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. 4d ago

    028 - Chiara Colombi on Why AI Can't Replace Picture Book Creators

    What you need to know about AI In 2025, Chiara Colombi gave our most asked-about webinar called "What Kidlit Creators Need to Know About AI." Chiara works with an AI data privacy firm and was able to break down what we as creatives need to know about this technology to use it wisely and to protect ourselves and our work.  Now, a year later, Chiara returns to give us an update about AI and children's publishing—and it's not all bad news!  Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  Why Chiara is the perfect person to give us insight into AI from a creator's perspective How her writing led her to work in AI Why you should learn about how AI works—even if you never use it What's going on with the Anthropic AI lawsuit How AI is affecting different industries Why there are reasons for hope Publishers want human-created text and art The importance of human translators Discussions about AI at Bologna Market analysis by AI - Yes or no? Using AI in your marketing Publishing contracts and AI AI Detection Tools Used by Publishers  Links mentioned in this episode:  25% off Chiara's webinar: What Kidlit Creators Should Know About AI AI and Publishing: FAQ for Writers from Jane Friedman 023: Julie in Bologna Authors Guild AI Model Contract Clauses Books* mentioned in this episode: Rocket Ship, Solo Trip by Chiara Colombi and Scott Magoon Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams by Chiara Colombi and Scott Magoon Your Name is a Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow and Luisa Uribe Find these books and more in the 12 x 12 Bookshop!  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. Jul 9

    027 - Kari Lavelle & Lindsay Leslie Team Up for Author Visits

    You've got a friend in me! In this episode, Kelli Panique chats with Kari Lavelle (pronounced CAR-EE) and Lindsay Leslie. Their writing friendship began when they were both just starting to write picture books, bloomed as they critiqued each other's work, and continues to blossom as they do author visits together! Could having an author visit partner be the key to your success? Find out how this partnership works in today's episode.  Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  How they met and when they started writing The role their friendship played when times were tough The number one recommendation they give aspiring writers Why writing friendships are important outside of critique groups The challenge of debuting books and author visits during the pandemic What's a booking agent and how they work Determining the value of your author visit and what to offer Why they started doing author visits together How their visits work even though one writes fiction and the other writes nonfiction  How they involve the kids in their presentations What has evolved in their visits over the years The difference between presenting to younger grades versus older grades The surprising preferences of younger readers versus older readers Their tips for reigning in an excited audience Funny things that happened during author visits Their advice for writers just starting with author visits   Links mentioned in this episode:  How Now Booking Lindsay Leslie on Instagram and Bluesky Find Kari Lavelle on Instagram and Bluesky   Books* mentioned in this episode: Gus Hearts the Bus by Lindsay Leslie and Geeta Ladi So You Want to Build a Library by Lindsay Leslie and Aviel Basil Dusk Explorers by Lindsay Leslie and Ellen Rooney Butt or Face by Kari Lavelle 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   Find these books and more in the 12 x 12 Bookshop!  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. Jul 2

    026 - Does Your Picture Book Have Enough Hooks?

    Hook, hook, does your book have enough hooks? In this episode, Julie gives an overview of picture book hooks and why they are so important in today's children's publishing market.   Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  The importance of having multiple hooks in your picture book manuscript The influence of the publishing market on hooks The definition of hooks in picture books Why agents and editors are looking for multiple hooks or entry points The difference between hooks and layers Are agents and editors only looking for high concept books? Kid-facing hooks vs. Adult-facing hooks Different categories of hooks in picture books Julie's Hook, Line, or Stinker workshop at Picture Book Summit 2026   Links mentioned in this episode:  Get the 12 x 12 Guide to Picture Book Hooks HERE. Get the 12 x 12 Guide to Layers in Picture Books HERE. Join Julie at the online Picture Book Summit 2026 HERE.   Books mentioned in this episode: Stalagmite and Stalactite by Drew Breckmeyer Dalmartian by Lucy Ruth Cummins   Find these books and more in the 12 x 12 Bookshop!  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. Jun 25

    025 - Debbie Davey's Self-Publishing Journey

    Author Debbie Davey won a spot on the podcast by donating to Publishing for Minnesota! (Thank you, Debbie!) In this episode, Debbie shares her experience with self-publishing two picture books. Here's what you'll discover in this episode:  Why she chose to self-publish What company she used to self-publish How she sold her books Where she found her illustrator Whether or not it's okay to use AI What steps she took to find her writing voice How she funded her books The influence her dad had on her writing How she recouped her investment on her first book What she wants kids to get out of her books Reasons to self-publish vs. pursuing traditional publishing Debbie's advice to writers thinking of self-publishing What she did to get her books in bookstores and libraries How distribution works Her willingness to research and keep learning throughout the publishing process The importance of taking courses Getting feedback and revising The importance of putting the best work out there—whether self-publishing or traditionally publishing Her work in teaching English at Outschool   Books mentioned in this episode: A Walk in Town by Debbie Davey and illustrated by Diana Florescu The Holiday Stroll by Debbie Davey and illustrated by Diana Florescu Grandpa Green written and illustrated by Lane Smith Find these books and more in the 12 x 12 Bookshop!  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. Jun 18

    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!

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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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