The winner of the Oracle books is:

Jaime (who is a guy BTW :)
email your address to me at [email protected].

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Today, Liz Waniewski (Senior Editor, Dial) stopped by to answer some questions. I met her when we were on faculty together at SCBWI Carolinas and adored her.

Hi Liz, thanks for stopping by. Can you tell us about yourself as an editor?

I’m a Senior Editor at Dial Books for Young Readers, and have been working here for nine years. I edit everything from picture books to middle grade and young adult novels. The books I edit are character driven with distinct voices and points of view. Some of the books I’ve worked on recently are LADYBUG GIRL AT THE BEACH by David Soman and Jacky Davis, SAPPHIQUE by Catherine Fisher, FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB by Antony John, and FANTASY BASEBALL by Alan Gratz.

How does Dial support their authors in their marketing efforts? What do you feel is most important in promoting books?

Dial is part of Penguin Young Readers Group, so our authors have the support of Penguin Young Readers marketing behind them when promoting their books.

We offer many different kinds of support, depending on the author and the book project, from sending out review copies and press releases to the major book reviewers, magazines, and newspapers, to linking your author website to the Penguin website, to Penguin’s tweets and Facebook updates about new and upcoming books or author events, to our info packet about how to do effective online marketing, to much more.

One of the most important things in promoting books is an author who is willing to be a self-promoter. There is nothing as effective as an author who has contact with his/her fans, whether in person or online.

During the publishing process, what is the most exciting part of acquiring a book? What is the hardest part about wanting a book?

The most exciting part about acquiring a book for me is beginning an editorial relationship with an author. I sign up a book because I believe it has a ton of potential to make a difference to the kids who will read it, and I hope that the author has written it with a similar thought. It is exciting t

Stiff Competition for These Picture Book Topics

Dial editor, Liz Waniewski (ONE–es-key) spoke at the Arkansas SCBWI 2007 conference. For a couple months before the conference, she kept track of her slush pile picture book submissions by category. This resulted in my 2007 posting 12 Picture Book Topics to Avoid, one of the more popular posting in the 30 Days to a Stronger Picture Book series.

In December, 2008, I asked Liz if she might want to update the posting. She agreed and kept track of her submissions in January. The topics listed below are those which she sees over and over. She pointed out, “Just because I see these topics many times doesn’t mean you can’t write about it.” However, the competition is very stiff for picture books in these categories and your submission should really “stand out in today’s crowded marketplace.”

In comparing the 2007 and 2009 lists, you’ll see some overlap, such as grandparents. But there are new topics on the 2009 list, such as “going green.” Some differences, such as the predominance of holiday stories in 2007, may also result from the different times of the year the data was gathered. Be aware, also, that another editors list might vary widely. Still, knowing that many others writers are working on these topics, should make us either avoid them entirely, or take our manuscript to that next level.

2009 List of 10 Picture Book Topics to Avoid

• 2009 Repeated topics from 2007 list:
  • Bedtime
  • Cats and kittens (was pets in general in 2007)
  • Visiting grandparents
  • First Day of school
  • Dealing with disabilities
• New for 2009 list:
  • Monsters acting un-monster-like
  • Going Green
  • “I Love You” stories
  • Boredom
  • Baby Bird Learning to Fly

On 2007 List but not on 2009 list:
It would still be wise to check out the competition on these topics.

• Cleaning up your room
• Tooth fairy
• Christmas/Halloween
• “Hi! My name is. . . and I am (seven) years old!”
• New baby in the family
• Barnyard stories
• Personal hygiene