Guess what?
It’s time for cake!
Today marks the 10th Anniversary of my first Making Picture Book Magic class, which opened February 1, 2013 with 8 students. Where does the time go???!!!
All I can say is, what a wonderful, amazing, experience it has been so far. I have been lucky enough to work with over 1000 writers (I’ve lost count at this point 😊), all of them determined, dedicated, and diligent – taking the initiative to work seriously at their craft and try to improve their writing skills – while also being imaginative, creative, inspired, and inspiring.
I love teaching this class. I think (I hope!) it has been helpful to the writers who take it, although I in no way claim any credit for their success. They have had the ideas, done the research and the work, put in the time, effort and energy. I’m sure they would all have succeeded with or without my class. But having spent time with them and worked with them, I feel such pride for what they have accomplished, and so honored to have been a part of their writing journeys that I’d like to acknowledge them all here today.
I won’t list them by name, because I’d be sure to miss someone since there are so many, but if you are one of the writers or illustrators who have taken Making Picture Book Magic, thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your writing journey, and congratulations on every success, from writing new manuscripts, to getting agents, to publishing magazine pieces, to winning writing contests, to publishing one or more picture books, to winning some of the industry’s biggest awards, to writing better than you used to whether or not you have ever chosen to share your work.
❤️ You are all magic! ❤️
And you have all brought magic into the world and shared it with countless children whose lives are richer because of it.
Below is a little slide show with just some of the titles published by Making Picture Book Magic graduates. Please take a moment to scroll through and enjoy and be inspired by their tremendous creativity!
I will be celebrating 10 Years of Making Picture Book Magic throughout the month of February by sharing a social media graphic each day on FB, Twitter, and Instagram featuring one of the class graduates.
I hope you will all get to see the features, and celebrate these writers’ success with them by following their social media accounts, reading their wonderful books, leaving reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and/or B&N, requesting that your local libraries carry their books (if they don’t already!), recommending them as guest speakers at your children’s schools, and by considering purchasing their books for the little ones in your lives!
I hope I will be able to teach Making Picture Book Magic for a long time to come, and that new writers (and experienced ones who want to try something different to shake things up) will continue to fill my class.
I have also been saying for 7 years (yes, really, I’m not exaggerating – there just never seems to be quite enough time to do all the things I want to do!) that I want to write a new class, and I am finally getting closer to actually doing it. I’m hoping to have the new class completed within the next couple months and ready to beta test sometime this spring. Good lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise 😊 And if time is kind, maybe I’ll also get Making Picture Book Magic fancied up a bit to feel like part of the 2020s! 😊
In the meantime, let’s keep the magic going!
Take in the world around you.
Write a little something every day, if you can.
In the words of Mary Oliver:
“Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.”
― Mary Oliver, Sometimes
We write for children. And for children, everything is brand new and full of magic.
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Happy 10th Magic-aversary! How exciting! As I went through the slide show, I also had my library’s website open, so I have some books to read in the next little while! Congratulations to you, and to all who have benefitted from this wonderful class. Even though I no longer write PBs, this *must* be the year when I take Making Picture Book Magic. Here’s to another gazillion years!
Thank you, Beth! ❤️
Yes – Let there be cake!
Always, Claire! Always! 😊
10 Years! That’s wonderful. It’s hard to keep something going for so long unless there’s a bit of magic in it, so congratulations on finding that secret sauce and making your class so powerful for writers! You’re AMAZING.
Thank you, Melissa! You are too kind. Really, I think it is all of YOU who are amazing!
Chocolate cake? Congrats, and imagine all the people you have helped along their writing journey.
It brings me such joy, Bru, if I have helped anyone! And yes! IS there any other kind of cake? 😊
Congratulations, Susanna. That’s an awesome achievement. What a variety of picture books written by your students too. I’m hoping to be one of your students sometime this year. 🙂
Thank you, Norah! So true. All of these writers are so talented and so creative, and the books in the slide show are the tip of the iceberg. I look forward to having you in class should you decide you’d like to take it!
I would like to take it. Just have to decide when. 🙂
Susanna, congratulations and such wonderful success. I can’t wait to see what new magic you have up your sleeve!
Thank you, Nancy! I can’t wait for that either! Right now it’s in the throw-ingredients-into-the-cauldron stage and see what the results are before tweaking the potion with alternate or additional ingredients 😊
If your new class is one covering the next steps I would love to be a part of that!! Congratulations on all of your successes!!
Thank you, Colleen! And no, it’s not a class on next steps… although that is a good idea and maybe I should tackle that next!
In all of your spare time!!
Haha, yes! Because I pretty much sit around all day twiddling my thumbs looking for something to do 🤣
Many, many congratulations on such a successful class! And I’m very excited to find out what your next class is all about!!!!
