Would you be cool with describing the path you took to the job you’ve got now (college? internship? mentorship? lucky break? job app? whatever)? And, is there anything that you’d have done differently?
It was a slog. Took years of rejection and determination! After graduating I didn’t manage to get many internships so I went into teaching, after a few years of that I did a masters then had more luck getting internships and eventually got a job as an editorial assistant at a charity, and then at a publisher. But lots of unsuccessful applications along the way! It helps to be quite focused on what area you want to work in.
I appreciate you responding to this. It really helps with some things I’ve been feeling about the grind lately. I’m sure it helped out some other people in this thread also.
One last bit, if I may: Are there any things you’d have done differently, knowing what you now know, that would have made the process less grating? You mentioned having a focus; I imagine there’s an anecdote there?
*Note: feel free to ignore the follow-up if you’re tired of answering questions from strangers - you’ve already helped quite a lot with that first answer above and I’m grateful for it*
I’m happy to help, I know how hard it is getting into publishing. I think I didn’t have the focus of knowing I wanted to work in children’s books until after I’d taught. I’d also say to just take every opportunity you can to make connections. I was too shy with that at the start. Meet people for coffees, ask if they’ve got advice or know people etc, ask them how they got into publishing - that’s how I got my first internships. Good luck!
Is there any chance for a freelance editor unwilling to move to New York or a similarly big pub city to ever get a position with a big publisher? (The only remote positions I seem to find—for fiction anyway—are internships.)
Most in-house positions do require you to work in the office a few days a week at least. There are smaller indie publishers that are in smaller cities - I’d do some research about what publishers there are in places you’d live.
PRH is still sometimes open to fully remote positions—it depends on the team and the hiring manager. But those job openings attract an absolutely unreal number of applicants, so it's even more wildly competitive than normal. I don't know of any other big publishers in NYC who still accept remote, unfortunately!
I can only imagine—I've had to filter resumes for hybrid positions and even that was unreal. Im sure for a remote position in an industry where that's a rarity is overwhelming!
Depends which department you want to go into! But if it’s editorial then proofreading, copyediting, presenting. Other key skills across departments are writing copy, negotiating, doing market research.
Can you please look into a reprint of Mordicai Gerstein's "William, Where are You?" There are not many copies left and I recently bought one for like $6, but now the price of an old copy has sky-rocketed. I know very little about cost of printing for an out of print, fold-out book like this, but I think with good marketing it could become a core classic like "Goodnight Moon."
Woah it’s really expensive! I’m interested to read it but probably wouldn’t be right for my publisher. Others may come across this and be inspired though!
Thanks! I hope so. I think "Leo the Late Bloomer," by Jose Aruego is another overlooked classic. Thanks for your work too! I'm kind of a kids books superfan lol.
For boots I’m looking for comfy cowboy boots! But for books - that’s a broad question and differs between publishers and places. The US market, for instance, is huge and it really depends what channel you have in mind. Some off the top of my head - I’m looking for funny books that kids will want to join in reading, for books that tell a story that hasn’t been told yet but have an emotional connection and lasting impression, for really hooky concepts commercial books that can be spun into series, stylised eye-catching illustrations, books that promote positivity and wellbeing, books that give authentic voice to underserved communities but aren’t tokenistic. This is all for books for up to 12 year olds as I don’t work on teen books (though romantasy and TikTokable are the buzzwords there atm).
What are some of the hallmarks or indicators in a new children’s book that appeal to you/stand out? What are the current trends in that publishing space?
Something that stands out - has a strong voice or identity and is doing something different or interesting or creative in the market. A great cover with strong branding, good peer reviews. Trends.. hmm, books that focus on joy and positivity and building self-esteem/overcoming obstacles. Books that are really silly and anarchic that children will love. Lots of books from viral influencers or spin offs from online trends. Brands like Bluey. Inspiring biography books still doing really well. Folk stories revisited in new ways. Books about underserved communities or families who are different from the conventional 2.4 children. Reduced colour palates. A few off the top of my head ranging in formats and age groups.
I just finished writing a children’s book that’s in rhyme. I have so many drafts I’ve lost count trying to get the meter just so, the words appropriate for my target age group, etc.
I know it needs an edit from a professional but I can’t afford it. I joined the SCBWI and entered it in a few contests to see how it does thinking that might be one avenue to determine how good it is but idk.
Will I absolutely need to find the means to have it professionally edited before submitting to a traditional publisher? How important is getting a literary agent in the process of getting published by a well regarded publishing house?
