Podcast

Welcome to the Picture Book Summit Podcast

Welcome to the Picture Book Summit Podcast where we share insight on the craft of writing, illustrating, and publishing picture books from the industry’s best and brightest. Each episode is an excerpt from a keynote or presentation given at Picture Book Summit, the annual world-class online conference for picture book writers and illustrators around the globe that takes place every October.

The podcast is just the beginning! Picture Book Summit is even better LIVE! Make plans to join us the first Saturday in October. Join our notification list so you don’t miss a thing! Click here.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 064

How to Maximize Your Online Writing Conference Experience

Since we’ve been hosting an online writing conference for a decade, today we want to share tips to help you maximize the value of attending an online writing conference. In our last episode, we talked about tips for picking an online writing conference that will move your writing career forward, so if you haven’t listened to that one yet, be sure to catch it soon.

Writing conferences are filled with opportunities to hone your craft, connect with your peers, and move closer to your publishing dreams. Moving those writing conferences to an online space (like Picture Book Summit does) opens unique opportunities compared to their in-person counterparts. Of course, you save money on travel and accommodations, but you also get to learn from the safety, comfort, and familiarity of home. If it’s your first conference or your fiftieth, we have nine tips to help you maximize your online writing conference experience.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 063

How to Evaluate an Online Conference

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?

In 2024, we celebrate 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 writing conferences for you and your writing goals.

We’ve got 5 questions to ask yourself before choosing your next online writing conference. (Don’t worry! Some of these will apply to in-person conferences too.)

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*Picture Book Summit may receive a small commission at no cost to you when books are purchased through the link above.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 062

PBSummit Roundtable: Humor in Picture Books

If everyone loves and wants humorous picture book stories, then why does it seem so difficult to get traction on funny submissions? We’re here to offer our two cents on this episode of the PBSummit Roundtable.

Julie Hedlund has personal experience with this and gives her 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 Kari Lavelle
• Simon and the Better Bone by Corey R. Tabor
• Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
• How This Book Got Red by Margaret Chiu Greanias and Melissa Iwai
• Poodunit! A Forest Floor Mystery by Katelyn Aronson and Steph Laberis
• Wombats are Pretty Weird by Abi Cushman
• Too Many Pigs and One Big Bad Wolf by Davide Cali and Marianna Balducci

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*Picture Book Summit may receive a small commission at no cost to you when books are purchased through the link above.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 061

PBSummit Roundtable: Fresh Takes in Picture Books

Today we bring you a super fun episode of the PBSummit Roundtable episode.  Agents and publishers say they want stories that are “fresh and unique”, but what does that mean? Our Roundtable discussion offers up some recent picture books with truly fresh angles.

Listen in as we take a look at unique picture book stories and the common thread between them.

Books talked about in today’s episode:

• How This Book Got Red written by Margaret Chiu Greanias and illustrated by Melissa Iwai
• The World’s Best Class Plant written by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick and illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao
• Time is a Flower written and illustrated by Julie Morstad

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*Picture Book Summit may receive a small commission at no cost to you when books are purchased through the link above.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 060

PBSummit Roundtable: Why is Everything So Slow?

Our Roundtable discussions are where our PBSummit team sits down and talks about the topics affecting picture book creators today. Today, we ask the question: Why is Everything So Slow? The pandemic was a huge disruptor in the publishing industry, but now that it’s over, why aren’t things back to normal? Will it ever go back to the way it was or is this the new normal for children’s publishing?

Emma Walton Hamilton takes the lead and shares insight from her agent and two of her editors on this trend in children’s publishing. Ultimately, there’s some good news for children’s authors.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 059

Books with Great Voice Part 4

It’s the last episode (for now!) of our series on Picture Books with Great Voice! If you haven’t listened to the rest of this series yet, don’t miss these episodes:

• Episode 56 – Julie Hedlund defined types of voice in picture books and Katie Davis showcased books with humorous voice.
• Episode 57 – Laura Backes shared picture books that use lyrical voice
• Episode 58 – Emma Walton Hamilton revealed effective use of character voice.

Today in part 4, Julie Hedlund brings us conversational voice in picture books.

Get ready to connect with some beautiful picture books!

