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
12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Julie Hedlund
5.0(12 reviews)
21 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview
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
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/14/2026
1 verified contact email on file for 12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
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Recent Episodes
May 28, 2026
021 - Celebrating AANHPI Month with Carren Jao
<div>Meet <a href="https://www.carrenjao.com/">Carren Jao</a>, one of the passionate co-leaders of the 12 x 12 Asian Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (ANHPI) Affinity Group. <a href= "https://www.ellenlee.com/">Ellen Lee</a> 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.</div> <div> </div> <div>Listen in to discover:</div> <div> <ul> <li>The establishment and purpose of the 12 x 12 Affinity Groups</li> <li>The evolution of the ANHPI Affinity group name and why it's important</li> <li>Carren's background in the arts and journalism, and how that connects to picture book writing</li> <li>How Carren and Ellen came to offer Monthly Mixers to the ANHPI Affinity Group</li> <li>Learning from members about switching agents mid-career</li> <li>Tips on executing "scrappy" book promotion ideas members have shared</li> <li>Carren's upcoming debut picture book, The Shape of Love</li> <li>Books Carren and Julie love for AANHPI month--and every month!</li> <li>Fighting against book bans as a community and as individuals</li> <li>What's next for Carren</li> </ul> </div> <div class="stack gap-1">Books mentioned in this episode:</div> <div class="stack gap-1"> <ul> <li><a href= "https://belcantobooks.myshopify.com/products/pre-shape-of-love">The Shape of Love</a>, by Carren Jao and Corinne Caro</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9798890034489">When A Rhino Has to Wait</a>, by Dazzle Ng and Estrela Lourenço</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781620142608">Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee</a>, by Andrea J. Loney and Keith Mallett</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781643794228">A Morning With Grandpa</a>, by Sylvia Liu and Christina Forshay</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780593694626">Sparkles For Sunny</a>, by Sylvia Chen and Thai My Phuong </li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780593902813">Bing's Cherries</a>, by Julia Kuo and Livia Blackburne</li> <li><a href= "https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781419772894">Unbreakable</a>, by Minori Tonai and Jolene Gutiérrez, and Chris Sasaki</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781636551920">Barbed Wire Between Us</a>, by Mia Wenjen and Violete Encarnación</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781547607211">Amah Faraway</a>, by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Tracy Subisak</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781665938679">Shell Song</a>, by Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781499817973">The Legend of Ban-Dal</a>, by Jessica Yoon and Seo Kim</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780823459407">Sun, Moon, and Star</a>, by Nancy So Miller</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781536238914">The Moon Rabbit</a>, by Eva Wong Nava and Jason Chuang</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780316571753">Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship and The United States</a>, by Rajani LaRocca and Huy Vuon Lee</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781454947424">The Power of Your Name</a>, by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Olivia Sua</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780063060968">Finding Papa</a>, by Angela Pham Krans and Thi Bui</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780063334915">Another Word for Neighbor</a>, by Angela Pham Krans and Thai My Phuong</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781536224788">At The Window,</a> by Hope Lim and Qin Leng</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781949528169">The First Girl On Stage</a>, by Shruthi Rao and Devika Joglekar</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781665949965">When Science Stood Still: How S. Chandrasekhar Predicted the Existence of Black Holes</a>, by Shruthi Rao and Srinidhi Srinivasan</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9798217002795">Gwei The Hungry Ghost</a>, by Emmeline Lee and Basia Tran</li> </ul> <p>Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list <a href= "https://bookshop.org/lists/12-x-12-picture-book-podcast-recommendations"> here</a>.</p> <p>And check out our full list of books by 12 x 12 ANHPI members <a href= "https://bookshop.org/lists/books-by-asian-american-native-hawaiian-and-pacific-islander-members"> here</a>.</p> <p>If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! </p> <p>Not a member of 12 x 12 yet? Join the wait list and get a free gift. <a href= "https://juliehedlund.lpages.co/12-x-12-matthew-winner/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">Join here.</a></p> <p>Thank you for listening!</p> <p>#kidlit #booktok #author #AANHPImonth </p> </div> <div class="stack gap-1"> </div>
May 21, 2026
020 - Heidi E.Y. Stemple Loves Backmatter