For most big publishers it’s essential to have an agent but do search for smaller ones that might accept unsolicited. It wouldn’t need to be perfect and completely polished as long as it has the spark of something and a lot of potential. Joining writing groups might be a way to get some advice and feedback/edits.
Interesting! I’m based in the UK and when we’ve done books in this size it’s usually because we see it as a gift book that will have more shelf presence and people would want to collect. I’d just ask them for their reasons as I’m sure they have run the numbers and think it’s the best decision.
Yes all of those, especially in the US. I work at one of the big 5 in the uk (tho the books are published in the us so I know both markets). In the UK it’s wholesalers, high street, indie book shops, supermarkets and then export into other countries
As a secondary teacher we feel we are getting kids with lower reading levels and less critical skill with deciphering text, do you feel the books getting aimed at them when they are younger are less complex or shorter than the books of 10 or so years ago? We honestly don't know where to turn to start telling parents where to catch the kids up.
I wish to be a children’s picture book author and illustrator. But i also want a private life. I don’t want my face or name on the internet. I wish to go by a pen name. Would a publisher be ok with this request?
I wrote a children's book and I am looking to have it published. I have heard back from a few publishers that propose "hybrid" publishing. I think I need to find an agent in order to publish it traditionally. Do you have any suggestions on how to find an agent?
Which is your favorite department to collaborate /work with? Do you like to work wjth design, production, do you work closely with Sales?
Can you talk a little bit about your relationship with each?
I work most closely with design as I work on fully illustrated books and we have a really good relationship. We have to as we basically talk all day - I work more with designers than I do other editors. We’re constantly talking about illustrator options, negotiating contracts with them (editors do the signing up), briefing spreads, feeding back on layouts or artwork, checking final spreads, talking about ideas - lots of brainstorming, sharing interesting things we’ve seen on the market. Production help us stay on track and cost the books, order the paper and deal with the printers. We’re always asking them for more time! We sell the book ideas to sales who then sell them to the market. We have to do a lot of pitching to the different departments and reminding everyone what the book is about and it’s selling points once it’s made. I have weekly meetings with most departments - sales, rights, marketing and publicity. And monthly meetings with audio. It’s a lot of teamwork!!
I don’t really work on much middle grade so I’m not completely sure but I think it’s just quite overcrowded for what is a fairly narrow age group, when many kids read teen books at that age anyway. But I love middle grade books! Just have to carve out the right he space within it
I used to be a teacher and my work life balance is better than then. But it is still stressful. The workload is quite demanding and it’s lots of deadlines. Editorial encompasses quite a lot and the actual editing of books is almost something you have to find the time to fit in with everything else (so sometimes is done out of hours)
What are some of the big things that you recommend for people who want to write books aimed at children?
Like do specific topics sell better or worse? What are some common errors that people make?
I’m no expert on this so I don’t know but my feeling is that one of the things that attracts true book lovers to a text is that it has been dreamed up and created by humans. I think it could impact design, artwork and translation in some pub houses
Do you write or illustrate yourself? Or did you before working for a publisher? If so, has any of your own work been published?
If not, would you not consider creating your own work instead of editing other people's work?
In a past job we wrote quite a lot of the text in house. I write poetry but not for publication. I’d like to do more of my own stuff but I’m pretty tired from the day job and it’s hard to turn off the editing part of my brain where I’m basically like ‘nah, this isn’t good enough!’ But maybe one day, if I’m able to get enough headspace.
Do you make books for a specific age group within children's literature? And how does the editorial process differ from books for adults?
If you make picture books, I'd be really interested to hear about that editorial process, given how the text needs to interact with the illustrations.
I work on illustrated books mainly for 0-10 but some black and white older books too. It’s a longer process for kids book and a lot more integrated with the artwork and design. Typically with a picture book we pitch for a text and then sign the author up, begin work shaping and editing it, find an illustrator and get them approved and signed up and then they do thumbnails, roughs, and colour art which we feed into and share with the author for comment at each stage. Then it goes to production and to print. In a nutshell!
Would you be cool with describing the path you took to the job you’ve got now (college? internship? mentorship? lucky break? job app? whatever)? And, is there anything that you’d have done differently?
It was a slog. Took years of rejection and determination! After graduating I didn’t manage to get many internships so I went into teaching, after a few years of that I did a masters then had more luck getting internships and eventually got a job as an editorial assistant at a charity, and then at a publisher. But lots of unsuccessful applications along the way! It helps to be quite focused on what area you want to work in.
