Leann Heywood

Leann Heywood was formerly an Associate Editor with HarperCollins Children's Books. In her nearly-five years with HarperCollins, she has edited literally hundreds of paperback reprints and edited or co-edited several original novels by talented new authors, as well as New York Times best-selling authors Garth Nix, Gloria Whelan, and Lemony Snicket. Before joining the publishing community, Leann worked as a bookseller for an independent bookstore in Michigan.

Currently, Leann is a full-time freelance editor. Prospective clients should feel free to contact me at HeywoodEdit@earthlink.net for more information.

Leann is cool.  But very pushy.  Oh, just kidding.  Really.

 

How would you describe Harper’s publishing focus these days?

Commercial, commercial, commercial fiction—this goes for picture books and novels alike. By commercial I don’t mean that the work needs to be authored by a celebrity, or completely void of thought-provoking content; rather, the work should be accessible to as wide an audience as possible. Of course we still see—and publish—some remarkable quality literary or niche fiction that doesn’t have mass appeal. Basically, we ask ourselves two questions with every potential acquisition: First, will it sell in large numbers (more than 10,000 hardcover; more than 25,000 paperback)? Second, will it get stellar reviews and/or award consideration? We have to be able to answer “yes” to at least one of these questions with reasonable certainty in order to buy a manuscript. The two questions aren’t always mutually exclusive, though—every so often you are lucky enough to say “yes” to both, such as with Walter Dean Myers’ Monster. We also still publish some non-fiction for younger readers (again, it needs to very commercial and accessible), as well as a handful of brand-new authors each year that we believe have the potential to break out in the near future. Current trends that have our attention these days include multi-cultural fiction and manga, or graphic novels, and fantasy, of course. 

How do you feel the children’s book market as a whole is doing?

This is a tricky question. If you read the financial reports, you’ll see that HarperChildren’s is doing quite well, and has been for several years now (thank you, Lemony Snicket and Meg Cabot!). But other houses haven’t faired as well. Also, it’s pretty well known that the picture book market has been soft for the past couple of years (although fiction for older readers is doing well). Some reports, like the National Endowment for the Arts study that came out last year, are claiming that children—and adults—nowadays are reading fewer books than ever. But how does that fit with the claim that Harry Potter got so many more people to read? My personal feeling is that, yes, a few more boys did start reading with the emergence of Mr. Potter; but mostly what J.K Rowling’s work has done is brought well-deserved attention to the children’s book market. Meaning, more adults—who are probably already readers anyway—are taking another look at what’s out there for kids, and they’re taking these books more seriously as legitimate fiction, meant not just for children but for their own reading pleasure. So while profit margins might not be up significantly, I believe the children’s book market is doing quite well from an image stand-point. Hopefully, sales will follow.

 What kinds of books do you love working on?

My very favorite books to work on are novels with characters that speak to the inner-child/teenager in me. The characters that I could have been friends or enemies with in junior high or, better yet, the ones that scare me slightly because they touch a little too close to home—these are the ones that I want to share with the world. As a writer, you have to convince me that you know what it’s like to be young or I probably won’t love your work. What else do I love working on…books that make me laugh, whether the author uses sophisticated humor, sarcasm, or irony, or low-brow potty-humor (used in moderation, of course!). I think Dav Pilkey, the author of Captain Underpants, is a genius. I am also a sucker for a well-told coming of age story, particularly if the protagonist is male. I have a real penchant for endearing, fleshed-out boy characters; it’s too bad the market for these kinds of characters is so small. I love sports and adventure stories, but there must be another way to capture boy readers, right? Besides sending them on a time-travel adventure, I mean.

 Which of Harper’s upcoming books are you most excited about?