<div>Award-winning children's author <a href= "https://www.heidieystemple.com/">Heidi E.Y. Stemple</a> 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). </div> <div> </div> <div>Listen in to discover:</div> <div> <ul> <li>How Heidi got to 50 published books (and counting)</li> <li>The pressure and privilege of being Jane Yolen's daughter</li> <li>Why Heidi got a tattoo of her mother's signature on her right wrist</li> <li>The definition of picture book backmatter (and frontmatter, and marginalia) </li> <li>Why backmatter should provide an entry back into the book or an exit out</li> <li>The do's and don'ts of crafting backmatter</li> <li>When additional information should go on your website or in a teacher's guide</li> <li>Examples of backmatter from several of Heidi and her mom's books</li> <li>How to decide if your book needs backmatter</li> <li>Why you want your backmatter to match the target age, tone, and style of your book</li> <li>Whether you should write the backmatter upfront or simply give possible ideas</li> </ul> <p>Books mentioned in this episode:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781641708456">Lydia Loves Bugs:</a> A Children's Book About Insects by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Yulia Pankratova</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781662660214">The Poetry of Car Mechanics</a> by Heidi E.Y. Stemple</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781681157153">Zoey Zoombeck, Superhero</a> by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Alexandra Colombo</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781623543273">Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen's First Great Story</a> by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Madelyn Goodnight</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781623543280">She Sells Seashells: Mary Anning, an Unlikely Paleontologist</a> by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Emily Paik</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781684373710">You Nest Here With Me</a> by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Melissa Sweet</li> <li>Greyling by Jane Yolen and David Ray</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781939017437">E. Norm Moose</a> by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Annie Gregoire</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780310756422">A Kite for Moon</a> by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Matt Phelan</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780593205228">How To Get Your Octopus to School</a> by Becky Scharnhorst and Jaclyn Sinquette</li> <li><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Over-Under-Where-Julie-Hedlund/dp/0593203550"> Over, Bear! Under, Where?</a> by Julie Hedlund and Michael Slack</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781728415666">Yuck, You Suck!</a> Poems About Animals That Sip, Slurp, Suck by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Eugenia Nobati</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9798348056094">Eek, You Reek!</a> Poems About Animals That Stink, Stank, Stunk by Jane Yolen & Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Eugenia Nobati</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780399251566">La Princesa and The Pea</a> by Susan Middleton Elya and Juana Martinez Neal</li> <li><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781728271170">Butt or Face</a> by Kari Lavelle</li> </ul> <p>Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list <a href= "https://bookshop.org/lists/12-x-12-picture-book-podcast-recommendations">here</a>.</p> <p>Listeners who want more from Heidi on Backmatter can get 25% off her webinar, Backmatter Matters at <a href= "https://12x12challenge.com/heidi">12x12challenge.com/heidi.</a></p> <div class="stack gap-1"> <p>If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us!</p> <p>Thank you for listening!</p> <p> </p> </div> <div class="stack gap-1"> </div> </div> <div class="stack gap-1"> </div>
May 14, 2026
019 - Jorjeana Marie: Improv for Writers
<div>Meet stand-up comedian, actress, TV writer, audiobook narrator, and picture book author <a href= "https://jorjeanamarie.com/">Jorjeana Marie</a>, 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.</div> <div> </div> <div>Listen in to discover:</div> <div> <ul> <li>What draws someone as accomplished as Jorjeana Marie to 12 x 12</li> <li>Jorjeana's dedication to writing picture books</li> <li>Why picture books (and all books) are critical for children</li> <li>An overview of the "rules" of Improv and how they can be adapted for writing</li> <li>The benefit of the "Yes, and" game in both improv and writing</li> <li>Why listening and staying present is a crucial piece of the writing puzzle</li> <li>The importance of committing to whatever you are creating</li> <li>Julie's experience playing some of the improv games from the book</li> <li>The difference between writing prompts and improv games</li> <li>How to use improv games to write funny picture books</li> <li>Why the best comedy (and humorous picture books) is layered</li> <li>Jorjeana demonstrating improv techniques live</li> <li>The connection between poetry and improv</li> </ul> </div> <div class="stack gap-1">Books mentioned in this episode:</div> <div class="stack gap-1"> <ul> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/3PGAxyv" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Improv for Writers:</a> 10 Secrets to Help Novelists and Screenwriters Bypass Writer's Block and Generate Infinite Ideas by Jorjeana Marie</li> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/4dtY7qb">Over, Bear! Under, Where?</a> by Julie Hedlund and Michael Slack</li> </ul> <p>Grab these books and more from the 12 x 12 Bookshop.org Podcast list <a href= "https://bookshop.org/lists/12-x-12-picture-book-podcast-recommendations"> here</a>.</p> <p>Julie is offering listeners 25% off her webinar, <a href= "https://juliehedlund.teachable.com/p/cooking-up-funny?coupon_code=PODCAST&product_id=6224188"> Cooking Up Funny Picture Books</a>.</p> <p>If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us! Thank you for listening!</p> <p>#kidlit #booktok #author #writingtipsforbeginners #writingtips #ya #mg #picturebooks #improv #humor</p> </div> <div class="stack gap-1"> </div>
21 total episodes available
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