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Featured Author Rina Singh Sept 2020a

12 x 12 October Featured Author – Rina Singh

Rina Singh 200x300

It’s such an honor to be the Featured Author on 12 x 12 this month. Since joining this wonderful community four and a half years ago, I have come to love it so much! I’ve “grown up” reading your stories, watching the incredible webinars, and listening to all the conversations. I’m constantly learning about the craft of the picture book. So, today, I’ll share my journey of the last four and half years and some tips I picked up on the way that I hope will inspire you.

A little back story: 2015-2016 was to be my last year of teaching. My plan was to wrap up my career of twenty-five years and then look for an agent and really plunge into my writing.

Tip 1: Stumble. Scroll. Search. You never know where that will take you.

In October, 2015, I randomly stumbled upon #PBpitch on Twitter. While driving to school I remembered I had an eight-hour window to participate. Based on a true event that happened during World War II, I had written a story about two enemy pilots. During recess I wrote and posted the following pitch:

Two boys

Two continents

One dream: to fly

Then one day the world went to war.

One Like is all I got and all I needed. It was from Essie White @Storm Literary Agency.

I sent her the story and although she loved it, she didn’t really know me enough to take me on. So, before she could say anything I suggested she just sign me up for a single project and that will give us both time to find out if we are a good fit for each other. It sounded like a good plan. She sent off the story in December 2015 and sold it in the first week of January 2016. A MEETING IN THE SKY published by Creative Editions and illustrated by Jordi Vila Delclòs came out three and a half years later.

Meeting in the Sky by Rina Singh

 

In 2016, I signed with the amazing Essie White and joined 12 x 12. It was a busy time so it took me till the end of the year to learn how to navigate 12 x 12.

In 2017, I made the resolution to write 12 drafts and check in every month. I put my faith in 12 x 12 and it gave me structure and accountability I needed. It didn’t matter if the drafts were raw and rough. And I did finish 12 drafts!

Tip 2.  Always say YES and figure it out later. You will have no choice but figure it out and you will.

In March, a manuscript I had pitched to the editor at Orca Books (before Essie) came back with –

Sorry it’s a pass but would you like to write a board book for us on the festival of Holi?

The Orca team was smitten with images of the Indian festival of colors that takes place in March. I had never written a board book before but would I say no? Never. Holi Colors was my April draft and it not only started a whole series of board books for Orca but it also got starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly.

In 2018, I wrote 3 drafts and had 2 board book launches – Holi Colors and Diwali Lights both by Orca Books. They were my April and July 2017 drafts.

Holi Colors and Diwali Lights by Rina Singh

Tip 3. Put in the Work. Keep working on your craft. Keep your skills sharp. Keep showing up.

In 2019, I wrote only one worthwhile draft but I never missed a webinar. Never stopped learning.

2020 was supposed to be my big year. My two drafts from 2017 were coming out as books in May and October. Grandmother School, published by Orca Books and illustrated by Ellen Rooney was inspired by a true story. The book is about a community of grandmothers in a village in India who go to school for the first time in their lives– courageously fighting the shame of illiteracy.

Grandmother School by Rina Singh

Grandmother School by Rina Singh

And 111 Trees, also inspired by a true story, is published by Kids Can Press and illustrated by Marianne Ferrer. The book tells the eco-feminist story of one man changing the life of a desert village in India. Wanting to address the environmental destruction and gender inequality, he persuaded the villagers to plant 111 trees every time a girl was born.

111 Trees by Rina Singh

Preface Page- 111 Trees by Rina Singh

And then there was this trip to Bologna for the Book Fair that I always dreamed about.

So, in January, I made the resolution to repeat what I had done in 2017. To write 12 drafts.

January and February went as planned. One shoddy draft and one not so bad.

Then the pandemic hit. Bologna got cancelled and a week later the lockdown happened in Canada. Disappointed and dismayed, I scrambled to make Plan B.

I would write. What else was there to do?  By the end of the month I realized this lockdown was not a Writing Retreat. I had to quit fooling myself. I started pining for flour and yeast (which as we all know had disappeared from the store shelves).

Tip 4. Go for Walks. They clear your mind and improve the ability to generate ideas.

In April, alternating between hope and despair, I began going for walks, taking pictures of clouds, trees, birds, and trying to make sense of what had befallen our world. I watched the empty roads of a metropolis in awe and I wrote my first wordless picture book draft.

