PBSummit Podcast Julie Hedlund and Katie Davis
September 12, 2023 In Podcast

Podcast – Books with Great Voice Part 1

Julie Hedlund and Katie Davis Podcast

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?

As you can see, voice is tough to define and even tougher to capture, so we’re bringing you excerpts from a Mini Summit we gave about 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 and jump to funny girl and Co-Founder Katie Davis for thoughts and examples on using a funny voice.

Enjoy!

Books mentioned in this episode:

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September 5, 2023 In Giveaway

Picture Book Launch Giveaway 2023!

September is big month here at Picture Book Summit. We have three new picture books* making their way into the world from four of our speakers this year! To celebrate, we’re giving away books from all of our 2023 presenters in our Book Launch Giveaway! Enter to win the six picture books below!

Picture Book Summit Book Launch Giveaway 2023!

 

SONG AFTER SONG: THE MUSICAL LIFE OF JULIE ANDREWS written by Julie Hedlund & illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati

Song After Song by Julie Hedlund

Debuting TODAY, September 5th, is this lovely gem. Long before she starred in movies like The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins, and The Princess Diaries, Julie Andrews was a little girl struggling with her parents’ divorce and the ravages of World War II. To comfort her and fill her time during the London Blitz, her stepfather taught her to sing, and Julie found her voice—one of the most extraordinary singing voices of all time.

Lyrically told by Julie Hedlund and lushly illustrated by Ilaria Urbinati, this is the story of how Julie Andrews became one of the world’s most beloved performers.

Order a signed copy from Julie’s local independent bookstore, Second Star to the Right here.

THE ENCHANTED SYMPHONY written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton & illustrated by Elly MacKay

The Enchanted Symphony by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton

Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton’s latest collaboration hits bookshelves on September 12th! When a lively village is beset by a mysterious fog, the town turns dull and silent; melancholy neighbors stop visiting each other and even going outside. Until one day, when a boy’s simple melody strikes a chord, reminding everyone of what matters most–even in the darkest of times.

Beautifully and colorfully illustrated by Elly MacKay, The Enchanted Symphony is a powerful, hopeful fairy tale celebrating life’s simple pleasures that bring us together.

Order your signed copy of this book (and many of their other books!) at Julie and Emma’s local independent bookstore Sag Harbor Books here.

Preorder The Enchanted Symphony from the retailer of your choice by 9/11/23 and submit your receipt to get a signed art print and wildflower seed plantable book (while supplies last) from Abrams here.

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PBSummit Podcast Rob Sanders
August 29, 2023 In Podcast

Podcast – Rob Sanders

Rob Sanders

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 in to excerpts from our Summit workshop with author and educator Rob Sanders. Rob will reveal how mind mapping can lead to both story ideas and ways to present stories that engage readers.

Rob Sanders 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), Stitch By Stitch: Cleve Jones And The Aids Memorial Quilt (Magination Press), Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg (Henry Holt & Co), and Rodzilla (Margaret K. McElderry Books).

After this episode, you’ll be surprised at how much your past can help you write stories that engage with kids today.

Get ready to generate ideas that are uniquely you!

 

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PBSummit Podcast Yuyi Morales
August 15, 2023 In Podcast

Podcast – Yuyi Morales

Picture Book Summit Podcast_feature_image_Yuyi_Morales

In this episode of the Picture Book Summit podcast, we bring you Yuyi Morales. Yuyi is the author and illustrator of many books for children, including the New York Times bestseller Dreamers andNiño Wrestles the World. She is 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. Other honors include the Americas Award, the Golden Kite Medal, the Christopher Award, the Jane Adams Award, and the Tomas Rivera Award.

In her Picture Book Summit keynote, Yuyi shared how there’s an idea bank inside all of us and how we can use it to tell the stories only we can tell.

Get ready to be inspired!

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August 5, 2023 In Agents, Editors

Your Submission Questions Answered!

Since last week’s Mini Summit, we’ve received lots of questions about the Summit + Submissions Ticket for Picture Book Summit 2023 – Picture Books That Sing! So, we’re here today to answer the most frequently asked questions before Early Bird pricing expires this Tuesday, August 8, 2023.

First, let’s introduce to this year’s Featured Agents and Editors and tell you a little bit about their panels at Picture Book Summit.

2023 Featured Agents

Submission That Sing: Agent Panel

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PBSummit Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund
July 25, 2023 In Podcast

Podcast – Fine Tune Your Pitch

Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund - Query Letters That WorkedIn this episode, children’s picture book 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).