Books mentioned in this episode:

• THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT MARGARET WISE BROWN written by Mac Barnett and illustrated Sarah Jacoby
• A POEM FOR PETER written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated Steve Johnson

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*Picture Book Summit may receive a small commission at no cost to you when books are purchased through the link above.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 058

Books with Great Voice Part 3

There are so many picture books with great voice! If you haven’t listened to the first two parts of this series, check out them out here in episode 56, books with a funny voice and episode 57 with picture books that use a lyrical voice.

In the third part of the Books with Great Voice series, author, editor, and Picture Book Summit Founder Emma Walton Hamilton shares books with great character voice, including how to recognize it, how to distinguish it from other types of writing voice, and how to utilize it in your own work. You’re going to love these books!

Books mentioned in this episode:

• THE PANDA PROBLEM written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated Hannah Marks
• CROWN: AN ODE TO THE FRESH CUT written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Gordon C. James

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*Picture Book Summit may receive a small commission at no cost to you when books are purchased through the link above.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 057

Books with Great Voice Part 2

In Part 2 of Books with Great Voice, we showcase more picutre books that have an unmistakable voice. 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.” Founder Emeritus Laura Backes shares examples of using a lyrical voice in picture books have that type of voice can reinforce certain stories.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• GIANT SQUID* written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Eric Rohman
• WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE* written by Pat Zeitlow Miller and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

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*Picture Book Summit may receive a small commission at no cost to you when books are purchased through the link above.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 056

Books with Great Voice – Part 1

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*Picture Book Summit may receive a small commission at no cost to you when books are purchased through the link above.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 055

Rob Sanders – Mind Mapping Your Way to Authentic Stories

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 054

Yuyi Morales – The Ideas are Inside YOU!

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 053

Fine Tune Your Pitch

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 052

PBSummit Roundtable: Artificial Intelligence

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 051

PBSummit Roundtable: Anything Goes in Picture Books Nowadays

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 050

PBSummit Roundtable: Book Bans

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 049

4 Big Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 4

It’s time to wrap up our series the 4 Biggest Reasons Your Manuscripts Get Rejected!

Every agent and editor have their own set of submission guidelines. It should be a no-brainer to follow each agent’s or editor individual preferences but many a writer has gotten caught not paying close enough attention.

Our very own Query Whisperer, Emma Walton Hamilton, gives the insider’s perspective on why following submission guidelines are crucial—and how to avoid getting it wrong.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 048

4 Big Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 3

Ready for the third biggest reason manuscripts get rejected by agents and editors? This one is BIG. Many manuscripts are turned down every day for the simple reason that they are just not ready. So, how do you know when your manuscript is ready to go on submission?

Katie Davis breaks it all down in this episode. Discover all the things to look for in your manuscript to be sure it’s actually ready to be sent out into the world of publishing.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 047

4 Big Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 2

In this episode, we continue to explore the biggest reasons manuscripts get tossed out by agents and editors.

What does it mean when your rejection letter says “Your story didn’t resonate with me.” Julie Hedlund shares how this type of response maybe indicate a lack of emotional connection in your story.

Dash’s Picture Books Picks for Emotional Resonance

• The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer & Ekua Holmes
• Bikes for Sale by Carter Higgins & Zachariah Ohora
• Nine Months: Before a Baby is Born by Miranda Paul & Jason Chin
• Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome & James E. Ransome
• When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan & Lorraine Rocha
• Ogilvy by Deborah Underwood & T.L. McBeth

Did you catch Part 1 of the 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected? Listen here.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 046

4 Big Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 1

What are the biggest reasons manuscripts get tossed out by agents and editors? Join us for the first episode of this four-part series, where Picture Book Summit Co-Founder Laura Backes reveals what it means when you receive feedback that says “This story feels familiar” or “It’s too similar to what’s been done already.” Plus, she’ll share how to create a manuscript that feels anything but familiar.

You’ll be one step closer to getting a “yes” after listening to today’s advice.

This is Part 1 in a four-part series. Tune in for our next episode for the second biggest reason manuscripts get rejected!

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 045

Lesa Cline-Ransome – Finding Voice in Picture Book Biographies

Award-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome, author of Before She was Harriet and many other iconic titles, shares exactly bring the reader into your picture book biographies through creating an authentic and engaging voice that will captivated kids and adults alike!