The ones that I’ve had a hand in, of course! Gaby Triana is a terrific, accessible, and entertaining new voice in teen fiction and I can’t wait for readers to discover her second novel, Cubanita (out this June). Margo Lanagan, an incredibly talented voice from Australia, has just made her North American debut with Black Juice, a haunting short story collection that can best be described as dark fantasy in the vein of Shirley Jackson and Ray Bradbury. It is by far the most challenging, literary book I’ve ever worked on. It will bend readers’ minds. I am also excited about the upcoming release of Garth Nix’s next book (also a short story collection, oddly enough), Across the Wall. Everyone talks about J.K. Rowling, Phillip Pullman, and Brian Jacques. I want to yell, “But what about Garth Nix??” He made the New York Times bestseller list with Abhorsen, the third novel in his outstanding fantasy Abhorsen Trilogy, and yet you rarely hear his name. Down the road a ways (winter 2006), I’ve also got two great, but very different, middle grade novels that I think are going to knock readers’ socks off—Little Divas, by Philana Marie Boles, and The Misadventures of Millicent Madding #1: Bully-Be-Gone, by Brian Tacang.

 What would you like to see more of in submissions? What would you like to see less of?

I would like to see more manuscripts that take chances and present original, or at least unusual, ideas. There are so many clichés and tired plots out there right now—dead/ill mothers; child-bonds-with-grandparent; girl-goes-to-boarding-school-and-struggles-to-fit-in. And don’t even get me started on how many quest/fantasy adventures I see every week. I’m not saying I would reject a submission just because it features one of the above plot outlines. However, it would have to include some pretty memorable characters, excellent writing, unusual plot twists, and basically keep me interested from start to finish for me to seriously consider publishing it. One type of submission that I’ve started to see more of and am excited about is a story that features a character that has an experience overseas or is set in an exotic location. I think kids today are more sophisticated than ever and are maybe as tired as I am about reading about Mary’s summer spent with Grandma. (Not that Grandma isn’t important—she is!—but how many of your kid’s friends want to read about her?)

 What is your biggest pet peeve about submissions?

That so many of them have no business coming to me in the first place. For anyone who might consider submitting to me, here are some guidelines: Number one, I do not publish picture books. Unless I explicitly invite you to do so, please do not send me your picture book manuscript and ask me to pass it along to someone more appropriate. Ditto for biographical or institutional (school/library) non-fiction and poetry. Number two, PLEASE go to the bookstore or library and do some research on comparable titles. If there are five other books currently available that cover the same topic as your book, think very hard about whether or not your book is different—and polished—enough to warrant my (or any editor’s) consideration. In fact, you should really do this research before you spend countless hours and energy writing your story. And don’t just find comparable titles; actually read them to see how your story compares. This advice might sound obvious, but you would be surprised. Number three, please do not send me a five page marketing plan with your manuscript (it’s good to have one, but you don’t need to share it with me just yet; it sounds presumptuous). A simple, one-page cover letter that gives a brief synopsis about your book and a little background about your career as a writer (don’t worry about being unpublished) will suffice.

 Concerning the slush: What helps a manuscript rise above the general slush and stand out?

The number one thing you can do to get out of the slush pile is to make sure that your submission isn’t slush. You can do this by getting the name of an editor who works on books like yours and sending your manuscript directly to her attention. Our slush pile is composed mostly of submissions directed to the “Submissions Editor,” or to our Editor-in-Chief or Publisher (hint: neither of these people read slush). Get editors’ names by going to conferences, making contacts through writers’ groups, and searching directories like Children’s Writers and Illustrators Market and Literary Marketplace (check the library for this one) or online at sites such as Predators & Editors (anotherealm.com/prededitors/). Better yet, when going through these directories, look for appropriate agents to submit to, since Harper officially only accepts agented submissions and submissions from previously published authors anyway. A final thing you can do to find out the name of an appropriate editor to contact is to read the dedication and acknowledgement pages of books similar to yours. Often, editors and agents are mentioned by name and title. Once you have a name, follow the guidelines I listed above and as described by the publisher or agent. All of this will increase the odds of your manuscript being given serious consideration.

 What is a trend/gimmick gaining popularity? What is a trend/gimmick you wish would just go away forever?

