Bloomsbury Editor Margaret Miller spoke at the 2011 Southern California SCBWI Writer’s Day event. She answered the following questions after her talk:
How Does an Editor Approach Pitching a Project?
- Yes, they do the “Hollywood thing” sometimes, but they are a bit sick of it. Everyone groans when you compare a book to Harry Potter.
- Has a book like this one succeeded before, and how is it different. That’s the way to approach pitching the book.
- How can I position this book so it is on the cusp of a growing trend?
- Editors can position about as “if they read it they will love it” but also know that it requires a certain type of marketing (to indy bookstores for example).
- The editor needs to provide evidence that other people (readers) will love the book.
Is YA Realism a Trend That’s on its Way Out?
- YA realism isn’t a trend. It will always be around. Kids always want to read books about “real life.”
- You need to find a hook that is genuinely unique, however. It’s hard to sell a book where stuff just happens in the real world. It’s hard when you have no plot in a mundane world.
What do you do if an Editor Changes Houses?
- You editor will always be the first person to have the most passion for your book. However, there are lots of other people at a house who also care about and have passion for your book.
- This is a hard question because there is a lot to consider.
- Passion for a project can fade at a house.
- You can move houses with your editor, but that can depend on your contract.
How Long Does the Editorial Process Take?
- That’s different with every author.
- Once the book is approved and ready to go (done with edits) then it takes a year. Before that depends on the author.
- It can also depend on how polished the drafts you send in are. We editors like polish!
What are the Trends Coming in?
- Lots of people say that Paranormal Romance is on its way out. But it will probably become something else. Romance is not going to go away. Be on the cusp of a trend and invent a new way for forbidden romance! Find new obstacles for your romantic book!
- There is a void in the market for really well drawn characters that have deep feelings and deal with difficult issues. The key words here being “really well drawn.”
Check Out These Other Great Posts with Margaret Miller:
Margaret Miller is an editor for Bloomsbury Children’s Books USA. A former editor at HarperCollins Children’s Books, she joined Bloomsbury in 2008. She has worked closely with authors Dan Gutman, Ivy Devlin, Timothy Power, and Greg van Eekhout. At Bloomsbury, Margaret focuses on middle grade and young adult fiction, with a few select picture books.
To me, editors are like unicorns or the pot at the end of the rainbow, half in the realm of imagination. Someday, I hope to have one of my very own! Thanks to you and the lovely Margaret Miller for all the great info.