Tip 5. Try a New Genre. May brought flour and enough yeast to make 96 loaves of bread. That anxiety taken care of, I turned my attention back to writing. I decided to rewrite a picture book in a graphic novel format. It was on my list of things to do anyways. Learning something new would give me a reason to wake up too. It did. It totally consumed me. I watched Neil Gaiman’s Masterclass and read every graphic novel in eBook format I could borrow online (Libraries were closed). And it took two months to put the first draft down.

Tip 6: Embrace Revision. It’s true what William Knott said: Anyone can write; however only the writers know how to rewrite. That’s where the magic really happens. A Garden of Grenades, my February draft from 2018 had been acquired by Greystone Kids to be published in 2022. These stories from around the world and written in free verse are set against the background of war, poverty, and violence. Given the current climate, Greystone wanted to vet them again. A poet, who also happened to be an editor was assigned to me. When I first saw so many comments and suggestions on a 700-word manuscript I thought I was in trouble. I had an anxiety attack. I didn’t touch the revisions for a week. I kept taking deep breaths.

Then, I dived into it with an open mind and addressed everything the editor questioned. I remember struggling with one line for four days but when I got it right, the feeling was priceless.

I used to wake up with lines of poetry floating in my head, truly waking up from my pandemic stupor.

Tip 7: If you get stuck, turn to Poetry. It will help you get unstuck. Most of the time. On the day I was writing this post I got ‘stuck’ for an ending. So, I did a little exercise that I ask my students to do when I first introduce Spoken Word to them. I scrolled through Instagram with a pen in my hand and wrote down whatever caption made me pause. (I ask them to either write a ‘found’ poem or choose a caption and do ‘stream-of-consciousness’ writing). This is the Instagram loot from that day.

Be a friend to yourself.

I am not a label.

Step into another world!

Could this be a good thing to come out of 2020?

Out of difficulties grow miracles.

Coming up for some air.

I’ll tell you a story today.

And I stopped when I came upon a picture of a garden with yellow flowers and a caption by @tylerknott, a poet I follow.

What do you need to grow?

What’s necessary to make you thrive?

Put it into the universe, let us hear.

I had found my ending.

Answer the questions in the comments below and say it out loud. There is power in the spoken word.

Unless you say it out loud, how will the Universe know what you need?

Hugs to you all and may the Universe always have your back!

  

Writer for children, Own Voices author and Spoken Word coach, Rina Singh has an MFA in creative writing and is the author of many critically acclaimed picture books for children. Her most recent publications are A Meeting in the Sky (Creative Editions); Holi Colors & Diwali Lights (Orca Books); Grandmother School (Orca Books); 111 Trees (Kids Can Press); A Garden of Grenades (Greystone Kids) coming out in 2022. Her daughter is a professional photographer in Toronto and her son works in finance in San Francisco. She lives with her husband in a blue house in Toronto, Canada. It’s surrounded by tall trees and it feels like she is living in a forest. There are birds, squirrels, even a rabbit and a fish pond with Japanese koi in it. She likes writing amongst the trees.

You can connect with her on her website www.rinasingh.com or on Instagram & Twitter @storiesbysingh

Rina is offering a copy each of Grandmother School and Holi Colors to one 12 by 12 member at the October check-in. Get that October draft done for your chance to win.

 

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264 Responses

  1. Thank you, Rina! Wow, of wow! This is beautiful in every way. I am moved … and inspired. How lucky for us that you are part of 12×12 and lucky that you are helping the world shine, shine, shine!

  2. Wow! What an inspiring story Rina! So many true stories for kids to learn from. I’m glad you are able to take walks every day. Not all of us are so lucky during the pandemic. Enjoy it for all of us!

    1. I’m sorry you aren’t able to go for walks. Yes, in April we were allowed to go out for walks. I hope this pandemic is soon behind us and we can all go back to some kind of normalcy. Take care.

  3. thank you so much for this post and for all your tips. I love the reminder to turn to poetry when you’re stuck–and that it can be found in unlikely places! I need to try your Instragram trick!

    1. Yes, Mary – poetry has come to my rescue many times. Hope you enjoy the little exercise. We should pay attention to whatever makes us pause. There may be an idea hidden there.

  4. So inspiring, Rina! Thank you. I especially liked your tip about turning to poetry – so true. Now to answer the questions:
    I need love and community to grow. I need family to thrive.

  5. What a journey, Rina! I love the way your post tells about your approach to challenges and your willingness to take on challenges, such as new genres. And the practical and sage advice is a welcome conversation for all of us to keep having with your thoughts as our springboard. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!

