ([08:14])
  • Biggest takeaway: Find your people; don’t dilute your voice to please everyone.
    • “You can lose heart if you see somebody and get some unhelpful feedback.” ([09:23])
    • “Not all advice is equal. And for some people, it’ll be perfect advice. And for some people, it’ll be…derailing.” ([09:49])
  • The value of self-trust and revisiting the Freak Flag course when self-doubt creeps in.
    • “Anytime I’ve had a wobble, then it’s been so nice to have that course there and all those inspiring videos…” ([12:05])

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6. From Fashion Design to Picture Book Author-Illustrator ([12:26]-[15:19])

• Lola’s Transition:
  • 15 years as a fashion designer before pivoting to picture books.
  • Choosing intensive online courses to quickly get up to speed:
    • “At my age, I felt this could take me years…so I need to do a course—couldn’t commit to going to a university or, you know, college every day.” ([14:01])
  • The courses equipped Lola with industry knowledge and led to successful submissions for a prestigious Golden Egg mentorship ([14:37]-[15:07]).
    • “Now I feel like an author, illustrator. I can come here and bring my work. It’s so good.” ([15:09])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paulina (on comparison):
  “Even coming in and seeing the massive wall of illustrators and you’re just a tiny, tiny little fish in the sea.” ([01:08])

• Kate (on portfolio reviews):
  “It could either be very motivating or a little bit demotivating. So we’ll see how it goes.” ([02:39])

• Host (advice for following up):
  “Send samples after the fair when they get back. And they’re a bit more relaxed…” ([03:13])

• Lola (on feedback):
  “Not all advice is equal. And for some people, it’ll be perfect advice. And for some people, it’ll be, like, derailing. Totally crushing.” ([09:49])

• Lola (on finding her creative voice):
  “The work that people have really loved…is all the work that poured out of me since doing the finding your creative voice, the Freak Flag course…” ([06:22])

• Host (on lifelong learning):
  “[It’s] why we do the Lifetime Access. So that because life happens…you can come back and do it again.” ([05:22])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:21] – Introduction and setting the scene (Bologna Fiera, background noise)
• [00:46] – Paulina & Kate’s first impressions and tips for first-timers
• [02:16] – Booking portfolio reviews and approaching publishers
• [03:30] – Helen recounts her own first-year at Bologna, and advice on managing overwhelm
• [04:22] – Good Ship’s presence at the fair, community response
• [05:34] – Interview with Lola Burt; portfolio feedback, creative breakthroughs, course experiences
• [07:18] – How to approach portfolio reviews and filter feedback
• [09:49] – Navigating conflicting advice and creative confidence
• [12:26] – Lola’s career pivot, online courses, and industry learning
• [14:37] – Getting accepted into mentorships and feeling like an author-illustrator

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Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode is brimming with warmth, empathy, practical tips, and honest reflection. The hosts and interviewees speak candidly about nerves, creative self-doubt, and the highs and lows of a major industry event like Bologna. The recurring theme: community and self-belief matter more than fitting into a mold. There’s no “just right” way—everyone’s journey is valid and, indeed, “it’s not just you.”

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Transcript

[A]

Welcome to part one of our Bologna interviews. Please forgive us on the audio quality of these. We were in the really super busy Bologna Fiera, so if you can hear background noise, that is why. Enjoy. These brave people who agreed to let me shove a microphone in their face. Hello, I'm here with Paulina and Kate. It's Paulina's third time at Bologna and it's Kate's first time. So I wanted to know, Paulina, how are you finding it?

[B]

Year three, I first time in a row, I am in record breaking, unprepared. Every single time, I promise myself I'm going to be prepared. And every single time, I feel super overwhelmed. But this time, I've got business cards and my little portfolio, so. Progress.

[A]

It's progress. I think it's overwhelming. Every year, even if you've been here like, a bajillion times, it's so hard

[B]

not to compare yourself to others. Even coming in and seeing the massive wall of illustrators and you're just a tiny, tiny little fish in the sea.

[A]

It's.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But then you could flip it and be like, there's so many opportunities because you see all the publishers and genres.

[B]

Exactly what we're talking about. Yeah.

[C]

And such a range of stuff, like, so creative and so many different color palettes and. Yeah, it's really inspiring, but also overwhelming.

[A]

I was going to say, how are you finding it? Yeah. What did you feel like you kind of knew what to expect because you knew Paulina.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I asked you.

