Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund reveal what you need to know about submitting your picture books to agents and editors so that they soar out of the slush pile—and land a book deal!
007 - Pitch vs. Synopis: What Are They and When Do You Need Them?
Today's topic flummoxes many writers in their submission journey. What's the difference between a picture book pitch and a synopsis? Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund answer that and share the best ways to use them when you're querying.
Listen in to discover:
• The difference between a pitch and a synopsis
• The length of a pitch vs. synopsis
• The purpose of the synopsis vs. the pitch
• What the focus of each should be
• Tone and style of the pitch vs. the synopsis
• When and why you might be asked for a synopsis
• Which is harder to write?
Books mentioned in this episode
• Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Listeners who want more on pitches and submissions can grab our free training at picturebooksubmissions.com/free-training.
If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit creators can find us!
Thank you for listening!
13 Oct 2026
006 - The Bio Paragraph
In today's episode, Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund tackle the bio paragraph of your query letter—including what to say if you don't have any writing credits. Learn to write a professional and effective bio paragraph as we discover:
The purpose of the bio paragraph
How long the bio paragraph should be
What to include and what to leave out
What constitutes legit and/or relevant credits, education, experience, etc.
What to include if you are a newbie
Why padding your bio hurts more than helps
How to keep your bio paragraph professional
Listeners who want more on pitches and submissions can grab our free training at picturebooksubmissions.com/free-training.
If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit creators can find us!
If you have a question about submissions you'd like us to answer on the podcast or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes, leave us a (anonymous if you wish) voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/pbsubmissions
Thank you for listening!
29 Sept 2026
005 - Comp Titles 101
What's a comp title? Do you really need one (or more)? How do you use comp titles in your query letter? Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie have the answers!
Listen in to discover:
The purpose and importance of comp titles
The difference between comp titles and mentor texts
Qualifications for comp titles
How many comp titles to use in your query letters
How to choose comp titles that showcase different aspects of your manuscript
How to distinguish your manuscript from your comp titles
Books mentioned in this episode:
Waiting in The Wings (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780316283083) by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton & E.G. Keller
Broadway Bird (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781250784575) by Alex Timbers and Alisa Coburn
Make Way For Ducklings (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780670451494) by Robert McCloskey
Before She Was Harriet (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780823444298) by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome
Dragons Love Tacos (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780803736801) by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
Attack of The Underwear Dragon (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780593119891) by Scott Rothman and
Listeners who want more on pitches and submissions can grab our free training at picturebooksubmissions.com/free-training.
If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit creators can find us!
If you have a question about submissions you'd like us to answer on the podcast or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes, leave us a (anonymous if you wish) voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/pbsubmissions
Thank you for listening!
15 Sept 2026
004 - Pitch 101
In this episode, Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund get into the nitty-gritty of writing and using a pitch in your query letter.
Listen in to discover:
The purpose and importance of the pitch
Basic components of the pitch
A simple pitch formula for narrative fiction and nonfiction picture books
The importance of using the voice of your manuscript in your pitches
How to incorporate a theme or takeaway in your pitch vs. giving away the ending
What to avoid including in your pitch
When to consider leading with your pitch (vs. an intro paragraph)
Our 7 pitch templates (and so much more!) can be found in The Complete Picture Book Submissions System
Books mentioned in this episode:
Where The Wild Things Are (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780064431781)by Maurice Sendak
The First Notes: The Story of Do, Re, Mi (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780316265904) by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton & Chiara Fedele
Listeners who want more on pitches and submissions can grab our free training at picturebooksubmissions.com/free-training.
If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit creators can find us!
If you have a question about submissions you'd like us to answer on the podcast or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes, leave us a (anonymous if you wish) voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/pbsubmissions
Thank you for listening!
1 Sept 2026
003 - Query Letter 101
You've heard you need a query letter when submitting your picture book, but what is a query letter exactly? What should it include? What should be left out?
Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund, published picture book authors and co-founders of The Complete Picture Book Submissions System, share the basics of what to include in your query letter to agents or editors, including:
The purpose of the query letter
All about salutations
What to include in your introductory paragraph
How to craft your pitch paragraph
Narrative Pitch formula and examples
Basics of the Comp Title Paragraph
What to include (and not to include) in your bio paragraph
Concluding your query letters
Books mentioned in this episode:
After The Fall (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9781626726826) by Dan Santat
Where The Wild Things (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780064431781) Are by Maurice Sendak
I Don't Want To Be a Frog (https://bookshop.org/a/11334/9780385378666) by Dev Petty and Mike Boldt
Want to know more about picture book submissions? Grab our free training at picturebooksubmissions.com/free-training.
If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit creators can find us!
If you have a question about submissions you'd like us to answer on the podcast or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes, leave us a (anonymous if you wish) voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/pbsubmissions
Thank you for listening!
1 Sept 2026
002 - Submissions 101
In this episode, Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund, published picture book authors and co-founders of The Complete Picture Book Submissions System, give an overview of what a submission is and how to be submission-ready.
Listen in to discover:
What we mean by a picture book submission
Submitting to literary agents vs. publishers/editors
Whether you can or should submit to both agents and publishers simultaneously
Components of a submission package
Definition of unsolicited submission
Why researching who you want to submit to is critical
Listeners who want more on picture book submissions can grab our free training at picturebooksubmissions.com/free-training.
If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit creators can find us!
If you have a question about submissions you'd like us to answer on the podcast or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes, leave us a (anonymous if you wish) voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/pbsubmissions
Thank you for listening!
31 Aug 2026
001 - Welcome to the Picture Book Submissions Podcast!
Join Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund, published picture book authors and co-founders of The Complete Picture Book Submissions System for the very first episode of The Picture Book Submissions Podcast. They created this podcast as a way to advance their goal of demystifying the process of submitting picture book manuscripts to agents and editors.
Listen in to discover:
• Why we started the podcast
• Why should you listen to us?
• Emma's writing journey, including the reality of rejections
• Julie's writing journey – from banking to book deals
• Why the picture book market is different from adult
• Quick overview of what's in The Complete Picture Book Submissions System
• What we'll cover in future episodes of the podcast
Books mentioned in this episode:
• A Troop is a Group of Monkeys
• My Love For You is the Sun
Listeners who want more on picture book submissions can grab our free training at picturebooksubmissions.com/free-training.
If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit creators can find us!
If you have a question about submissions you'd like us to answer on the podcast or topics you'd like us to address in future episodes, leave us a (anonymous if you wish) voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/pbsubmissions (https://www.speakpipe.com/pbsubmissions)
Thank you for listening!
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