And, if you’re really paying attention, you’ll discover how these techniques work for fiction stories as well.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 044

Peter H. Reynolds – The World Needs YOUR Voice

Your authentic voices needs to be out in the world and in this episode Peter H. Reynolds explains why it’s important to get your voice on the page. Learn to see the blank page as an invitation to play. Peter’s energy is contagious and we’re confident he’ll inspire you to get creative as he shares the four North Star Questions to get you on your way!

Peter H. Reynolds, is a NY Times best-selling author & illustrator and creativity champion with picture books published in over 25 languages. His books The Dot, Ish, The Word Collector, and Say Something!, among many others, inspire children and “grown up children” with messages about authentic learning, creativity, bravery, empathy, and courageous self-expression.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 043

Jon Klassen – Use Your Fear

Are your creative fears holding you back? Jon Klassen reveals how you can use your fears to create stories that are unique and engaging. You may just find that those fears are your superpower.

Jon Klassen is the Caldecott-winning author-illustrator of This Is Not My Hat and its companion books, I Want My Hat Back, We Found a Hat, and The Rock from the Sky. He also received Caldecott Honors for illustrating Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn, both written by Mac Barnett. Jon also partnered with Mac on Triangle, Square, Circle, and The Wolf, the Duck, & the Mouse.  There are over 2.7 million copies of Jon’s picture books in print.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 042

Julie Hedlund – Layers in Picture Books

Layers are good in cakes and excellent in picture books!

Wouldn’t it be awesome if there was a never-miss recipe for creating delicious picture books? It’s not quite a recipe, but Julie Hedlund has discovered 10 essential ingredients or “layers” for picture books that you can follow like a checklist.

You may not need all of these layers, but a dash of one and a sprinkle of another might just be what your manuscript needs to go from so-so to sold!

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 041

Emma Walton Hamilton – How to Get Out of the Slush Pile: Part 3

Listen in for the third episode of our three-part series: How to Get Out of the Slush Pile.

In this episode, our very own query whisperer Emma Walton Hamilton shares the elements of writing an engaging hook in your query letters. Show your understanding of your story and the children’s publishing market to agents and editors. If you’re currently querying, this one’s for you.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 040

Julie Hedlund – How to Get Out of the Slush Pile: Part 2

Listen in for the second installment of our three-part series: How to Get Out of the Slush Pile.

In this episode, our own rhyming master, Julie Hedlund, reveals why writing bad rhyme will get you kicked straight to the reject pile. Writing poetry is one thing, but writing a rhyming picture book is a different ball of wax. Julie shares best practices for writing good rhyme for picture books. If you love writing in rhyme, do not miss this episode.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 039

Laura Backes – How to Get Out of the Slush Pile: Part 1

The dreaded slush pile. Nobody wants to think of the manuscript they toiled over being lost in an agent’s or editor’s inbox. Enter our three-part series: How to Get Out of the Slush Pile!

We begin with author and Picture Book Summit Co-Founder Laura Backes speaking on one BIG mistake new authors make: writing poor main characters.

Get ready for your main characters to shine with Laura’s list of important questions to ask of yourself and your work. It’s advice you can use today to create stories that kids (and industry professionals) will want to read again and again. It’s time for you to get out of that slush pile!

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 038

Julie Hedlund – Sophisticated Storytelling

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 037

Katie Davis – Pacing and Shorter Texts

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 036

Julie Hedlund – The Verse Curse

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If you think Julie packed a lot into this 10-minute episode, wait until you see how much she packs into the full 45-minute THE VERSE CURSE workshop. She’ll show you how to spot bad rhyme and provide tips for fixing it. Julie will unravel the mystery of meter and scansion in easy-to-understand steps including examples you will want to revisit again and again.

This purchase also includes an additional 60-minute recorded Q&A session and a 26-minute video dedicated to helping you understand scansion. If you write in rhyme, or aspire to, grab this workshop before submitting your work anywhere. This presentation includes lifetime access to the presentation video, a transcript, Julie’s slides, recorded Q&A session, handout, and spotlight on scansion video. Get it today! CLICK HERE!

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 035

Emma Walton Hamilton – A Brief History of Picture Books

Today, it’s time for a little history! Don’t worry! This is history you want to know: the history of picture books.

This episode is an excerpt from our previous Mini Summit: Don’t Write Your Grandma’s Picture Books. Emma Walton Hamilton presents a brief history of picture books. We start with Randolph Caldecott (yep, he’s the one the award is named after) and work our way through morality tales to picture books for “naughty children” and onto books that break the rules and meet children where they are today.