  6. Thank you for sharing such an inspirational post! I amended your questions by adding “as a writer” at the end.
    What do I need to grow as a writer? The resources I receive from my Kidlit community
    What do I need to thrive as a writer? The encouragement and feedback I receive from my kidlit community

    1. Heather, I am grateful too for the resources from the Kidlit community. 12 x 12 has been such a driving force in my life. I feel safe in this community. Wishing you amazing successes!

  7. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It is inspiring. I can’t wait to try out Tip 7 🙂
    Doesn’t sound like you are retired at all 🙂 Good luck with all your endeavours.

  8. We are so fortunate to have you as our 12 x 12 October Featured Author. Your life story is amazing
    and inspirational. I’m originally from Panama in Central America and so as someone who migrated
    from her native country to a new one I relate to many of your experiences. I look forward to reading
    your many beautiful stories and learning a great deal from you. Many good wishes to you as you continue your journey in the literary world.

    1. Carmen, I feel incredibly lucky to have found 12 x 12. Sending good wishes to you too and wishing you success. I hope you find some stories from Centra America to share with the world!

  9. Rina, what an amazing journey! You’ve accomplished so much in those four years. Being prolific, writing those new drafts month after month, takes discipline and determination. But obviously it pays off.
    I love that walks and poetry are among your ‘tips.’ Couldn’t agree more 🙂 They both work for me as well.
    And I love the fact that your books have been inspired by true stories. Look forward to reading them all!

    1. Hi Marty – so happy to know that walks and poetry work for you too. Poetry has come to my rescue many times sometimes to get me unstuck and at other times to recalibrate my perspective.
      Wishing you great success in your journey, Marty!

  10. Wow, I loved reading this, Rina. So interesting and so inspiring and your books are wonderful! What I need to grow is ideas. What I need to thrive is knowledge. Hugs to you also 🙂

  11. Thank you, Rina, for sharing your journey. This year is definitely not a writing retreat. I’m so glad you’ve connected with your creativity again. I need hope and love to thrive and finding the former has been challenging at times, but it’s out there. All the best to you!

  12. Rina,
    All I can say is that you are tremendously talented and tremendously lucky. Keep going. I’d love to read one of your books.
    i love all things East Indian.
    Sue

  13. Rina, What a great process story you have! I love your willingness to try new forms of writing, as well as the exercise that found your ending for this post. Congrats on your success! And yes, I believe that poetry is immensely helpful to “unstop” the tub.

  14. Your writing journey is amazing and so inspiring! Thanks for sharing your writing/creative tips and I love the poetry. You are a shining light. Thanks for shining it on us!

    1. Oh, thank you so much for your kind words, Linda. I hope you love poetry too. It really has come to my rescue so many times. Hugs to you and wishing you great success in your journey!

  15. What an inspiring post…just what I needed today! And my answer is structure. After a month of wonderful houseguests, I definitely need to structure my time to focus again.

    1. Tanya, your comment on structure reminded me of a quote: A creative person needs the soul of a gypsy and the discipline of a soldier. We all need structure, don’t we. I hope you find time to take care of yourself too.

  16. I feel like I’ve just had a hug from a long, lost friend. Your post is both inspiring and comforting in equal measure … and has left me wondering what happened to the 96 loaves of bread! Baker extraordinaire. Say YES and figure it out later, love that!

  17. Thank you Rina for sharing your continuing journey. Your message of stay positive, say yes, try something new, and how poetry can help to unstick your writing is inspiring. I look forward to hearing more in the future.

    1. Inspirational post. I’ve been a member of 12×12 for five years and still haven’t submitted a manuscript to an agent. I don’t feel comfortable writing a query letter or a post for PB Post! You have talent and motivation. I have fear. Congratulations on a successful career so quickly.

  18. Rina, thank you so much for this post! It is PACKED with wisdom, great news, and uplifting thoughts. I’m going back to read it again!

  19. Wow! I loved reading your story! What do I need to thrive? Time to be creative, unstressed hours, nature, lack of anxiety, daydreaming, hot tea, long walks, sometimes solitude. New experiences and adventures really help me as well, which, 2020. Maybe that is why I’ve been struggling with new drafts! Thanks for sharing with us! Congrats!

    P.S. I want to try the Instagram thing! Cool activity.