[C]

And then I also looked at loads of guidance online to see what to bring. I listened to your podcast.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And then I guess we arrived quite late, so it's a little bit calmer. So arriving in the afternoon is maybe a good idea on the first day.

[A]

Yeah. Top tip. Yeah. Because we arrived at quarter past nine and it was insane. Like, people were elbowing each other out of the way to get to the illustrator's wall and like, yeah, you did the right thing.

[C]

I think that would have stressed me out a little bit.

[B]

Coming for a few days, it's nice to go and see where you want to go, where the publishers you want to speak to are, and then come in the next day when you're fresh and actually not fried.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Because we had quite an early flight.

[A]

What's your plan for the rest of the week? Have you got meetings booked or are you just here to Sussex?

[C]

L. I managed to go on. It was like getting Glastonbury tickets, though, going on the Eventbrite when they released all of the, like, workshop Spaces and things. So I managed to put two portfolio reviews both with illustrators. And then I think I've got two with like a toy company and a stationary company. But I don't know if. I don't know what that will be like.

[A]

Such good going. Well done.

[C]

But then I might be freaked out after it. It could either be very motivating or a little bit demotivating. So we'll see how it goes.

[A]

Take it all with a pitch of salt. Because everybody's so busy, I feel like

[C]

they're just like, yeah. And it's hard to know if we can just go up to publishers and be like, hey, would you mind looking at my portfolio? Or whether they're really busy doing all the rights exchanges. So, yeah, that's. I'm not sure any publishers, like, what.

[B]

What do they feel like when they speak to illustrators? Are they like, oh, let me do my work, or.

[A]

I think they like it because they're genuinely looking for new talent and stuff. But then they are also, like, the busiest that ever be.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, Helen's been telling people to send samples after the fair when they get back. And they're a bit more relaxed rides. So it's a good thing to think about. But I think, yeah, they do like speaking to illustrators.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah, that's a good tip.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

We just need to get brave. What was it like when you first came to Bologna?

[A]

I. I was so overwhelmed. Like, I literally couldn't come back. I did one day and I was like, nope, we're done.

[B]

Were you comparing yourself to others or was it more like.

[A]

It was more like sensory and like, just so many people. The lights too much to look at and then also about, like, where do we even begin?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And there's so many things and. But then after I had a day off to eat gelato and roam around day three, I was like, okay, let's go back. I can do it now.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

I feel like we're going to regroup when we.

[A]

When we leave here.

[B]

We're going to make a list of what we want to achieve tomorrow. I've got a list of publishers I want to go to and just shove my. My cards in front of them and please, please take them. Yeah, that's the plan.

[C]

Is it nice having a base?

[B]

It's really nice.

[C]

I feel like that must help.

[A]

And it's nice people could come and visit us.

[B]

Like, you haven't expected that many people?

[A]

No. So we had goodie bags and we've given away over 700 already. And we had tote bags and we've had to hide them and we're gonna figure out how to give them away because We've only got 71 bags left in this three days of the three full days of the Fairlift. So we need to figure out what am I doing about that.

[C]

It's a good sign though. Your courses are so popular.

[A]

Yeah, I mean we loved lots of people saying that they've just listened to the podcast and then that's them getting into, getting into like getting books published, the podcast. So that's really good.

[B]

Amazing because you guys started. Was it 2020?

[A]

Yeah, 2020 is insane.

[C]

So it's your business minded, aren't you

[B]

soaking up whatever you do? And I'm like, I find it all okay. This works.

[A]

Oh, you guys.

[C]

I did the children's book course with Good Ship and you've got the business one, haven't you?

[B]

No, the business one I'm waiting for in September. September, yes, I'm waiting for that one. But I'm doing a freak flag. But every time I start I get sidetracked by commission. So I'm like, okay, this time after, after Bologna, I'm going to be inspired. I'm going to be ready. I'm going to go straight on Freak Flag.

[A]

I mean that's why we do the Lifetime Access. So that because life happens, I'm the same. Like any course I do, I'll start doing it and then I, oops, get distracted or get busy or you know, tired. And then you can come back and do it again.

[B]

Yeah, no, it'll be amazing.

[A]

Thank you so much. Hello, I'm here with Lola Burt and we are talking all things freak Flag. So Lola, do you want to. We had a chat just before, didn't we?

