Childrens Writers - Random House

Subject: Childrens Writers - Random House

Author: writerbabe

Uploaded By: JOANWRITE

Date: 1/7/2000

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Guest: Wendy Loggia, Random House editor

Tuesdays

9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT), Writers Workshop

Children's Writers chat - writers and illustrators of children's books meet for specific topics and special guest speakers, moderated by HOST WRTR WBABE & HOST WRTR CGaley, with HOST WRTR sUe & HOST WRTR Neely (Greeters).

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<HTML>1-4-00 Childrens Writers Chat Log

Guest: Wendy Loggia, Random House editor

Neely f: Okay folks--Time to go into protocol . . .

JOANWRITE: thanks, sue. Hey, donna & Marilyn, I'm logging.

Neely f: That means, when it's time for That means, when it's time for

audience participation,

Neely f: type ? for a question, ! for a comment,

Neely f: and wait your turn in the queue to be called on.

Neely f: Type GA (guests, too) for "Go Ahead" when you have finished

speaking.

Neely f: Now . . . it is my great pleasure to welcome Wendy Loggia,

Neely f: editor at Random House Children's Books.

Larsonlog: Hi, everybody!

Neely f: I had the pleasure of meeting Wendy last year when she was a

speaker

Neely f: or an SCBWI conference in New Jersey.

Neely f: Welcome, Wendy.

Neely f: Would you like to make an opening statement or do you

Larsonlog: Hi! I'm happy to be here and please feel free to fire away any

and all

Neely f: wish me to go right into questions?

Neely f: ga

Larsonlog: publishing questions! GA

Jgregers: ?

Neely f: Yes, publishig questions.

JOANWRITE: ?

Neely f: Folks hold on to questions until the floor opens up.

JOANWRITE: (sorry, thought it was open. oops)

Neely f: Wendy, are you the primary reader of your slushpile,

Neely f: or do you have readers sift through the pile first? ga

Larsonlog: Yes, anything addressed to me I read. We don't have assts. GA

JanssD: ?

Neely f: Wendy, can you tell us about a typical day in the publishing world?

Larsonlog: Well, not much time is spent reading! A lot of meetings, and

trying to get approvals on

Neely f: What are your favorite things to do? What are your least favorite?

ga

Larsonlog: things from our ed. in.chief.

Larsonlog: My favorite is probably line-editing or reading a great new ms.

Larsonlog: My least fave. is filing! ga

Neely f: lol

Neely f: SI it true what we hear that mss. must go through a vast amount of

approval before they are

Neely f: accepted? Like marketing? ga

Larsonlog: It depends, really. For series, marketing support is extremely

important

Larsonlog: -- for a hardcover, we don't need that initial stamp of approval.

ga

Neely f: What is the time frame--in publishing?

Neely f: How long can one expect to wait from contract to book shelf? ga

Larsonlog: Right now I'm doing 2 rush books for fall 2000 that we don't have

contracts

Larsonlog: for yet. That's unusual, though. Usually, about a year and a

half, I'd say. ga

Neely f: That does seem rather unusual. Can you comment on the nature of

that? ga

Larsonlog: Sure. Both projects are with well-known adult authors, already

proven commodities, if you

Larsonlog: will. So, the contract details are a bit more tricky to work out

Larsonlog: but we know we want to do the books and we need to get working on

them

Larsonlog: now if they're going to be out for Oct. 2000. I still can't

believe we're going to make our

Larsonlog: deadlines! But usually, when I sign a book up, I want to publish

Larsonlog: it as soon as possible, but it does take at least a year under

Larsonlog: normal circumstances. We need time to plan the design, layout,

and make sure

Larsonlog: we have bound galleys to send to our sales reps, telling them

about this wonderful new book

Larsonlog: we're publishing. I acquired a book in March 1998 that's coming

out in Oct. 2000--that's my

Larsonlog: latest HC acquisition to pub. ga

WriterBabe: What are these books about? Are they children's books? [co-host

butting in here]

Larsonlog: The 2 rush books are both nonfiction books, really for all ages

(I'd tell you more but

Larsonlog: since we don't have contracts, I can't) . . . the other is a

great middle grade

Larsonlog: called THE HIDDEN ARROW that came out of a writer's conference I

attended in March 1998.