Don’t miss this insightful episode.

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 034

Betsy Bird – Constructing the Perfect Picture Book Read-Aloud

Join author and uber-librarian Betsy Bird for a raucous examination of what separates the good picture book read-alouds from the GREAT ones! Librarians know that picture books often fall into two categories: one-on-one titles and read-aloud titles. One-on-ones are great for bedtime reading, but if you want to entertain a room full of kids, you need a text that grabs them in an entirely different way. Betsy breaks down some of the most successful read-alouds, from classics to lesser known titles and more recent favorites. Hold on to your seat, this is one thrilling ride!

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Want more from Betsy? Pick up the full 60-minute workshop of PERFORMANCE ON THE PAGE: CONSTRUCTING THE PERFECT PICTURE BOOK READ-ALOUD with even more of Betsy’s unique look at picture books. This workshop will make you want to run to story time! This presentation includes lifetime access to the video, a transcript, and handout. CLICK HERE!

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 033

Emma Walton Hamilton & Julie Hedlund – Query Letters that Worked

In this episode, Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund share the four key components of query letters and their top tips for writing great ones that will capture the attention of agents and editors.

Get ready to polish those queries and make forward progress on your quest to find an agent or land a book deal!

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Are you in the querying trenches? Grab the full 55-minute presentation of SOLD! QUERY LETTERS THAT WORKED with Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund. The co-creators of the Complete Picture Book Submission System not only share the key components of a killer query letter, they also break down three real queries critiqued by Julie or Emma that resulted in agent representation or a book contract. Emma and Julie reveal why these queries worked, what made them catch the eye of an agent, and how they could have been even better. The handout for this workshop includes three query letters that led to yes! Don’t miss this chance to improve your own query. Click HERE!

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 032

Emma Walton Hamilton – Developing Ideas

In Part 3 of Where the Ideas Are, we’re talking about how to develop those marketable picture book ideas and turn them into a strong manuscript.

The central dramatic question is integral to every good picture book, but what does that mean? Picture Book Summit co-founder Emma Walton Hamilton reveals the importance the central dramatic question does, its function, and how to find it in your own story.

Be sure to listen to episodes 030 and 031 to catch parts 1 and 2 of Where the Ideas Are!

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 031

Laura Backes – Assessing Your Ideas

In Part 2 of Where the Ideas Are, Picture Book Summit co-founder Laura Backes reveals strategies for assessing which ideas you should pursue and which ones you should shelve:

• Finding out if there’s room in the market for your idea
• Deciding if your has kid-appeal
• Determining if your idea is the right size for a picture book

Be sure to listen to episode 030 to catch part 1 of Where the Ideas Are!

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 030

Katie Davis – Generating Ideas

This is Part 1 of Where the Ideas Are! This will be a three-part series on the podcast about finding, assessing, and developing ideas for marketable picture books stories.

Where do you get your ideas? It’s a questions that plagues all writers because we’re always wondering where the next idea will come from. While we can’t give you directions to the idea store (we wish we could!), Katie Davis is with tips for finding the ideas that are all around.

Ready to generate some new picture book ideas? Let’s go!

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Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 029

Samantha Berger – 5 Tips for Funny Picture Books

In this episode, Emmy-nominated Samantha Berger (the funniest picture book writer we know) reveals five things you need to know about being AND writing funny. Samantha is an award-winning author of over 80 books for young readers, including Crankenstein, Monster’s New Undies, Snail Mail, and Rock What You Got!

Wondering what it takes to be funny in picture books? Listen in to Samantha Berger’s top 5 tips:

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Some stories make us crack up, and others make us kvell. But what makes a five-year-old and a fifty five-year-old laugh or feel deeply, may not be as different as you think. Join award-winning author and television writer Samantha Berger for a lesson in LOLs and Awwwws, and how to keep your readers emotionally engaged, no matter what their age.

In this 50-minute presentation, Samantha reveals how she infuses everything she writes with humor and heart and how you can too! Get Guffaws, HaHaHas, and Hardy-Har-HEART: The Connecting Thread Between Humor and Heart on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 028

Emma Walton Hamilton – Submission Savvy

In Submission Savvy, Emma Walton Hamilton reveals how you can be savvy with your submissions including the three things you should do before you start submitting, submissions dos and don’ts, and query etiquette. Plus, she reviews the key components of your query letter, detailing how to craft your hook and what to include in your bio.

