Lauren Oliver has signed a deal with HarperCollins Children’s Books. She plans to write a new young adult duology; the first book will be called Replica.
According to EpicReads.com, this science-fiction story follows “a girl named Lyra, known by the number 24, a replica—human model–who was born, raised, and observed in a clandestine research facility called the Haven Institute. When Lyra escapes from Haven and meets Gemma, a stranger on a perilous quest of her own, earth-shattering secrets are revealed.”
Rosemary Brosnan, an editorial director, negotiated the deal with Stephen Barbara, a literary agent at InkWell Management. The publication date has been scheduled for Sept. 2016.
Writer Patrick Ness (pictured, via) has signed a two-book deal with HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Editorial director Rosemary Brosnan negotiated the deal with literary agent David McMillan. According to the press release, the first book, entitled The Rest of Us Just Live Here, will be released in Fall 2015.
This novel examines “what it would be like to live in a world that’s a lot like a YA novel, where some kids in school are battling forces of evil, and some kids just want to go to prom and graduate before someone goes and blows up the high school again.” The second book which will also feature a stand-along story; no other details have been announced.
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Former HarperCollins Children’s Books and Razorbill editor Lexa Hillyer has inked a two-book deal. HarperCollins Children’s Books will publish the poet’s debut novel in 2015.
The book was described as “a lyrical, heart-wrenching novel about four girls who miraculously relive the summer they were fifteen, discovering friendships, second chances, and one devastating secret.”
Foundry Literary + Media agent Stephen Barbara negotiated the deal with Kate Jackson. Rosemary Brosnan will edit both books.
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| Rosemary Brosnan (left) and Andrea Martin, answering questions during the session |
Rosemary Brosnan is executive editor of
HarperCollins Children's Books, where she publishes mostly fiction for middle-graders and teens. She publishes Neil Gaiman, Lauren Oliver, Gail Carson Levine, Rita Williams-Garcia and many more - writers who have won LOTS of awards and are all over the New York Times bestseller lists. Which makes sense as she explains to us that her sweet spot is between literary and commercial (which she explains as
literary being well-written with well-rounded characters, and
commercial being a story with wide appeal.)
But even though she continues to publish her established authors (working with one author for 26 years so far!) she explains that
"Editors are dying to find new authors - it's the lifeblood of the business."
She's telling us about a few of her debut authors and sharing about (and reading sections from) some of the books she's published - explaining to us and showing us what's she's acquired (mainly MG and YA) and why she acquired it.
Two of the debuts she shares are:
"The Vengekeep Prophecies" by
Brian Farreyand
"The Cabinet of Earths" by
Anne NesbetRosemary reminds us that publishing is really subjective, saying that she often sees on the Publishers Lunch list of weekly recent sales books that she herself declined. If your manuscript is rejected, it doesn't mean it's not good, it just doesn't fit their list.
She shares some craft book recommendations and talks about the importance of discipline, telling us that Lauren Oliver wrote "Before I Fall" on her blackberry while riding the subway between jobs and school!
Andrea Martin worked in sales at the publisher for three years, then become an editorial assistant three years ago. She's now an Associate Editor working with Rosemary, and is building her own list.
Andrea shares about how their editorial team works together, giving the example of "The Wig in the Window," a middle grade mystery by
Kristin Kittscher.
Andrea defines voice as being like a person who has charisma, and you just want to spend more time with them. She also shares about some of the books she's acquired and why.
Rosemary and Andrea answers questions from the attendees, covering the difference between the level of hands-on editing in children's lit versus adult lit, finding self-published authors, covers, the future of short stories, submitting a friend's illustrations with your manuscript (don't do it), writing in a native language if it's not English, first person narration, the challenge of being a mid-list author, and much more.
But the most touching moment of the session was when Rosemary called out one of the attendees -
Courtney Stevens (the ARA from Mid-South!),who was standing against the wall listening - and spoke about acquiring HER debut novel, "Faking Normal," telling us how she loved it so much, bought it in a pre-empt, and is so excited about the book coming out and the author's career ahead.
A lovely moment of SCBWI success.
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| Courtney Stevens, moments after the session concluded, still glowing |
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So thrilled to check out the conference blog and suddenly see this picture and to read about our daughter, Courtney Stevens! So thankful that you posted this so we could follow along! Thank you!