12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast

Julie Hedlund and Kelli Panique enjoy a delightful conversation with author Marzieh Abbas. Marzieh has over 40 published books for kids, from board books to middle grade. In our discussion, she elaborates on her journey from professional baker to award-winning author. Marzieh's story is so inspirational. Come be inspired to create your own successful writing journey.
You'll discover:
How 12 x 12 played a pivotal role in Marzieh becoming a multi-published author
Why she chooses to publish in the US market while she lives in Pakistan
How she was inspired to write for children
The challenge of being a writer without access to public libraries or bookstores
How she studied mentor texts to learn to write picture books
Writing Muslim books for Muslim kids vs. sharing the experiences of Muslim children with a mainstream audience
Why finding joy in the publishing process is crucial
What it is like to write a picture book bio of a living person
The importance of being in a community that gets what you're trying to do
 
Books mentioned in this episode:
A Dupatta Is . . . by Marzieh Abbas and Anu Chouhan 
Yasmeen Lari, Green Architect: The True Story of Pakistan's First Woman Architect by Marzieh Abbas and Hoda Hadadi
Aarzu All Around by Marzieh Abbas
The Camel Library by Marzieh Abbas and Anain Shaikh 
The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
Malala's Magical Pencil by Malala Yousafzai and Kerascoët 
Henna is... by Marzieh Abbas and Anu Chouhan 
Awe-samosas! by Marzieh Abbas and Bhagya Madanasinghe
A Ramadan to Remember by Marzieh Abbas Ali and Najwa Awatiff 
Radiant Ramadan by Marzieh Abbas and Anoosha Syed
Friday Fun by Marzieh Abbas and Anoosha Syed
Excited for Eid by Marzieh Abbas and Anoosha Syed
Together We Ride by Valerie Bolling and Kaylani Juanita
Together We Swim by Valerie Bolling and Kaylani Juanita
Big Red Lollipop by Rukhana Khan and Sophie Blackall
 
Get 25% off Marzieh Abbas's webinar Mentor Text Your Way to Picture Books that POP!  HERE.
Join Marzieh's Substack here.
If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us!
Thank you for listening!

Can young readers handle difficult topics?
Author Leah Schanke thinks so. It's just one of the reasons she wrote her debut picture book, Freedom at Dawn: Robert Smalls's Voyage Out of Slavery.
In this interview, Leah Schanke and Kelli Panique celebrate Black History Month by shining a light on how she discovered the story of this book and the steps she took to bring it to life—including tips for bringing your own historical stories to life.
You'll discover:
How she came to writing picture books
Why she writes history for young readers
What inspired her to write Robert Smalls's story
How her critique group helped this book come to life
The big change that made the original story more kid-friendly
What she said when editors asked her to "age up" the story
Leah's research process
How she stayed true to her vision of the story
The context notes she includes for the editor or illustrator
The pitch event that connected Leah with her publisher
Tips for writers of nonfiction and historical fiction
Her favorite thing that didn't make it into the book
The book she wishes she wrote
 
Books mentioned in this episode:
Freedom at Dawn: Robert Smalls's Voyage Out of Slavery by Leah Schanke and Oboh Moses
Be Free or Die: The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls' Escape from Slavery to Union Hero by Cate Lineberry
Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
by Jeff Gottesfeld and Matt Tavares
 
Resources mentioned:
Picture Book Summit Podcast: The Appeal of Dark Picture Books

If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us!
Thank you for listening!

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/
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