Are you asking yourself what is it going to take to get from query to offer? Listen in as Emma reveals all!

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You’ve finished your manuscript and now you need to find an agent or publishing house. Demystify the process of research, drafting that all important query letter, and hitting the send button. The full Submission Savvy presentation includes a 45-minute video chock full of tips for making your next submission sing! Plus, you’ll receive a guide for formatting submissions, the slides from the presentation, and a list of resources to help you craft your next query.

Let Emma’s experience as an editor help you write a query that gets noticed! Get Submission Savvy on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 027

Jennie Dunham – The Agent’s Perspective

This episode showcases Dunham Literary founder Jennie Dunham. Her clients have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list and have won numerous awards including the Schneider Family Award, the Boston Globe Horn Book Honor, and New York Times Best Illustrated Book. Wondering if your manuscript is ready to be submitted to an agent? Jennie shares insight on what agents do, what they don’t do, and how to prepare for working with an agent.

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You’ve got an agent! Now what? Most writers are surprised to find that there’s a lot more work to do between author and agent before landing a publishing contract, as well as after a book is published. Jennie Dunham of Dunham Literary, Inc. takes you behind the scenes of a literary agency to reveal insights into the partnership between agent and author, and by extension, agent and editor, and author and marketplace in the full presentation: “The Literary Agent: A Bridge Between Your Books and Your Career.”

Check out the details on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 026

Katie Davis – The Power of Positive Procrastination

Every day you vow to work on your book, but somehow you end up doing a complete purge of your closet instead. In this episode, Katie Davis reveals solutions for getting past the  procrastination and getting your “BIC” or Butt In Chair. Listen in for tips and tricks for getting past the procrastination and actually working on your next draft or revision.

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In Katie’s full presentation of “The Positive Power of Procrastination,” learn how you can benefit from knowing your “why,” discover five keys to getting your picture book written, and figure out how to identify the difference between active and passive procrastination.  Let Katie show you the power of procrastination and keep the creativity flowing. Check out the details on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 025

Ruth Spiro – Bringing STEM to Life for the Young Readers

Nonfiction picture books are popular in today’s marketplace and STEM books are at the top of the list for many parents and educators, but how do you make them accessible and fun for the youngest of audiences? In this episode, Ruth Spiro, author of the award-winning Baby Loves Science series, explains how to introduce complex scientific topics to the youngest readers in a way that makes them understandable and engaging. Listen in to sharpen your skills related to STEM-based writing for children.

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For even more insight into writing STEM books for the youngest readers, check out Ruth Spiro’s full presentation It’s a Fact! Bringing STEM to Life for the Young Readers on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 024

Emma Walton Hamilton – Is Your Manuscript Truly Submission Ready?

Is your manuscript submission ready? In this episode, PBSummit Co-Founder Emma Walton Hamilton will guide you through the steps to help you figure out if your manuscripts are really ready to be sent to an agent or editor.  With specific details to watch out for in the craft of your story and in the quality of your query, Emma’s got your covered.

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For even more tips on creating a submission ready manuscript and your query letter, check out the dozens of courses available on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 023

Laura Backes – Creating Memorable Characters

In this episode, Picture Book Summit Co-Founder Laura Backes gives us insight into creating memorable characters for picture books by explaining how the cognitive development of kids influences how they read and relate to picture books. Get ready to look at your main characters and how you develop them in a whole new way after this enlightening episode.

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For even more ways to create characters that last long after your book is closed, check out Laura’s full presentation of “Creating Memorable Characters” on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 022

Katie Davis – Digging for Diamonds

In today’s episode, Katie Davis shares how digging into research makes your writing sparkle—whether your book is nonfiction or fiction. Using picture books Renato and the Lion by Barbara DiLorenzo and Shark Nate-O by Becky Cattie and Tara Luebbe, Katie reveals how research brought surprises to these stories.

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For even more ideas for research, including an extensive handout with places to start, check out Katie’s full presentation of “Digging for Diamonds: Using Research to Make Your Writing Sparkle” on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 021

Matthew Cordell – The Bridge Between Pictures and Story

Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell helps us find the magic of picture books as he explores the bridge between text and image by breaking down a few of his favorite books. Matthew even shares his struggle with finding the bridge in his early work. Join us for this magical ride.

