12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast

Julie Hedlund
  • 5.0 (24)
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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

  1. 2d ago

    041 - Indiia Willmot and the First-Year Member Experience

    What's it like to be a first-time 12 x 12 member?  We invited first-year 12 x 12 member Indiia Wilmott onto the podcast to share what it's like when you join the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge for the first time. If you've ever wondered what kind of a difference 12 x 12 can make in the writing life of a new writer, this one's for you!  Registration for a new year of 12 x 12 opens in January, add yourself to the waiting list so you don't miss another year! Click here. Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  How Indiia started writing picture books How she found out about 12 x 12 Her first impression of 12 x 12 What section of the member forum she used first How she decided where to focus her efforts Why she values creative communitiescreative How her theater skills inform her writing If Indiia wrote more or less as a 12 x 12 member What she's learned about revision since she joined Her take on critique groups and mentors Her advice to aspiring picture book writers The importance of celebrating success—at any stage How 12 x 12 can shorten the learning curve in the kidlit publishing space Her daughter's favorite picture book! Books mentioned in this episode: Sulwe by Luputia Nyong'o and Vashti Harrison Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor Simon and the Better Bone by Corey R. Tabor Ursula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor Dragons Love Taco by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty and David Roberts Links mentioned in this episode: Be Bold! Be Brave! Charting Your Creative Journey with Purpose with Vashti Harrison (Use code PODCAST for 30% off!) Services for Writers - where Indiia found her mentor, Kristi Mahoney!   See the video of this episode on our YouTube channel!  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!

  2. Oct 8

    040 - Mid-Journey Author Successes with Caitlin Binder Markey

    Let's talk about the middle of the writing journey with Caitlin Binder-Markey So far, most of our podcast episodes have been interviews with published writers, illustrators, and other industry professionals. But, what about the writers putting in the work who haven't seen their name on a book cover yet?  Today, we get to showcase one of those picture book writers—Caitlin Binder-Markey Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  How Caitlin fell in love with picture books Why she started writing picture books Which board game is most comparable to writing The main reason Caitlin joined the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge  How 12 x 12 helped her find her critique group and connect with other writers What she loves about 12 x 12 now that she's member Her path to winning the Ann Whitford Paul Most Promising Picture Book Award What story inspired her award-winning manuscript What happens when you win that award What keeps Caitlin going on her writing journey How her family feels about her writing What the query trenches are like The definition of a champagne rejection The importance of making mistakes How connections help define her career What book Caitlin wished she had written Books mentioned in this episode: Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford Paul The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld   Resource mentioned in this episode: Write for Kids with Joely Stuckley   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!

  3. Oct 1

    039 - Karly Dizon: An Agent's Passion for Kidlit

    Agent Karly Dizon of Fuse Literary joins Julie Hedlund and Kelli Panique to chat about her love for picture books and kidlit, and why she comes back year after year to critique pitches and first pages from 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge members. How Karly became an agent after starting as an author Her passion for representing writers How Karly developed her skills for editing and critiquing children's stories How she developed her picture book evaluation skills Why picture books are "sneaky difficult" to write Tips for expanding your writing toolbox The importance of being a lifelong learner How reading helps you write What makes a stand-out picture book How Karly connects with editors and keeps up with the publishing industry The most important question to ask when you have The Call with an agent What Karly must know before signing a new client What it means when a certain topic is on an agent's manuscript wish list What she's looking for in submissions Why an agent may have topics or genres on their "do-not-submit" submission list What is Karly seeing and loving in the kidlit market What editors are buying vs. what readers are buying Why Karly likes to work with 12 x 12 and our members Links mentioned in this episode: Fuse Literary Website 25% off Karly's webinar: What Agents Want You to Know About Submissions Today 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!

  4. Sep 24

    038 - Betsy Bird: Where are the Funny Female Writers?

