Tiff Liao is executive editor at Zando's Young Readers initiative. Prior to joining Zando, Tiff worked at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, where she edited the instant #1 New York Times Bestsellers Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, and its sequel Children of Virtue and Vengeance.
As we come off Dhonielle Clayton's inspiring keynote, the panel weighs in on the challenges the pandemic brought to the industry.
Tiff echoes the thoughts of her colleagues and notes that she's been thinking about flexibility and the way it creates uncertainty, but that it also creates a lot of possibility.
On supply-chain issues:
Tiff has some reassurances here. She shares that there are so many people working on this issue around that clock! Also, know that your readers are still going to find your books, even if the pub date changes.
How does BookTok fit into your thinking and marketing? Is it impacting sales?
Tiff acquires YA and notes that BookTok is a very powerful tool right now. Many top selling YA books are popping back up because of BookTok. Zando does incorporate it as a marketing tool, and into campaigns. But as a writer, Tiff says that if the idea of TikTok gives you hives, don't engage because it won't work right. Writers need to be writers first.
On centering stories and voices that have been historically marginalized and what authors should be considering:
Tiff wants to address marginalized writers directly. "You as a writer have a much more direct line to what readers want as the creator of the story that speaks to them." Tiff also notes that as the industry shifts towards opening doors, you should also be judicious about searching not only for the right editor, but advocates and allies--partners in the process.
Final thoughts:
Tiff says: Be kind to yourself....we're all in it together. And it's great that you found this community.
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