It's that time of year! Early Bird tickets for Picture Book Summit 2025 are now available and in this episode, we share all about our 2025 Superstar Speakers! It's quite a lineup for this year's conference: Big, Bold, and Brave: Supercharge Your Picture Books ! This year's online conference takes place on October 4, 2025. Everything happens in our Zoom webinar room, so you can attend from anywhere in the world with a decent Internet connection. We are thrilled to welcome true picture book superh...
Jun 24, 2025•27 min
In this episode, we’re thrilled to bring you an excerpt from Nikki Grimes’ presentation The Music of Language. Nikki’s accolades include the Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the ALAN Award for outstanding contributions to young adult literature, the Children’s Literature Legacy Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, a Sibert and a Printz Honor as well as the Coretta Scott King Book Award among others. Nikki is here today to...
Jun 04, 2025•16 min
We are especially excited about today’s episode because we get to bring you a snippet of a past Summit presentation with the one and only Julie Andrews along with her daughter and our friend Emma Walton Hamilton! This duo has written over 30 books for children, including 9 New York Times Bestsellers. Their picture books include The Very Fairy Princess , Dumpy the Dump Truck , The First Notes: The Story of Do-Re-Mi , The Enchanted Symphony , and Waiting in the Wings . So, what started this fruitf...
May 21, 2025•18 min
You might know about refrains in music, but they're also in picture books! The Picture Book Summit Founders get together to discuss what refrains are, define the different types of refrain, and share how to use them strategically in your own picture book writing! Spoiler alert! There are some excellent mentor texts in this episode. *Books mentioned in this episode: Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans and Thi Bui Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School! by Carrie Finison and Erin Kraan I Hate to Go...
May 07, 2025•37 min
In this episode, Julie Hedlund interviews Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple. With over 400 children's books to her name, Jane shares how she chooses the words and what influences her choices. The pair touch on the impact of banned books and how their writing partnership has evolved over the years. So, what's one key to being prolific? Always be learning and growing as a writer. Books mentioned in this episode: Janie Writes a Play: Jane Yolen's First Great Story written by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and ...
Apr 22, 2025•13 min
It's time for How to Analyze a Picture Book - Part 2. In this episode, we talk about how to analyze a picture book's illustrations and other things to look for when analyzing a mentor text. First up, illustrations: What's the job of the illustrations? What do they add to the story? How does color make a difference? If you're an author-only creator, how can you leave room for the illustrator and still get your story across? Is it okay to use art notes? Then we jump into a variety odds and ends to...
Apr 01, 2025•39 min
Today we share how to analyze a picture book. In many of our discussions and presentations, the Picture Book Summit Team and our guest speakers analyze picture books and use that analysis to illustrate the point we're teaching. When you as a picture book creator learn how to analyze a picture book, you can turn reading picture books into your own writing class. As you look for and identify the key elements of a picture book we discuss today (and in our next episode!), you'll be able to more easi...
Mar 18, 2025•43 min
Today in our Picture Book Summit Roundtable discussion, we tackle the touchy topic of celebrity picture books. So, what's the truth about celebrity picture books? Do celebrities get to cut the line when it comes to publishing? Are they held to a lower standard than lesser-known writers? Do they help or hurt the industry? We have the opportunity to hear what it's like to be and/or work with a celebrity author as Emma Walton Hamilton shares her experience of writing with her mother, actress Julie ...
Mar 04, 2025•36 min
What is the appeal of dark picture books? Do kids want to read (and re-read) books about tougher topics? How do you make these books kid-friendly? Julie Hedlund leads our Roundtable discussion about dark picture books, what place they have in children's lives, and why they can be so important. Books mentioned in this episode: The Rough Patch by Brian Lies The Longest Letsgoboy by Derick Wilder and Catia Chien Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson and Hudson Talbott Kamau & ZuZu Find a Way by Aracel...
Feb 11, 2025•31 min
Picture book authors are closer in their craft to screenwriters and playwrights than any other kind of author. Why? Because picture book writers direct their readers on how to read the book. It's your job as a writer to make your (often adult reader) look like a rockstar. Emma Walton Hamilton shares how to make your manuscript reader-proof.
