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Testimonials

Hear From Members!

The 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge has changed the trajectory of the lives and careers of many picture book creators. Hear how in this video.
“I can honestly say that I would not be a published or agented author without 12 x 12. In 2013, I started seriously thinking about writing picture books, but I knew I needed to develop my craft…Even with the Aussie and American exchange rate I knew it would be well worth the investment. 12 x 12 gave me the motivation to write a manuscript every month…Four of which have or will be published. But, the most valuable thing that 12 x 12 has given me is community. There is no way I would have ‘met’ so many talented KidLit people from all around the world without 12 x 12. Even though I am now a published and agented author I hope to forever remain a member of the 12 x 12 community.”
SHARON GILTROW
Sharon Giltrow
Success Story
“I am now represented by Hilary Harwell with KT Literary. I am so excited to be a member of her team. The manuscript I submitted was one that I posted to 12 x 12 to be critiqued. I was able to take the feedback I received and improve my manuscript before sending it out to agents. Hilary is a 12 x 12 featured agent which also allowed me to learn more about her.”
Tunisia Williams
Tunisia Williams
Success Story
“The amazing Liza Fleissig of Liza Royce Agency is my agent. 12 x 12 definitely helped in both my agent search and in the development of my craft. As a Gold member, I had above-the-slush pile opportunities with agents and became well practiced at writing queries, researching agents, and evaluating which of my well-revised, polished manuscripts were a good fit. The webinars are excellent, and the forum feedback and Ninja Crits are incredibly helpful. And I LOVE being part of the 12 x 12 community.”
Angela De Groot
Success Story
“James McGowan of BookEnds Literary is awesome. He’s whip smart, funny, and driven. I submitted to him following 12 x 12 submission station guidelines. Within three days, he’d emailed me asking for additional manuscripts, which I sent. And about a week later, he emailed me to schedule “The Call.” James was a 12 x 12 GOLD featured agent! I’d been a 12 x 12 Silver member for a couple years but upgraded to 12 x 12 GOLD, which I saw as an important investment in my career. Like a lot of writers, I’ve found that writing communities like 12 x 12, SCBWI and Writing Barn CtC are essential for encouragement and support and for meeting mentors and writer friends.”
Kamalani Hurley portrait
Kamalani Hurley
Success Story
“My agent is Joyce Sweeney from the Seymour Agency. Joyce noted that they were glad to see I was a 12 x 12 member on our first call, after seeing it noted in my query letter. They mentioned that those types of memberships are pluses for them when selecting clients to sign. They know that 12×12 members show a certain level of commitment to continually improving and evolving their craft. So, yes, quite directly, the 12 x 12 membership helped in that sense. Also, I have found some great new critique partners through the 12 x 12 community. I learn a lot from the webinars and connections I make with other 12×12 authors. All of this sustained me during the brutal months in the query trenches.”
Becca McMurdie
Becca McMurdie
Success Story
“My agent is Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary. So many people sharing their agent journeys in the Facebook group has really helped me in my overall perspective. Hannah Holt especially shared very openly about changing agents in ways that I found comforting. And it was Nadia Salomon who very generously zoomed with me for over an hour to discuss her experience as one of Joan’s clients. Plus, all the different agents who have appeared on webinars over the years—they all added to my education of what skills and qualities are important to me.”
Nell Cross Beckerman 400x600
Nell Cross Beckerman
Success Story
Play Video

Scholarship Recipient Success

More than half of 12 x 12 scholarship recipients have gone on to sign with agents and publish books. Hear about a few of their journeys in this video.
“I am grateful to 12x12 for believing in my work. Being selected for a scholarship was a wonderful boost to my confidence and helped me secure an agent. I have enjoyed the webinars and community and appreciated the push to write every month.12x12 helped me hone my writing skills, find new critique partners, and learn more about craft.”
Madhuri Messenger
Madhu Messenger
2023 Scholarship Recipient
“I was honored to be a 12x12 GOLD Scholarship recipient for 2023. Winning the scholarship in itself was an encouraging and motivating way to begin my year. From there being a part of 12x12 has provided ways to connect with the picture book community, learn from webinars, engage in submission opportunities, and best of all - develop a body of work I wouldn't have written otherwise, since I was committed to keep up with the challenge to write a new picture book manuscript each month!”
Kristen Rashid NEW 200x300
Kristen Rashid
2023 Scholarship Recipient
The 12 x 12 Diversity Scholarship changed everything for me! I learned so much about both the craft and the industry through the webinars and found inspiration by connecting with other creators. I even landed an agent thanks to the Gold Submission Opportunities! I’m forever grateful to 12 x 12 for investing in me.
Devyn Douvier
Devyn Douvier
2023 Scholarship Recipient
I'm so grateful to have been a GOLD scholarship recipient. I can't begin to describe how impactful 12x12 has been on my writing journey. The caring community, in-depth resources, and quality webinars have met me where I'm at every step of the way—be it as a complete beginner or as an agented author with an eye to next steps. This scholarship allowed me to query a wonderful range of agents, kept me connected to the community, and gave me the confidence boost I needed. I would encourage anyone considering it to take the leap and apply!
Alexandra Millarhouse
Alexandra Millarhouse
2023 Scholarship Recipient
I could not be more grateful to be a recipient of the prestigious Diversity Scholarship from 12 x 12. It not only motivated me further, but also gave me the confidence to strive for bigger goals and dreams as I continue my journey as a picture book author. Since the scholarship award, editors at workshops began to take notice of something special in my stories, which led to multiple representation offers. I have also found lifelong support and fellow peers to learn from and collaborate with thanks to this amazing community.
Aimee Hiura 200x300
Aimee Hiura
2023 Scholarship Recipient
Through the scholarship, I got access to a wealth of knowledge, a warm and supportive community, enlightening craft discussions, opportunities to chat with and apply to agents, and I also found a new critique group that keeps me writing and accountable. With this scholarship, Julie Hedlund gave me a chance to be a part of something magical! A giant thank you to Julie, Kelli, the critique ninjas, and all the wonderful people that make the 12x12 magic happen!
Sope Martins
2022 Scholarship Recipient

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).