    1. Angie, I hope you get all the things you need to thrive – especially new experiences and a bit of solitude.
      Have fun with the Instagram activity. Hugs!

  20. Wonderful post, Rina! It’s filled with valuable advice. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your success!

  21. Hello fellow Canadian! Your dedication and success are inspirations. I take your advice to turn to poetry to heart- I’ve been finding this true lately and hearing you say it makes me believe it even more.

    1. It’s so amazing to meet a fellow Canadian. I’m so glad you are finding refuge in poetry. Really, it has always come to my rescue! Thank you for your kind words.

  22. Hello, Rina! Thank you for your inspiration. My debut was with Creative Editions, too!! Congratulations on your continued success.

    1. In my excitement, I forgot to answer your question(s)! IN order to grow and thrive right now I need focus during this time of uncertainly. I worked on that today, okay Universe?!

      1. Wendy – I love your book – Lola Shapes the Sky. So cool that you are published by Creative Editions too.
        So happy to know that you already sent a message to the Universe!

  23. “Hugs to you all and may the Universe always have your back!” Thank you, Rina, for your positivity and kindness. You and the kid lit community help me to thrive, grow my creativity, and find the strength to put myself out into the universe. My critique partners always have my back. Sending out wishes for your continued success.

  24. Thank you, Rina! Such an inspiration, and such interesting stories. Congratulations and much more success.

  25. Thank you, Rina, for sharing your writer’s journey. Your way is like a treasure map that leads from one thing to the next in such a natural and easy way. You are very blessed. Thanks for your inspirational ideas.

  26. I loved reading about your writing journey! Thank you for sharing your words of encouragement. I’m inspired to get back to my writing now! I’ll be tracking down your books.

  27. I’m so inspired by Rita’s lovely books! Her writing advice rings true, too. Thank you for sharing part of your writing journey with us, Rita!

  28. This is so inspiring! I just read Grandmother School and loved it. I’m also here in Toronto, btw.

    1. How nice to meet a fellow Canadian who lives in Toronto as well. I’m so happy you liked Grandmother School. If it wasn’t for the pandemic we could have met over a cup of coffee. Take care.

  29. What an exciting journey you have been on. It looks like 12×12 was a great part of your experience. Congrats on all your successes.

  30. Dear Rina!
    Thanks for writing about your journey to be a children’s book author. So inspirational. Loved, loved, loved the seven tips, particularly “If you get stuck, turn to poetry. Thank you. Carole Calladine

  31. “Always say yes and figure it out later.” I’ve done this so many times, and it absolutely does work! Thanks for stating it so clearly, Rina.

  32. Hi Rina!
    Tip #3 is really resonating with me right now! This pandemic had me, as I’m sure so many of us, frozen and captive to it. Breaking away for walks and hiking on new trails to places I’ve never been has helped me to gain a new perspective. It’s amazing how a walk in the woods clears your brain and ignites new thoughts. This was so jammed packed with nuggets of inspiration and encouragement! Thank you for sharing and congratulations!

    1. Mary, this pandemic had put me in a stupor and I had to find ways to wake myself.
      I’m so glad the walks are helping you ignite new thoughts. We all need to heal ourselves
      the best way we know and can. Take care.

  33. Rina, thank you so much for this blog post. Much needed as I am slowly crawling out from under my anxiety, emotionally-drained summer rock. I will use your advice to get back in the game.

  34. Lyrical and lovely! Thank you for sharing your journey. There are many of us who can relate to the steps you’ve taken and probably more (like me) who wish to be on a similar journey.

  35. Great post, Rina! Thank you for sharing your amazing writing journey with us. It was interesting to read how different formats, especially poetry clicked and offered you another way of looking at your manuscripts. I have never used poetry as a catalyst before… usually when dealing with poetry I am rewriting it into prose. But I love the “found poem” idea and will be putting it to good use.

    Instead of walks in the woods, my go to thing is puttering around in the garden, either in my vegetable garden or in my flower gardens. There is something about getting my hands in the dirt that frees up my mind. What I need to grow is finding new ideas to explore and/or twisting my old ones to look at them in a new light. What I need to thrive is finding the courage to send my work out there.

  36. Rina, I am so excited to read your books. You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your tips.
    “Always say YES and figure it out later” is a gem of advice. Don’t let your fears hold you back. That’s what I have to keep reminding myself, along with “I can do this.”

  37. wow! Really inspired by this piece and your journey Rina! Thank you for paving the way for many of us …I look forward to learning more from you!