[D]

Yes.

[A]

And I was saying, have you had any exciting meetings or portfolio reviews? How's that been going?

[D]

Yeah, some really exciting meetings here at Bologna. I just had one. Yeah, A few minutes ago and that's why I came to, to see you because I had a bit of a strange Bologna last year and felt and felt kind of flat about my work but that I had to as a lot of illustrators here, that you, you need to tick the certain boxes. You should have, you know, you should have bears, you should have.

[A]

I feel like some of the feedback they give out is a little bit random. But there's such type pressure, aren't they? If it's a 10 minute review or even a longer one, they're just, they've seen so many people that they're like

[D]

right next and push you into a very, you know, you must fill this box. You must tick the box. You have to have this, you have to have bears. So interestingly, the work that people have really loved and sort of connected with since I've been here is all the work that I actually, that poured out of me since doing the finding your creative voice, the freak flag course that I did with yourselves. And, and I think that's still the work that I'm most proud of. And so that project that I brought here last year with all my messy sketchbooks from the creative voice course, I think I just met with the. The wrong people or the wrong timing. But this year that's been really well received and so yeah, I'm excited to go back to my desk and just, yeah, make, make more of this stuff. But it feels like it, it's me that, that just kind of poured out of me from the course.

[A]

That's so good. So that's a good point. Do you have any advice for other illustrators? I know you mentioned maybe researching who you speak to before you speak to them.

[D]

Definitely. I, I think what I didn't do well at all last year was really researching who you're going to see beforehand because I have a lot of friends that have ended up in, in tears because they've, they've gone to a publisher but maybe they've met a stressed out sales or rights person that, that you know, they have a look but they might say oh no, no, it's not for us. Or they, they can be. Or you can get some feedback that it's the taste level perhaps is, isn't quite the same taste level so they're never going to get you anyway. Yeah. So now that I'm researching beforehand because some of the feedback I got last year, some advice, it was really practical advice about how you might use art materials, things like that, that because there really aren't rules out there, you could

[B]

use a crayon anyway.

[D]

Unless they can use a crayon with overlaying in a way that feels right for you.

[A]

But if you're playing and having fun, I think that comes through more than anything. Yeah, just no rules.

[D]

Just no rules.

[A]

I.

[D]

So I definitely thought, oh, I'm using, I'm using crayons wrong. But so you go away. And then I, what I did was research that person that had given me that feedback that I'd really kind of struggled with last year and then I researched that person. I saw their work and I thought, ah, okay, that makes sense. Your Work is so clean and so neat and very lovely, but it's not, you know, it's a. It's such a different thing. It couldn't be more removed from. From my work. I thought, oh, no one to use my work was. Was too loose for you. You know, like when the. When the line moves over the watercolor or whatever. And I thought, oh, so maybe it's not. Maybe it's not wrong. Maybe it's okay to be wobbly and, you know, and have make. You know, make. Letting the ink bleed over. You know, you just have to find your people, do your research. Because I think a lot of people come here with trying to. As many reviews as you can, try and see as many people. Less is more. Try to see the right people. Because you can lose heart if you see somebody and get some unhelpful feedback.

[A]

Yeah. It could really have a strong impact on you. Yeah.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

I think it's a bit like with. Even with life advice, you know, if somebody tells you something, it's almost worth looking at their life, and you're like, actually, do I want what they have? Do I want to listen to what they're telling me to do? Yeah, it's the same portfolio reviews. Like, not all advice is equal. And for some people, it'll be perfect advice. And for some people, it'll be, like, derailing. Totally crushing.

[D]

But yeah.

[A]

Yeah. One of the things with the Freak flag, we're always, like, trying to get people to trust themselves and listen to themselves first, because it's so easy to hand that over to somebody else and be like, what is. Is this. Okay, like, that sort of love that you did that, but, like, you know, people.

[D]

Yeah, I've definitely spent a year doing that. So. So I then after. After last year's experience was painting. Oh, okay, so I need to do bears. Okay, so how do I do a bear? And it's so stiff. So the work that I've been trying to do to fit the mold, it's so stiff, and I can see it. And. And when you compare it with the work that I've been doing on the Freak Flag, and then people like, oh, what's that, though? Show me that. So I'm showing that work, and. And then. Oh, so this. This feels more exciting. That's different. I haven't seen that here today. And that is more memorable. And that feels like that's something that's poured out of you. And I was like, oh, yeah, it did.

