Writing Partnerships: Creating, Collaborating, and Celebrating Together
with Sara Holly Ackerman, Jolene Gutierrez, Kirsti Call, and Valerie Bolling
What's it like to write with a co-author?
If you've ever thought about co-writing a book, or might be interested in embarking upon this exciting journey, join four 12 x 12 authors as they share their experiences about writing partnerships. They'll discuss questions like:
• Why might you consider a writing partnership?
• Why SHOULDN'T you seek a writing partner?
• How should you approach a potential partner?
• What should you consider to make your partnership work to produce the best book?
This webinar purchase includes lifetime access to two 45-minute videos, transcript, handout, and downloadable audio tracks.
"Inspirational reveal from talented authors. Thank you."
-
Virginia McGregor
"This was a fabulous look at co-authorship! Thank you to all of you for sharing your experience and expertise."
- Stephanie Gibeault
Your Instructor
Jolene Gutiérrez grew up on a farm in northeastern Colorado, surrounded by animals, plants, and history. She is an award-winning teacher librarian and has been working with neurodivergent learners at Denver Academy since 1995. She's co-authored three picture books including Unbreakable: A Japanese American Family in an American Incarceration Camp (with Minoru Tonai), Mamiachi and Me (with her son Dakota), and The Ofrenda That We Built (with her daughter Shaian). Jolene is represented by agent Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary.
Kirsti Call is an award winning author who co-hosts the Picture Book Look Podcast and hosts the Coaching for Creatives podcast as a therapist trained life coach. She’s a critique ninja for 12×12, a blogger for Writers’ Rumpus, and she’s judged the Cybils award for fiction picture books since 2015. Kirsti is the author of Mootilda’s Bad Mood (Little Bee), Cow Says Meow (Clarion) Cold Turkey (Little Brown), The Big Scream (Little Simon) and Smarty Ants (Capstone, 2023). Kirsti has an MSW from Boston College and is represented by Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency.
Sara Holly Ackerman is an early childhood educator who delights in finding the just-right book that will make a child gasp or giggle, ask questions or proudly declare “I knew that,” feel represented and loved, or expand their thinking with the exciting and unfamiliar. Her picture books include The Gabi That Girma Wore (co-authored by Fasika Adefris), Not Just the Driver!, and Challah for Shabbat Tonight. After a decade overseas, Sara now lives in Brooklyn, NY and never leaves home without her library card. She is represented by Tricia Lawrence of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.
Valerie Bolling is passionate about creating stories in which all children can see themselves and feel seen and heard, valued and validated. She’s the author of six picture books, including Let's Dance, Together We Ride, Together We Swim, Ride, Roll, Run: Time for Fun!, Bing, Bop, Bam: Time to Jam!, and I See Color (co-authored by Kailei Pew. Sharing her books with children and inspiring them to write their own stories brings Valerie immense joy! Valerie is represented by James McGowan at BookEnds Literary Agency.
Course Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
"I am so inspired, I now want to find that kind of writing
partner."
- Susan Burdorf