Spent the morning journaling and reflecting after reading Nina Lacour's first letter to our cohort of Projects and Practice. I started reading The Book of Alchemy for our 12x12 book club and hope to start a practice of reading an essay a day and journaling. #writingcommunity #12x12
My February reads #readinglife
I revised my flood story picture book and drafted a new picture book this week!
Finished the remaining applications!! Now we wait. #pbrisingstars
Update: Submitted 5 applications to #PBRisingStars . Hoping to finish the remaining 4 tomorrow!
Submitted my first #pbrisingstars application this evening! And wrote a draft of a picture book. Phew. What a good day for writing!
Finding the Salt in Your Creative Diet | Psychology Today www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-...
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Lian Cho Text says: Unagented AND agented illustrators and author-illustrators may apply. Www.pbrisingstars.com/lian Wish list: Silly and goofy books Absurd premises Imaginative stories with twists and turns Authors/illustrators who want to push the genre Snarky/flawed but likable characters Hard lessons learned in an unusual way This is only a snapshot. Please visit Lian’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/lian
Got a picture book full of big laughs, absurd ideas, and unexpected heart? 👀
Check out our FINAL #PBRisingStars mentor Lian Cho!
Lian helps creators find the heart of their story, sharpen their voice, stick the landing on the perfect joke, and make every page turn count.
#kidlit #author #illustrator
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Nadia Fisher Text says: Unagented AND agented illustrators and author-illustrators may apply. Www.pbrisingstars.com/nadia-f Wish list: Any medium Black Joy Heartfelt Humor with heart Adventurous stories Family/Community This is only a snapshot. Please visit Nadia’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/nadia-f
Calling all illustrators & author-illos: Nadia Fisher is BACK as a two-time #PBRisingStars mentor! 🎨✨
Nadia shines at visual storytelling, character-building, pacing (in both text AND art), and color that stops you in your tracks.
#kidlit #author #illustrator #picturebook #mentorship
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Jasmine Fang Text says: Unagented authors may apply. Www.pbrisingstars.com/jasmine Wish list: Diverse Voices Family/Tradition Community Humor with heart Whimsy Hard Topics This is only a snapshot. Please visit Jasmine’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/jasmine
Looking for a mentor who helps you see the big picture?
Meet #PBRisingStars mentor Jasmine Fang! ✨ She shines at finding the heart of a story, big-picture edits, and guiding creators through querying, acquisitions, and the author-agent relationship
#kidlit #author #picturebook #writer .
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Anne Appert Text says: Unagented illustrators and author-illustrators from any background may apply. Unagented trans or non binary text only authors may also apply. Www.pbrisingstars.com/anne Wish list: Creators working with a variety of genres/styles Creators working in Procreate or Photoshop Illustrators who work in water colors or gouache Humor Subversive stories/art Stories about anxiety and mental health This is only a snapshot. Please visit Anne’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/anne
Make some noise for FOUR-TIME #PBRisingStars mentor Anne Appert! 🎉
Anne is an award-winning artist who thrives on whimsy, humor, bold color, and authentic storytelling
#kidlit #illustrator #kidlitart #picturebook
This talk with Saba was incredible! #12x12PB
I've been home with the flu for three days. Working on another revision of my picture book, catching up on my @12x12challenge.bsky.social recordings, and reading some good books.
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Namita Moolani Mehra Text says: Unagented authors may apply www.pbrisingstars.com/namita Wish list: Fiction Character Driven Cultural stories Holiday stories Lyrical voice Tough topics This is only a snapshot. Please visit Namita’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/namita
Our next #PBRisingStars mentor can COOK – literally and figuratively. 🧑🍳 Meet Namita Moolani Mehra!
Namita brings serious craft + business savvy, helping mentees find the heart of their story, sharpen characters, & balance the personal with the universal
#kidlit #author #picturebook #amwriting
It's 6:00 ET on the last day to join #12x12PB! Have YOU joined yet? Let's clock how what joining has meant to author Suzy Levinson #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #writingcommunity 12x12challenge.com/m...
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Gwendolyn Wallace Text says: Unagented authors may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/gwendolyn Wish List: Historical fiction Black history Cultural STEM Stories that explore abolition and world building Radical imagination This is only a snapshot. Please visit Gwendolyn’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/gwendolyn
We’re beyond excited to introduce award-winning #PBRisingStars mentor Gwendolyn Wallace! 🎉
Gwendolyn blends STEM, history (especially Black history), and genre storytelling into kid-friendly, compelling books—and as a Gen Z author, she knows how to use social media to grow an author platform.
I am excited to take part in @12x12challenge.bsky.social this year and learn more about the craft of writing picture books! If you're curious, don't wait!
Registration ends TODAY! www.12x12challenge.com/membership
#12x12PB
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Caroline Kusin Pritchard Text says: Unagented AND Agented authors may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/jenna Wish list: Fiction and Nonfiction Dynamic Characters Heartfelt Humor Subverting Expectations Layered storytelling Strong voice This is only a snapshot. Please visit Caroline’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/caroline
Looking to work with a #PBRisingStars mentor this summer who:
✅ Is an award winner 🏆
✅ Is a BEAST at character, voice & structure
✅ Knows the rules AND how to break them?
