Today is a wonderful day to slow down and give your little ones an extra snuggle. A Christmas picture book is the perfect excuse. If you need a recommendation, check out yesterday’s Perfect Picture Book Friday post.
As some of you know, I’ve been participating in Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge where we complete 12 picture book manuscripts in 12 months. Since I write nonfiction, this has been particularly challenging. Research is very time consuming and sometimes impossible from the comfort of your own home and local library.
Nevertheless, 12 x 12 is the push I needed to advance my career as a children’s writer. Here are some 2012 accomplishments and benefits:
- Six completed manuscripts. Four are at publishing houses for consideration.
- One book query, which I’ll send off in January after the holiday madness.
- One magazine article query and a few magazine submissions.
- A new freelance gig writing leveled science articles for BirdBrain Science.
- An SCBWI membership and a handful of events and conferences.
- A wonderful, supportive community of writers who have cheered me on throughout.
I didn’t exactly finish the 12 x 12 goal, but I did fulfill my goal of becoming a children’s writer! I hope to continue the momentum for 2013.
If you have an interest in writing for children, Julie is preparing for 12 x 12 in 2013. Find out more, here.
Kirsten W. Larson 
Fantastic accomplishments for the year, Kirsten! Congratulations on them all. Even though you didn’t achieve the target number of pb manuscripts, you’ve done so much more. Good for you! Here’s to an amazing 2013!
Thanks for all the encouragement. That has truly been the best part of 12 x 12.
Great year, Kirsten. Getting the manuscripts out the door, on submission is fantastic. I’m a hem’er and haw’er, but the 12 x 12 is helping! Glad to find you on the links and get a chance to “meet” you.
Likewise Wendy! I can’t wait to have a moment to go through the blog party list and see what everyone has been up to.
WOW! Kirsten you have done amazing accomplishments for this year. Go you! l look forward to joining you in looking forward to 2013.
You are so sweet! I know so many of us will do wonderful things in 2013. I can’t wait for the 12 x 12 sign ups.
Kirsten, I’m so glad for your achievements! I had such a wonderful time with you in LA, and it was a highlight of my year! You are inspiring me on the submission front. You go, girl! Please promise to give me a push to submit next year! I have no doubt we’ll be getting lots of good news from you. I can’t wait to keep writing with you in 2013.
Julie, LA was a blast. It so fun to make online friends into real friends. As for submissions, I know someone from our group talked about “keeping those babies sent out.” That was my inspiration. As soon as something came back, I revised and sent it out again. It’s a good practice and one I’m hoping to stick with.
Good on you! CONGRADS. It seems to me that you did a super fantastical job in 12 x 12 this year. And as you say, non fiction consists of a whole lotta research. So send those babies out woman! And I’ll see you in 2013! YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I just did my Goofy voice.) 🙂
Great job! You had an awesome year!
Congratulations, Kirsten! The most impressive part to me is that you have manuscripts under submission…good luck and keep us posted.
Serious list of accomplishments. Nice job!
Wow, Kirsten, what a year! That is quite a list of accomplishments! The BirdBrain gig sounds cool! 🙂 Here’s to another great year in 2013 🙂
Wow, Kirsten. Congratulations on all your successes, especially your freelance job. That sounds great! I’m excited for 2013, too.
Congratulations on all your accomplishments, Kirsten! I can’t wait to see your nonfiction published.
BIG congrats on your 12 x 12 success, Kirsten! And P.S. You’re going to love SCBWI!
Kirsten, congratulations on a great year. That’s so wonderful that you have a freelance job and four manuscripts out. Best wishes with all your submissions!
Thanks Hannah!