Paul Malone — Author, Podcaster, Storyteller
Welcome to the official website of Paul Malone—an Australian author living in Austria for two decades. Here you’ll find imaginative stories for younger readers, audio adventures from the Big Red Balloon podcast, and updates on his current projects, including novels in progress. Read his introductory blog post to find out more about his journey.
Explore Paul’s website to discover more.
Dive into the Creative Projects of Paul Malone
Paul’s inspiration and vision behind every story is to share with bright young readers the thrill of adventures—heroes and villains, mysteries, fantastic worlds and creatures—where anything might be possible. On these voyages of the imagination, readers discover the deeper themes of friendship, family, courage, sacrifice, and love.
Selected Short Story Publications
Some of Paul’s short stories have been published in The School Magazine, Australia’s longest-running literary magazine for young readers. You can find out more about the The School Magazine by visiting their website.
- The Happy Buddha Tea House – The School Magazine, September 2015
- Molly’s Magic Garden – The School Magazine, February 2016, republished July 2022
- How to Catch a Rainbow – The School Magazine, June 2018, republished August 2022
- Night of the Sand People – The School Magazine, November 2018, republished September 2023
- The Aeronaut – The School Magazine, July 2023
- How Not to Steal a Dragon Egg – scheduled for publication in 2026.
The Big Red Balloon Podcast
The Big Red Balloon uplifts young listeners (8-12 years) with exciting new adventure stories. With unforgettable heroes and villains, fantastic creatures, and amazing settings—from remote islands to distant worlds—these stories carry children and parents alike on a wild journey of the imagination.
Read by Paul Malone, every short story offers a unique listening experience—perhaps as a bedtime story, or any time or place where a vivid imagination and adventurous spirit can make a difference. Parents too can enjoy these stories and share their thougths with their children, helping them to become active listeners and great storytellers.
Current Creative Projects
Alongside his short fiction, Paul has completed several middle-grade (8-12 years) novel manuscripts. His current work, The Dragon Odyssey, expands his story universe and is set in the same world as some of his short stories, including The Aeronaut and How Not to Steal a Dragon Egg. Paul aims to complete the manuscript in 2026 and hopes to share publication news around that time.
Paul’s Blog
Welcome to Paul’s creative corner, where stories come to life beyond the page. Here you’ll find behind-the-scenes glimpses of his writing process, podcast adventures, and reflections on creativity and life.
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The story behind Doctor Dog
Doctor Dog is the latest short story for young listeners on the Big Red Balloon Podcast. Funny and absurd, it was inspired by recent conversations (and a few statistics) about the booming number of pet owners in Vienna. One reason often mentioned is that couples are choosing not to have children, opting instead to complete their family […]
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The Big Red Balloon Podcast Lifts Off!
Epic adventures, courageous heroes, and magical worlds—new stories every month for young explorers. The Big Red Balloon Podcast officially launched in January 2026 with its first thrilling adventure story—Zombie Island. This thrilling tale follows Edi and Boy, two unlikely companions who row out into a mist-shrouded mountain lake toward a snow-covered, seemingly abandoned island village. […]