It’s always spooky to wake up on Halloween and realize there are only two months left in the year! But you know what? This year, I’m looking at that as 60+ days to review my writing goals for the year and see what needs to be prioritized. And giving myself the grace to let everything else go.

As for this month, I didn’t write a new draft, but I did a LOT of revising on multiple manuscripts. I sent a new one to my agent, and worked with her to review the status of the two I have on submission to plan next steps. So I’m pretty happy with this month’s progress.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

• Did you complete a draft of a new picture book story in October?
• Did you complete a revision of a previous picture book manuscript in October?
• Did you post a review of a 12 x 12 member book on Amazon, GoodReads, or Barnes and Noble?
• Did you request that your local library purchase a 12 x 12 member’s book that they don’t currently have in circulation?

Let us know in the contest widget below and the comments. Please note: Our beloved Rafflecopter widget went the way of the dinosaurs, we are trying a new contest widget. Read the instruction below carefully or check out the new tutorial HERE.

Our October prize is your choice of a signed copy of any of Featured Author Katherine Pryor’s books AND a picture book critique!  Thanks for your generosity, Katherine!

Here’s how to check in for a chance to win:

1. Go to the contest widget at the end of this post.
2. Click on the “Comment on Katherine’s post” button. Commenting on Katherine’s post is mandatory for this giveaway, and you can enter the drawing even if you didn’t write a draft this month. Once you’ve commented, type yes in the blank field and click the green CONTINUE button. (The button will not turn green until you type “yes” in the appropriate field.)
3. If you haven’t commented on Katherine’s post yet, go here. After you’ve commented on Katherine’s post, come back to this post to enter the drawing.
4. After you click CONTINUE, you will be asked to log in. Enter your name and email address and click the green SAVE button. (The button will not turn green until the fields are filled out.)
5. Once you’ve logged in, four more options will appear.
6. If you wrote a new picture book story this month, click on “Did you write a new picture book manuscript in October?” Click the circle next to “Yes.” Then click CONTINUE. If you opened this option by accident, just click the down arrow and the option will close without being selected.
7. If you revised a new picture book story this month, click on “Did you revise a picture book manuscript in October?” Type “Yes” in the box. Then click CONTINUE. If you opened this option by accident, just click the down arrow and the option will close without being selected.
8. If you reviewed a 12 x 12 picture book on Amazon, GoodReads, or Barnes and Noble this month, click on “Did you review a 12 x 12 member’s picture book in October” and it will automatically be selected and entered in the drawing. (You don’t have to enter anything or click continue. If you clicked on it by accident, there’s no way to deselect it, so consider it a bonus entry.)
9. If you requested your library purchase a 12 x 12 picture book (not already in circulation), click on “Did you make a library request in October?” Click the box next to “Yes.” Then click CONTINUE. If you opened this option by accident, just click the down arrow and the option will close without being selected.
10. That’s it! There is no overall submit button or email confirmation. You can see how many entries you have in the drawing in the upper left corner of the widget.

Here’s a new video tutorial to walk you through this new procedure: Click here for the monthly check-in tutorial.

The deadline to enter the drawing is midnight Eastern on November 7th. Gleam will draw a winner and it will be announced on the blog on November 8th.

Remember, badges are not awarded automatically and must be requested in the forum. Click here to request your October badges.

October 2025 Check-In — A signed book and a critique from Katherine Pryor

We are using a new program for our monthly check-in drawings, so please be patient with us as we learn the ins and outs together.

12 x 12 may earn a commission from books purchased through the links in the post. Proceeds go to fund 12 x 12 diversity programming and scholarships.