Do You Want to Write 12 Picture Books in 12 Months? | Learn More!

12 Picture Books.
12 Months.

A writing challenge and the friendliest writing community on earth.

2K+

12 x 12 Members

250+

Awards Won

30K+

Drafts Written

700+

Books Published

THE place for picture book creators.

12 x 12 is a diverse community of picture book authors and illustrators at all levels of experience. You’ll get accountability, support, and encouragement in the goal to write one new picture book draft each month (or at least to write more than you would on your own).

Write More.
Write Now.

Picture book authors must be prolific. You need to develop a body of work in order to improve your craft, attract an agent, and get book deals. With 75% of members reporting they write more in the Challenge than they would on their own, 12 x 12 is a proven way to get drafts out of your head and onto the page.

Get Feedback
on YOUR Work

Queries and pitches and manuscripts, oh my! In order to grow as an author or illustrator, you need peer and professional feedback. In 12 x 12, you get both. You can post your manuscripts for feedback in the Forum and/or find critique group partners among your fellow members.

Enjoy Immersive & Instructional Webinars

12 x 12 speakers present through the lens of how their topics apply specifically to the art, craft, and business of writing and illustrating picture books. Each one digs deep and leaves members inspired, and empowered with new ways to think about their own work.

Celebrate Success at Every Level of Membership

At 12 x 12, we don’t believe in “small” successes. Each one is essential for growth. At our weekly Friday “Dance Parties,” members share successes that range from reading mentor texts, writing a few sentences, signing with an agent, launching a book, and everything in between.

12x12 Book Chats!

Every month, we celebrate members who have received awards, signed with an agent, announced a book contract, or released a new book. Join us, and we’ll celebrate YOU.

Browse Member Books

Check out our 12 x 12 Bookshop Page, where you can find all of our current members’ books.

Awards Won by Our Members

Meet Julie Hedlund,
Founder, 12 x 12

Learn what 12 x 12 is all about straight from Founder Julie Hedlund.

Play Video
Christine Van Zandt

Christine Van Zandt
12 x 12 Featured Author

Featured Author Christine Van Zandt, author of MILKWEED FOR MONARCHS and THE BRIEF HISTORY OF UNDERPANTS shares 13 ways to kick off your picture book writing career. Try one today!

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Interested in Joining the 12x12 Challenge?

Stay in the Loop

Subscribe to our Newsletter and receive a free webinar, stay up to date on 12 x 12 events – including registration – and get access to discounts and special offers

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).