  38. Rina, your post was so lovely and inspirational. Thank you for sharing your writing and publishing journey.
    What do I need to grow? To keep writing, revising, taking classes, workshops, working with my critique groups and being involved in the wonderful online writing communities, like 12×12.
    What do I need to thrive? To coax the stories out of my heart that are whispering to be told and have this fabulous writing community help me polish them so they change from a whisper to a roar!
    Keep spreading your magic!

  39. What an amazing journey. I like your spunk in mentioning the one project idea to Essie. You followed your gut and it has led you to success.

  40. Rina, that was such an incredibly inspiring post. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for your excellent suggestions.

  41. Thanks for sharing your story. Also a wonderful reminder to be open to change. I’ve read HOLI and am waiting for GRANDMA SCHOOL from my library. I loved the colors and uplifting feeling of HOLI.

  42. It’s so wonderful to hear your honest writing reality while working during the pandemic. Thanks for such an inspirational post!

  43. What a journey and what great successes but not without a lot of hard work. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your journey :-).

  44. Thanks for the detailed story of how you pitched your stories and took a chance on new projects. These are beautiful stories!

  45. Thanks for sharing the ways you’ve coped with the changes we’ve all endured this year. I love taking walks, too. Congratulations on your beautiful books and keep up the good work!!

  46. Thanks so much for your tips and sharing your writing journey! It is so encouraging to meet many 12x12ers who are people who once had other careers but who share a passion for crafting stories for children!

  47. I have been struggling with manuscripts that are good, but not great- just recently decided to keep saying yes, dive into the work, and face the revisions. Thank you so much for the inspiration!

  48. I love “Say yes and figure it out later.” That speaks to promise and faith in yourself. Thank you for speaking to my writing heart with encouragement and enthusiasm for the craft.

  49. Thank you for that amazing post. Much to think on and pursue in your words. And I must have 111 Trees. What a fantastic story. I will order it online through my local bookstore.

    Sadly, I have NOT been keeping up with all of the webinars during these crazy times. I get the replays and mostly fit them in, but sometimes they expire before I get to them and then I’m kicking myself! But, I wrote a draft of an early reader this month. After revisions, it will be one of six that will be released by Highlights next year and beyond.

  50. Thank you, Carolyn. It isn’t always possible to fit in everything we want to do in the day. Life come is in the way. But congratulations on your success with Highlights. The 12 by 12 webinars have helped me immensely.

  51. Wow, Rina! You are such a n inspiration and coach. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

    96 loaves of bread! I don’t think I have made that many in my whole life! Go Rina!

  52. Wow, Rina! You are such an inspiration and coach. Thank you for sharing with all of us.

    96 loaves of bread! I don’t think I have made that many in my whole life! Impressive.

  53. Inspiring! I have not written what I thought I would during lockdown. Every day is a scramble to learn something new to use for school so I’ve only been able to write a few new drafts but have managed to work on revisions. Thanks for giving us some hope!

  54. Rina, thank you for sharing your journey with us! It’s always so good to read these. When I pick up my 15 books on hold at the library tomorrow, Grandmother School will be in the pile!

  55. What a lovely post. So inspiring. What a year this has been. I relate so much to your writing experience this year. I love your idea at the end – I will definitely give it a try next time I’m stuck.

    1. Melissa, your journey has been amazing. A HUG FOR THE WORLD is what we all need right now and the magic of paintbrushes and pens. Thank you for inspiring us all.

  56. Thank you for sharing your inspiring and amazing journey, Rina. Congratulations on your success! I look forward to reading your books 🙂

  57. Yours sounds like a “slow but steady” journey. Aspirational. What do we truly need to grow and thrive? I like how those are distinct. 🙂 Food for thought…

  58. First, I really enjoyed learning about your journey! So interesting and so inspiring! And second, I thrive when I am writing. I thrive when I inspire others with my words. Thank you for all your tips! I fail forward daily in my journey! 12X12PB has pushed me to write 1ten new PB ms this crappy year and revise to have 16 ready to query!

  59. Wonderful advice! Wonderful suggestions! Wonderful modeling of what it takes to be a picture book writer!

    Thank you, Rina!

  60. What a lovely and inspiring post. I’ve always been fascinated by the festival of Holi and love your poem idea. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

  61. Thank you Rina, for making us (collectively) smile. To thrive I need to take a page from my forthcoming PB Brave in the Water and remember to breathe -literally to inspire (breathe in). I can’t wait to get your Grandma School book. I’ve always said, we don’t have enough books with grandparents – they buy books!
    Thank you again.

