Saturday, August 4, 2012

Editor Panel: Tamar Brazis

Tamar Brazis is Editorial Director of Abrams Books for Young Reader and Amulet Books.

Tamar works largely on picture books, as well as middle grade and young adult novels. She loves nonfiction and does work on some adult books. Abrams is associated with art book publishing, which carries through all of their imprints.

She loves character driven picture books and friendship stories, and is a sucker for coming of age novels.

On voice:

An author has to make so many choices when they are writing. The choice to move from first person to third person can be freeing. Honesty in voice is the most important ingredient.

On working with authors:

Authors need an openness toward revision and the ability to revise. Strong authors understand that they have to revise.


How would you assess of the climate of children's books world?

(The conversation turns toward digit media.)

Tamar values the art of book making, so the digital world has been hard because Abrams is an art book publisher. They are still trying to figure it all out.

What are some of the characteristics that make a book enduring?

There are universal themes, whether it's identity or discovery, it's about being able to express that in an authentic way to reach an audience.

What would you advise someone who wants to pursue a successful career in this industry? A do and a don't.

DO: Read all that you can. Good readers become better writers.

DON'T: Don't write to the trends (but be aware of them).



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