Brand-new webinar coming May 27th with author/agent @mirandapaul.bsky.social about how to make your #picturebooks more commercial in today's tight market. Will include Q & A and an opportunity to submit a #kidlit pitch to Miranda. Register at juliehedlund.com/miranda

Trade Secrets: Ways to Make Your Picture Book Idea More Commercial

Pro-level edit tips on showing versus telling, plus useful takeaways on pacing and page turns from multi-published and award-winning author and agent, Miranda Paul.

juliehedlund.com

I had a lovely conversation with @carolineperry.bsky.social on this week's podcast - celebrating #womenshistorymonth by sharing our respective experiences writing #picturebook bios about VERY famous women. #kidlit #kidlitart.

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Happy Women's History Month! On the #12x12pb #podcast, 📚✨Caroline L. Perry ✨📚 & Julie Hedlund reveal the intersections in their #picturebook #biographies on Queen Elizabeth II & Julie Andrews. 12x12challenge.com/p... #author #kidlit #writingforkids #womenshistorymonth #nonfiction

I am so thrilled to be this week’s guest on the Book Friends Forever podcast with Alvina Ling & Grace Lin! We talked about writing communities. My fave topic! #kidlit #kidlitart podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Writing Communities with Julie Hedlund!

Podcast Episode · Book Friends Forever Podcast · 02/13/2026 · 1h 7m

podcasts.apple.com

If you're looking for a #picturebook agent this year, be sure to check out the #12x12pb podcast episode with agent @adriagoetz.bsky.social. She was so generous with her insights into the market today! bsky.app/profile/12x1...

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 7mo ago

New podcast alert! Join Julie Hedlund & our first-ever podcast guest agent Adria Goetz of KT Literary discuss what editors want right now, how to make your work stand out, & SO much more. Listen now: 12x12challenge.com/p... #amwriting #picturebook #kidlit #12x12pb #booksky #writingcommunity #podcast

Wondering what to do while everything in publishing is so slow? We talked about this very issue in the latest Picture Book Summit podcast episode. #kidlit #kidlitart #amwriting #amquerying #writingcommunity

Picture Book Summit@picturebooksummit.bsky.social · 7mo ago

.Emma Walton Hamilton, Julie Hedlund, & Kelli Panique explore the current state of picture book publishing, what the future may hold, and what we can do about it right now. picturebooksummit.co... #amwriting #amreading #picturebook #kidlit #PBSummit #booksky

GUESS WHAT? I started a podcast for #12x12PB! I'm GIDDY with excitement. I launched today because it's also my daughter's birthday, which seems like an auspicious time. If you're a #picturebook creator or lover, I hope you check it out!

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 7mo ago

BIG NEWS! 12 x 12 has a PODCAST! The 12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast is ready to bring you #author, #illustrator, agent, & editor interviews & things you need to know about writing #picturebooks! Listen now: 12x12challenge.com/1... #amwriting #kidlit #12x12pb #booksky #writingcommunity #podcast

Seriously, the #12x12PB webinar program for 2026 is FIRE! If you are a #picturebook author or illustrator, check it out! All of these are included in your annual membership. #kidlit #kidlitart #writingcommunity 🔥

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Are you ready for a JAW-DROPPING thread featuring all of the awesome #12x12PB webinar speakers for 2026? If you are a #picturebook author and/or illustrator, join us! The monthly cost of all this goodness is $16.58 - not including all the other benefits! 12x12challenge.com/m... #kidlit

I'm so honored that my words resonated with you, @laurenkerstein.bsky.social. Thank you for being there last night and for sharing.

Lauren H. Kerstein@laurenkerstein.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Just finished listening to the 12x12 Kickoff Webinar. @12x12challenge.bsky.social offers much light to my life. TY @juliefhedlund.bsky.social & @kellipanique.bsky.social for lifting up creators, offering a safe space, & providing endless education & inspiration! #kidlit #kidlitart #writingcommunity

It's the MOST wonderful time of the year! The 12 Days of Christmas for Writers is back! Join us for this free, fun, supportive series where you'll get ready to make 2026 your best writing year yet! juliehedlund.com/12days

Loved my time at #NCTE25, especially spending time with my #12x12pb peeps!

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 9mo ago

What I love most about #12x12pb is that once you join, you’ll always be surrounded by your BFF #picturebook writing friends. #kidlit #writingcommunity www.instagram.com/reel/DRiOpQ1...

