Every November, we accept applications for 12 x 12 Scholarships. Scholarships are awarded in the categories of Diversity and Financial Need and completely funded by our current membership! We love our community for making these scholarships possible. Now that we have a podcast, we are able to share firsthand the positive effects that the 12 x 12 Scholarship can have on someone's writing career.

Today's guests are past winners Aimee Lee, Jennifer Tarr, and Laura De La Cruz. They won the scholarship in different years and are at different spots on their writing journey. Let's dive in and hear about their experiences and what advice they have for writers submitting to their scholarship application this year.

Scholarship applications are accepted November 1-30. Click here to see if you qualify!

Here's what you'll discover in this episode:

• How does the 12 x 12 Scholarship work?
• What's included in the 12 x 12 Scholarship?
• Why did each writer apply for the Scholarship?
• How did they decide what to include in their application?
• How did they decide which manuscript to submit?
• What's the usual route to getting a GOLD membership?
• What did it feel like when they found out they won?
• What was their scholarship year like? Where has it led on their writing journey?
• Who has a book deal? Who has an agent? Who has a published book?
• What has helped them get through times when they've been discouraged in their writing?
• What's their advice for people who are getting ready to submit their applications?
• Kelli's tips for applying for a 12 x 12 Scholarship
• Apply for a 12 x 12 Scholarship HERE between November 1 - 30.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• The Girl, The Village, and The Terrible Thunder by Aimee Yealim Lee and Hyewon Yum (Available 4/27/2027)
• Lowrider For Sale by Laura De La Cruz and Vanessa Morales
• How to Wear a Sari by Darshana Khiani and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
• Raja's Pet Camel by Anita Amin and Parwinder Singh (Spanish version available here.)
• Waiting is Not Easy by Mo Willems

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Find out if you qualify for a 12 x 12 Scholarship HERE.
• If you don't qualify but still want to join 12 x 12, sign up for our wait list HERE.

Check out the video for this episode on our YouTube channel!

If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us!

Have questions for us or ideas for future episodes? Leave us a quick voicemail here.

Thank you for listening!

12 x 12 member Amanda Davis has written fiction and nonfiction picture books on topics that run the gamut of experiences and feelings. No matter what she writes (or illustrates), she does it in a way that's relatable to her young readers. Discover how Amanda finds that balance in today's episode.

Here's what you'll discover in this episode:

• What inspired her latest book Chasing the Light
• As an illustrator, who or what determines if she illustrates her story or if someone else does.
• Why the publisher asked Amanda to change the ending of her book.
• How being an art educator influences her illustration style
• What story she submitted to a publisher herself instead of her agent submitting
• How she made a story about a parent with alcohol-use disorder kid-relatable
• How and why Amanda and her publisher had experts and psychologists read Sometimes Stormy before it was published
• Why she decided not to give up on her book
• How Amanda decides if she's going to submit a dummy with a project or not
• Why she hasn't illustrated anyone else's work—yet
• The importance of accuracy in illustrations
• How she shifts from writing touch topics to lighter topics
• How she prepares for book talks with tough topic books
• Why she writes fiction and nonfiction and how she shifts between the two
• Her advice for writers who aspire to illustrate
• The importance of lifelong learning
• What picture book does Amanda wish she had written

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Chasing the Light by Amanda Davis and Faryn Hughes
• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr
• Sometimes Stormy written and illustrated by Amanda Davis
• 30,000 Stitches by Amanda Davis and Sally Wern Comport
• Moonlight Memories by Amanda Davis and Michelle Jing Chan
• The Elephants Come Home by Kim Tomsic and Hadley Hooper
• My Brother's Butt is Haunted by Dan Poblocki and James Rey Sanchez
• Mr. S written and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Whispering Pines Writers' Retreat by NE-SCBWI

See the video of this episode on our YouTube channel!

If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us!

Have questions for us or ideas for future episodes? Leave us a quick voicemail here.

Thank you for listening!

We invited first-year 12 x 12 member Indiia Wilmott onto the podcast to share what it's like when you join the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge for the first time. If you've ever wondered what kind of a difference 12 x 12 can make in the writing life of a new writer, this one's for you!

Registration for a new year of 12 x 12 opens in January, add yourself to the waiting list so you don't miss another year! Click here.

Here's what you'll discover in this episode:

• How Indiia started writing picture books
• How she found out about 12 x 12
• Her first impression of 12 x 12
• What section of the member forum she used first
• How she decided where to focus her efforts
• Why she values creative communitiescreative
• How her theater skills inform her writing
• If Indiia wrote more or less as a 12 x 12 member
• What she's learned about revision since she joined
• Her take on critique groups and mentors
• Her advice to aspiring picture book writers
• The importance of celebrating success—at any stage
• How 12 x 12 can shorten the learning curve in the kidlit publishing space
• Her daughter's favorite picture book!

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Sulwe by Luputia Nyong'o and Vashti Harrison
• Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor
• Simon and the Better Bone by Corey R. Tabor
• Ursula Upside Down by Corey R. Tabor
• Dragons Love Taco by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
• Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty and David Roberts

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Be Bold! Be Brave! Charting Your Creative Journey with Purpose with Vashti Harrison (Use code PODCAST for 30% off!)
• Services for Writers - where Indiia found her mentor, Kristi Mahoney!

See the video of this episode on our YouTube channel!

If you enjoy the podcast, please like, subscribe, and review so other kidlit writers can find us!

Have questions for us or ideas for future episodes? Leave us a quick voicemail here.

Thank you for listening!