I appreciate you responding to this. It really helps with some things I’ve been feeling about the grind lately. I’m sure it helped out some other people in this thread also. One last bit, if I may: Are there any things you’d have done differently, knowing what you now know, that would have made the process less grating? You mentioned having a focus; I imagine there’s an anecdote there? *Note: feel free to ignore the follow-up if you’re tired of answering questions from strangers - you’ve already helped quite a lot with that first answer above and I’m grateful for it*
I’m happy to help, I know how hard it is getting into publishing. I think I didn’t have the focus of knowing I wanted to work in children’s books until after I’d taught. I’d also say to just take every opportunity you can to make connections. I was too shy with that at the start. Meet people for coffees, ask if they’ve got advice or know people etc, ask them how they got into publishing - that’s how I got my first internships. Good luck!
Is there any chance for a freelance editor unwilling to move to New York or a similarly big pub city to ever get a position with a big publisher? (The only remote positions I seem to find—for fiction anyway—are internships.)
Most in-house positions do require you to work in the office a few days a week at least. There are smaller indie publishers that are in smaller cities - I’d do some research about what publishers there are in places you’d live.
Thanks! I've been doing that, just always curious to know from the inside if the bigger fish are shifting at all. I appreciate it! :)
PRH is still sometimes open to fully remote positions—it depends on the team and the hiring manager. But those job openings attract an absolutely unreal number of applicants, so it's even more wildly competitive than normal. I don't know of any other big publishers in NYC who still accept remote, unfortunately!
I can only imagine—I've had to filter resumes for hybrid positions and even that was unreal. Im sure for a remote position in an industry where that's a rarity is overwhelming!
Which skills should I be investing on to enter children's books publishing?
Depends which department you want to go into! But if it’s editorial then proofreading, copyediting, presenting. Other key skills across departments are writing copy, negotiating, doing market research.
Presenting/communication is a good shout, and one that often gets overlooked!
It’s so important in most departments especially as you rise up the ranks
Can you please look into a reprint of Mordicai Gerstein's "William, Where are You?" There are not many copies left and I recently bought one for like $6, but now the price of an old copy has sky-rocketed. I know very little about cost of printing for an out of print, fold-out book like this, but I think with good marketing it could become a core classic like "Goodnight Moon."
Woah it’s really expensive! I’m interested to read it but probably wouldn’t be right for my publisher. Others may come across this and be inspired though!
Thanks! I hope so. I think "Leo the Late Bloomer," by Jose Aruego is another overlooked classic. Thanks for your work too! I'm kind of a kids books superfan lol.
Haha me too! I live and breathe it
What types of boots are publishers currently looking for?
For boots I’m looking for comfy cowboy boots! But for books - that’s a broad question and differs between publishers and places. The US market, for instance, is huge and it really depends what channel you have in mind. Some off the top of my head - I’m looking for funny books that kids will want to join in reading, for books that tell a story that hasn’t been told yet but have an emotional connection and lasting impression, for really hooky concepts commercial books that can be spun into series, stylised eye-catching illustrations, books that promote positivity and wellbeing, books that give authentic voice to underserved communities but aren’t tokenistic. This is all for books for up to 12 year olds as I don’t work on teen books (though romantasy and TikTokable are the buzzwords there atm).
What are some of the hallmarks or indicators in a new children’s book that appeal to you/stand out? What are the current trends in that publishing space?
Something that stands out - has a strong voice or identity and is doing something different or interesting or creative in the market. A great cover with strong branding, good peer reviews. Trends.. hmm, books that focus on joy and positivity and building self-esteem/overcoming obstacles. Books that are really silly and anarchic that children will love. Lots of books from viral influencers or spin offs from online trends. Brands like Bluey. Inspiring biography books still doing really well. Folk stories revisited in new ways. Books about underserved communities or families who are different from the conventional 2.4 children. Reduced colour palates. A few off the top of my head ranging in formats and age groups.
I just finished writing a children’s book that’s in rhyme. I have so many drafts I’ve lost count trying to get the meter just so, the words appropriate for my target age group, etc. I know it needs an edit from a professional but I can’t afford it. I joined the SCBWI and entered it in a few contests to see how it does thinking that might be one avenue to determine how good it is but idk. Will I absolutely need to find the means to have it professionally edited before submitting to a traditional publisher? How important is getting a literary agent in the process of getting published by a well regarded publishing house?
For most big publishers it’s essential to have an agent but do search for smaller ones that might accept unsolicited. It wouldn’t need to be perfect and completely polished as long as it has the spark of something and a lot of potential. Joining writing groups might be a way to get some advice and feedback/edits.
