Picture Book Summit Podcast
Episodes
098 - Winning with Wordplay with Julie Hedlund
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Our own wordplay warrior, Julie Hedlund, gave a stupendous workshop encouraging us to have fun with our writing by turning it into play. Today, we sha...
096 - 2026 Caldecott Conversation Part 1
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Picture Book Summit Team as we celebrate this year's crop of Caldecott Winners and Honorees. We have so much to say that it can't be containe...
095 - Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett Find Themselves in a Triangle
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate our 10th Anniversary Picture Book Summit, we hosted returning Superstar Speakers Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett to talk about how they const...
094 - Everyone Needs Feedback
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Who needs feedback on their picture book manuscripts? You do! (Don't worry. We do too!) In fact, every writer needs good critiques of their work befor...
093 - How to Be a Good Literary Citizen
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to be a part of the writing community? How can you be a good literary citizen within the writing community? In this episode, Emma ...
092 - Meg Medina on Writing for Young Readers
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Meg Medina joined the Picture Book Summit, she discussed the three Rs of picture book writing: ...
090 - How to Ruin a Picture Book Biography
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Julie Hedlund and Angela Dalton are both authors of picture book biographies about well-known celebrities. Julie wrote SONG AFTER SONG: The Musical L...
091 - Grace Lin on Finding Your Why
04 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can a car company executive help you find your picture book writing why? Grace Lin thinks so! In a past Summit, Grace divulged an insightful (and rela...
089 - Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a great picture book? Artistic duo The Steads share their approach to picture books and how something seemingly so simple actually takes a ...
088 - The State of the Picture Book Publishing
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What in the world is going on in picture book publishing? Is it slow for everyone or is it just you? Are global events affecting the industry? Surely,...
087 - How to Prepare Conference Submissions
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the big advantages of attending a conference—online or in-person—is the opportunity to submit to Featured Agents and Editors. Many agents a...
086 - Game Changing Ideas
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every year, we host what we like to call a "mini" Summit. It's a short webinar to give writers a taste of what we offer at our full-day event. In this...
085 - Rountable: Backmatter Matters
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More and more picture books include backmatter these days—including fiction picture books. In today's Roundtable discussion, Julie Hedlund and the t...
084 - Vashti Harrison Caldecott Celebration
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The amazing and talented Caldecott Medal Winner Vashti Harrison is one of our Superstar Speakers for 2025. Vashti won the Caldecott Medal in 2024 for ...
083 - Homage, Parody, and Plagarism, Oh My!
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Oh my" is right! If you don't know the difference between homage, parody, and plagiarism, and your story references another work in some way, your b...
082 - Picture Book Summit 2025 Speaker Reveal
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's that time of year! Early Bird tickets for Picture Book Summit 2025 are now available and in this episode, we share all about our 2025 Superstar ...
081 - Nikki Grimes: The Music of Language
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we're thrilled to bring you an excerpt from Nikki Grimes' presentation The Music of Language. Nikki's accolades include the Virgini...
080 - Interview with Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are especially excited about today's episode because we get to bring you a snippet of a past Summit presentation with the one and only Julie Andr...
079 - Great Refrains in Picture Books
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You might know about refrains in music, but they're also in picture books! The Picture Book Summit Founders get together to discuss what refrains are,...
078 - Interview with Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Julie Hedlund interviews Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple. With over 400 children's books to her name, Jane shares how she chooses t...
077 - How to Analyze a Picture Book: Part 2
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for How to Analyze a Picture Book - Part 2. In this episode, we talk about how to analyze a picture book's illustrations and other things t...
076 - How To Analyze Picture Books: Part 1
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we share how to analyze a picture book. In many of our discussions and presentations, the Picture Book Summit Team and our guest speakers analy...
075 - Roundtable: Celebrity Picture Books
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today in our Picture Book Summit Roundtable discussion, we tackle the touchy topic of celebrity picture books. So, what's the truth about celebrity p...
074 - The Appeal of Dark Picture Books
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is the appeal of dark picture books? Do kids want to read (and re-read) books about tougher topics? How do you make these books kid-friendly? J...
073 - Read-Aloudability: The Measure of a Great Picture Book Part 3
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Picture book authors are closer in their craft to screenwriters and playwrights than any other kind of author. Why? Because picture book writers direc...
072 - Read-Aloudability: The Measure of a Great Picture Book Part 2
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It seems nothing is more fun to read aloud than lyrical or rhyming picture books. A common misconception is that it's easy to write rhyme: just count ...
