ENCORE EDITION! Insider Secrets to Getting Your Book Published, with editor Erinn Pascal
06/17/24 • 33 min
ENCORE EDITION! (One of our favs from season 2!)
Erinn Pascal is the Senior Editor for Kids Books and Licensing at Andrews McMeel Universal. She has previously held editorial positions at Scholastic, Disney, and Simon & Schuster. Erinn grew up in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and holds a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College. When she's not editing, Erinn enjoys veganizing family recipes, taking her mini Bernedoodle, Obi, to the dog park, practicing Pilates, and shopping at local farmer's markets. She currently resides in Los Angeles.
Key Discussion Points
1. Making Submissions Stand Out: Erinn emphasizes the importance of thorough research into the recipient of a submission, knowing their preferences, and understanding their existing catalog. She highlights the necessity of clear communication regarding an author’s goals and vision for their book.
2. Trends in Publishing: Erinn discusses the current trends, including the popularity of manga, anime-inspired art, horror, and graphic novels. She also notes the value of niche markets and creative stories.
3. The Acquisition Process: Erinn outlines the detailed acquisition process at Andrews McMeel Universal, from initial submission reviews to final decisions, including the role of sales and marketing teams.
4. Author Platforms: The discussion touches on the importance of an author's platform, noting that while a large following can influence print runs, it is not the sole factor in acquisition decisions. The content of an author’s social media is also considered, especially for children's book authors.
5. Diversity and Inclusion: Erinn expresses her interest in acquiring books that normalize different neurodivergences and religious minorities without making them the central theme of the story.
Conclusion
Erinn Pascal offers valuable insights into the publishing industry, from crafting standout submissions to navigating current trends and understanding the acquisition process. Her emphasis on meaningful partnerships between authors and editors, along with her commitment to diversity and inclusion, provides a comprehensive view of what it takes to succeed in today's publishing landscape.
Mentioned Links
- Visit Andrews McMeel Universal
- Follow Erinn Pascal on Twitter for updated manuscript wishlists
Visit the Website
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!
ENCORE EDITION! (One of our favs from season 2!)
Erinn Pascal is the Senior Editor for Kids Books and Licensing at Andrews McMeel Universal. She has previously held editorial positions at Scholastic, Disney, and Simon & Schuster. Erinn grew up in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and holds a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College. When she's not editing, Erinn enjoys veganizing family recipes, taking her mini Bernedoodle, Obi, to the dog park, practicing Pilates, and shopping at local farmer's markets. She currently resides in Los Angeles.
Key Discussion Points
1. Making Submissions Stand Out: Erinn emphasizes the importance of thorough research into the recipient of a submission, knowing their preferences, and understanding their existing catalog. She highlights the necessity of clear communication regarding an author’s goals and vision for their book.
2. Trends in Publishing: Erinn discusses the current trends, including the popularity of manga, anime-inspired art, horror, and graphic novels. She also notes the value of niche markets and creative stories.
3. The Acquisition Process: Erinn outlines the detailed acquisition process at Andrews McMeel Universal, from initial submission reviews to final decisions, including the role of sales and marketing teams.
4. Author Platforms: The discussion touches on the importance of an author's platform, noting that while a large following can influence print runs, it is not the sole factor in acquisition decisions. The content of an author’s social media is also considered, especially for children's book authors.
5. Diversity and Inclusion: Erinn expresses her interest in acquiring books that normalize different neurodivergences and religious minorities without making them the central theme of the story.
Conclusion
Erinn Pascal offers valuable insights into the publishing industry, from crafting standout submissions to navigating current trends and understanding the acquisition process. Her emphasis on meaningful partnerships between authors and editors, along with her commitment to diversity and inclusion, provides a comprehensive view of what it takes to succeed in today's publishing landscape.
Mentioned Links
- Visit Andrews McMeel Universal
- Follow Erinn Pascal on Twitter for updated manuscript wishlists
Visit the Website
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!
Previous Episode
ENCORE: Insider Insights with Editor Sara Schonfeld
ENCORE EDITION!
(PLEASE NOTE: All comments and opinions in this podcast are strictly Sara's own.)
In the latest episode of Writers with Wrinkles, we're thrilled to host Sara Schonfeld, an editor at HarperCollins, specializing in middle grade and YA literature.
