*** Apply to be a guest on the Bear the Light show! All are invited to apply. ***

Heidi Fiedler wears many hats in the children's book publishing industry—and has even worn more hats than she does today throughout her long career in the industry!—and today she's on the Bear the Light podcast to share what it's like to work in an industry that helps young people become who they're going to be.

On this episode, we discuss:

* What drew Heidi to focus on picture books, chapter books, and nonfiction for kids

* Her new class, called Before You Begin, that helps writers discover the practices that will best support their writing life

* The collaborative experience of working in children's book publishing

* The relationship between writer and illustrator when bringing picture books to life

* How she works to bring personal elements of connection to each book she writes for kids—and what frogs and beach houses have to do with that

* The ups and downs of the publishing industry but what continues to give her hope and energy to work within it

Connect with Heidi on her website and on Instagram at @heidifiedler.

Connect with Christianne on Instagram at @christiannesquires or by subscribing to the Light Notes email list.

And consider applying to be a guest on the show! Fill out the guest application form here.