More About Julia Pierre Hammond (She/Her)

Julia Pierre Hammond (she/her) has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She writes stories that weave together the magic of everyday moments and reflect her Black and Brazilian heritage. Whether it's the day a favorite hairbrush broke, a broom turned into a saxophone, or a cherished tale from her grandmother, Julia finds inspiration in the small moments that shape big memories.

Before becoming a full-time children's book author, Julia taught grades 3-12, where she championed her students' creativity and needs, even winning grants through the power of her writing. Today, she creates stories where children feel seen, worthy, and celebrated through picture books.

Julia deeply loves narratives with a strong voice featuring diverse characters, captivating hooks, and surprising twists. She also has a soft spot for neurodivergent characters, found family themes, and a good punny tale.

Julia is represented by Christie Megill at The CAT Agency.

When she's not writing, you'll likely find Julia baking cookies, belting out musical theatre, or buying more books. Julia lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband, two kids, and their dog.

You can find Julia online at:

www.juliahammondcreates.com

Instagram | BlueSky

Simply 7 with Julia Pierre Hammond Blog Post

Julia’s strengths are…

Providing kind, constructive feedback that inspires rather than discourages.
Identifying slow sections and suggesting ways to improve pacing.
Adding humor by pinpointing where a joke would land well or enhance the tone.
Recommending catchy, memorable titles that draw readers in.
Developing hooky pitches that highlight a story’s unique appeal.
Spotting stand-out moments and suggesting ways to emphasize them.
Improving clarity by identifying areas where the story feels muddled.
Encouraging creators with a supportive and positive approach.

What to Expect from Julia's Mentorship:

Identify and prioritize your strongest ideas and manuscripts
Paginate and polish your manuscript
Expand your knowledge of the publishing industry
Accountability

What Julia is looking for…

Julia is looking for a mentee who is serious about growing their career in picture books and is ready to work week by week. She’s excited to partner with someone who can take feedback, apply it thoughtfully, and come back eager for more on the same manuscript. Julia hopes to connect with a writer who brings humor, heart, and personal touches to their manuscripts—someone who is building a strong portfolio of projects and is ready to take the next big steps in their journey.

Julia is looking for a passionate, dedicated, and kind mentee—a writer who approaches their work with professionalism, communicates openly, and values collaboration. She hopes to work with someone actively reading new picture books who enjoys playing with different structures and formats for their stories.

If you’re ready to dive in, have fun, and grow together, Julia can’t wait to cheer you on!

A Note from Julia:

“If you have a story bursting with off-the-wall humor and sprinkled with something personal and heartfelt, I’d love to hear from you!”

A Craft Tip from Julia:

“One of the most helpful craft tips I've come across is to pick up a recent picture book and read it out loud then write it out including page turns. Pay attention to the cadence—where the story slows down, where it speeds up, and how it flows overall. I've found this can teach a writer so much about pacing, rhythm, and how words can guide the reader's experience.”

Julia’s Picture Books

SOULFUL STRUTTIN’, written by Julia Pierre Hammond and illustrated by Ana Latese

If Julia created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…

*Unless otherwise stated, the below serves as a wish list only. Each mentor is excited about the opportunity to find a manuscript they can’t stop thinking about. Please apply if you think you’d be a good fit.