12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast

Author Kirsten W. Larson and Julie Hedlund discuss the joy of writing nonfiction, including:  Why Kirsten loves writing nonfiction for young readers Where her writing process starts The difference between primary and secondary sources Why Kirsten loves the 12 x 12 community  What it means for her to be a 12 x 12 Elf The advice she has for newer writers and seasoned writers How she pushes through until a manuscript works   Resources from Kirsten:  Kirsten's website Reimagine Insiders Group   Books mentioned in this episode:  This is How You Know by Kirsten W. Larson and Cornelia Li Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati Reimagining Your Nonfiction Picture Book by Kirsten W. Larson Telling It True: How to Write Nonfiction Kids (and Teens) Want to Read by Kirsten W. Larson  Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome Winged Wonders: Solving the Monarch Migration Mystery by Meeg Pincus and Yas Imamura    In the World of Whales by Michelle Cusolito and Jessica Lanan    Future projects not yet available: Shape of Our Stories: How Books Became to Be  Light of Resistance   Get 25% off Kirsten W. Larson's webinar Noodling on Nonfiction Structure HERE.  Sign up for the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge by February 15th! Click here!    At no additional cost to you, 12 x 12 may receive a commission when a purchase is made through the links above.

We begin our Black History Month celebration with 12 x 12 member and author Valerie Bolling, who talks about reinventing her writing as a means to expand on her love of writing picture books and reach more young readers. In this interview, we get to dive into all the ways Valerie keeps growing and challenging herself to write different types of stories—and we hope she challenges you along the way. You'll discover: Why she writes in different picture genres and styles How important it is for kids to see themselves in our stories Why branding yourself isn't always necessary Why Valerie writes some stories in prose and some in rhyme The benefits of being a 12 x 12 member The importance of reading picture books—and not just to your kids Why she recommends joining 12 x 12 What prompts Valeire to give back to the picture book writing community The one negative about 12 x 12 The book she wishes she wrote Books mentioned in this episode:  Let's Dance by Valerie Bolling and Maine Diaz Bing Bop Bam, Time to Jam! by Valerie Bolling and Sabrena Khadija Together We Swim by Valerie Bolling and Kaylani Juanita Together We Ride by Valerie Bolling and Kaylani Juanita I See Color: An Affirmation of our Diverse A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change by Valerie Bolling and TeMika Grooms The March for Hope by Valerie Bolling and Monica Mikai  A Season for Fishin' by Pamela Courtney and Toni D. Chambers  My Heart Speaks Kriolu by Stefanie Foster Brown and Keisha Morris Daddy Daughter Dance by Malcolm Newsome and Jenin Mohammed  The Six Triple Eight: A True Story of the Black Woman Battalion of World War II by Tonya Abari and Lance Evans Prayer Is by Tameka Fryer Brown and Alleanna Harris  Riding Magic by Kelly Starling Lyons and E.B. Lewis That Flag by Tameka Fryer Brown and Nikkolas Smith   Get a 25% discount on Valerie's webinar: How to Use Tension to Create Captivating Picture Books. Click here! Get 25% off Tameka Fryer Brown's webinar Picture Book Range: Writing Across Styles and Topics   Sign up for the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge by February 15th! Click here! 

Are you in the submission trenches? Co-Founders of The Complete Picture Book Submissions System Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund share their submission expertise to help you write better query letters! What you'll discover: Tips for submitting your manuscript to agents or editors A template for writing your pitch The person who reads your query first (It may not be who you think it is...) The difference between a pitch and a synopsis Who should be the focus of your pitch The job of the pitch Why the voice of your pitch is so important   Get Emma and Julie's free submissions training here: picturebooksubmissions.com/free-training   Come be part of the community! Join the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge in 2026. Register by February 15, 2026 here: 12x12challenge.com/membership/ Subscribe, like, and share the podcast with your fellow kidlit writers!

Join the fun as Julie Hedlund interviews our first-ever podcast guest: agent Adria Goetz of KT Literary!  What you'll discover: How Adria became an agent What editors are looking for (and NOT looking for) in today's market The importance of market entry points and hooks The top 3 booksellers in the United States How to make your work stand out in a tough market Why Adria keeps coming back to 12 x 12 as a Featured Agent What it's like getting submissions in your inbox How agents view submissions with AI components Picture books Adria loves right now   Books mentioned in this episode:  The Princess and the Grain of Rice by Tina Cho and Honee Jang Millie Fleur's Poison Garden by Christy Mandin In the Groves by Andrea Cruz Floren    Come be part of the community! Join the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge in 2026. Click here to register by February 15, 2026. Get 25% off off Adria's 12 x 12 webinar here: https://12x12challenge.com/adria Adria's website: https://adriagoetz.wpcomstaging.com/  

Houston, we have a co-host! Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon. Laurel and Hardy. Thelma and Louise. Life is more fun with a partner—and work is certainly easier with someone who has your back. And no one has Julie's back like her co-host Kelli Panique.  What you'll discover in this episode: How Julie and Kelli started working together What they each bring to the partnership Why community is so important to them Kelli's favorite and least favorite things about working in 12 x 12 Little-known facts about Kelli   Join the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge in 2026. Click here to register by February 15, 2026. Subscribe and review if you like the podcast! Future episodes will include author and illustrator interviews, conversations with agents and editors, and discussions on the craft of writing picture books and getting published. Thanks for listening!

Welcome to the 12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast!  Host Julie Hedlund, Founder of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, introduces us to this new podcast for picture book writers and/or illustrators.  What you'll discover in this episode:  The history of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge When to register for the 2026 challenge 12 things Julie wished she knew when she started writing picture books   Join the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge in 2026. Click here to register by February 15, 2026. Subscribe and join us for the new endeavor! Future episodes will include author and illustrator interviews, conversations with agents and editors, and discussions on the craft of writing picture books and getting published. Find out more at www.12x12challenge.com. We'll see you there!