Editors and Agents Panel: Tiff Liao

Editors and Agents Panel: Tiff Liao 

Before we jumped in, a poll was cast and for many attendees, this was their very first conference, spanning countries, time zones and stages of career journeys. 

"Always looking for books that are timely and timeless, stories that speak to the current moment but have a lasting impact."

Tiff Liao

Q: On submissions: Open or close? What are you looking for?

A: Currently close to submissions, but she is always on social media looking at what is happening in the business. You can follow her @tiff_liao

Q: The publishing world is always changing and the last few years have been challenging, but children's books bring hope. With editors and agents changing houses, there is a sense of publishing not being a stable environment. Talk about fears, what is the reality, how different is it now, and what your feelings are?

A: "As Laurent said, we are humans in this industry, we are a reflection of our environment." Changes and challenges are inevitable. In this business, we tend to focus on imprint closures but new imprints are happening as well. A refresh of perspective takes a while and publishing can take a long time to see the positive. But we are a resilient industry. 

For the creator: Find alignment and partnership in your agent and peers so you can focus on your work. They can help guide you through those changes

Q: Trends? Should creators write something commercial? What are the current trends? What is and isn't selling?

A: Tiff suggest not paying attention to trends. Publishing books takes up to 18 months to 2 years, so by the time the book comes out, the trend may be over-saturated or tired.  

As an editor, Tiff tries to foresee what will be most exciting in the future, seeking out fresher perspectives. Trends are cyclical. What may be tired to an adult may be new to a young reader, so finding the discernment between editor fatigue vs reader fatigue is important. Follow your passion, and write what makes you want to sit at the typewriter and create!

"You be YOU" 

Laurent Linn

Q: On craft: How, as an editor, do you approach craft?

A: For Tiff, at the start of the editorial process, she asks "what is the heart of the story? what do you want to preserve and protect?" 

"My role to help fix the mechanics, to enhance parts that are working."

Tiff is hands-on in the process, where she partners with the creator and works from top to bottom, beginning with large scale edits (character, plot, world-building). "I work very closely to the text." Then with each round, gets closer and closer, until finally, they polish it by the end. 

"I am here to support the author. I will hop on the phone or let the writer take the notes and edit on their own-whatever they need in their process"

Tiff asks a lot of questions and throws out pitches/ideas, helping to figure out how to address trouble areas. She stressed that it is important to adapt to the author. " You are the master of your world. I am here to help create and guide you to keep you excited and passionate about your vision"

She finds areas that can tightened/improved, emphasizing what is working well/what the writer loves.  Tiff wants the author to take the "spirit of the note" to help excavate parts of their brain to make the story sing to the reader. Tiff is upfront early on that she is there to support and will talk through every aspect but the writer is the navigator of the story.

"I'm your champion, your coach! Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work."

Q: On mentors: What is some inspiration from a mentor that has stayed with you? Informed who you are and where you are?

A: Tiff believes the best part of her job is learning. 

"Being a sponge sustains us."

Beverly Horowitz of Delacorte Press, told her the importance of remembering "It is not about you, it is about the young reader."

All of the work you do is to support the reader's intellectual, creative, and emotional journey, giving them knowledge, ideas, resilience, joy, etc. There is so little we can control but you can control the fact that the work you do is not about you. Always return to that. 

"Look in the mirror and ask yourself, 'Did I do my best?'"

This has been grounding for Tiff and she hopes it can be grounding to all in the industry.

Tiff Liao
Editor

About
Tiff Liao is Executive Editor at Random House Books for Young Readers. She's had the honor and joy of editing award-winning and bestselling authors including Tomi Adeyemi, Angeline Boulley, Dhonielle Clayton, Maurene Goo, Goldy Moldavsky, Tochi Onyebuchi, Margaret Owen, Jenn Reese, and "Queer Eye" star Karamo Brown. Previously, she was at Zando, where she launched the young readers program, and at Macmillan. Born and raised in California, she now lives in Nyack, NY, with her husband and puppy-cat.