Julie Hedlund was born and raised in Northern Michigan–a proud Gen Xer who played outdoors all summer long and came home only when her mother called her back for dinner. She can’t remember a time when she couldn’t read, and she spent more hours in the library than she can count. She became a “writer” by inventing stories featuring her stuffed animals as protagonists. 

Despite constantly writing stories and poems for herself, Julie never considered the possibility of writing for a living. She studied Political Science at the University of Michigan and then the University of Warwick where she got a Master’s Degree in International Political Economy. She moved to Washington D.C. and began a career in electronic banking and payments.

It wasn’t until she had children of her own that Julie rediscovered her love of children’s literature and her love of writing. She started by writing bad rhyming books, then better ones, and then ones that were published! Now she writes in both rhyme and prose, fiction and nonfiction. Her titles include SONG AFTER SONG: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews, OVER, BEAR! UNDER, WHERE?, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN, and A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS. Her work explores themes of family, friendship, the beauty of the natural world, and her adoration of animals. 

In addition to writing her own books, Julie helps fellow authors achieve their publishing dreams in her role as Founder of The 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, co-Founder of The Complete Picture Book Submissions System, and a co-Founder of Picture Book Summit.  When not reading or writing, you can find Julie hiking the hills with her dog Pepper near her home in beautiful Boulder, CO, spending time with her now-grown children, or satisfying her wanderlust by traveling (especially to Italy). Find out more about Julie at juliehedlund.com and follow her on Instagram, X/Twitter & TikTok (@juliefhedlund).