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For even more insight on connecting the bridge between text and images, check out Matthew Cordell’s full presentation of “How to Build the Bridge between Pictures and Story” on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 020

Revision First Steps with Emma Walton Hamilton and Laura Backes

What should you be looking for in your very first revision of your crappy first draft? In this episode, Emma Walton Hamilton and Laura Backes team up to give you tips for approaching this vital reworking of your story. Using the first acts of a fiction picture book and a nonfiction picture book, Laura and Emma dig deep by revealing what your manuscript needs at the beginning of the story for a firm foundation.

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Watch Laura and Emma’s full presentation of “The Next Draft: Revision First Steps” to get strategies for revising the middle and end of your book as well as the beginning on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 019

Brenda Bowen – Finding and Developing Ideas

Today’s episode includes snippets from literary agent Brenda Bowen’s appearance at Picture Book Summit. Brenda represents national and international bestselling authors and illustrators including Newbery and Caldecott award winners. She is also a children’s author herself with over 40 books under her belt under the name Margaret MacNamara. In Brenda’s presentation, she spoke with her author hat on about how she finds and develops ideas and how, sometimes, necessity can be the mother of invention. She also touches on the key components to a query letter. Don’t miss getting the inside scoop from this agent.

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For more insight from Brenda on finding and developing ideas and then pitching and selling those ideas to an agent,  check out Brenda’s “An Agent’s Perspective” presentation on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 018

Kate McMullan – Tuning Into the Muse

Kate McMullan reveals sources of inspiration for picture books. Drawing from her own creative process of writing over 100 books for children, the bestselling picture book author interviews contemporary and classic picture book writers while providing tools you can use to tap your own muse. This episode will have you finding for inspiration everywhere—maybe even in a dump truck!

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For more of Kate’s ideas for finding and capturing inspiration, catch Kate’s full “Tuning Into the Muse” presentation on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 017

Stephen Swinburne – STEAMpower: Bringing Nonfiction to Life

Through humor and storytelling, veteran nonfiction author Stephen Swinburne takes us into the heart of narrative nonfiction storytelling with solid tips and tricks for writing STEM and STEAM manuscripts, including what editors are looking for in today’s market. Learn to use “story” to create quality, informational books that hook young readers on topics of science, technology, engineering, art and math as well as people and history.

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For more of Steve’s tips for writing nonfiction and STEM/STEAM (including an ukulele serenade!), pick up Steve’s full “STEAMpower: Bringing Nonfiction to Life” presentation on the Picture Book Summit Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 016

Katie Davis – Your First 1,000 Readers

How can you actually connect with your readers? How can you get your books into the hands of more kids? It’s a challenge, especially when it seems like thousands of books are published every day. In this episode, Katie Davis shares how she’s used her platform and marketing strategies to sell almost one million copies of her traditionally published books and launch two books at #1 on Amazon. She’ll reveal how you can follow the same steps and get your books into the hands of more readers!

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Get more tips and strategies for creating and publishing picture books on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 015

Rukhsana Khan – Cultural Connections

How do you tell a story about a specific cultural paradigm and make it universally accessible? Award-winning author Rukhsana Khan shows us how to do just that as she walks us through her Golden Kite award-winning book Big Red Lollipop. Don’t miss the behind-the-scenes stories of this semi-autobiographical picture book. Rukhsana shares her inspiration behind the story and demonstrates how the specifics of an immigrant family’s story also reveals the universal struggle of sibling rivalry.

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To learn more on how to translate your unique experiences and viewpoint into one that resonates for all readers, check out Rukhsana’s full Picture Book Summit session “Cultural Connections: From the Specific to the Universal” on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 014

Mac Barnett – Engaging the Reader

In Engaging the Reader, beloved picture book author Mac Barnett shares how the layout and format of a picture book informs how the reader will engage with the story on different levels. Even the trim size of a book changes the way it’s read.

Be sure to check out Mac Barnett’s Picture Book Proclamation: http://thepicturebook.co/

Listen here:

As part of Mac’s episode, he mentions The Nutshell Library and Count the Monkeys. Here are those trim sizes for comparison:

For even more insight into how picture books work and an in-depth look at making page turns work for you (and to hear Mac’s Grover impersonation), check out Mac Barnett’s full Picture Book Summit session “Let Us Make Picture Books” on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 013

Laura Backes – Purpose Without Preaching

In Laura Backes’ Picture Book Summit workshop Purpose Without Preaching, she gave actionable takeaways for infusing your manuscript with a message without preaching to the reader or sounding didactic. In this episode, we share some highlights from her talk including how to get kids to hear your message without tuning you (or story) out!