071 - Read-Aloudability: The Measure of a Great Picture Book Part 1
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Picture books are a truly unique genre of literature. Other books CAN be read aloud, but picture books are ENGINEERED exactly for that precise purpose...
070 - Meet the Gatekeepers
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Editor and agent assistants: the rarely-talked-about demi gods of the publishing industry. They are the gatekeepers, and if they don't think your m...
069 - Shadra Strickland - The Parallel Universe of Authors and Illustrators
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Author/Illustrator and Agent Shadra Strickland reveals how to get at the heart of your story by sharing ideas and exercises to get your creativity flo...
068 - The Fan Brothers: To Imagination and Beyond
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Eric and Terry Fan, also known as writing-illustrating duo The Fan Brothers, are taking us to new worlds in To Imagination and Beyo...
067 - The Cosmic Connection Between Beginnings and Endings
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode features a practically perfect pair of presenters. You've seen presentations about great picture book beginnings. You've seen them a...
066 - Houston, Your Manuscript has a Problem
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the best ways to navigate your course as a writer is through critiques. In this episode of the podcast, we share a snippet of Founder Katie D...
065 - Kate DiCamillo: Commit to Your Dreams of Writing
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A few years ago, we had the privilege of hosting former National Ambassador of Young People's Literature and bestselling author Kate DiCamillo as one ...
064 - How to Maximize Your Online Writing Conference Experience
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Attending a writing conference can be a transformational experience, filled with opportunities to hone your craft, connect with your peers, and move c...
063 - How to Evaluate an Online Writing Conference
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've just received another email for an online writers' conference. How do you know if it's right for you? Will it really advance your writing care...
062 - Picture Book Summit Roundtable: Humor in Picture Books
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Publishers and agents alike say they want humorous, quirky, or funny books, but it seems more and more difficult to get a response on those humorous, ...
061 - Picture Book Summit Roundtable: Fresh Takes
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Agents and publishers are always saying they're looking for stories that are "fresh and unique", but what does that mean? In this episode, the PBSummi...
060 - Picture Book Summit Roundtable: Why is Everything So Slow?
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You've written and refined your manuscript, you've sent the query to your agent or to a publisher....and now to wait for months and months. During the...
059 - Books with Great Voice Pt 4 with Julie Hedlund
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's our final dive (for now!) into Picture Books with Great Voice! If you're just joining us, be sure to catch up with this series at the links bel...
058 - Books with Great Voice Part 3 - Emma Walton Hamilton
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Let's continue to dig into voice in picture books! We started this series in episode 56, where Julie Hedlund defined the types of voice found in pic...
057 - Books with Great Voice with Laura Backes Part 2
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue to discuss voice in picture books. We started this series in the last episode, where Julie Hedlund defined the types of v...
056 - Books with Great Voice Part 1 – Julie Hedlund & Katie Davis
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In working with authors, one thing comes up again and again is how to develop "voice." How do you find your characters' voice? Is your story's voice t...
055 - Rob Sanders: Mind MappingYour Way to Authentic Stories
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Grab a big piece of paper and some brightly colored markers because today we are mind-mapping our way to great picture book ideas! Listen to excer...
054 - Yuyi Morales: The Ideas are Inside You!
15 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by picture book author and illustrator Yuyi Morales. Yuyi has created many books for children, including...
053 - Fine Tune Your Pitch
25 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, children's authors Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund give an overview of the four essential components of a query (introduction,...
052 - Artificial Intelligence - PBSummit Roundtable
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's our last episode for this initial round of the Picture Book Summit Roundtable series. We plan to bring you more episodes on topics that affect pi...
051 - Anything Goes in Picture Books Nowadays - PBSummit Roundtable
20 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we bring you the next episode of our Picture Book Summit Roundtable series. We'll record and share PBSummit Roundtable at various times through...
050 - Book Bans - Picture Book Summit Roundtable
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we are thrilled to bring new feature to the podcast: The Picture Book Summit Roundtable! In our weekly Summit planning meetings, we often d...
049 - 4 Big Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected - Part 4
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's our final installment of the 4 Big Reasons Your Manuscripts Get Rejected. Following agent submission guidelines is a rather obvious part of t...
048 - 4 Big Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected - Part 3
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for the third biggest reason manuscripts get declined by agents and editors and this is a BIG one. Manuscripts are turned down every day for...