Our discussion spans the joys and challenges of editing, insights into the acquisitions process, and invaluable advice for writers on submissions, social media presence, and the evolving landscape of genre blending in literature. Sara's passion for nurturing authors and her editorial expertise shine through, offering a treasure trove of wisdom for both aspiring and seasoned writers.
In This Episode:
1. Sara's Entry into Publishing: Discover Sara's intriguing start in the publishing industry through a serendipitous project with Dr. Seuss's The Grinch Mad Libs.
2. Editorial Philosophy: Gain insight into Sara's approach to editing, emphasizing the importance of enhancing the author's vision while keeping the reader in mind.
3. Juggling Editorial Projects: Understand the complexity and organization behind managing multiple books at various stages of publication.
4. The Submission Standouts: Learn what makes a manuscript shine in the crowded publishing landscape, including the significance of genre knowledge and the infusion of personal voice.
5. Behind the Acquisitions Veil: Get a rare peek into the acquisitions process, demystifying what happens behind the scenes and how decisions are made.
6. Editing Process Explained: Delve into the detailed and iterative process of editing, from big-picture feedback to line edits, and the collaborative nature of bringing a book to fruition.
7. Social Media for Writers: Hear Sara's thoughts on the role of social media in a writer's career and the importance of authenticity.
8. Genre Blending and Wishlist: Discover Sara's enthusiasm for genre-blended manuscripts, especially those that merge speculative elements with rom-com vibes.
Highlights:
- Advice for Aspiring Authors: Practical tips on standing out in submissions, including the critical role of competitive titles and authentic storytelling.
- Acquisitions Deep Dive: An insider's view on how books are selected for publication and the collective excitement that drives editorial meetings.
- The Future of Genres: Sara's anticipation for innovative genre blends and her call for submissions that push creative boundaries.
Website: https://www.saraschonfeldbooks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraSchon
Visit the Website
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!
Next Episode
ENCORE EPISODE: Queen of the Beach Read, Author Hannah McKinnon
Hannah McKinnon is an award-winning author of eight women's fiction and beach read novels with Simon & Schuster. Her notable titles include The Summer Club, (July 23rd), Message in the Sand, The View from Here, Sailing Lessons, The Summer House, Mystic Summer, and The Lake Season. Her latest release, The Darlings, came out on May 2nd. Previously, she published two YA novels, Franny Parker and The Properties of Water, with FSG Macmillan. Hannah resides in Fairfield County, Connecticut, with her family, where she enjoys spending time in her backyard, chasing chickens, wrangling rescue dogs, or at the lake. Follow her on Instagram at Hannah McKinnon Writes and Twitter at Hannah McKinnon.
Key Discussion Points:
- Introduction and New Book Announcement:
- Introduction of Hannah McKinnon and her new book The Summer Club, releasing on July 23rd.
- Overview of her career and previous titles.
- Family Dynamics and Character Development:
- Discussion on Hannah’s approach to exploring complex family relationships in her books.
- Insights into the themes of family stress points and creating relatable characters.
- Writing Process and Settings:
- Hannah’s approach to incorporating settings as integral parts of her stories.
- Research and personal experiences influencing her New England settings.
- Publishing Journey and Challenges:
- Hannah’s transition from middle grade books to contemporary women's fiction.
- Overcoming challenges in the publishing industry, including dealing with rejection and maintaining a balance with social media.
- Advice for Aspiring Writers:
- Importance of perseverance and doing thorough research on the marketplace.
- Using acknowledgements in books to find potential agents and publishers.
Conclusion: Hannah McKinnon shared valuable insights into her writing process, the importance of setting in her novels, and advice for aspiring writers. Her candid discussion about the challenges of the publishing industry and maintaining authenticity in social media presence provided a relatable perspective for both new and seasoned writers.
Mentioned Links:
- Hannah McKinnon’s website: www.hannahmckinnon.com
- Instagram: Hannah McKinnon Writes
- Twitter: Hannah McKinnon
Visit the Website
Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!
Writers With Wrinkles - ENCORE EDITION! Insider Secrets to Getting Your Book Published, with editor Erinn Pascal
Transcript
Hi everyone . Lisa and I are still busy doing the summer thing , so this is the second of three Encore episodes of Writers with Wrinkles coming your way . This episode is with Erin Pascal , and it is amazing . You will be smarter at the end . I promise We'll be back with new episodes in July , including an Ask Us Anything episode that we're really excited about . Visit our so
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