If there's one layer of #picturebooks I've studied more than any other, it's heart. Join me one week from today for a webinar on how to make readers fall in love with your books. Just $25 and a replay if you can't attend live. #kidlit #kidlitart juliehedlund.teachable.com/p/heart

Ya Gotta Have Heart... in Picture Books

Representing Your Unique Lived Experiences, Culture and Language in Children’s Literature with Author Ana Siqueira

juliehedlund.teachable.com

Hey #kidlit #picturebook creators, here's a chance to go to a GREAT conference (#pbsummit) and be entered to win a critique from me! Today is the deadline though. Go to picturebooksummit.com to get your ticket.

Picture Book Summit

Picture Book Summit is the online conference dedicated to picture book creators. Learn from publishing insiders without ever leaving home!

picturebooksummit.com

Picture Book Summit@picturebooksummit.bsky.social · 11mo ago

🚨GIVEAWAY ALERT 🚨 Join #PBSummit by Friday (9/12) & be entered to win a manuscript critique from @juliefhedlund.bsky.social! www.picturebooksummi... Julie takes on a VERY limited number of clients, so this is a rare opportunity. Grab your ticket today! #amwriting #picturebook #kidlit

I'm so honored to be a guest on the Women, Books & More podcast! Thanks @irenerawlings.bsky.social for having me! www.iheart.com/podcast/1323... #kidlit #picturebooks #kidlitart

Let's write a picture book---Julie Hedlund tells us how - The Women Books & More’s Podcast | iHeart

<p style='font-weight: 400;'>Maybe you want to write a book. A children’s book. A children’s picture book.</p> <p style='font-weight: 400;'>Maybe about a wee hedgehog who wants to be a ballerina.</p> ...

iheart.com

In response to the PW article about Gemini Storybook app, I put the #12x12PB webinar led by PB author and AI guru @chiaracolombi.com on sale for 40% off. #kidlit folks need to know how to protect themselves. juliehedlund.teachable.com/p/chiara-col...

What Kidlit Creators Should Know About AI

Representing Your Unique Lived Experiences, Culture and Language in Children’s Literature with Author Ana Siqueira

juliehedlund.teachable.com

Emma reports on our third Superstar Speaker for #PBSummit! Registration is now open. Sign up today and get $100 off + a chance to get your ticket refunded. picturebooksummit.com

Picture Book Summit@picturebooksummit.bsky.social · last yr.

NEWS FLASH! Emma Walton Hamilton is reporting LIVE from Picture Book Summit Headquarters. She has a lead on the identity of our final Superstar Speaker for #PBSummit 2025...⁠ ⁠ Follow this continuing story at our link in bio:⁠ picturebooksummit.co... #amwriting #picturebook #kidlit #booksky

I'm SO excited for #PBSummit this year! Yesterday, I announced our second superstar speaker (take a peek). If you register today, you'll automatically be entered to get your ticket refunded. #kidlit #kidlitart picturebooksummit.com.

Picture Book Summit

Picture Book Summit is the online conference dedicated to picture book creators. Learn from publishing insiders without ever leaving home!

picturebooksummit.com

Picture Book Summit@picturebooksummit.bsky.social · last yr.

THIS JUST IN! @juliefhedlund.bsky.social has established a connection from parts unknown with news about our second Superstar Speaker for Picture Book Summit 2025...⁠ ⁠ Follow this continuing story at our link in bio:⁠ picturebooksummit.co... #amwriting #picturebook #kidlit #PBSummit #booksky

Aww, I enjoyed speaking with you about your cute story! Thank you for trusting me to give you feedback!

Yashika Mody@yashikamwriting.bsky.social · last yr.

Just had a great chat with @juliefhedlund.bsky.social as the lucky bidder on her KidLit for LA Auction AMA session! Loved talking about narrative structures for diverse stories and how to balance authenticity vs. marketability. You're a legend, Julie 🤩 and thanks for your time! 💙

Sharing here too - tomorrow (Sunday, March 1) is the LAST day to join #12x12PB in 2024. Come write and illustrate #picturebooks in the friendliest #writingcommunity on earth! #kidlit #kidlitart 12x12challenge.com/membership

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · last yr.

