12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast

Julie Hedlund
  • 5.0 (24)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Podcast for picture book writers by picture books writers with the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge founder Julie Hedlund and co-host Kelli Panique www.12x12challenge.com

  1. 2d ago

    024 - Picture Book Summit 2026 Agents & Edtiors

    The Flintstones meet the Jetsons! It's our first-ever crossover episode! The 12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast is just one of the hats that Julie Hedlund and Kelli Panique wear. A couple other hats they wear are Picture Book Summit and the Picture Book Summit Podcast. Picture Book Summit is an annual online writing conference designed specifically for picture book writers and illustrators. Everything takes place online on October 3, 2026. Early Bird Registration is open through August 27, 2026. Today, we've invited their fellow PBSummit team members, Emma Walton Hamilton and Katie Davis, to the podcast to talk about our Featured Agent and Featured Editor panels. Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  What it's like to get these agents and editors together in one (Zoom) room Tips we've learned from critique panels Things that have surprised us in previous agent and editor panels How use the information in these panels to decipher what's going on in the current picture book market What a slush pile is What an "above-the-slush-pile" opportunity is and how to get one at Picture Book Summit Why you should care about these panels even if you already have an agent How these panels can inform what project you work on next Whether agents and editors like art notes How hearing agents and editors speak helps with your market research The importance of researching agents and editors How attendees influence what we ask our panel members   The advantage of having 4 months of Summit replays Exactly how the submission opportunities work in Picture Book Summit What happens if you don't need submission opportunities right now Whether you should send one manuscript to all the editors and agents Listen to the Picture Book Summit Podcast about the 2026 Superstar Speakers here. Listen to the Picture Book Summit Podcast about the 2026 Workshops here.   Picture Book Summit 2026 takes place online on October 3, 2026. Get your ticket to Picture Book Summit 2026 today! Save $100 with Early Bird Pricing by 8/27/26. Click here!   If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us!   Have questions for us or ideas for future episodes? Leave us a quick voicemail here.  Thank you for listening!

    31 min

  2. Jun 11

    023 - Bologna Children's Book Fair

    This past April, Julie went to Italy (her favorite country) to attend The Bologna Children's Book Fair for the first time in five years. It was fantastico, stupendo, bellissima! While in the land of la dolce vita, Julie roamed the Fair with microphones and talked to other kidlit creators on the scene. Have you ever wondered whether you should attend Bologna? Take a listen and find out! So much inspiration in this episode.   Listen in to discover: What the Bologna Book Fair is (and isn't) Why Julie has attended 4 times How to approach the Fair if you go Opportunities at the Fair for illustrators and authors Interview with Sarah Baker, Executive Director of SCBWI SCBWI's presence and activities at the Fair Interview with Sara Willia, illustrator and 12 x 12 Podcast Producer Plus Sara turns the tables on Julie and asks her some questions Interview with 12 x 12 member and SCBWI volunteer Julie Blaho SCBWI's brand new Italian chapter Interview with author/illustrator Selina Alko Interview with author/illustrator Vesper Stamper Interview with comics/graphic novel agent Janna Morishima Books mentioned in this episode: Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews, by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati My Love For You is the Sun, by Julie Hedlund and Susan Eaddy Becca and Bubbe's Bucket List, by Laura Gehl and Sarah Baker The Ghost Train, by Ross MacKay and Sara Willia Otherwise Known as Judy The Great, by Selina Alko A Knot is Not a Tangle, by Daniel Nayeri and Vesper Stamper Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi Other things to check out: Bologna Children's Book Fair website Kids Comics Unite SCBWI Italy Julie's Video from her 2nd Bologna Trip Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here. And check out our full list of books by 12 x 12 ANHPI members here. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us!   Have questions for us or ideas for future episodes? Leave us a quick voicemail here.  Not a member of 12 x 12 yet? Join the wait list and get a free gift. Join here. Thank you for listening! #kidlit #bolognabookfair #author #illustration

    1h 4m

  3. Jun 4

    022 - Lee Wind: Allyship in the Age of Book Banning

    Author and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Chief Content Officer Lee Wind has always advocated for books that help marginalized kids and teens, especially those on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, navigate life. In this episode, he talks about his concerns, recently shared in a School Library Journal article, about the chilling effect the current book banning and censorship campaigns are having on queer stories.    Listen in to discover: How book banning conversations adopt the language of our opressors Why many teachers and librarians are afraid to bring in diverse books The national book banning bill that is making its way through Congress right now What is happening to school and library sales and how that impacts publishing decisions Finding your champions and keeping hope alive How large vs. smaller publishers promote books differently "Offering" books vs. submitting them How to be an ally How to get books into the hands of kids who need them Lee's upcoming books Overview of We Are Stronger Than Censorship (and swag!) Why writing and reading picture books is magical Celebrating Pride Month   Books mentioned in this episode: Banana Menorah by Lee Wind and Karl West If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone by Gideon Sterer and Emily Hughes Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky Like That Eleanor: The Amazing Power of Being an Ally by Lee Wind and Kelly Mangan No Way, They Were Gay? by Lee Wind Love Of The Half-Eaten Peach by Lee Wind and Jieting Chan Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell and Henry Cole Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening! #kidlit #booktok #author #queerbooksforkids #lgbtqia+books #diversebooks #writingtips #ya #mg #picturebooks #pridemonth