Jan 21, 2025•14 min
It seems nothing is more fun to read aloud than lyrical or rhyming picture books. A common misconception is that it's easy to write rhyme: just count the syllables and make the end words sound alike, right? Wrong. Good thing you came across this episode, where Julie Hedlund—rhymer extraordinaire—gives examples of what good rhyme and lyrical writing actually is, what makes it work, and how to write it yourself.
Jan 07, 2025•21 min
Picture books are a truly unique genre of literature. Other books CAN be read aloud, but picture books are ENGINEERED exactly for that precise purpose. In this episode, Emma Walton Hamilton defines the importance of "Read-aloud-ability" (HINT: it can sway the submission process), while Katie Davis illustrates one impactful way to factor that secret sauce into your writing. Stay tuned! This is the first of a three-part series.
Dec 10, 2024•16 min
Editor and agent assistants: the rarely-talked-about demi gods of the publishing industry. They are the gatekeepers, and if they don't think your manuscript is up to snuff, it won't be leaving the slush pile. So what can you do about that? In this episode, Emma Walton Hamilton asks editor and agent assistants AZ Hackett, Claire Tattersfield, and Gaby Caballero all the burning questions.
Nov 26, 2024•23 min
Author/Illustrator and Agent Shadra Strickland reveals how to get at the heart of your story by sharing ideas and exercises to get your creativity flowing—in your brain and on the page. This is a fun one. Happy listening!
Nov 12, 2024•11 min
In this episode, Eric and Terry Fan, also known as writing-illustrating duo The Fan Brothers, are taking us to new worlds in To Imagination and Beyond. They reveal their unique path into picture books after originally pursuing other careers and talk about some of the unconventional sources for their story ideas. They are proof that stories can hop from one place to another: from a t-shirt design that eventually became The Night Gardener, or a careless doodle from thirty years ago that grew into ...
Oct 29, 2024•12 min
Today’s episode features a practically perfect pair of presenters. You’ve seen presentations about great picture book beginnings. You’ve seen them about effective endings. But a truly great picture book relies on the connection between the two. Today, Emma Walton Hamilton & Julie Hedlund are here to show how to launch topflight stories and navigate them to stellar endings.
Oct 01, 2024•14 min
One of the best ways to navigate your course as a writer is through critiques. In this episode of the podcast, we share a snippet of Founder Katie Davis’ presentation Houston, Your Manuscript Has a Problem. Katie discusses why critiques are important and things to consider as you seek feedback from critique groups and freelance editors. Get ready to take your work to a whole new stratosphere!
Sep 17, 2024•14 min
A few years ago, we had the privilege of hosting former National Ambassador of Young People's Literature and bestselling author Kate DiCamillo as one of our Superstar Speakers. Her presentation was nothing short of magical. She shares how she went from wanting to write and thinking about writing to actually writing. We hope this snippet of her talk inspires you to get started (or restarted) too. Savor this episode. Be part of the magic of Picture Book Summit LIVE! join us at this year's online e...
Aug 27, 2024•16 min
Attending a writing conference can be a transformational experience, filled with opportunities to hone your craft, connect with your peers, and move closer to your publishing dreams. Online writing conferences offer unique opportunities compared to their in-person counterparts. In addition to saving money on travel and accommodations, you can maximize your learning by engaging from the safety, comfort, and familiarity of home. Whether you're attending your first conference or your fiftieth, here...
Aug 13, 2024•23 min
You’ve just received another email for an online writers' conference. How do you know if it’s right for you? Will it really advance your writing career? Is there such a thing as a free conference? We’re celebrating 10 years of hosting the Picture Book Summit online writing conference. So much has grown and changed in the online conference space in that time. So, today, we pull the curtain back and give you some insight into what goes into putting on a conference so you can pick the best online w...
Jul 30, 2024•23 min
Publishers and agents alike say they want humorous, quirky, or funny books, but it seems more and more difficult to get a response on those humorous, quirky, or funny submissions. We're here to dig into it in today's episode of PBSummit Roundtable. Julie Hedlund shares her personal experience and overall observations about what is going on in the industry with silly stories and how YOU can break through! Books talked about in today's episode: I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen Butt or Face by Kar...