🚨 PSA: 12 x 12 registration closes TOMORROW! 😮 Sign up NOW, otherwise you'll have to wait until 2026. Join the multitudes of #picturebook creators who are already members. We can't wait to welcome you! buff.ly/3O74wvq #kidlit #amwriting #writingcommunity

We cannot let this stand. @cswild.bsky.social is a friend and #12x12PB member. This case will have implications for all #kidlit authors & illustrators. #freadom #booksnotbans

PEN America@penamerica.bsky.social · last yr.

Statement by authors and illustrators of books in Supreme Court case Mahmoud v. Taylor pen.org/mahmoud-v-ta...

It would be interesting to know whether pantsers end up with more abandoned mss than plotters. I have so many that I write and then don’t look at again. #kidlitchat

Happy #bookbirthday to @heidieys.bsky.social and Happy BIRTHDAY birthday to Jane Yolen! Here's a short excerpt from an interview where Heidi and Jane talk about this origin story that became a book. <3 #kidlit #picturebook

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 2y ago

Happy #bookbirthday to @heidieys.bsky.social on the very special publication of JANIE WRITES A PLAY & Happy B-day to her mom Jane Yolen! Both Heidi & Jane have been #12x12PB webinar guests. Here's an excerpt from a convo they had with Founder @juliefhedlund.bsky.social last summer. #kidlit

It was such a great webinar, and encouraging to boot!

Sera Rivers@writeloudly.bsky.social · 2y ago

I love talking all things books and publishing! So glad to hear it was helpful! Thank you @juliefhedlund.bsky.social and @kellipanique.bsky.social for having me! #12x12PB

I cannot express how excited I am for all of the #12x12PB #ALAYMA winners! Gah! Great work, all! So happy for you!

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 2y ago

Congrats to our #12x12PB members whose #picturebooks were honored at the ALA Youth Media Awards!! We are SO proud of you!! Sidura Ludwig @anitayasuda.bsky.social @joelleretener.bsky.social @sarahkurpiel.bsky.social @elisaboxer.bsky.social #ALAYMA #kidlit #caldecott #stonewallaward #sydneytaylor

Want to know why I started 12 x 12 back in 2012? (Hint: Because I NEEDED it). #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #writingcommunity youtu.be/5BX2sF1aLSA

How 12 x 12 Began - From Dream to Drafts

YouTube video by 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge

youtu.be

For my fellow friends who like to write in rhyme...

Picture Book Summit@picturebooksummit.bsky.social · 2y ago

Rhyming #picturebooks are so fun to read aloud! They must be so easy to write, right? Nope! In the #PBSummit #podcast, @JuliefHedlund gives examples of good rhyme, what makes it work, and how to write it. www.picturebooksummi... ⁠#amwriting #amreading #kidlit

I am pleased to join @kidlitforla.bsky.social by donating a #picturebook query critique + a 30-min AMA. Proceeds benefit those impacted by the fires in the Los Angeles area. Bid today at www.32auctions.com/organization...

Yes, I AM willing to make a fool of myself if it means you'll join us in #12x12PB. 🤣

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 2y ago

If you're a #picturebook creator wondering where on earth you can find YOUR people - the ones who "get" you, support you, help you grow... sometimes they're right under your nose (or outside your window). :-) #12x12PB #kidlit #kidlitart #writingcommunity

It's here! It's finally here! Opening day of registration for 12 x 12 in 2025! Join the friendliest writing community on earth TODAY! :-) 12x12challenge.com/membership

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 2y ago

Registration for the #12x12PB Writing Challenge is OPEN! 🎉 Head over to https://buff.ly/48CoDKt and join TODAY! We can't wait to welcome YOU to our community this year! ❤️

It's a great week over here because 12 x 12 registration opens on Thursday!! Join me that evening for a free webinar on being a lifelong learner as a #picturebook author and to learn more about #12x12PB!

12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge@12x12challenge.bsky.social · 2y ago

What's your #amwriting plan for 2025? Join #12x12PB Founder @juliefhedlund for this free webinar, Always Growing, Always Creating: The Power of Lifelong Learning for Picture Book Authors. Plus PRIZES & Webinar Speaker announcements! Join us 1/9 at 8pm ET. https://buff.ly/4j5OK20 #kidlit

Successes for 2024! 6 new PB drafts & 12 revisions! SONG AFTER SONG longlisted for Reading the West & won a Crystal Kite. 3 new #picturebook presos & 7 free resources. Grew visibility via in-person events & teaching. Great @picturebooksummit.bsky.social. 4 webinars for @pbsubmissions.bsky.social.