047 - 4 Biggest Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 2
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for the second biggest reason manuscripts get tossed out by agents and editors. Have you ever heard: "Your story didn't resonate with me"? J...
046 - 4 Big Reasons Manuscripts Get Rejected Part 1
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With 25 years of experience in the publishing industry as an editor, agent, and teacher Laura Backes covers the first big reason why manuscripts get r...
045 - Finding Voice in Picture Book Biographies with Lesa Cline-Ransome
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A good writer tells a story, a great writer brings the reader into the story. One of the best ways to render that sense of immersion is capturing the ...
044 - Peter H. Reynolds - The World Needs YOUR Voice
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ah, the age old question: How do you write a compelling picture book? It may be simpler than you think! Peter H. Reynolds shares how to harness the ...
043 - Jon Klassen - Use Your Fear
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have fears that intimidate your writing or illustration? Jon Klassen shares how his fears (and desire to have a job!) inform his creative proce...
042 - Layers in Picture Books
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Wouldn't it be grand if there was a fool-proof formula for creating good picture books? That's exactly what Julie Hedlund has spent years researching ...
041 - How to Get Out of the Slush Pile: Part 3
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 3 of How to Get Out of the Slush Pile, Emma Walton Hamilton reveals about actionable ways to polish your manuscript's hook to get agents and e...
040 - How to Get Out of the Slush Pile: Part 2
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for the second episode in our three-part series: How to Get Out of the Slush Pile! Author and rhymer extraordinaire Julie Hedlund discusses ...
039 - How to Get Out of the Slush Pile: Part 1
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's the first of our three-part series: How to Get Out of the Slush Pile! Nothing turns an agent or editor more than a poorly written main characters...
038 - Sophisticated Storytelling
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Don't be too preachy in your writing!" You may have heard it many times before, but how? Try leveling up with sophistication. Julie Hedlund discuss...
037 - Pacing and Shorter Texts
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Author Katie Davis spells out why pacing is important for good picture book manuscripts in today's market, analyzes examples of pacing in some of her ...
036 - The Verse Curse with Julie Hedlund
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
They say that if you want to get published, don't write rhyming picture book manuscripts! But is that really a rule to live by? Spoiler: Of course not...
035 - A Brief History of Picture Books
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Walton Hamilton unearths a brief history of picture books including how Randolph Caldecott started the genre by creating illustrations that helpe...
034 - Betsy Bird - Constructing the Perfect Picture Book Read-Aloud
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a great read-aloud? Join author and librarian Betsy Bird for an entertaining look examination of what separates the good picture book read-...
033 - Query Letters that Worked
23 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Listen in as Emma Walton Hamilton and Julie Hedlund share their submission expertise and give you the key components of a killer query letter and plus...
032 - Developing Ideas with Emma Walton Hamilton
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 3 of Where the Ideas Are, let's talk about how to develop your picture book ideas into a strong manuscripts. At the core of every good picture...
031 - Assessing Your Ideas with Laura Backes
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of Where the Ideas Are, PBSummit co-founder Laura Backes shares how to assess if your idea is one worth pursuing including... Finding out i...
030 - Katie Davis - Generating Ideas
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our three-part series Where the Ideas Are! We'll finding, assessing, and developing ideas for marketable picture books stories. While we ca...
029 - Samantha Berger - Picture Book Summit
24 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we'll hear from Samantha Berger, a twice Emmy-nominated writer and award-winning author of over 80 books for young readers, includ...
028 - Emma Walton Hamilton - Picture Book Summit
03 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Emma Walton Hamilton talks about the three things you should do before you start submitting, the key components of your query letter,...
027 - Jennie Dunham - Picture Book Summit
31 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode showcases literary agent Jennie Dunham, founder of Dunham Literary Inc. Her clients have appeared on the NYT Bestseller list and have ...
026 - Katie Davis - Picture Book Summit
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You vow again and again, "Today I will work on my book!" But something just keeps getting in the way. In this episode, Katie Davis shares insights and...
025 - Ruth Spiro - Picture Book Summit
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nonfiction picture books are one of the fastest-growing segments of the market today, but how do you make them accessible and fun, even for the younge...
024 - Emma Walton Hamilton - Picture Book Summit
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Picture Book Summit co-founder Emma Walton Hamilton provides some helpful insight on determining whether a manuscript is truly ready ...