Larsonlog: Oops, up above I should have said I acquired THE HIDDEN ARROW in

Larsonlog: March 1999. Still getting used to the new year!

Larsonlog: ga

Neely f: Wendy that sounds like an author/illustrator dream, if not an

editor's nightmare.

Neely f: I mean the two rush books.

Neely f: Can you outline the conception to birth process of a book?

Neely f: For example, once the contract is signed--what comes next?

Neely f: From phone call to editing?? ga

Larsonlog: Depending on whether an idea or manuscript was acquired, I will

sit down and write an

Larsonlog: editorial letter with my thoughts on how I envision the book, and

what I think

Larsonlog: could be done, really opening a dialogue between the writer and

myself. Then, it's usually

Caribooboy: ?

Larsonlog: back and forth with edit. letters and then manuscripts. Depending

on the project, it can

Larsonlog: take up to 4 or 5 revisions before the book is ready to go to our

copyediting

Larsonlog: dept. and then is typeset. Of course, this is a nutshell. ga

Neely f: Thank you.

Neely f: Wendy, approximately how long does it take for you to respond on a

manuscript?

Neely f: One that you find in the slushpile?

Neely f: ga

Larsonlog: I'm blushing now. Well, my goal is 2-3 months, and I'd like this

to be my new year's

Larsonlog: resolution. Sometimes it does take up to 6 months.

Larsonlog: Usually I put aside things I like but then I need to reread them

Larsonlog: and the whole process takes longer than it should, really. I do

Larsonlog: feel for people who are waiting for a response. I know it's

rough. ga

Neely f: So, in fact, if a manuscript is out a long time that may be a good

omen?

Neely f: ga

Larsonlog: Yes. But if it's been a long time, don't hesitate to send a note

in asking

Larsonlog: about the ms.'s status. Unfortunately, things do get misplaced.

ga

Neely f: Wendy, if you like a manuscript but are unable to make an offer for

it,

Neely f: do you ever indicate to the author any specific reasons

Neely f: why you are not making an offer?

Neely f: I realize that your time is limited, but if you see promise ina

writer's work would you

Larsonlog: Oh, yes. Every time. That is, I always say what I like, and what

I think

Neely f: somehow indicate it? ga

Larsonlog: could be improved. I always offer encouragement to those writers

who

Larsonlog: I feel show promise. And you know, it's a small portion of those

writers whom I actually

Larsonlog: hear from again. It can be discouraging, and I do wonder, what

did he/she think

Larsonlog: of my comments? Editors want to hear back from those people. ga

Neely f: That's very encouraging. I think I speak for many writers. we do

appreciate that bit of

Neely f: encouragement.

Neely f: Wendy, is there a particular type or genre of book that you prefer?

Neely f: picture books, easy readers, middle grade, young adult, mystery,

fantasy? ga

GLuvsCats: hi all

Larsonlog: Lots, really. Middle grade and young adult fiction is what I most

want to

Neely f: GLuv we are in a meeting.

WriterBabe: [We are in protocol GLuvs and have a guest]

DollyB105: Hi room

Larsonlog: acquire, along with picturebooks. We aren't acquiring

easy-to-reads. I love humor (which is

Neely f: Dolly, we are in a meeting .

Larsonlog: really hard to find), quirky and traditional romance, mysteries,

and historicals.

Larsonlog: But my interests are varied. ga

Neely f: Wendy, can you name some of your favorite books--

Neely f: both that you have edited and those that you may not have,

Neely f: but are particularly fond of? ga

Larsonlog: I'm a big fan of Gail Carson Levine--Ella Enchanted & Dave at

Night.

Neely f: I loved Ella.