Listen here:

For even more ideas you can use to write picture books with a purpose without preaching to young readers, check out Laura’s full Picture Book Summit session “Purpose Without Preaching” on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 012

LeUyen Pham – Storytelling vs. Storyshowing

In this episode, we’re pleased to feature LeUyen Pham. LeUyen is an author and/or illustrator of over 100 books for children including THE BOY WHO LOVED MATH, VAMPIRINA BALLERINA, A PIECE OF CAKE, and the Caldecott Honor Book BEAR CAME ALONG.

In this excerpt from her Picture Book Summit presentation, she shares some of the behind-the-scenes creation of BEAR CAME ALONG as part of a broader conversation on why authors should trust their illustrator and keep art notes to a minimum.

Listen here:

To hear how an author-illustrator takes a manuscript from text to fully realized picture book, check out her full Picture Book Summit session “Storytelling vs. Storyshowing: Balancing Illustration and Text in Picture Books” on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 011

Paul O. Zelinsky – Behind the Scenes of an Author-Illustrator

Our guest in this episode is Caldecott Medal Winner Paul O. Zelinsky. Paul received the Caldecott Medal for his illustrated retelling of RAPUNZEL, as well as Caldecott Honors for three of his books: HANSEL AND GRETEL, RUMPELSTILTSKIN, and SWAMP ANGEL. He also known for crowd-pleasing favorites such as THE WHEELS ON THE BUS and Z IS FOR MOOSE.

In this snippet from Picture Book Summit, Paul explains what makes a picture book work, how structure in a picture book impacts a book’s layout and pacing and what editors and readers are looking for in a picture book.

Listen here:

What it’s really like to be a full-time author-illustrator? Paul O. Zelinsky pulls the curtain all the way back in his full Picture Book Summit session “Behind the Scenes of an Author-Illustrator” on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 010

Alvina Ling – Secrets from a Publisher’s Editorial and Acquisitions Meetings

Join us today for a conversation with Alvina Ling. Alvina is Vice President and Editor-in-Chief at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, a division of Hachette Book Group. She has worked in children’s publishing since 1999. In this excerpt of Alvina’s Picture Book Summit presentation, she reveals very specific reasons why a manuscript might get acquired or rejected by Little, Brown or by any publisher in general. Enjoy this peek behind the publishing curtain.

Listen here:

For more of the inside scoop on how acquisitions work and what editors do, check out Alvina Ling in her full Picture Book Summit session “Secrets from a Publisher’s Editorial and Acquisitions Meetings” on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 009

Adam Rex – Dissecting the Frog: We’re Going to Try to Analyze Humor, God Help Us

We are thrilled to bring you Adam Rex and his brand of humor in this episode of the Picture Book Summit Podcast. Adam wrote and/or illustrated all the books you like including the New York Times bestselling Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich , the New York Times bestselling School’s First Day of School, and also a number of titles about which the New York Times has been strangely coy.

As the E.B. White saying goes, ““Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested. And the frog dies of it.” Adam Rex takes on the challenge of analyzing humor anyway in this snippet from his Picture Book Summit presentation. Whether he’s editing a tweet or creating a new picture book, Adam has a way of making us laugh with his combination of words and pictures. Join us as Adam digs down deep into word choice and the rules of humor in creating a funny picture book.

Listen here:

For more of Adam Rex dissecting a frog (and humor), check out his full Picture Book Summit session “Dissecting the Frog: We’re Going to Try to Analyze Humor, God Help Us” on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 008

Jane Yolen – How to Publish Hundreds of Picture Books

In this episode, our own Emma Walton Hamilton interviews the legendary Jane Yolen. Jane is the award-winning author of over 365 books for children and young adults, including the Caldecott Medal-winning book OWL MOON, YOU NEST HERE WITH ME, and the bestselling series HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY GOODNIGHT? She is also a poet, a teacher of writing and literature, and a reviewer of children’s literature. She has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century. Her books and stories have won the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, two Christopher Medals, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards, the Golden Kite Award, the Jewish Book Award, the World Fantasy Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Association of Jewish Libraries Award among many others.

