
Welcome to Picnic Heist Publishing: A New Chapter in Storytelling
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As we step into the new year, we’re thrilled to introduce Picnic Heist Publishing to the world. This is our first official blog post, and we’re excited to share our journey with you. Whether you’re an avid reader, a storyteller, or someone passionate about celebrating diversity in literature, thank you for being here. Your support means everything to us.
Who We Are
Picnic Heist Publishing was born out of a desire to do things differently. We believe in championing diversity, celebrating unity, and empowering creators. Our mission is to give authors and illustrators more creative freedom, stronger marketing support, and a larger share of profits through higher royalties. We’re here to help storytellers bring beautifully crafted books to life and ensure they reach readers far and wide.
A Journey Fueled by Gratitude
This journey has been incredible, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the talented people who have joined our community. From our first authors, Patricia Tanumihardja and Dr. Carolivia Herron, to our dedicated team of editors and designers, we are deeply grateful. Meeting Carolivia at the African Americans and Children's Literature Symposium was a turning point for us. Her encouragement and belief in our vision gave us the confidence to move forward.
We’re also grateful to Helen Wu of Yeehoo Press for her mentorship, which has been instrumental in helping us grow. Through Yeehoo, Picnic Heist’s books will be distributed by Ingram Content Group, the largest distributor in the world. This partnership gives our titles the best chance to stand proudly alongside those of larger publishers.
What’s Coming in 2025
We have an exciting lineup of books scheduled for release this year, including:
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Two captivating titles acquired from Yeehoo Press.
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Our very first in-house project: a Lunar New Year story by Patricia Tanumihardja and Bonnie Lui. This talented duo previously collaborated on The Sugar Plum Bakers: And the 12 Holiday Treats (published by Melissa de la Cruz Studio/Disney in 2023). We can’t wait for readers to experience this heartwarming story.
Looking even further ahead, we’re excited to feature the work of Alania Caridad, a recent MICA graduate and Picnic Heist’s first author/illustrator. Her debut title is scheduled for 2026, and her stunning paper collage is already showcased on our website.
How You Can Stay Connected
As we launch into 2025, we invite you to join us on this journey. Follow us on social media for sneak peeks, updates, and behind-the-scenes looks at our upcoming titles. You can also visit our website at picnicheist.com to explore more about who we are and what we’re building.
We’d love to hear from you! If you have ideas, suggestions, or thoughts on how we can reach more readers and share our stories, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make a difference in the world of publishing.
Thank You
To everyone who has supported Picnic Heist so far, thank you. Your encouragement inspires us to keep going and keep growing. To new friends discovering us for the first time, we’re so glad you’re here. We’re excited to share this journey with you as we bring more diverse, creative, and inspiring stories to life.
Here’s to a wonderful year ahead, filled with stories that connect, inspire, and celebrate us all.
With gratitude,
Janet Bruins
Founder & Publisher, Picnic Heist Publishing