023 - Laura Backes - Picture Book Summit
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Picture Book Co-Founder Laura Backes gives us insight into creating memorable picture book characters by discussing the cognitive dev...
022 - Katie Davis - Picture Book Summit Podcast
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Katie Davis shares how digging into research makes your writing sparkle — whether your book is nonfiction or fiction. Using pict...
021 - Matthew Cordell - Picture Book Summit Podcast
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell helps us find the magic of picture books as he explores the bridge between text and image by breaking down successf...
020 - Laura Backes and Emma Walton Hamilton
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Laura Backes and Emma Walton Hamilton team up to give you tips on approaching the first big revision of your first draft. Listen as t...
019 - Brenda Bowen - Picture Book Summit Podcast
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode includes snippets from literary agent Brenda Bowen's appearance at Picture Book Summit. Brenda represents national and international b...
018 - Kate McMullan - Picture Book Summit Podcast
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we'll hear from Kate McMullan, bestselling author of over 100 books for kids, including the I STINK series. In her presentation, K...
017 - Stephen Swinburne - Picture Book Summit Podcast
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Through humor and storytelling, veteran nonfiction author Stephen Swinburne takes us into the heart of narrative nonfiction storytelling with solid ti...
016 - Katie Davis - Picture Book Summit Podcast
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How can you actually connect with your readers? Get your books into the hands of more kids? It's a challenge, especially when it seems like thousands ...
015 - Rukhsana Khan - Picture Book Summit Podcast
19 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How do you tell a story about a specific cultural paradigm and make it universally accessible? Award-winning author Rukhsana Khan shows us how to do j...
014 - Mac Barnett - Picture Book Summit Podcast
29 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mac Barnett shares how the layout and format of a picture book informs how the reader will engage with the story on different levels. Even the trim si...
013 - Laura Backes - Picture Book Summit Podcast
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Laura Backes' Picture Book Summit workshop Purpose Without Preaching, she gave some tips for infusing your manuscript with a message without preach...
012 - LeUyen Pham - Picture Book Summit Podcast
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode features LeUyen Pham, an author and/or illustrator of over 100 books for children including THE BOY WHO LOVED MATH, VAMPIRINA BALLERIN...
011 - Paul O. Zelinsky - Picture Book Summit Podcast
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we bring you beloved author-illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky. Paul received the Caldecott Medal for his illustrated retelling of RAPUNZEL, as well a...
010 - Alvina Ling - Picture Book Summit Podcast
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we'll hear from Alvina Ling, vice president and editor-in-chief of Little Brown Books for Young Readers. In this excerpt of Alvina's ...
009 - Adam Rex - Picture Book Summit Podcast
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are thrilled to bring you Adam Rex. Adam Rex wrote and/or illustrated all the books you like including the New York Times best selling Franke...
008 - Jane Yolen - Picture Book Summit Podcast
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we'll hear an excerpt of Emma Walton Hamilton's interview with the legendary Jane Yolen at Picture Book Summit. Jane is the award-...
007 - David Shannon - Picture Book Summit Podcast
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The delightful David Shannon joins us in this episode. David Shannon is a bestselling children's author-illustrator known for perennial classics such ...
006 - Carole Boston Weatherford - Picture Book Summit Podcast
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we'll hear from Carole Boston Weatherford the award-winning author of numerous books for children including JUNETEENTH JAMBOREE, F...
005 - Renée LaTulippe - Picture Book Summit Podcast
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
RENÉE LATULIPPE In this episode, we feature children's author, poet, and founder of the Lyrical Language Lab, Renée LaTulippe. In this segment of Re...
004 - Andrea Davis Pinkney - Picture Book Summit Podcast
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
ANDREA DAVIS PINKNEY Today's episode is an excerpt of from New York Times Bestseller and Coretta Scott King award winner Andrea Davis Pinkney's presen...
003 - Laura Backes - Picture Book Summit Podcast
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
THE 500 WORD PICTURE BOOK Picture book texts are getting shorter. In fact, many agents and editors have put a 500-word limit on new picture book manus...
002 - Tomie DePaola - Picture Book Summit Podcast
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
TOMIE DEPAOLA Earlier this year we lost the legendary author-illustrator Tomie DePaola. Tomie wrote over 270 books for children including classic pict...
001 - Peter Brown | Picture Book Summit Podcast
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
PETER BROWN Welcome to the Picture Book Summit Podcast where we share insight on the craft of writing, illustrating, and publishing picture books ...