  62. Wow, Rina!

    Thank you for sharing your story and your advice for how to push through and make our own luck. I look forward to reading your stories and seeing more from you out there on the shelves!

  63. Thank you for these tips. I recently read “turn to poetry” someplace else. And I never turn there, but I think since you are giving a plug also I should try it out. Congratulations on all your success!

  64. Your tips are very helpful. There were many times during the pandemic that writing did not come easily for me. Thank you for sharing!

  65. Thank you for the inspirational post and tips. Just what I needed to read! October got away from me but with a little structure – November is off to a good start!

  66. Rina – Thank you…loved the idea of when stuck go to poetry! And the Pitch party helped me lots too…thank you for sharing!

  67. What a beautiful post, Rina! Thank you for sharing your story with us.
    Reflecting on the questions you asked, I’m grateful for the blessings that have come from the challenges of 2020. It’s been a tough year, but I have so much to be thankful for. I’ve also realized I need to put myself out there and start submitting more of my stories. They’ll never be published if they’re never shared. Thanks for all your encouragement! 🙂

    1. Abby, you answered your own questions. And gratitude is an amazing tool, if you ask me. Not always easy to be grateful but if we remind ourselves often it helps.

  68. Wow Rina – your books are absolutely beautiful and about such important topics! Congratulations! Thanks for all the inspiring words – I especially love the part about the magic being in the revisions!

  69. So inspiring, Rina! Trying my best to keep showing up this year. I really need to get my hands on 111 trees. Looks fascinating and inspiring.

  70. Congratulations on your success, Rina! Your post is very inspirational and I love the advice in tips 6 and 7. I wish I to leave my day job someday soon to focus on writing and illustrating. It’s the timing of the leap that is important. Thank you for sharing your writing journey and sharing what can happen when you say “yes” to the universe.

  71. What wonderful advice with beautiful pictures to prove it! Your words inspire! I especially love the “say yes, figure it out later” piece! Congrats on your success and all the important stories waiting for you to share!

  72. Thank you, Rina, for your inspiring post. Your advice is priceless. I gave careful thought to the questions you posed at the end and wrote:
    To grow, I need to better understand the demands of my craft, consistently weed out misconceptions, and fully commit to the work involved in meeting those demands.
    To thrive, it is absolutely necessary that I expand my concept of community and participate in that broader community more fully.

  73. This is the PERFECT post for our world situation right now! Thank you for the practical and inspired tips. SO GOOD!!
    Thank you for taking the time to write and share this beautiful post.
    Your question about the good coming out of 2020? Yes, there is good all around amidst all the not-so-good. We just have to look for it and recognize it.

  74. Dear Rina, I have read and reread Grandmother School
    to my students. Thank you for writing this inspiring book.

  75. Thank you, thank you, Rina!!!! Pure inspiration. Congratulations on all your successes. I want to read 111 Trees. Wow. I love your “if your stuck, turn to poetry” suggestion too. (This year has been one big “stuck”.) I didn’t want your post to end. So thank you for sharing your honesty and wisdom with all of us.

    1. Oh, Sara, you sure know how to make someone’s day. Thank you for your generous note. Yes, it has been a “stuck” year. I hope turning to poetry works for you. Let’s get through this year and it would be amazing if as creators we can add to some hope for this world.

  76. Rina, thank you for sharing your story and inspiring tips. It can be easy to complicate a #PBPitch even given the limited characters, but your pitch for A Meeting in the Sky was so simple, yet perfect. That’s awesome! I’m looking forward to A Meeting in the Sky and your other books!

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Interested in Joining the 12x12 Challenge?

Financial Need Scholarship Guidelines

All applications will be accepted via email only between November 1, 2023 – November 30, 2023 at kelli@juliehedlund.com.

Subject line of the email:

  1. 12 x 12 Financial Need Scholarship
 

Please include the following in the body of the email:

  1. An autobiographical statement and career summary in 250 words or fewer.
  2. A short statement describing the nature of the financial need/circumstances in 250 words or fewer.
  3. A sample query letter for the manuscript you are submitting with your application.
  4. Pitches for two additional completed picture books.
 

 Attached to the email:

  1.  The full text of one picture book manuscript, attached as a Word document named as FIN_YourFirstName_YourLastName_Title_of_Manuscript.doc (or docx).