016 - Keila Dawson: No Poem Too Small
12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
Keila V. Dawson has partnered with fellow creatives Jeanette Bradley and Lindsay Metcalf to tell the stories of young activists through the power of poetry. No Voice Too Small, No World Too Big, and No Brain The Same feature kids and teens making a difference for our planet. Keila and her team picked a different poet to celebrate this extraordinary individuals and the results are incredibly moving. (And we learned so many new things!) A poem may seem like a quiet way to express oneself, but in the hands of these talented writers, the poems in this series of books...
info_outline
015 - Michelle Cusolito: In the World of Nonfiction
12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
Write what you love Michelle Cusolito's love for writing nonfiction picture books is palpable and, we dare say, contagious. In this episode, she generously shares her process, where her ideas have come from, and how she follows the muse—even when she's on deadline for a different project. No matter what you write, Michelle's interview is a good reminder to write what you love... because that's when the passion shines through. Listen in to discover: Why Michelle is drawn to writing about the ocean How she came to write a latest picture book about trees (that aren't in the ocean!) ...
info_outline
014 - Lisa Rogers - Poetry and Picture Book Biographies
12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
Where Picture Book Biographies and Poetry Come Together The National Poetry Month celebration continues! 12 x 12 charter member, poet, and author Lisa Rogers shares how poetry comes into play when writing picture books—even picture book biographies. In this episode, you'll discover: What it's like to be a poet and write a picture book about a poet How she finds the emotional throughline in her stories Why she's drawn to writing about creative people The impact of writing her John Cage book in second person Why she writes picture book biographies Why she didn't give up writing picture books...
info_outline
013 - Renee La Tulippe - Passionate About Poetry
12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
Let's celebrate poetry! Welcome to National Poetry Month! We begin the celebration with one of our favorite poets AND poetry teachers, author Renee LaTulippe. Renee shares why she loves poetry and how, over her career, she's worked to help others understand and use poetry techniques in their own work. In this episode, you'll discover: How Renee helped set our 12 x 12 poetry elves up for success Why Renee is so passionate about poetry What is so appealing about free verse How to make poetry exciting for anyone Enjoying poems vs. determining their symbolism What should your readers take away...
info_outline
012 - Ask a Bookseller After-Party with Julie Rowan Zoch
12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
What does a bookseller want book creators to know? Welcome to our first After-Party! After-parties will be a semi-regular feature on the 12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast, where we'll take some time after a 12 x 12 webinar to dive a little deeper into something the speaker talked about or maybe ask a few questions we didn't get to during the live webinar. Our first after-party guest is author-illustrator and bookseller Julie Rowan-Zoch. Her recent webinar, "," is available to the public now! (Podcast listeners get 25% off! .) In the webinar, Julie shared how booksellers choose books to include in...
info_outline
011 - Marcie Colleen: Writing Graphic Novels for Young Readers
12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
Why would a picture book author write a graphic novel? Why not? Author (and Charter ) Marcie Colleen shares how curiosity (and the willingness to say yes) led her to reach beyond picture books and into the world of chapter books—and most recently, graphic novels for young readers. Marcie shares her journey to writing graphic novels (even though she's not an illustrator) and what she discovered about the similarities and differences between writing picture books and graphic novels. Plus, Marcie tells us all about her new 6-week graphic novel writing course: Listen to the podcast now as Julie...
info_outline
010 - A New Perspective with Kelli Panique
12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
What's the silver lining of having a broken arm? While Julie is away, Kelli will play! Kelli is taking over the podcast today. And, just like writing, an idea starts in one place, and then life smacks you down, and you have to head in a different direction. She didn't intend to break her arm/shoulder and do an episode about it, but when life gives you lemons, make lemon drop martinis! You'll discover: How Kelli broke her arm (and still made her flight!) The good and bad of breaking your dominant hand Praise for lefties! The importance of learning something new How to apply this to writing (It...
info_outline
009 - Caroline Perry: The Most Interesting Story
12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
In celebration of Women's History Month, Julie Hedlund interviews author Caroline Perry and they discuss their picture book biographies of two extraordinary women: Queen Elizabeth II and Julie Andrews. What led them to write about such famous people? What were the challenges of writing about a person who's still alive? What do they wish they had known when they started writing picture book bios? Find out in today's episode. You'll discover: What inspired their individual picture book bios What it's like to write about a living person How dogs played a role in both stories The surprising...
info_outline
008 - Marzieh Abbas: Teach Yourself to Write Picture Books
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...
info_outline
007 - Leah Schanke: Making History Kid-Friendly
12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast
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...
info_outlineHouston, we have a co-host!
Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon. Laurel and Hardy. Thelma and Louise. Life is more fun with a partner—and work is certainly easier with someone who has your back. And no one has Julie's back like her co-host Kelli Panique.
What you'll discover in this episode:
- How Julie and Kelli started working together
- What they each bring to the partnership
- Why community is so important to them
- Kelli's favorite and least favorite things about working in 12 x 12
- Little-known facts about Kelli
Join the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge in 2026. Click here to register by February 15, 2026.
Subscribe and review if you like the podcast! Future episodes will include author and illustrator interviews, conversations with agents and editors, and discussions on the craft of writing picture books and getting published.
Thanks for listening!