Larsonlog: Of books I've edited, the Clearwater Crossing series is near and

dear to my heart; I work

Larsonlog: so closely with the writer, and it's going on 4 years now. We

have 18 books lined up. Then

Larsonlog: I'd have to say A.M. Jenkins's BREAKING BOXES, a searingly

beautifully written ya novel

Larsonlog: which I edited, so I can't gush too much here. But really the

credit was

Larsonlog: all to the writer. Let's see, what else. Oh, the timeless ones.

Charlotte's Web, of course.

Larsonlog: And my all time favorite book as a child, other than LITTLE

WOMEN, was a quirky title called

Larsonlog: LORETTA MASON POTTS by Mary Chase that I recently bought

Larsonlog: on Amazon!

Neely f: Wow, what a varied lot. ga

Larsonlog: I also love Katherine Applegate's ANIMORPHS and EVERWORLD . . .

my guilty pleasure! ga

Caribooboy: ?

Neely f: Wendy, are you more apt to look at a writer's work

Neely f: if they have been previously published?

Neely f: ga

Larsonlog: Not particularly, unless they are someone with a "name" or have

been

Larsonlog: published by a well-known house. It's always nice to discover

talent on your own. ga

Neely f: Wendy, when you consider signing an author or an illustrator,

Neely f: do you look at the project as a one book deal,

Neely f: or are you more inclined to sign someone whom you feel

Neely f: is more likely to have a writing/illustrating career?

Neely f: ga

Larsonlog: Speaking for Random House, we always want to establish

relationships with our

Larsonlog: writers. It's not always apparent if a writer has more than one

book in them, so to say,

Larsonlog: but it's something to hope for. I have long relationships with

several of my authors, and I

Larsonlog: feel a real connection to them and their projects. It's an honor,

really. ga

Neely f: It's something that all writers dream of, I'm sure.

Neely f: Wendy, do you enjoy the editing process of a book?

Larsonlog: I do. It's the best part of my job. ga

Neely f: Folks, I am going to open the floor for questions in just a moment.

Please have your questi

Neely f: questions ready.

Caribooboy: ?

WriterBabe: I'd like to butt in first, Donna.

Neely f: I was going to lead you in Marliyn.

CER 3201: ?

Neely f: Wendy, what do you feel are the attributes of a good book?

WriterBabe: Thanks, Donna.

Larsonlog: Well-developed, interesting characters with a strong voice.

That's the most important thing

Larsonlog: of all. Originality, a fresh approach, etc. All are important but

the characters are it for

Larsonlog: me. ga

Neely f: Marilyn has a few questions then we will open the floor.

WriterBabe: Thanks again.

WriterBabe: Wendy, you edit series. What makes a successful series?

WriterBabe: How does one pitch a series to you? GA

Larsonlog: A strong hook. If you can't summarize a series in one sentence,

then it won't be a success.

Larsonlog: The idea itself, along with sketches for the first 6 books or so

. . . it depends on who

Larsonlog: is pitching. If it's someone who has done a lot of series work,

that would

Larsonlog: differ from a novice. It's really difficult to come up with new

series ideas today. ga

WriterBabe: The TV synopsis approach!!! Good advice.

WriterBabe: You also do books about celebrities. Who writes these?

WriterBabe: How does one get such a writing gig? GA

Larsonlog: It's nice work! Grace Catalano has done several celebrity books

for us, and I believe

Larsonlog: she came out of the Teen Beat/Tiger World magazine world.

Basically these books are

Larsonlog: usually rushes, and we need to use writers who can deliver the

goods quickly. One of our

Larsonlog: former editors wrote our best-selling NSYNC book from last year.

ga

WriterBabe: Do folks write to you or call and say they want to do celebrity

books? GA

Larsonlog: Not usually, unless they have a special connection to a

celebrity. Usually we come up with

Larsonlog: the idea, for example, we did a Leonardo DiCaprio book, and we

called up Grace and asked if

Larsonlog: she would be interested in the project. ga

WriterBabe: But a writer could send you a resume and get in your "stable,"

yes?

