If writing picture books is hard then writing picture books in rhyme is even harder, and the same goes for selling them.

Who It’s For:

  • Picture book writers who want to learn the ins and outs of the craft of writing in rhyme
  • Writers who are interested in exploring new strategies for their creative process
  • Writers who want to strengthen their pitches to agents and editors
There can be a lot of resistance from agents and editors to rhyming texts–mostly because so many submissions are subpar. If you want to write a rhyming story that stands out AND sells, this webinar will break down the essentials of what works in the craft and creation of rhyming texts as well as how to make a connection that will get your story into the hands of readers.

Led by Julie Romeis Sanders, an agent with SteelWorks Literary who loves rhyming picture books, this webinar will examine mentor texts, share insights on the creative process, and illuminate what matters most when pitching your project to agents and editors.



All attendees will get a special QueryManager link so that they can query Julie after this session. 

What You Will learn:

  • More than meter: You need to do more than follow a beat and find a few end rhymes. Learn how to identify and incorporate sounds, rhythms, and word choices that will strengthen your rhyme and support your story.
  • Poetry off the page: A reminder that not all the work done on your writing happens on the page. Step away from your keyboard to find a deeper connection with your creative spirit and see your story in a new way.
  • Market matters: How to polish your pitch in order to make a case for why your rhyming book matters in a challenging market.
Julie Romeis Sanders joined SteelWorks Literary as an agent in the spring of 2025. Julie’s career in publishing has spanned nearly 25 years and includes a range of experiences including editing, bookselling, teaching, and freelancing. Julie was a founding member of Bloomsbury USA in 2001, helped launch Chronicle’s first fiction for older readers in 2009, and edited their first Caldecott in 2013. Her keen eye for debuts including Rick Yancey, Victoria Jamieson, Aaron Reynolds, and Jennifer “JC” Cervantes, has led to many creators getting started on stellar careers. Through it all, Julie has honed her eye for books kids love along with her passion for supporting creators throughout the creative process. At SteelWorks Literary, Julie hopes to bring all these experiences together to help build a community of writers and illustrators who are as eager to create lasting contributions to children’s literature as she is. She is currently seeking authors and author/illustrators who are creating for ages 0-12.

About Julie Romeis Sanders