Today we get to hear from the editorial side of children’s publishing. A huge thank you to Thomas Nelson who so willingly offered interviews and advice for aspiring children’s writers!! Tell us a little about yourself! My name is MacKenzie Howard, and I’ve been with Thomas Nelson for just over three years. I’ve got a wonderful husband who is a high school teacher and basketball coach and two crazy little dogs. I love acquiring and dreaming up book ideas for children as well as working with authors and delving into manuscripts. The best thing about the children’s division is the variety of projects we get to handle—fiction, non-fiction, Bible storybooks, picture books, board books, and others. Even though I’m sure no day is “typical”, can you tell us about what […]
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More YA Editorial Insight
Today we hear from Natalie Hanemann, a senior editor who works with some of Thomas Nelson’s YA projects. Tell us a little about yourself! I’m married and have two small children—five and one. I’m a Food Network junkie and torture my family by watching Iron Chef re-runs. The kids just want to watch Playhouse Disney. I’ve worked in publishing for almost 10 years, five years here at Thomas Nelson. I love fiction. I love God. I pinch myself sometimes on days where I’ve been able to dive deeply into both. And the art and science to storytelling is endlessly interesting to me. Specifically, I’m passionate about Romances and Historicals. Even though I’m sure no day is “typical”, can you tell us about what your “day at work” is like as […]
Read the RestYA Advice – From the editors!
First up, we have an interview with the incomparable Jessica Barnes, of Waterbrook/Multnomah. I’ve actually met Jessica and she’s fun to talk to about YA – she’s a true fan of the genre which makes her ideas something to really listen to. Tell us a little about yourself! Well, I’m an associate editor with the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, and I work mostly with our fiction line. If I wasn’t doing this, I’d probably be a veterinarian. (My college career took a very sharp turn about halfway through.) My only claim to fame is that Edward James Olmos once hugged me. Are you actively acquiring YA? What’s on your wish list as far as YA Novels go? I, personally, am very interested in YA (if you look at an average […]
Read the RestMeet Nancy Rue!
Today I’d like to introduce a dear friend Nancy Rue. Nancy is the author of more than 100 books that span from tween to YA to adult. Finding out how successful authors tackle books for children can help you grow as well! Q. You have several series that are geared for girls in the 8-12 age range. What draws you to that age group? What draws me to the 8 to 12 age group is the fact that they are no longer those sweet little baby girlfriends, but they haven’t lost their minds yet and become teenagers. This is the time to lay a foundation for them – a basis for making their own decisions and standing up for themselves and others and Jesus as they get older. They still […]
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