Thank you, Elizabeth! And… also picture books 😊
Congratulations on all the magic!!!
Thank you, Jennifer! You have been a part of it! 😊❤️
Congratulations Susanna! What a milestone. Signing up for your course was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and has added immeasurably to who I am as a person, and obviously as a writer. Many many thanks for your special brand of magic that inspires us all!
Thank you, Marta! And my pleasure! I am so happy if I was helpful in any way, but remember, the talent and dedication is all yours!
Susanna, yes, there is never enough time to do all we writers want to do! Ty for as I said earlier, helping birth all these books and teaching us all more about the craft and joy of making picture books.
YES. YES, LET’S EAT SOME CHOCOLATE CAKE!!
It is my privilege to get to spend time with all of you and see all the amazing things you create, from books to businesses, Kathy! Let’s dive into that cake!
Yum, yum. And today we can have Groundhog Cake!
Yes we do! Happy Birthday, Kathy!!! 🎉🎁🧁🎈❤️
Let there be TEN cakes!
Congratulations Susanna! What a book wizardess you are indeed!
Thank you so much, Cathy! 😊❤️
Oh Wow, Susanna … congratulations!! To you for your vision and tireless work to lift up writers AND congratulations to us! The lucky ones that get to benefit from your wisdom and kindness. You were my very first teacher of how to write picture books. You not only gave me a solid educational foundation but reading your books, reading your blog posts, participating (or sometimes just voting) in your contests and just knowing you are out there doing good things has really kept me afloat on some dark days in these difficult business. I appreciate your generosity to this community so much! I hope you enjoy a BIG slice of cake today. Here’s to 10 more! xoxo
You are so kind, Jen, I truly appreciate it! This is a wonderful community, and I think we all keep each other afloat on those dark days! Also, I’m pretty sure cake helps us float! 😊❤️
Happy 10th!! Thanks for all you do. My writing journey has been richer because I found your blog early on. Taking your class two times was a GREAT decision! Hooray for MPBM!! Celebrate ten times over!!
Thank you so much, Penny! Lucky me to have had you in class twice, to get to celebrate your achievements with you, and to get to call you a friend! 😊❤️
Congratulations, Susanna! What a fantastic milestone. Thanks for sharing your talent, creativity, knowledge and positivity with us all!
Thank you for being a part of it, Sandra!
So many congratulations, Susanna! Look at all those wonderful books from your grads!!! Thank you so very much for all you do for the kidlit community, Susanna. I can’t imagine how much work it is, and I have no idea how you do it all, but we appreciate it more than you know. Sometimes we forget to say it, but we love you, your site, your contests and your books!! Thanks a million times and congratulations again! ❤️📚🎉🍾🔟
Oh my goodness! What a lovely thing to say, CJ! You made me teary! Thank you so much! ❤️
Yay! Congrats! Here’s to many more years of making picture book magic:)
Thank you, Sheri! And yes, many more years of making picture book magic for all of us!!!
Wow! Congrats, Susanne!!!
Thank you, Angie!
Yay! Congratulations! Hands down THE best, most useful, most fun class I ever took!
Thank you, Genevieve! And boy, we did have fun back in the early days in those classes full of folks who have now been around for years! I mean, a decade – literally! What a privilege it is to know you all! ❤️
Congratulations Susanna! Celebrate with some real cake!
Thank you, Sally! 😊
Wow, such an impressive group of authors and books. Congrats, Susanna, on celebrating this special milestone and for the impact you’ve had on picture books for little ones – through your own amazing books and through those written by others, who you’ve guided to success. What an achievement! Cheers and enjoy that cake 🙂
I take no credit for the accomplishments of these talented and dedicated writers, Marty! Truly, it was they who did all the work. But I am so happy if I could help a little, and I so appreciate your kind words! ❤️ You can be sure I will enjoy the cake! 😊
Picture Book magic is a big kid now – double digits!!! I was just reviewing WPBM notes to help with a revision. Congratulations!
Oh my gosh, I know, Lauri! I feel so old! Our babies grow up so fast! 🤣 Thank you, and I’m so glad if the notes are helpful!
Congratulations, Susanna! You definitely have cause to celebrate. I am one of your students, and I am most grateful for the “magic” that you brought to my picture book education. I look forward to seeing your new course and wish you all the best in 2023. Be sure to celebrate with cake!
Thank you so much, Anne! It was a privilege to get to work with you, and I hope your writing is coming along swimmingly in whatever direction you hope for it! And yes, you can be sure I will celebrate with cake! 😊
Congratulations! Happy Birthday! And I can’t wait to see what you do this coming year.