Then they dig deep into crafting the ever-elusive perfect pitch. Listen in for tips on creating 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!

 

 

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Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Emma-Walton-Hamilton
May 23, 2023 In Podcast

Podcast – 4 Big Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 4

Picture-Book-Summit-Podcast_feature_image_Emma-Walton-Hamilton

It’s our last episode of our series the 4 Biggest Reasons Your Manuscripts Get Rejected!

Following agent submission guidelines should be a no-brainer when it comes to searching for an agent, right?

“Query-whisperer” Emma Walton Hamilton gives an inside look as to why following submission guidelines are crucial—and how over half of all new authors get it wrong. This episode is your shot to getting it right.

Have you listened to the rest of the 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected series?

Catch up here:

046 – 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 1 – Unoriginal Ideas

047 – 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 2 – Lack of Emotional Resonance

048 – 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 3 – Not Submission Ready

We hope this series has helped you develop stronger submission packages that lead you to picture book success!

 

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Reading Education Assistance Dogs
May 22, 2023 In Charity Partner

R.E.A.D. Reading Education Assistance Dogs – Our 2023 Charity Partner!

One of the best things about the children’s writing community is the willingness to give. To give to each other in the form of support and education, and many times to give to charitable causes that are close to their hearts. That’s why picking a charity partner each year is so important to the PBSummit Team.

Over the last eight years we’ve donated over $42,000 to:

  • We Need Diverse Books
  • Two Title I Schools in Oregon and Connecticut
  • Reading Partners
  • San Juan Public Library in Puerto Rico (2-time recipient!)
  • Project Night Night
  • Binc – The Book Industry Charitable Foundation
  • Little Free Library’s Read in Color Program

You can find out more details about our previous charity partners on our Charity Partner page here.

Dog-gone it! We are beyond excited to announce our 2023 Picture Book Summit Charity Partner: R.E.A.D. – Reading Education Assistance Dogs!

 

Here’s a little bit about R.E.A.D. – Reading Education Assistance Dogs:

Intermountain Therapy Animals (ITA), is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1993, whose mission is to enhance quality of life through the power of the human-animal bond.

ITA launched Reading Education Assistance Dogs® (the R.E.A.D.® Program) in 1999. R.E.A.D. is the first literacy support program to utilize the known benefits of interaction with animals to inspire a love of reading and books—through the presence of a warm, trustworthy, non-judgmental listening companion. Thousands of children in schools and libraries worldwide have been benefitting ever since. R.E.A.D. has licensed more than 7,000 practitioners throughout the U.S. and in 27 other countries.

Reading Education Assistance Dogs - boy with greyhound

R.E.A.D. focuses on children aged 4 to 8, when it’s crucial for them to learn to read so they can read to learn forevermore. Participating kids make enormous strides in reading and communication skills, while along the way building self-esteem, confidence and social skills.
And there are other benefits—performance in other subjects tends to improve, as does motivation, attendance and even personal hygiene.
Reading Education Assistance Dogs - Girl with Spaniel
Science and test scores confirm that R.E.A.D. has the power to change a struggling child’s future, one book and one dog at a time. Check out Intermountain Therapy Animal’s website for more details about R.E.A.D.: https://therapyanimals.org.

If you’ve attended just about any of our events, you know we are dog lovers at heart, so finding a charity partner that combines sweet pups with our love of reading with kids is like finding a match made in heaven!

 

We invite you to help us support this incredible program and be part of Picture Book Summit 2023 on October 7th.

 

Come be a part of something AMAZING!

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May 18, 2023 In Giveaway

Reveal Giveaway and BIPOC Scholarship Winners!

It’s a winning day here at Picture Book Summit!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who shared our Superstar Speakers on social media! And welcome to those of you who are new the Summit. We’re happy to have all of you picture book lovers along for the ride.

Let’s announce the winners of the Reveal Giveaway and the BIPOC Scholarships!
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May 18, 2023 In Editors, Speakers

From Pitchy to Perfection: Editors Panel

We do editors really look for in picture book pitches? What makes them want to read more? What can you do to pique their interest?
We’re going to find out at this year’s Picture Book Summit! We’ve invited editors from three major picture book publishers to look at real-life pitches and us what they think in…

From Pitchy to Perfection: Editors Panel

Is your pitch hitting the right notes? Join editors from Karen Boss of Charlesbridge, Nikki Garcia of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Talia Benamy of Philomel for a one-hour, pre-recorded panel as they critique pitches from Picture Book Summit attendees and reveal what editors are really looking for in picture book hooks and what you can do to make yours stand out.

 

Let’s get to know this year’s editors:

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