02November 2009

Paying it Forward: Part 9

Excuse the brief Halloween break. And more from Rutgers…

*Remember to check editor/agent submission requirements.

Emily van Beek is a Literary Agent and Rights Director at Pippin properties. Pippin Properties, Inc. is a focused literary agency that represents children’s book authors and artists exclusively. Emily is most passionate about books with heart, strong characters, and an often (subtle) deeper layer of meaning. At Pippin we seek “Evergreens”: Books across all genres, including MG and YA fiction that will stand the test of time. Children’s books told in original voices on original topics in original ways. A selection of titles Emily has represented includes: The Newberry Honor-winning and National Book Award nominee The Underneath by Kathi Appelt with illustrations by Caldecott Medalist David Small (Atheneum/S&S), Hallie Durand’s debut chapter book series Dessert First (Atheneum/S&S), Jandy Nelson’s intoxicating YA debut The Sky Is Everywhere (acquired at auction by Dial Books for Young Readers), Erin Bow’s Plain Kate, an atmospheric YA novel inspired by a Russian fairytale (acquired at auction by Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic), and Hallie Durand and Tony Fucile’s upcoming and comedic picture book Mitchell’s License (Candlewick Press).

Anna Webman is an Associate Agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. Anna began her career in 2005 as an assistant to Elizabeth Harding at Curtis Brown where she has worked with an esteemed list of children’s authors and illustrators including Jane Yolen, Nikki Grimes, Gennifer Choldenko, GordenKorman, Patrica McKissack, Jane Dyer, Caroline Cooney, L.J. Smith, Karen Cushman, Pat Mora, and S.E. Hinton. Anna represents a range of YA, MG, and PB authors and illustrators, published or new, with whom she works to help them build successful publishing careers. She always is on the lookout for first-time authors and illustrators. Anna’s ideal PB book would be character-driven, energetic story that kids (and their parents) won’t tire of. She particularly is interested in voice driven realistic fiction, with both historical and contemporary settings, and would love to find a Young MG series.

Christy Webster is an Assistant Editor is at Random House Books for Young Readers. Christy has been at Random House since April 2005. There she edits a variety of formats from baby to YA, both trade and licensed. She is the editor of the upcoming chapter book Anna Maria’s Gift by Janice Shefelman, and has recently taken over as the editor of the upcoming Calendar Mysteries series, and the ongoing A to Z Mystery series, both by Ron Roy. She is particularly interested in early chapter books and beginning readers, but is willing to critique or consider anything except poetry. Christy is originally from Maine.

Edie Weinberg is at Everything at Edie Weinberg Design. Edie loves to art direct and design PBs. Notable recent title she’s designed are Snowball Fight! By Jimmy Fallon and Sheetzu-Caca-Poopoo! By Joy Behar. Edie also loves to create more sophisticated and serious designs in nonfiction, most recently she designed a MG biography Rev. Daniel A. Payne: Great Black Leader. While at Cartwheel Books/Scholastic Inc., Edie was the art director of the I spy Picture Book Riddles series and their Hello Reader! Line of leveled reading books. More recently, Edie was a design manager at McGraw-Hill, working on their new reading program.

Tina Wexler is a Literary Agent at International Creative Management (ICM). Tina represents authors in the children’s and adult marketplace with a focus on MG and YA fiction. Forthcoming client publications include Rescuing Seneca Crane by Susan Runholt, Operation Yes by Sara Lewis Holmes, Posh and Prejudice by Grace Dent and Tarra and Bella by Carol Buckley. She is particularly interested in tall tales/magical realism, contemporary coming of age stories, adventure, urban fantasy, and fiction that will appeal to both girls and boys. General speaking, Tina is probably not the best match for high fantasy or sentimental PBs. She has an MFA in poetry, is from Southern Maine, and lives in Brooklyn with her husband.

Alison Weiss is an Editorial Assistant at Egmont USA. Since joining Egmont, Alison has worked on PBs through YA fiction, as the company has built its lists. In addition to working with many debut authors, Alison has been part of the editorial team working on Walter Dean Myers’s YA Riot and PB, Looking Like Me (illustrated by Christopher Myers), and Todd Strasser’s Wish You Were Dead. She is the American editor for forthcoming projects from Ali Sparkes and Kate le Vann. Alison is particularly interested in MG (especially school stories, tear-jerkers, and mysteries) and high concept YA fiction. She is a member of the Young to Publishing Group and the Digital Publishing Group.

Noa Wheeler is an Associate Editor at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. Noa has worked with award-wining authors and illustrators such as Bryon Collier, Denise Fleming, Peter McCarty, and Lloyd Alexander. She has recently worked on Charles and Emma ( a biography of Charles Darwin for teens by Deborah Heiligman) and The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate ( a novel by Jackie Kelly). She edits books for all ages and in all formats except original board book.