Want to be a prolific kidlit writer? Jane is your woman. Don’t miss this episode.

Listen here:

For more Jane Yolen and tips for writing more books, check out her full Picture Book Summit session “How to Publish Hundreds of Picture Books” on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 007

David Shannon – It’s Done

The delightful David Shannon joins us in this episode. David Shannon graduated from Art Center College of Design. He has written and/or illustrated over thirty-five books for children, including the best-selling Duck On A Bike, Alice the Fairy, A Bad Case of Stripes, and the semi-autobiographical No, David!, which received a Caldecott Honor. His newest book is Grow Up, David! 

In this segment from David’s Picture Book Summit presentation “It’s Done!”, he talks about:

• What happens when you’re done with a manuscript.
• How to know your manuscript is really done.
• What are reasons for being done.
• What are some of the challenges you can expect on the way to getting done.

Listen here:

For more David Shannon and how he gets his manuscripts over the finish line, check out his full Picture Book Summit session “It’s Done!” on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 006

Carole Boston Weatherford – Picturing a Book

In today’s episode, we’ll hear from Carole Boston Weatherford. Carole has won numerous awards for her picture books including the NAACP Image Award, Coretta Scott King Award, Sibert Honor, John Steptoe New Talent award, and SCBWI Golden Kite award for books like JUNETEENTH JAMBOREE and FREEDOM IN CONGO SQUARE. In this segment from her Picture Book Summit presentation “Decisions, Decisions: Picturing a Book”, Carole talks about discovering premise. Then she touches on determining a book’s point of view. Premise and point of view are important pieces in your picture book puzzle. Join us for a heartfelt discussion with Carole about crafting her books.

Listen here:

For more of Carole Boston Weatherford’s Picture Book Summit session “Decisions, Decisions: Picturing a Book,” check out our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 005

Renée LaTulippe – From Drab to Fab

In this episode, we feature children’s author, poet, and founder of the Lyrical Language Lab, Renée LaTulippe. In this segment of Renée’s Picture Book Summit presentation From Drab to Fab: Ridding Your Writing of Ho-Hummery, she demonstrates the critical role word choice, or diction, plays in crafting outstanding picture books.

For more of Renée LaTulippe’s “From Drab to Fab: Ridding Your Writing of Ho-Hummery,” check out our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 004
Andrea Davis Pinkney – Nonfiction with a Twist

Today’s episode is from New York Times Bestseller and Coretta Scott King award-winner Andrea Davis Pinkney. Andrea’s Picture Book Summit presentation was “Nonfiction with a Twist.” Andrea is known for picture books such as POEM FOR PETER and MARTIN AND MAHALIA. She’s also written biographies of Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald among others. In this excerpt of Andrea’s presentation, she shares how she gets her ideas and the unusual role a flip flop played in capturing the voice of her biography of Ella Fitzgerald. Remember, nonfiction doesn’t mean nonfun!

For more of Andrea Davis Pinkney’s “Nonfiction with a Twist,” check out our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 003
Laura Backes – The 500 Word Picture Book

Picture book texts are getting shorter. In fact, many agents and editors have put a 500-word limit on new picture book manuscripts. But how do you write a story—complete with fully-developed characters, a plot with a beginning, middle and end, and page-turning action— in 500 words? Picture Book Summit Co-Founder Laura Backes gives us advice on how to start writing your picture book so you can stay on track throughout the process and not add to many words to your story.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 002
Tomie DePaola – Tapping the Truth

Earlier this year we lost the legendary author-illustrator Tomie DePaola. Tomie wrote over 270 books for children including classic picture books such as STREGA NONA, OLIVER BUTTON IS A SISSY, and NANA UPSTAIRS, NANA DOWNSTAIRS. Today, we celebrate his life by remembering the light and joy he brought us in this Picture Book Summit interview.

For more Tomie DePaola, check out his Picture Book Summit session “Tapping the Truth: Writing What You Know” on our Teachable site HERE.

Picture Book Summit Podcast

Episode 001
Peter Brown – Picture Books for Breakfast

In our first episode, we share a snippet of our Picture Book Summit interview with Caldecott Medal-winning author-illustrator Peter Brown.

Listen in as Peter discusses how he creates character development by digging into his own personal experiences.

For more of Peter Brown’s “Picture Books for Breakfast,” check out his full Picture Book Summit presentation on our Teachable site HERE.