What kinds of books do you love working on?
That’s a tough question, since I work on so many different kinds of books—and I only take on projects that I love! I love working on picture books with stunning artwork and well-placed humor. And while I work on so many different middle grade and young adult books—from classic adventure stories to paranormal romance to literary fiction, I always love writing I can get swept away in and a character whose motivations I understand and who I’d want as a best friend.
Which of your house’s upcoming books are you most excited about?
Also a hard question to answer, since we’ve got a lot of great stuff coming up. I adore picture books, and a couple that I’m really excited about are MARTHA DOESN’T SAY SORRY (actually, that came out in May, but it’s so snazzy that I have to mention it) and BIRDIE’S BIG-GIRL SHOES by Daily Candy talent Sujean Rim. For young adult, you have to check out the super edgy HATE LIST by Jennifer Brown, about a villain-turned-hero in a school shooting. BEAUTIFUL CREATURES—which, I should add, has a stunning cover—is a great paranormal fantasy set in the South. Ooh, and HAPPY FACE, which is illustrated, is like Wimpy Kid for the YA audience.
I also need to rave about SISTERS RED, which doesn’t come out until next June, but which is one of my all-time favorite acquisitions. Basically, it’s Little Red Riding Hood meets Buffy, with two super tough (and awesome) heroines who slay werewolves. I’ve read it about 25 times now, and I still get chills thinking about it. If you like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Kill Bill, this one’s for you!
What would you like to see more of in submissions? What would you like to see less of?
More young adult characters who actually talk like teens; fewer "teen" characters whose voices sound conspicuously like nostalgic fifty year-olds. More picture books with smart characters and fresh topics; fewer picture book stories that don’t have any children (or child substitutes) in them.
What is your biggest pet peeve about submissions?
When my name is misspelled. Seriously. If the writing is good, I’ll put up with almost anything, but if my name is misspelled, I’ll grab a form rejection.
What is your favorite book (in each genre would be helpful) published in the last few years?
Ugh—don’t make me choose! Okay, here are SOME of my favs:
Picture Books: WAVE
Middle Grade: This is a few years old, but KIRA-KIRA is one of my all-time favorites.
Young Adult: THE HUNGER GAMES
What advice would you offer an aspiring picture book author? An aspiring novelist?
For all writers: first, polish your manuscript to the very best of your ability. Attend conferences. Join a writing group. Learn to take criticism and to incorporate the comments that really will help your story. Learn as much as you can about the competition, the industry, and what agent or house might be a good fit for you.
Then…keep at it! Keep writing! Keep submitting! I know it’s hard not to be discouraged by rejections, but keep in mind that everyone will have a different opinion of your manuscript, and you want to find the right editor (or agent) who loves the project JUST as much as you do and will rally behind it. Think of all of the published books that you haven’t liked; there is an editor out there who loved that book and went to bat for it, and you just have to find the right fit.
And a few un-serious questions:
What is your favorite color to wear? Depends on what color my hair is. I’m a brunette right now, and I’m wearing a lot of purple.
What is your favorite type of sushi? I’m vegetarian, so avocado.
If you could be an animal, what would it be and why? A lion, because sleeping all day in the sun is my dream come true.
Do you have a theme song? Well, Bon Jovi’s "Livin’ on a Prayer" is the only song I’ll karaoke to… Does that count?