WriterBabe: GA

Larsonlog: Sure. ga

WriterBabe: Last question from me--and it's similar.

WriterBabe: What about films novelizations--how does one get such a job? GA

Larsonlog: Again, same story, really. I've done quite a few myself, and I

"broke in" by working

Larsonlog: in publishing and working on tie-ins as part of my job. I've done

2 novels in the past 2

Larsonlog: years for Bantam. Most people doing tie-ins have some connection

to the publishing house or

Larsonlog: are recommended by the film studio as someone to work with. ga

WriterBabe: Thanks, Wendy. Donna--back to you.

Neely f: Jgregers you will be first tonight.

Neely f: (Folks, please have your questions ready to type to screen.)

WriterRoss: ??

Neely f: Jg, are you there?

Jgregers: do you judge for the Delacorte and can you tell us some of the

process for that.

Jgregers: and a URL? GA

Larsonlog: Several editors screen the manuscripts, and sometimes I do and

sometimes not.

Larsonlog: Then, when it's whittled down to 30 or so, they're dispersed to

the editors, and I read 3 or

Larsonlog: 4 and hopefully find one or two that I like. Then, 4 or 5

finalists are chosen, and we hold

Larsonlog: a meeting to select a winner and runner-up if need be. For

information, send an SASE to:

Larsonlog: Random House Children's, 1540 B'way, NYC 10036. No faxes or phone

calls, please. ga

Neely f: JOANWRITE, you are up next.

JOANWRITE: Are you overloaded with easy to reads? Is that the main reason

you aren't acquiring? When do

JOANWRITE: you estimate you'll begin reading ETR mss. again? ga

Larsonlog: Our easy-to-read program at Bantam DOubleday Dell was not a

success. However, now that we

Larsonlog: are Random House, things may change. They publish the very

successful Stepping

Larsonlog: Stones program. I can't say when we'll be looking at ETR's again.

ga

JOANWRITE: Thanks

Neely f: Caibooboy, next question, please.

Caribooboy: Thank you. Wendy, Mallory Loehr...is she still the contact for

picture book ms's + queries?

Caribooboy: ga

BOEDEN: ~~~~~~ 10 MINUTE WARNING ~~~~~~

Larsonlog: I don' t know . . . see, Bantam Doubleday Dell merged with Random

House and adopted their

Larsonlog: name. Mallory is from RH, and I'm a BDD person. From our end, I'm

happy to look at picture

Larsonlog: book mss., as is Francoise Bui and Karen Wojtyla. Mallory may as

well, but I can't speak for

Larsonlog: her. The RH staff from the east side will be moving in to our

building this coming weekend.

Larsonlog: Our merger is finally happening! ga

Caribooboy: Thank you. Wendy, do you accept multiple submissions? ga

Neely f: CER 3201, you are next.

CER 3201: Do I need an agent to send in a ms to Random House? Do I send a

query letter? GA

Caribooboy: oops\

Larsonlog: Yes, I accept multiples. No, you don't need an agent, but you

should send it to a specific

Larsonlog: editor for the best chance at getting read. Yes, send a query. ga

Neely f: OOps, Cari, I didn't reaaize you had a second question. I will put

you back in the que.

Neely f: WriterRoss .

WriterRoss: Why are funny books hard to find?! Why do editors love funny

voices in books? (I'm glad..);>

WriterRoss: Thanks--Pamela Ross

WriterRoss: GA

Larsonlog: That's an easy one . . . kids love to laugh and we want to

entertain kids! And I guess it's

Neely f: After WriterRoss the que is open. Please post your ? for

questions.

GwynnaL: ?

Husky 7: ?

Larsonlog: hard to be funny in prose . . . it takes a special talent. If any

of you have the chance to

Jenny7975: ?

Larsonlog: read THE AMAZING FRECTACLE, it's quite funny. ga

MaryP2000: ?

CER 3201: ?

WriterRoss: Author?

Larsonlog: Ross Venokur. His 2nd book is THE COOKIE COMPANY.

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