Then you need to meet Caroline Kusin Pritchard!
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Ana Siqueira Text says: Unagented authors may apply www.pbrisingstars.com/ana Wish list: Humor with heart Diverse books Cultural stories Action-packed stories This is only a snapshot. Please visit Ana's mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/ana
The great Ana Siqueira is back as a TWO-TIME #PBRisingStars mentor—and we’re SO excited! 🎉
An award-winning author and Spanish teacher, Ana excels at humor with heart, culturally rich stories, action-packed plots, and powerhouse brainstorming.
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Patricia Tanumihardja. Text says: #kidlit #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart #illustrator #illustration Unagented authors may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/patricia Wish list: Intergenerational Friendship Food Asian Southeast Asian Magical or Whimsical This is only a snapshot. Please visit Patricia’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/patricia
Do you write PBs with humor, heart, and hidden layers? 👀
Meet #PBRisingStars mentor Patricia Tanumihardja! ✨ Pat has deep picture book expertise and loves brainstorming, refining text, and finding playful ways for text & art to work together.
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Andrew Hacket. Text says: Unagented authors may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/andrew Wish list: Humor Absurdity Lyricism Emotion Nature inanimate Objects as Characters This is only a snapshot. Please visit Andrew’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/andrew
TWO-TIME #PBRisingStars mentor Andrew Hacket is back, and if humor is your jam, take note! 😄📚
Andrew shines at big-picture brainstorming, intentional revision, and dialing up the zany.
Spending the longest train ride ever brainstorming picture book ideas and prepping a PB rising stars application. 🎉
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Aya Ghanameh. Text says: Unagented AND agented author-illustrators may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/aya Wish list: Traditional (ink, watercolor) Digital mediums Cultural Stories Historical Fiction Nonfiction Family Stories This is only a snapshot. Please visit Natasha’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/aya
Looking to work with a #PBRisingStars mentor who is:
✅ A visual storytelling powerhouse
✅ A dummy + portfolio refinement pro
Then mentor Aya Ghanameh might be YOUR match! ✨
Aya shines at pacing, character design, mood & color, visual metaphor, and helping creatives shape a cohesive artistic voice.
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Natasha Khan Kazi. Text says: Unagented authors and author-illustrators may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/natasha Wish list: Traditional mediums Digital mediums BIPOC Stories Fiction Nonfiction Humor This is only a snapshot. Please visit Natasha’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/natasha
THREE-TIME #PBRisingStars mentor Natasha Khan Kazi is back! ✨
She’s a powerhouse at strengthening every part of a story—from killer openings to unforgettable endings—plus visuals, revision, and the business side of publishing.
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, M O Yuksel Text says: Unagented and agented text only authors who identify as BIPOC may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/moyuksel Wish list: Fiction Lyrical Underrepresented Voices nonfiction Strong voice Multigenerational This is only a snapshot. Please visit M.O. Yuksel’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/moyuksel www.pbrisingstars.com/moyuksel
True stories can leave the biggest impact, and #PBRsingStars mentor M.O. Yuksel wants to work with YOU this summer to step up your non-fiction game! ✨ Do you write fiction? Not a problem! M.O. Yuksel is great with that too!
#kidlit #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart #illustrator
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Nadia L. Hohn Text says: Unagented authors who identify as BIPOC may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/nadia-h Wish list: Funny stories Nonfiction Biographies Immigrant stories Cultural Neurodivergence This is only a snapshot. Please visit Nadia’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/nadia-h
Get excited to meet #PBRisingStars mentor Nadia Hohn! ✨
A teacher and librarian, Nadia knows what kids want in a story.
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Sita Singh Text says: Unagented authors who identify as BIPOC may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/sita Wish list: Fiction BIPOC Voices Heartwarming stories Cultural traditions Process Centered stories Intergenerational This is only a snapshot. Please visit Sita’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/sita
Introducing #PBRisingStars mentor Sita Singh! ✨ Sita helps refine text, deepen character arcs, perfect page turns, and guide writers through querying and query-letter polish.
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Lisa Rogers Text says: Unagented authors may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/lisa Wish list: Innovative Nonfiction Biographies STEM Arts Activism Lyrical Stories with emotional depth This is only a snapshot. Please visit Lisa’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/lisa
Two-time #PBRisingStars mentor Lisa Rogers is back! 📚✨
An award-winning author and former library teacher, reporter, and editor, Lisa knows how to find a story’s heart and revise until it shines.
A graphic with yellow and orange buttons and a photo introducing PB Rising Stars Mentor, Rio Cortez Text says: Unagented authors may apply Www.pbrisingstars.com/rio Wish list: Fiction Nonfiction Cultural Stories Slice of Life Poetic/lyrical History This is only a snapshot. Please visit Rio’s mentor page for a full wishlist at www.pbrisingstars.com/rio
Calling all poets (and aspiring poets)! ✍🏾 Meet #PBRisingStars mentor Rio Cortez! ✨
Rio is a powerhouse when it comes to lyrical language, rhythm, and revision—paring work down to only what’s essential so the story sings.
#kidlit #amwriting #mentorship #picturebook #author #kidlitart