Jul 16, 2024•24 min
Agents and publishers are always saying they're looking for stories that are "fresh and unique", but what does that mean? In this episode, the PBSummit Roundtable takes a look at some stories which perfectly exemplify what fresh takes on classic picture book topics can look like, and the common thread between them. Books talked about in today's episode: How This Book Got Read written by Margaret Chiu Greanias and illustrated by Melissa Iwai The World's Best Class Plant written by Liz Garton Scan...
May 21, 2024•20 min
You've written and refined your manuscript, you've sent the query to your agent or to a publisher....and now to wait for months and months. During the pandemic, everything slowed to a halt. But now that it's over and the picture book industry is back up and running, what's the hold up? The answers are in this episode, and it's actually good news! One way to avoid getting rejections (or no responses at all) is to ensure your manuscript and query letter are 100% submission-ready. Grab our free dow...
May 07, 2024•19 min
It's our final dive (for now!) into Picture Books with Great Voice! If you're just joining us, be sure to catch up with this series at the links below: Episode 56 - Julie Hedlund defined the types of voice found in picture books and Katie Davis introduced books with humorous voice. Episode 57 - Founder Emeritus Laura Backes shared book examples of using a lyrical voice Episode 58 - Emma Walton Hamilton dug into character voice. Today in part 4, Julie gets chatty while talking about conversationa...
Nov 21, 2023•20 min
Let's continue to dig into voice in picture books! We started this series in episode 56 , where Julie Hedlund defined the types of voice found in picture books and Katie Davis gave us hilarious examples of the funny style of voice. In episode 57 , Founder Emeritus Laura Backes shared examples of using a lyrical voice in picture books to reinforce certain types of stories. In part 3 of our series, author and Picture Book Summit Founder Emma Walton Hamilton discusses character voice: how to recogn...
Nov 14, 2023•18 min
In this episode, we continue to discuss voice in picture books. We started this series in the last episode, where Julie Hedlund defined the types of voice found in picture books and Katie Davis gave us hilarious examples of the funny style of voice. If you haven’t already, be sure to go back and listen to episode 56 for help pinning down the elusive meaning of “voice.” Today, we bring you Founder Emeritus Laura Backes and examples of using a lyrical voice in picture books to reinforce certain ty...
Sep 26, 2023•11 min
In working with authors, one thing comes up again and again is how to develop “voice.” How do you find your characters’ voice? Is your story’s voice the same as the character voice? And, how do you find your own voice as an author? Voice is tough to define and even tougher to capture, so we’re bringing you excerpts from a Mini Summit we gave on books with great voice. This is part 1 of a four-part series. We start with Co-Founder Julie Hedlund defining the types of voices found in picture books ...
Sep 12, 2023•17 min
Grab a big piece of paper and some brightly colored markers because today we are mind-mapping our way to great picture book ideas! Listen to excerpts from our Picture Book Summit workshop with author and educator Rob Sanders. Rob is known for his funny and fierce fiction and nonfiction picture books and is recognized as one of the pioneers in the arena of LGBTQ+ literary nonfiction picture books. Rob’s books include Two Grooms on A Cake: The Story of America’s First Gay Wedding (Little Bee Books...
Aug 29, 2023•14 min
In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by picture book author and illustrator Yuyi Morales. Yuyi has created many books for children, including the New York Times bestseller Dreamers . She is also a six-time winner of the Pura Belpre Medal for an outstanding work of literature for children that best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience. In 2015, she received the Caldecott Honor for her book Viva Frida . In her Picture Book Summit keynote, Yuyi discussed the ide...
Aug 15, 2023•14 min
In this episode, children's authors Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund give an overview of the four essential components of a query (introduction, pitch, bio and market info, and conclusion) and then dig deep into crafting a pitch that captures the story and spirit of your book and piques an agent or editor’s interest. If you’re in the querying trenches, this one’s for you!
Jul 25, 2023•13 min