    51 min

  4. May 28

    021 - Celebrating AANHPI Month with Carren Jao

    Meet Carren Jao, one of the passionate co-leaders of the 12 x 12 Asian Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (ANHPI) Affinity Group. Ellen Lee was unable to join us for this conversation, but please visit her website, too. Together, these women have created a warm, welcoming, educational "community within the community" in 12 x 12. Not surprisingly, many incredible picture books have been published by members of this group.   Listen in to discover: The establishment and purpose of the 12 x 12 Affinity Groups The evolution of the ANHPI Affinity group name and why it's important Carren's background in the arts and journalism, and how that connects to picture book writing How Carren and Ellen came to offer Monthly Mixers to the ANHPI Affinity Group Learning from members about switching agents mid-career Tips on executing "scrappy" book promotion ideas members have shared Carren's upcoming debut picture book, The Shape of Love Books Carren and Julie love for AANHPI month--and every month! Fighting against book bans as a community and as individuals What's next for Carren Books mentioned in this episode: The Shape of Love, by Carren Jao and Corinne Caro When A Rhino Has to Wait, by Dazzle Ng and Estrela Lourenço Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee, by Andrea J. Loney and Keith Mallett A Morning With Grandpa, by Sylvia Liu and Christina Forshay Sparkles For Sunny, by Sylvia Chen and Thai My Phuong  Bing's Cherries, by Julia Kuo and Livia Blackburne Unbreakable, by Minori Tonai and Jolene Gutiérrez, and Chris Sasaki Barbed Wire Between Us, by Mia Wenjen and Violete Encarnación Amah Faraway, by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Tracy Subisak Shell Song, by Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson The Legend of Ban-Dal, by Jessica Yoon and Seo Kim Sun, Moon, and Star, by Nancy So Miller The Moon Rabbit, by Eva Wong Nava and Jason Chuang Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and The United States, by Rajani LaRocca and Huy Vuon Lee The Power of Your Name, by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Olivia Sua Finding Papa, by Angela Pham Krans and Thi Bui Another Word for Neighbor, by Angela Pham Krans and Thai My Phuong At The Window, by Hope Lim and Qin Leng The First Girl On Stage, by Shruthi Rao and Devika Joglekar When Science Stood Still: How S. Chandrasekhar Predicted the Existence of Black Holes, by Shruthi Rao and Srinidhi Srinivasan Gwei The Hungry Ghost, by Emmeline Lee and Basia Tran Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here. And check out our full list of books by 12 x 12 ANHPI members here. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us!  Not a member of 12 x 12 yet? Join the wait list and get a free gift. Join here. Thank you for listening! #kidlit #booktok #author #AANHPImonth

    45 min

  5. May 21

    020 - Heidi E.Y. Stemple Loves Backmatter

    Award-winning children's author Heidi E.Y. Stemple joins co-hosts Julie and Kelli to celebrate her latest picture book releases and to talk about why backmatter is so important for picture books (and when it's not).     Listen in to discover: How Heidi got to 50 published books (and counting) The pressure and privilege of being Jane Yolen's daughter Why Heidi got a tattoo of her mother's signature on her right wrist The definition of picture book backmatter (and frontmatter, and marginalia)  Why backmatter should provide an entry back into the book or an exit out The do's and don'ts of crafting backmatter When additional information should go on your website or in a teacher's guide Examples of backmatter from several of Heidi and her mom's books How to decide if your book needs backmatter Why you want your backmatter to match the target age, tone, and style of your book Whether you should write the backmatter upfront or simply give possible ideas Books mentioned in this episode: Lydia Loves Bugs: A Children's Book About Insects by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Yulia Pankratova The Poetry of Car Mechanics by Heidi E.Y. Stemple Zoey Zoombeck, Superhero by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Alexandra Colombo Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen's First Great Story by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Madelyn Goodnight She Sells Seashells: Mary Anning, an Unlikely Paleontologist by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Emily Paik You Nest Here With Me by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Melissa Sweet Greyling by Jane Yolen and David Ray E. Norm Moose by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Annie Gregoire A Kite for Moon by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Matt Phelan How To Get Your Octopus to School by Becky Scharnhorst and Jaclyn Sinquette Over, Bear! Under, Where? by Julie Hedlund and Michael Slack Yuck, You Suck! Poems About Animals That Sip, Slurp, Suck by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Eugenia Nobati Eek, You Reek! Poems About Animals That Stink, Stank, Stunk by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Eugenia Nobati La Princesa and The Pea by Susan Middleton Elya and Juana Martinez Neal Butt or Face by Kari Lavelle Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here. Listeners who want more from Heidi on Backmatter can get 25% off her webinar, Backmatter Matters at 12x12challenge.com/heidi. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening!