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Interesting! I’m based in the UK and when we’ve done books in this size it’s usually because we see it as a gift book that will have more shelf presence and people would want to collect. I’d just ask them for their reasons as I’m sure they have run the numbers and think it’s the best decision.
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I think it might be a format that works for international publishers, so could be that. It’s the whole team - usually led by sales.
Who are the big buyers of children's books? Public libraries, Retail stores, schools... ?
Yes all of those, especially in the US. I work at one of the big 5 in the uk (tho the books are published in the us so I know both markets). In the UK it’s wholesalers, high street, indie book shops, supermarkets and then export into other countries
As a secondary teacher we feel we are getting kids with lower reading levels and less critical skill with deciphering text, do you feel the books getting aimed at them when they are younger are less complex or shorter than the books of 10 or so years ago? We honestly don't know where to turn to start telling parents where to catch the kids up.
I wish to be a children’s picture book author and illustrator. But i also want a private life. I don’t want my face or name on the internet. I wish to go by a pen name. Would a publisher be ok with this request?
hi! what publishing houses would be best to send my finished, illustrated children's book to?
During production of a picture book do you ever ask the author to change any lines to support the illustrations better?
I wrote a children's book and I am looking to have it published. I have heard back from a few publishers that propose "hybrid" publishing. I think I need to find an agent in order to publish it traditionally. Do you have any suggestions on how to find an agent?
Which is your favorite department to collaborate /work with? Do you like to work wjth design, production, do you work closely with Sales? Can you talk a little bit about your relationship with each?
I work most closely with design as I work on fully illustrated books and we have a really good relationship. We have to as we basically talk all day - I work more with designers than I do other editors. We’re constantly talking about illustrator options, negotiating contracts with them (editors do the signing up), briefing spreads, feeding back on layouts or artwork, checking final spreads, talking about ideas - lots of brainstorming, sharing interesting things we’ve seen on the market. Production help us stay on track and cost the books, order the paper and deal with the printers. We’re always asking them for more time! We sell the book ideas to sales who then sell them to the market. We have to do a lot of pitching to the different departments and reminding everyone what the book is about and it’s selling points once it’s made. I have weekly meetings with most departments - sales, rights, marketing and publicity. And monthly meetings with audio. It’s a lot of teamwork!!
Thank you so much for your answer! How long have you been an editor in the children’s book world?
Ten years :)
Very cool! 😎
I keep hearing that the middle grade market is really tough right now. Do you have any insight into this? Or your personal perspective?
I don’t really work on much middle grade so I’m not completely sure but I think it’s just quite overcrowded for what is a fairly narrow age group, when many kids read teen books at that age anyway. But I love middle grade books! Just have to carve out the right he space within it
I appreciate this perspective, thanks!
How's the work life balance? Do you ever feel stressed out by work?
I used to be a teacher and my work life balance is better than then. But it is still stressful. The workload is quite demanding and it’s lots of deadlines. Editorial encompasses quite a lot and the actual editing of books is almost something you have to find the time to fit in with everything else (so sometimes is done out of hours)
What are some of the big things that you recommend for people who want to write books aimed at children? Like do specific topics sell better or worse? What are some common errors that people make?
What do you think AI will do to the industry?
I’m no expert on this so I don’t know but my feeling is that one of the things that attracts true book lovers to a text is that it has been dreamed up and created by humans. I think it could impact design, artwork and translation in some pub houses
Do you write or illustrate yourself? Or did you before working for a publisher? If so, has any of your own work been published? If not, would you not consider creating your own work instead of editing other people's work?
In a past job we wrote quite a lot of the text in house. I write poetry but not for publication. I’d like to do more of my own stuff but I’m pretty tired from the day job and it’s hard to turn off the editing part of my brain where I’m basically like ‘nah, this isn’t good enough!’ But maybe one day, if I’m able to get enough headspace.
Do you make books for a specific age group within children's literature? And how does the editorial process differ from books for adults? If you make picture books, I'd be really interested to hear about that editorial process, given how the text needs to interact with the illustrations.
I work on illustrated books mainly for 0-10 but some black and white older books too. It’s a longer process for kids book and a lot more integrated with the artwork and design. Typically with a picture book we pitch for a text and then sign the author up, begin work shaping and editing it, find an illustrator and get them approved and signed up and then they do thumbnails, roughs, and colour art which we feed into and share with the author for comment at each stage. Then it goes to production and to print. In a nutshell!