    Can you be a funny female picture book writer and get published? Uber-librarian Betsy Bird and Julie Hedlund talk about the challenges of being a funny female—even in today's market. Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  Why it's difficult for women to get past the gatekeepers with funny and/or subversive picture books What you're no longer seeing in the book deals at this time Challenges for marginalized creators Advice for taking risks  The difficulty with the appeal of humor What's expected of women writing humor Are things getting better for women? How the literacy crisis is impacting what's being published If Betsy's manuscripts have been rejected and why Is it okay to have jokes for adults in kids' books? What we can do to get more funny books by women in the marketplace Advantages of working with a small publisher Current trends in humorous books Ways to discover what kinds of books kids want What book does Betsy wish she had written   Books mentioned in this episode:   Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children's Literature by Betsy Bird, Julie Danielson, & Peter D. Sieruta Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin & Daniel Salmieri The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beatty & David Roberts Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor Fireworks by Matthew Burgess & Catia Chen Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan Because of a Shoe by Julie Fogliano & Marla Frazee Claydate by Dev Petty & Lauren Eldrich The Cow in the Dark at Night by Jess Hannigan Do You Like My Pants? By Carrie Shryock The Spider in the Well by Jess Hannigan The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan Don't Trust Fish by Neal Sharpson & Dan Santat Donutrina in the Nutcracker Suite by Helen Yoon Mistaco by Eliza Kinkz Ratface Does Not Want to Be Your Friend by Eliza Kinkz Chooch Helped by Andrea L. Rogers & Rebecca Lee Kunz While We're Here by Anne Wynter & Micha Archer Shark-Nate-O by Becky Cattie & Tara Luebbe & Daniel Duncan Pop! Goes The Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird & Andrea Tsurumi  Pop! Goes The Fairy Tale by Betsy Bird & Andrea Tsurumi (Available 6/2027) Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin & Betsy Lewin Touch The Sky by Stephanie Lucianovic & Chris Park Accident by Andrea Tsurumi Terrible, Terrible Birds! By Betsy Bird & Matthew Cordell (Available 2/2027) Mini Golf Fun! By Tasha Hilderman & Katy Quarles Don't Wash Winston by Ashley Belote   Funny Female and Nonbinary Authors Mentioned Margaret Wise Brown Dev Petty Anne Wynter Helen Yoon Eliza Kinkz Lian Cho X. Fang Andrea Tsurumi Janet Stevens   Links mentioned in this episode: 31 Days, 31 Lists Fuse #8 Blog on School Library Journal Fuse 8 'n Kate Podcast Betsy's Substack Betsy's Instagram Betsy's TikTok Betsy's Bluesky Betsy's Website Get 25% off Betsy's webinar Writing Humor in Unfunny Times   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!

  5. Sep 17

    037 - Jess Townes: The Life of a Ninja Bookseller

    The Life of a Ninja Bookseller Not only does Jess Townes write incredible picture books, but she's also a Critique Ninja in the 12 x 12 membership AND she's a buyer at an independent bookstore! Jess joins Julie and Kelli in this podcast episode to chat about tips for revising your manuscript and what she thinks picture book creators need to know about the bookselling side of the children's publishing industry. Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  Tips Jess gives 12 x 12 members for writing and revising their manuscripts What she looks for when giving critiques How to use real-life interactions can inspire your picture book  What it's like to have publishers pitch YOU the books on their list The different ways kids attach to books How she works with her fellow bookseller to choose what they sell in the bookstore What came first: the author or the bookseller How being a bookseller inspires what she writes When booksellers start making purchase decisions for winter holiday sales What happens if your book comes out after the big purchases are made What does it mean when your book is remaindered How important holiday books are to booksellers The advantage of speaking directly to customers What is a shelf-talker and how it helps sell books The importance of author/bookseller relationships When to call a bookstore if you're going to be in the area How to approach a bookstore when you'd like them to carry your book  What to do if you want to have an event at a store How this bookstore decides which self-published books to carry If bookstore events sell books What sells more than author events How pre-order campaigns impact independent bookstores Why you should coordinate with a local bookstore when doing author visits at schools and other locations What to take into consideration if you're trying to schedule bookstore events  If there is an audience for picture books that aren't attached to popular characters or intellectual property Books mentioned in this episode:  Groundhog Gets It Wrong by Jess Townes and Nicole Miles Spellbound by Jess Townes and Jennifer Harney Sometimes I Cry by Jess Townes and Daniel Miyares Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Three Little Witches and the Spooky Old House by Peggy Archer and Gaia Bordicchia Not So Ordinary Ornaments by Paige Hulsey (coming soon, illustrator to be announced) Butt or Face by Kari Lavelle Millie Fleur's Pumpkin Problem by Christy Mandin Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt? by Derek Wilder  Julie Andrews: A Little Golden Book by Christy Webster and Sue Cornelison Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati After the Fall by Dan Santat Shy by Julie Andrews, Emma Walton Hamilton, and Eva Byrne Links mentioned in this episode: Jess works at Main St. Books in Charleston, Missouri The Adult Book Fair Kelli mentioned is put on Magic City Books in Tulsa Emma Walton Hamilton's podcast episode on turning a real-life event into a picture book Find out more about Jess Townes and her books on her website   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!

  6. Sep 10

    036 - Miranda Paul has a Secret...

    A trade secret, that is... Earlier this year, agent and author Miranda Paul gave a webinar called Trade Secrets: Ways to Make Your Picture Book Idea More Commercial. In this podcast episode, we dive into a few topics not covered in the webinar. (You can now get this outstanding webinar for 25% off! Click here.) Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  What information you should pay attention to in those Publishers Weekly announcements What to consider when you notice a trend Why you should follow agents on social media A current gap in the market Why a universal theme is so important How your book can still be commercial—even if it's not high concept Topics that kids need in picture books What makes a book commercial What is Miranda looking for in submissions (when she opens for submissions again)   Books mentioned in this episode:  Blobfish Throws a Party by Miranda Paul and Maggie Caton I Am Not Happy by Caroline L. Perry and Sydney Hanson So You Want to Be a Fossil by Anna Monders and Ryan Middaugh (coming in 2027) Make Your Mark: The Empowering True Story of the First Known Black Female Tattoo Artist by Jacci Gresham, Sherry Fellores, and David Wilkerson Not Like Every Other Day by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic and Gabrielle Grimard Zombie and Brain are Friends by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic and Laan Cham One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul and Elizabeth Zunon Kaleidoscope of Hope: How Butterfly Life Cycles Reflect Our World by Miranda Paul and Hari and Deepti   Links mentioned in this episode: Miranda Paul's Trade Secrets: Ways to Make Your Picture Book Idea More Commercial for 25% off!   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!