[A]

It did. You said it poured out in an afternoon.

[D]

Yeah, it poured out in an afternoon, like a whole series. And I felt really good about it and. Because from doing that course, it's like the first. It's the first two modules, isn't it? When you're just like extracting all these

[A]

things really, like diving into. Interested in, basking in your weirdness and letting it out. And it's really nothing to do with trends, nothing to do with commercial viability. It's just like, what. What are you into?

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

What feels really fun and exciting to do or talk about or think about, because it's not even drawing at that stage, is it? It's just like, it might be visual because we're all visual people, but, like, let's dig in, see what is there.

[D]

Just blinkers off and free reins. No rules.

[A]

No rules.

[D]

Just go. No panicking, no uses. As many different media as you like or just one. Whatever. There's no rules. And. And just enjoy it. I think that's the key. Don't box yourself in. And. And then the great thing is, after that experience last year, because with the course, I'm able to just dip back in and then go to my favorite modules and just do them again. So anytime I've had a wobble, then it's been so nice to have that course there and all the. All those inspiring videos that you can watch, the talks that are in there and it's all just there to dive back in, loosen back up again whenever there's been a wobble.

[A]

Yeah. Because it happens.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

It's always times where you're just like, what am I doing? What is this? Or somebody says something.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm so glad that's. And that's why we did the lifetime access, because we thought we're always going to be adding new things and improving it and we don't want people to be excluded from future rounds. Life happens, or they're busy or whatever. But. Yeah. Are you feeling, like, raring to go to get home?

[D]

Yeah. Yeah. I can't wait to get back to my desk.

[A]

Yeah. Have you got any more meetings lined up or anything? So.

[D]

Yes, a few. A few. And I've. Since I. I did your picture book course as well. And. And I think that's. That's definitely helped me be more industry

[A]

because of the whole Getting Discovered module,

[D]

isn't there Getting Discovered module? And. And just sort of the awareness of how you're. Like the pagination of your text and the relationship with your illustration to the writing just. It's just sort of made me feel more. Made me feel more Ready to start submitting made me feel more like I understand how this, this thing needs to function. So, yeah, that helped me apply for the Golden Egg Academy 12 month course. So now I've got the, the writing side as well as the illustration. So that, that's so good.

[A]

The Golden Egg is writing, isn't it?

[D]

So the Golden Egg is just writing. It's not an illustration at all. I think the reason why I, I'm sure is because I'd done the picture book course before. So then I had an understanding from all of those modules about the 32 pages, about the, you know, the practicalities of it as well and the thumbnails, how to lay it all out.

[A]

Before you did the picture book course, how did you feel about all that stuff? How did you feel about picture books in general?

[D]

Yeah. Or picture books. What I wanted to get into. But I just had a lot to learn. I felt like I had a lot to learn about the industry. So 15 years as a fashion designer.

[B]

Wow.

[D]

So coming into it, completely new industry. Completely. And it's a, it's a niche of illustration that I wanted to get into. But I knew I had a lot to learn and at my age I felt this could take me years. Maybe I need to just do a course. There's a lot of pitfalls and I wanted to learn quickly and intensity and I need to do it at home because I'm still working as a freelancer. So it's that balance of I couldn't commit to going to a university or, you know, college every day. Yeah. So it worked around my lifestyle as I work on. So that then I felt like I learned a lot very quickly doing that.

[A]

Yeah. Because you could go out and learn the hard way, but if somebody else is like, don't do this, avoid this, this will help.

[D]

Yes. You can totally do it on your own. But it's just would. I'm sure it would have taken me a lot longer, just personally myself. It would have taken me a lot longer to get to where I am. And I. And then I managed to. I had three stories finished that I then pitched to Jo Williamson at Golden Egg to get onto their mentorship, which then I got in for the mentorship, got a place on that and you've just finished that.

[A]

So have you got even more stories?

[D]

Yes, just so I've got even more. So I brought the manuscripts with me as well as illustration and now I feel like an author, illustrator. I can come here and bring my work. It's so good.

[A]

It's so inspiring to meet you in real life because I know we've seen I've seen you online and things, but like to meet you and hear your story inp person. It's so cool.

[D]

Yeah. Lovely to be you, too. Yeah.

[A]

Thank you so much.

[D]

Thank you. Good luck.

[A]

It.