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By Margaret Lea

     




















Many of you already know Julie Hedlund, our January, 2026 speaker. Not only is she a picture book author, she started and runs the 12 X 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, which helps writers complete a new picture book every month. She began the group in 2012 and had planned for it to be just one year, but it took off and now has about 2,000 members.

     Shortly after her first two books came out, Julie applied and was accepted into a bootcamp run by her picture book hero, the legendary Jane Yolen. This bootcamp took place at Jane’s home in Massachusetts. Each of the ten or so attendees brought two works-in-progress for Jane to critique. 

     As Julie happened to be the first to arrive, she got the first critique. Jane’s daughter, Heidi Stemple, ushered Julie into a room where Jane was sitting in front of a window. Rays of sunlight created a halo effect around Jane, enhancing her presence even more. Julie was grateful Jane handed her written notes after the verbal critique, as she was so nervous that she couldn’t properly take in Jane’s words. Julie fears she was literally shaking, because Jane concluded their session with, “See… I didn’t eat you!” 

     Julie now lives in Boulder, CO, but she grew up in rural Michigan, without many kids nearby. When she was young, she read a lot and staged her stuffed animals and toys as characters to “act out” the stories she wrote. 

     When she grew up, she worked in banking policy for over a decade, but was drawn to writing picture books when she read them to her young children. In 2013, she published her first book, “A Troop is a Group of Monkeys,” through a small press without an agent. When that publisher was interested in her second book as well, she found agent Erzsi Deak at Hen and Ink Literary and has been with her ever since. Julie stresses that specific and open communication between writer and agent is key to a great working relationship. 

     Julie’s tips for pre-published authors include: study all aspects of craft, read hundreds of picture books and analyze them as a writer, then write A LOT. Also, don’t just answer questions by potential agents— ask them questions too. 

     For published authors, she says to never stop learning. Pay attention to the market, but realize that publishing is cyclical. And don’t be afraid to try something new or different. After her first two books came out, Julie went through a five-year “drought” where none of her books were published, but she persisted and has since published two more books. 

     Attend our Jan. 5, 2026 virtual chapter meeting to hear Julie’s presentation, “How to Be a Prolific Picture Book Creator.” You can also find her online at juliehedlund.com and 12x12challenge.com. 

     


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