Thank you, Sue! ❤️ And I can’t wait to see either! I hope it’s something good! 😊
WOW! 10 years! Congratulations Susana! And look at that great slideshow! So many great books! Thank you so much for the knowledge you’ve given me. I’m putting it to good use!
(Lisa M. Horn) – for some reason WordPress is not logging into the right account.
I’m so glad, Lisa! I can’t wait to hear where it leads you! 😊
Thanks, Susanna!
You are such an inspiration, Susanna!
When looking for supporting words, when looking for new avenues of success, you have succeeded in providing both to so many.
Thank you for all you do!
Happy 10th Anniversary!!
Thank you so much, Phyllis! You’re so kind! 😊❤️
You make it so easy to be!
Happy ten years! I enjoyed the slide show!
I’m so glad, Shelley! I hope I had one of your books in there! I think I did. (Although I know I did not put a book from everyone who has published one – I was afraid of overloading it – so if I didn’t my apologies!)
Oh yes, God and Me at the Sea was included. Thank you so much!!!
Susanna, I always say you are a big deal and now here is the post to prove all the things I’ve been saying about you! What an amazing collection of books you’ve helped to inspire, not to mention all the books you have published. This seems like a good reason to have a slice of cake!
You’re very kind, Laura! I appreciate it! I don’t feel like a big deal 😊 But I’m glad of a reason to have a slice of cake (not that I need one!…a reason OR a slice of cake 🤣)
In 2014 I realized I’d better take a picture book writing class or two because the feedback I was getting on my submissions was…not good. The very first class I took was Making Picture Book Magic…it was the best class I could have taken – it gave me a strong foundation in EVERY aspect of writing a picture book – PLUS there was a wonderful camaraderie in the class Facebook group…and there was YOU…the icing on a fabulous cake! Thank you so much for providing me with exactly what I needed…and for being such a brightly shining beacon in our kidlit community, dear Susanna.
Oh my goodness, Vivian! What lovely things to say. I truly appreciate your words, and I’m so glad if Making Picture Book Magic was helpful, but I know you would have found your way no matter what – you are a gifted and talented writer! And you have become as much of a beacon in the community as I am if not far, far more!
Ha…see what I mean! You answer every comment on your blog. And you are SOOO busy! You are goodness personified. I’m blessed to have you in my life.
You give me too much credit, Vivian! I do try to answer blog comments, but there are plenty of times I simply can’t. On a post like this, though, where people like you have taken time out of YOUR busy schedules to be so supportive of me, I would hate to miss replying to any comment! ❤️
Wow! Ten years and going strong! Congratulations! 🙂
Thank you so much, Susan!
Congratulations! Your class is awesome. And outside of class you are always so supportive of your students and other writers.
Thank you so much, Linda! I am grateful to be part of this wonderful community. I think, as a group, we all try to lift each other up 😊
Thank you for sharing your personal magic with us, Susanna! (you’ve been magic for a lot more than 10 years!)
Thank you for sharing it with me, Wendy! 😊❤️
Congratulations Susanna!! You are such a bright light in the kidlit world. Your books, posts, contests, humor, creativity, encouragement and kindness make so many people happy. You have touched so many lives. I learned so much in your class and only wish I had taken it sooner! Congratulations on 10 years of magic and cheers to many more!
Thank you, Laura! That is so lovely of you to say! I don’t feel like I do that much, really. There are others in the kidlit world who I think do so much more. But I’m so glad if whatever I do is helpful, and I truly appreciate all your kind words!
Yay for a fabulous first decade filled with success stories! I’ve been seeing your posts. (And you know, I’m one of your success stories, too, LOL I took your self-study course in 2017!) Thank you!!!
You ARE, Jilanne! Absolutely! I can’t wait to read your beautiful book!
Happy 10th!
Thank you so much, Erik!
Oh, Susanna! I just found this link buried in my “Social” folder, which I hardly check. Congratulations on 10 years of extraordinary teaching and mentoring . When I participated two years ago in “Making Picture Book Magic ,” I was able to find my way through the maze of how to write good stories. YOU led step-by-step within a safe space, letting us discover and develop our skills. Your downloads of lessons and examples–stored in a binder–are wrinkled and torn from overuse. They’re my go-to resources when I begin a draft. In fact, JULES RULES–the story I began in your course–has evolved into READY FREDDIE. I’ve submitted it to four different agents as of today. Because of inspiring mentors like you, I wouldn’t have found the courage to persevere in the long haul to publishing and to keep believing in myself. I’ll be ever grateful for you.
Oh, my goodness, Marsha! What a lovely thing to say! You made me all teary! I’m so glad if MPBM has been helpful to you, and I look forward to the day when I can add your first picture book cover to the Wall of Awesomeness! ❤️