One thing I’ve seen quite a lot of lately is the use of emails and text messages or text messaging-lingo in teen novels. The epistolary format—using letters and “Dear Diary” entries—has been around for a long time, so in a way this newest trend just seems a natural progression. And I’m okay with that, so long as the format doesn’t supersede actual good writing. In my opinion, the best fiction can relate to teens on their level as far as what is cool now—and technology is certainly at the forefront of their minds these days—without completely sacrificing the traditional standards of proper English and grammar. After all, we want kids to also be able to read classics and so-called “adult” books at some point, yes? Another trend in recent years has been the move away from the kinds of dark, angst-y books that were published in the late 90’s. With the growing popularity of series like Gossip Girl, the A-List, the Princess Diaries, and the Georgia Nicholson books, we’ve really seen the pendulum shift in the opposite direction, back to lighter, more entertaining fiction. Personally, I’d like to get back to somewhere in the middle, as I believe there is room for both types of fiction.

                A trend that I’m ready to see subside is the fascination with fantasy. There is definitely a place for it, and I am the first to admit that I’ve read every single Harry Potter title (I’m still working on Lord of the Rings). But so much of what we’re seeing these days is derivative and forgettable. There must be readers out there, such as myself, who are ready for something that’s not fantasy and not teen “chick lit” (again, I like the genre, but enough already!).

 What is your favorite book (in each genre would be helpful) published in the last few years?

In picture books, I’d have to say that Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (this year’s Caldecott medalist) is the most adorable book I’ve seen in quite a while. Although David Wisniewski’s The Three Little Pigs is incredibly amazing as well. In middle grade fiction, I have to go with Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce (also a movie, just released in March). It involves lots of cash and a short time to spend it, two charming and precocious brothers, and the appearances of various Catholic Saints. It’s not a book about religion, but it does explore spirituality and ethics in very friendly way. My favorite young adult title from the last few years is probably Wendelin Van Draanen’s Flipped. Told in alternating male/female perspectives, the story concerns a boy and a girl who are at odds with each other from early on in elementary school. She is infatuated with Him; He thinks She is a freak. But in eighth grade, She finally sees his cruelty toward her and gives up on Him; He finally sees what a remarkable person She is and tries to pursue her. Fans of Jerry Spinelli’s popular Stargirl should love Flipped.

 What advice would you offer an aspiring novelist?

1) Read, read, read as much as you can. I’ll never understand writers who say they don’t have time to read because they are too busy writing. Reading gives you an awareness of what else is out there for your audience. It also helps you to evaluate other people’s writing in comparison to your own. Are you a better wordsmith or storyteller than this person? Not quite as accomplished as this one? A healthy comparison is a good way to take stock of yourself as a professional writer. There are people who say they don’t like to read within the genre they are writing in while they are actively working on a new project because they don’t want to be influenced. I respect that. But don’t stop reading completely while you’re writing.

2) Understand that making it in this business takes patience. Very, very few writers get published within their first few years of trying. The key is understanding that these early years are not a waste or a loss. You’ll be amazed at how much you grow and learn during this time. Of course, if too many years pass without success (in the form of publication), you might need to re-evaluate. Maybe you simply need a new strategy (try a new genre; hook up with a new writers’ group); or, maybe you need to redefine your definition of success. For some people, writing for their friends and families, or just for themselves, has to be enough.

3) Be smart about the business you’re trying to break into. It isn’t enough to be a talented writer or to have a good idea and then hope that a publisher finds you. You need to do your homework: Research publishers and their imprints, editors and agents, and all of their submission guidelines. Research your competition. And start thinking about how you would be wiling to promote yourself and your work. Because even once you land that elusive contract, your work isn’t done. Publishers want authors who are energetic and willing to help themselves. It’s no secret that the big marketing dollars get spent on the sure bets (previously best-selling authors, celebrity authors, long-time house authors with proven sales records). Everything else is thrown in the water to sink or swim. I’m being melodramatic here, but not very. For most authors, publishers take notice of the ones with realistic expectations, those who aren’t afraid to speak up and ask questions or voice concerns, and the ones who don’t wait for the publisher to do everything for them. Send yourself out on a local/regional mini-tour; print up your own brochures or postcards announcing an upcoming publication; offer to do speaking engagements. And then, don’t forget to tell your editor and publicist so that they can turn to The Powers That Be and say, “See? I told you she was a go-getter. Let’s give her some more money to help her on her way.” Because we editors love to get to say this!