  7. Sep 3

    035 - A Tribute to Jane Yolen

    Our dear Jane... The children's writing community lost one of our greats this year when our beloved Jane Yolen passed away.  She is not only the author of over 450 books for kids, she is a teacher, mentor, and inspiration to hundreds (thousands?) of writers. She was constantly giving back to this community and we are all better for it.  In this episode, Julie shares her personal connection to Jane and different things she learned from Jane over the years.  Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  How Julie was introduced to Jane Yolen through her books How Julie met Jane (and her daughter Heidi E.Y. Stemple) in person A taste of Jane's poetry and her poetry practice What it was like to attend Jane's Boot Camp and stay in her house What it was like to have her manuscripts critiqued by Jane Julie's trip to Scotland to stay in Jane's house Who Jane defined as a writer How Jane inspired Julie at a low point in her career Jane-isms The origin story of HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY GOODNIGHT? Some of Julie's favorite Jane Yolen books—including those written for adults Excerpts from interviews with Jane   Books mentioned in this episode:  Here's a Little Poem by Jane Yolen, Andrew Fusek Peters, and Polly Dunbar Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen Come to the Fairies' Ball by Jane Yolen and Gary Lippincott  Over, Bear! Under, Where? by Julie Hedlund and Michael Slack The Stranded Whale by Jane Yolen and Melanie Cataldo Elefantastic by Jane Yolen and Brett Helquist I Am the Storm by Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Kristen Howdeshell, and Kevin Howdeshell Sister Fox's Field Guide to the Writing Life by Jane Yolen Take Joy by Jane Yolen Janie Writes a Play by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Madelyn Goodnight   Links mentioned in this episode: Link to Jane's Memorial Service Watch the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/BUDmeqawLOU     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!

  8. Aug 27

    034 - 12 x 12 New York Times Bestsellers!

    What's it like to be a New York Times Bestseller? It's a momentous time for the 12 x 12 membership and so we bring you a momentous podcast episode! During the first week of August 2026, not one but TWO 12 x 12 member books were on the New York Times Bestseller List for Children's Picture Books (August 2, 2026). Considering that any book currently in print from Dr. Seuss. Maurice Sendak, and Margaret Wise Brown to award-winners and everything released this year, it's quite an accomplishment to land on the bestseller list.  Congratulations go to 12 x 12 members Kari Lavelle and Michael Benner!  Published by Sourcebooks Explore, Kari's nonfiction picture book BUTT OR FACE landed at number 7 after being in print for 3 years. Illustrated by the incredible Alison Hawkins and published by Orchard/Scholastic, Michael's picture book MAC & CHEESE: THE ORIGIN STORY debuted at #1 the week it came out!! Two very exciting journeys starting at two very different places. Today, we hear how these bestsellers came to be! Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  How Julie & Kelli found out about TWO members being on the NYT Bestseller List Who helped BUTT OR FACE land on the list What books you're competing with to get on the list The role Michael's publisher played in getting MAC AND CHEESE to the #1 spot How funny books attract sales How YOU can help an author make it on the bestseller list The importance of pre-order sales  How Barnes & Noble supports pre-orders What's a frontlist title vs. a backlist title The surprising ways Michael and Kari found out the news Why BUTT OR FACE doesn't have an illustrator Puns for the win! The origin story of MAC AND CHEESE: THE ORIGIN STORY The different ways a book can find an audience What does it mean to be a publisher's "lead book" How Kari and Michael stay true to themselves when writing What's involved with having a special edition of your book for Barnes & Noble What it was like when Michael saw Alison's illustrations A look at the fun event kits created for MAC & CHEESE What it's like to work on a book that becomes a series and how to balance your creativity between projects The fun of read-alouds What books Kari and Michael wish they would have written   Books mentioned in this episode:  BUTT OR FACE by Kari Lavelle MAC & CHEESE: THE ORIGIN STORY by Michael Benner and Alison Hawkins WE MOVE THE WORLD by Kari Lavelle and Nabi H. Ali ODE TO GRAPEFRUIT: HOW JAMES EARL JONES FOUND HIS VOICE by Kari Lavelle and Bryan Collier MILK AND COOKES: THE PERFECT PAIR by Michael Benner and Alison Hawkins E-MERGENCY by Tom Lichtenheld and Ezra Fields-Meyer WHILE WE'RE HERE BY Anne Wynter and Micha Archer   Links mentioned in this episode: See the video for this episode on YouTube Picture Book Summit's Home Page    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!

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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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