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How would you describe your house’s publishing focus these days?
I’m working with the Balzer + Bray imprint at HarperCollins these days, which has a somewhat more specific focus. We’re looking for picture books, middle grade novels, and YA that really ride the line between literary and commercial: Our ideal book is one that has a great hook that will make it stand out in the market AND has wonderful writing, and that also has something fresh to say.
How do you feel the children's book market as a whole is doing?
Obviously this is a tough time, not just for publishing, but for every industry. But while publishing isn’t as strong as a whole as it was a couple of years ago, there is a bright spot, and that’s that children’s books do seem to be performing more strongly and consistently than other areas of publishing—I keep reading online that kids’ books are “propping up” the rest of the industry right now. Parents are always going to want to buy books for their children.
What kinds of books do you love working on?
Well, as you know, I have a special love of funny, quirky picture books like yours. If a picture book makes me laugh out loud at my desk, I’m sold! But I’m also finding myself really drawn to YA these days, particularly YA with a fresh narrative voice and strong female characters. Doesn’t matter if it’s fantasy or contemporary realistic—I like both—but if it features a kick-ass girl protagonist with a memorable voice, I’m in.
Which of your house’s upcoming books are you most excited about?
OBVIOUSLY, Sudipta, the books I’m most excited about are your three picture books: HAMPIRE!, PIRATE PRINCESS, and SNORING BEAUTY! But since we’ve still got a little while before HAMPIRE! hits shelves, I’m happy to take this opportunity to toot the horns of a few titles I’ve worked on that have either just come put or will pub in the next few months. On the YA side, I’m especially excited about RAMPANT by Diana Peterfreund, a Buffy-esque urban fantasy adventure about killer unicorns and the teen huntresses whose destiny it is to hunt them down. When I first signed up the book, the phrase “killer unicorns” definitely caused some raised brows—these are NOT the pink, sparkly creatures on your little sister’s TrapperKeeper!—but it’s been getting the book some great buzz. And while the premise may get folks interested, the book itself totally lives up to the hype—it’s got an amazing mythology and world-building, kick-ass teen girl huntresses, a wonderful romance (set in Rome—does it get any more romantic?), and some of the most incredible, action-packed battle scenes I’ve ever read. The author, Diana Peterfreund, is definitely one to watch. On the picture book side, I can’t wait for IS YOUR BUFFALO READY FOR KINDERGARTEN? by Audrey Vernick, which pubs in Summer 2010 and is adorable, laugh-out-loud hilarious, AND reminiscent of Mo Willems’ Pigeon books. Another current favorite of mine is ALMOST by Richard Torrey, a sweet—but not too sweet—story about a little boy named Jack, who is almost six years old and can *almost*, but not quite, do a lot of things, like ride his big brother’s bike. It’s sweetly funny, as well as a really universal childhood story—after all, what little kid hasn’t dreamed of being big?
What would you like to see more of in submissions? What would you like to see less of?
Tough question! I know you probably want me to answer with specific genres, but the truth is, even if a genre is incredibly overdone, I’d still like to read a MS in that genre if the story/writing/voice is great. What I’d like to see more of: More writers doing research on agents, editors, and publishing houses before submitting manuscripts. What I’d like to see less of: Less folks writing to the market instead of writing the stories that are close to their hearts. You might be writing a MS in the hottest genre out there, but if the story lacks heart, it’s not going to engage readers.
What is your biggest pet peeve about submissions?
Oh, I have a ton: Folks who write “requested” on the envelope even though I didn’t request anything. Spelling my name wrong—there are no e’s in either my first or last name! And to hearken back to my answer to the previous question, a definite pet peeve is when people send novelty books or YA nonfiction, or any other genre that Harper doesn’t really publish.
What is your favorite book (in each genre would be helpful) published in the last few years?
At the risk of being clichéd, my favorite picture book of the last few years is still Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus—to this day, it makes me laugh out loud with every read. With very little text, Mo Willems just manages to perfectly nail a young child’s voice when he or she is trying to wheedle something out of a parent. Brilliant, and a perfect picture book. In middle-grade, I absolutely adore Rick Riordan’s Lightning Thief. Again, pitch-perfect voice for the audience. And just a really clever, fun, action-packed twist on Greek mythology. And because I can’t leave out the easy-to-reads, my favorite there is THE JUST-SO WOMAN—underappreciated when it pubbed, it’s a gorgeous example of the kind of spare yet lovely storytelling that is found in the best books in the genre.
And a few un-serious questions:
What is your favorite color to wear?
Pink, of course.
What is your favorite type of sushi?
I don’t know that I have a favorite type of sushi. But I can tell you that the meal I’m craving right now is a cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake.
If you could be an animal, what would it be and why? A killer unicorn, of course. Or, you know, a kitten.
Do you have a theme song?
I’m considering walking into my wedding reception to the theme from The Muppet Show. Does that count?
(By the way, Kristin did walk to the Muppet SHow song -- I was there, i can vouch for it. - SBQ)
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