017 - Rajani LaRocca: Writing Fueled by Joy

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 [https://picturebooksummit.com/hook-line-or-stinker/] at Picture Book Summit 2026 Links mentioned in this episode: * Get the 12 x 12 Guide to Picture Book Hooks HERE [https://12x12challenge.com/pbhooks]. * Get the 12 x 12 Guide to Layers in Picture Books HERE [https://12x12challenge.com/layers]. * Join Julie at the online Picture Book Summit 2026 HERE [https://picturebooksummit.com/julie]. Books mentioned in this episode: * Stalagmite and Stalactite [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781665926638] by Drew Breckmeyer * Dalmartian [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781665911955] by Lucy Ruth Cummins Find these books and more in the 12 x 12 Bookshop [https://bookshop.org/shop/12x12]! 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 [https://www.speakpipe.com/12x12pod]. Thank you for listening!

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 [https://outschool.com/] Books mentioned in this episode: * A Walk in Town [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9798869350688] by Debbie Davey and illustrated by Diana Florescu * The Holiday Stroll [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9798348160845] by Debbie Davey and illustrated by Diana Florescu * Grandpa Green [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781596436077] written and illustrated by Lane Smith Find these books and more in the 12 x 12 Bookshop [https://bookshop.org/shop/12x12]! 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 [https://www.speakpipe.com/12x12pod]. Thank you for listening!

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 [https://picturebooksummit.com/] 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 [https://picturebooksummit.com/podcast-2026-superstar-speaker-reveal/]. * Listen to the Picture Book Summit Podcast about the 2026 Workshops here [https://picturebooksummit.com/]. 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! [https://picturebooksummit.com/] 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 [https://picturebooksummit.com/]. Thank you for listening!

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 [https://sarahlynnbaker.com/About], Executive Director of SCBWI [https://scbwi.org] * SCBWI's presence and activities at the Fair * Interview with Sara Willia [https://sarawillia.art/], 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 [https://www.julieblaho.com/] * SCBWI's brand new Italian chapter * Interview with author/illustrator Selina Alko [https://www.selinaalko.com/] * 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 [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781499813791], by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati * My Love For You is the Sun [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780989668835], by Julie Hedlund and Susan Eaddy * Becca and Bubbe's Bucket List [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9798260505014], by Laura Gehl and Sarah Baker * The Ghost Train, by Ross MacKay and Sara Willia * Otherwise Known as Judy The Great [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780316570633], by Selina Alko * A Knot is Not a Tangle [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780593809693], by Daniel Nayeri and Vesper Stamper [https://www.vesperillustration.com/] * Pinocchio [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780143136095], by Carlo Collodi Other things to check out: * Bologna Children's Book Fair website [https://www.bolognachildrensbookfair.com/en/home/878.html] * Kids Comics Unite [https://kidscomicsunite.com/] * SCBWI Italy [https://www.scbwi.org/regions/italy/events] * Julie's Video [https://youtu.be/M3wVa_W59b0] from her 2nd Bologna Trip Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here [https://bookshop.org/lists/12-x-12-picture-book-podcast-recommendations]. And check out our full list of books by 12 x 12 ANHPI members here [https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-asian-american-native-hawaiian-and-pacific-islander-members]. 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 [https://www.speakpipe.com/12x12pod]. Not a member of 12 x 12 yet? Join the wait list and get a free gift. Join here. [https://juliehedlund.lpages.co/12-x-12-matthew-winner/] Thank you for listening! #kidlit #bolognabookfair #author #illustration

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

Author and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Chief Content Officer Lee Wind [https://www.leewind.org/] 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 [https://www.slj.com/story/LGBTQIA-Voices-Being-Pushed-Out-Kid-Lit], 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 [https://www.wearestrongerthancensorship.org/] (and swag!) * Why writing and reading picture books is magical * Celebrating Pride Month Books mentioned in this episode: * Banana Menorah [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781681156811] by Lee Wind and Karl West * If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780063375222] by Gideon Sterer and Emily Hughes * Red and Green and Blue and White [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781646140879] by Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky * Like That Eleanor: The Amazing Power of Being an Ally [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781945369735] by Lee Wind and Kelly Mangan * No Way, They Were Gay? [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781541581623] by Lee Wind * Love Of The Half-Eaten Peach [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781478881872] by Lee Wind and Jieting Chan * Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781499813791] by Julie Hedlund and Ilaria Urbinati * And Tango Makes Three [https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781481446952] by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell and Henry Cole Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list here [https://bookshop.org/lists/12-x-12-picture-book-podcast-recommendations]. 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