    53 min

  6. May 14

    019 - Jorjeana Marie: Improv for Writers

    Meet stand-up comedian, actress, TV writer, audiobook narrator, and picture book author Jorjeana Marie, here on the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Podcast to discuss using improv techniques to write humorous, character-driven picture books. Jorjeana shares her background and why she's drawn to picture books through character, heart, and humor, then outlines key improv "rules" and games she applies to writing. She talks about her inspiration for writing the book, IMPROV FOR WRITERS, which Julie tested out before this episode.   Listen in to discover: What draws someone as accomplished as Jorjeana Marie to 12 x 12 Jorjeana's dedication to writing picture books Why picture books (and all books) are critical for children An overview of the "rules" of Improv and how they can be adapted for writing The benefit of the "Yes, and" game in both improv and writing Why listening and staying present is a crucial piece of the writing puzzle The importance of committing to whatever you are creating Julie's experience playing some of the improv games from the book The difference between writing prompts and improv games How to use improv games to write funny picture books Why the best comedy (and humorous picture books) is layered Jorjeana demonstrating improv techniques live The connection between poetry and improv Books mentioned in this episode: Improv for Writers: 10 Secrets to Help Novelists and Screenwriters Bypass Writer's Block and Generate Infinite Ideas by Jorjeana Marie Over, Bear! Under, Where? by Julie Hedlund and Michael Slack Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here. Julie is offering listeners 25% off her webinar, Cooking Up Funny Picture Books. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening! #kidlit #booktok #author #writingtipsforbeginners #writingtips #ya #mg #picturebooks #improv #humor

    49 min

  7. May 7

    018 - Julie Travels Down Under

    G'day, Mates! Our fearless leader, Julie Hedlund, recently returned from a month down under in Australia. Of course, there were stunning beaches and beautiful sights to see, but what we really want the tea on are the bookshops, libraries, and other fun literary adventures! (Seriously!) Julie discovered a vibrant book scene in Sydney, and she's ready to dish. Listen in to discover: What took Julie to Australia Who she met while she was there Why we say you're never alone as a 12 x 12 member How submissions to Australian publishers work The differences she noticed between the Australian and the North American kidlit markets Meeting the local SCBWI RA The Library of New South Wales Literary icon Pamela Allen How travel inspires creativity Picture book topics and trends in Australia The interactive Pamela Allen museum exhibit A read-aloud of Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen The literary field trip to a winery-restaurant-bookstore Her visit to P.L. Travers' house and the Mary Poppins statue Which American authors' books she saw in Australian bookstores   Books by authors mentioned in this episode*: Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen The Best Rangoli Ever by Sheena Garg Gapagap by Sheena Garg Boy in the Big Blue Glasses by Susanne Gervay and Marjorie Crosby-Fairall Ships in the Field by Susanne Gervay and Anna Pignataro Time for Bed by Mem Fox and Jane Dyer Possum Magic by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury Whoever You Are by Mem Fox and Leslie Staub I'm an Immigrant Too! by Mem Fox and Ronojoy Ghosh The Future Book by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris   Special thanks to Karen Henricks, Susanne Gervay, Sheena Garg, and Karen Robertson! If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening!

    47 min

  8. Apr 30

    017 - Rajani LaRocca: Writing Fueled by Joy

    Inspired by Joy in Storytelling Newbery Award-Winning Rajani LaRocca shares personal insights into her writing, including when she started writing, when she came back to it, what she loves about writing in different genres, and how joy fuels her creative endeavors. Listen in to discover: The original spark for her picture book SOME OF US The importance of sharing our citizenship stories. Surprising things she learned while writing this book. How kids respond to SOME OF US. Her inspiration for A VACCINE IS LIKE A MEMORY. How she balances her work as a physician with her work as an author. How being in community inspired her to write The struggle to write when times are tough The gift of giving your manuscripts time to sit If Rajani has a favorite among her books The different genres she has written What children say to her about her books   Books mentioned in this episode*: Some of Us by Rajani LaRocca and Huy Voun Lee A Vaccine is Like a Memory by Rajani LaRocca and Kathleen Marcottte Seven Golden Rings by Rajani LaRocca and Archana Sreenivasan Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca and Archana Sreenivasan Summer is for Cousins by Rajani LaRocca and Abhi Alwar Fall is for Beginnings by Rajani LaRocca and Abhi Alwar Your One and Only Heart by Rajani LaRocca and Lauren Paige Conrad Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca Random Body Parts: Gross Anatomy Riddles in Verse by Leslie Bulion and Mike Lowery We Are the Light by Rajani LaRocca and Sayan Mukherjee Vibhi and the Voice by Rajani LaRocca and Cindy Derby Such Great Heights by Rajani LaRocca   Get special deals on Rajani's past 12 x 12 webinars:  Rock Your Revision for 25% off Rhyming vs. Lyrical: When and How (and Why) to Use Each for 25% off Get them both in a special bundle for 40% off!   If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening!

    46 min
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Podcast for picture book writers by picture books writers with the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge founder Julie Hedlund and co-host Kelli Panique www.12x12challenge.com

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