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. 6d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Apr 23

    016 - Keila Dawson: No Poem Too Small

    Keila V. Dawson has partnered with fellow creatives Jeanette Bradley and Lindsay Metcalf to tell the stories of young activists through the power of poetry. No Voice Too Small, No World Too Big, and No Brain The Same feature kids and teens making a difference for our planet. Keila and her team picked a different poet to celebrate this extraordinary individuals and the results are incredibly moving. (And we learned so many new things!)  A poem may seem like a quiet way to express oneself, but in the hands of these talented writers, the poems in this series of books speak up in ways you won't forget any time soon. Listen in to discover: Where the original idea for these poetry anthologies came from The influence her work as an educator, activist, and genealogist had on this project How they sold the first book on proposal The process used for matching poets to their subjects in each book How they ended up with different types of poems in each book The design of each page and it houses the poem, a sidebar of more biographical information, and a quote from each subject The types of backmatter included—from a glossary to types of poems to author bios Additional facts the illustrations provide How the sequels came to be What they hope kids get out of these books  A peek at a poem in the newest book in the series  How to be included in a poem anthology Poetry resources  Poetry practice How Keila came to write a poem for the second book The difference between a poem and a picture book   Books mentioned in this episode*: No Voice Too Small edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley No World Too Big edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley No Brain The Same edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley King Cake Baby by Keila V. Dawson and Vernon Smith Yumbo Gumbo by Keila V. Dawson and Katie Crumpton Opening the Road by Keila V. Dawson and Alleanna Harris Coming in the future: How We Got Here: Conversation with United States History and Annbelle's Beignet Cafe, a sequel to Yumbo Gumbo The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld   Get 25% off Janet Wong's Poetry in Picture Books webinar HERE. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening! Not a member of 12 x 12 yet? Join the wait list and get a free gift. Join here. *At no additional cost to you, 12 x 12 may earn a commission on books published through the links in this post. (Links go to Bookshop.org when available.)

    41 min

  7. Apr 16

    015 - Michelle Cusolito: In the World of Nonfiction

    Write what you love Michelle Cusolito's love for writing nonfiction picture books is palpable and, we dare say, contagious. In this episode, she generously shares her process, where her ideas have come from, and how she follows the muse—even when she's on deadline for a different project.  No matter what you write, Michelle's interview is a good reminder to write what you love... because that's when the passion shines through. Listen in to discover: Why Michelle is drawn to writing about the ocean How she came to write a latest picture book about trees (that aren't in the ocean!)  The information she gives to her illustrators (and what she leaves out) How she researches her books The importance of experiencing things firsthand when she's writing about a topic Her recommendations to writers who can't travel to do in-person research Where science is happening (Hint: it might be closer than you think!) How she organizes her research Her love of notebooks and working analog-style Nonfiction author Beth Anderson The beauty of spare text How In the World of Whales was inspired by a real-life event What made her stop everything to write the first draft  How the 12 x 12 Creativity Book Group works How to handle critiques How she was able to go on a weeks-long expedition with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to do research for her books Why it's important to make genuine connections as a writer   Books mentioned in this episode*: In the World of Whales by Michelle Cusolito and Jessica Lanan Flying Deep by Michelle Cusolito and Nicole Wong Diving Deep by Michelle Cusolito and Nicole Wong A Window into the Ocean Twilight Zone by Michelle Cusolito Jellyfish Scientist by Michelle Cusolito and Ellen Rooney Rooted in Wonder by Michelle Cusolito and Mayra Wright Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati Reimagining Your Nonfiction Picture Book by Kirsten W. Larson Giant Squid by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann   Get 25% off Michelle Cusolito's Rigorous Research webinar (co-presented with Charlesbridge editor Karen Boss) here: www.12x12challenge.com/michelle Please note: There is a change in the sound level about halfway through the podcast. We've adjusted it as much as we can. We apologize for any inconvenience while listening. If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening!

    44 min

  8. Apr 9

    014 - Lisa Rogers - Poetry and Picture Book Biographies

    Where Picture Book Biographies and Poetry Come Together The National Poetry Month celebration continues! 12 x 12 charter member, poet, and author Lisa Rogers shares how poetry comes into play when writing picture books—even picture book biographies. In this episode, you'll discover: What it's like to be a poet and write a picture book about a poet How she finds the emotional throughline in her stories Why she's drawn to writing about creative people The impact of writing her John Cage book in second person Why she writes picture book biographies Why she didn't give up writing picture books The steps she took to stay committed to the writing craft How she determines the stories she's meant to write Why reading and writing poetry helps with writing picture books How word choice influences her writing choices The importance of creating mental images in your stories How sounds influence her word choice   Books mentioned in this episode*: 16 Words: William Carlos Williams and "The Red Wheelbarrow" by Lisa Rogers and Chuck Groenink Beautiful Noise: The Music of John Cage by Lisa Rogers and Il Sung Na Joan Mitchell Paints a Symphony by Lisa Rogers and Stacy Innerst Woody's Words: Woodrow Wilson Rawls and Where the Red Fern Grows by Lisa Rogers and Susan Reagan Hound Won't Go by Lisa Rogers and Meg Ishihara All the Small Poems and Fourteen More by Valerie Worth and Natalie Babbitt Gnomes and Ungnomes: Poems of Hidden Creatures Ode to Grapefruit: How James Earl Jones Found His Voice by Kari Lavelle and Bryan Collier Get the 12 x 12 Poetry Playbook for Picture Book Writers HERE: https://12x12challenge.com/poetryplaybook If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening!

    37 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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