Editor Panel: Publishing Options in 2019 - Ken Wright

Ken Wright

Ken Wright is the president and publisher of Viking Books for Young Readers and Philomel Books, two imprints in the Penguin Young Readers Group, a division of Penguin Random House. Authors and illustrators Ken has worked with include Max Brallier, David Arnold, Ruta Sepetys, John Flanagan, Gianna Marino, Oliver Jeffers, Chelsea Clinton, Gayle Forman, Julie Berry, Mac Barnett, Greg Pizzoli, Elizabeth Partridge, Frank Cammuso, Deborah Freedman, and many others.

What's the right way to publish? Well, there's a greater number of options than ever before. Ken Wright is with one of the true big five trade publishers, a term that's evolved over time, but essentially encompasses the broadest range of markets, retailers, and formats that books exist for and in. In a nutshell, their goal is to make the best books they can, then go out to market with them.

Ken doesn't think anyone would say they're published by Random Penguin House, because authors don't identify as being part of a big conglomerate. There;s no acquisitions meeting at Viking and Philomel - he consults with editors, marketing, sales, and finance have their say, they do P&L statements, but in the end Ken is the one who makes the final call. He'll accept submissions from all conference attendees through the end of August; complete manuscripts only, please.

Kate Testerman and Arianne Lewin's Workshop: Why Does Publishing Take So Long?

Kate Testerman founded KT Literary in early 2008, after more than a decade in New York publishing. While she concentrates on middle grade and young adult fiction, the agency also represents adult genre fiction, including romance, science fiction, and fantasy, as well as some select narrative nonfiction for teens. Her clients include Maureen Johnson, Stephanie Perkins, Amy Spalding, Trish Doller, Ellen Booraem, Susan Adrian and Matthew Cody. Kate’s interests range from contemporary drama, urban fantasy and magical realism, to adventure stories and romantic comedies. KT Literary is committed to finding diverse stories and Own Voices. Kate is an active member of the SCBWI and AAR, and blessed (or cursed) with a surfeit of optimism. www.ktliterary.com

Arianne Lewin is an Executive Editor at G. P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House. She edits picture books, middle grade novels and young adult fiction. Her recent projects include Rachel Hawkins’s novel for middle-graders, Journey’s End, and the New York Times bestselling 5th Wave series by Rick Yancey.

Kate and Arianne share about the balance for an editor between notes for projects underway and looking at new submissions, from both the editor's and the submitting agent's perspective.

Arianne describes the different acquisitions process from her days at Disney and Putnam.

There are lots of audience questions, with lots of smart and very honest answers.

Ari shares about her different in-house strategies for different books.

Walking us through an imaginary book acquisition, Arianne and Kate discuss the process month-by-month, including negotiating territories, the need to get others at a publisher on-board with interest in a book, how the time from submission to offer can be overnight or can be six months, on the difference between publishing seasons, Launch meetings, and so much more...

What a great insider's view!

Justin Chanda: You Have Your 1st (2nd, 3rd) Contract(s) Here's How You Can Help and Hurt Yourself

A barely visible Justin enjoying
WeHo, also known as West Hollywood

MUCH MUCH MUCH of Simon & Schusterer Justin Chanda's talk we were verbøoten to blog or tweet about, BUT:

A few allowed-to-be-mentioned points from Justin Chanda's excellent talk on what to do once you have a book contract.

#1 Be kind to the assistants! Of every department in all of publishing. Be kind to the assistants, they do a lot of thankless work and are paid a pittance, they're there because they love and believe in books and authors, so show them the respect and love they deserve in turn.

#2 Justin quotes one of his favorite people, Debbie Ohi, who says that the success of another chilren's book creator in no way diminishes or steps on your own success. Always cheer on other writers, celebrate each other's work, and build community.

#3 Do NOT kvetch online about your publishing house. Even if they were in the wrong, they will be shamed, certainly, but odds are you don't have the full story, and even if you do, every other publishing house is watching social media and if they see someone that is perceived as reactionary or difficult to work with, they pay attention to that. Be a professional, complain to your critique group in the privacy of a hotel bar.

#4 Before you want to suggest this to your publicist, remember: The TODAY Show really only features a children's book twice a year, and at least half of those features are celebrity driven, if this is your or your freelance publicist's best publicity suggestion, well, keep brainstorming.

Fun fact! Justin's office building was used as the model for the American The Office's headquarters.  Contrary to rumor, Justin Chanda was not used as the model for Michael Scott.

Elizabeth Law Color Commentary, Pt. 4

And here's Pt. 4 of ELaw's keynote with more colorful commentary!

PAULA: ELaw says "I really encourage you to be up to your elbows in this area when you're not writing." She's referring to reading and keeping up with the books in today's YA and children's literature. She's praising THE HUNGER GAMES and Suzanne Collins as "an incredibly economical writer." "Really read in the genre," she says.

LEE: (Silence)

PAULA: Uh Lee? Any color commentary?

LEE: Oh sorry. I was busy writing down ELaw's jewels of wisdom in my notebook. I want to remember every. single. word.

PAULA: I agree. ELaw is captivating the standing-room only ballroom with her incisive and insightful advice.

LEE: Uh, they're all sitting, Paula.

PAULA: Sorry, I got carried away.

LEE: Uh oh, she's now talking about the "bad news."

PAULA: Don't worry, she's just saying the bad news is that she can't tell us HOW to write a good book. She says that's up to us because we're the writers. Instead, it's her job to help get those good books out there.

LEE: You know, she's also having a really good hair day.

PAULA: I know! How does she stay so poised on Day 3 of this exhausting conference? What's her secret?

LEE: Could it be a Bumpit? Stay Tuned (click here!) for the final installment, Part 5 of our color commentary to find out!


Posted by Paula Yoo

Elizabeth Law Color Commentary, Pt. 2

And... we're off! Elizabeth Law is now speaking. (I have nicknamed her "ELaw," like JLo.)

LEE: I like the pink sweater and the chunky jewelry. It's a nice touch.

PAULA: I agree. The pink really shows off her lovely complexion.

LEE: Oh, she's now talking about Egmont. Did you know their profits go to a children's charity? She's feisty, fashion savvy, AND generous. Talk about fabulous!

PAULA: Only eight people in their company? Wow. I thought WE had a tough job. SCBWI TEAM BLOG is a picnic compared to the hard work ELaw and her staff does!

LEE: I like that she doesn't whine or complain. She's very positive. She says YA hardcover is growing and children's publishing is the growth area of publishing. Oh, and she's seeing better manuscript submissions now. That's awesome! But she says we have to up our game because the competition is stiff.

PAULA: Hey Lee! Where are you going?

LEE: (Running away) I have to go revise my manuscript!

PAULA: You have plenty of time for that! Come back for more ELaw jewels of wisdom!

LEE returns... click here for Part 3


Posted by Paula Yoo