08November 2010

Paying It Forward, Day 8

Today is the final installment of this year’s Paying It Forward blog series.

I hope readers found it helpful. The Rutgers conference is a wonderful event where writers and editors/agents come together to share information. Everyone gathers together for lunch—no segregation! Writers discover agents and editors are real people (not ivory tower dwelling power mongers), and agents and editors are given the opportunity to meet hopeful writers who perhaps will prove to be those elusive diamonds in the rough. The submission period is usually some time in June and acceptance letters are usually sent some time in August. So, talented readers, you have eight months to get your pages ready to submit for possible inclusion in next year’s conference. Mark your calendar!

Last chance to enter my contest. Follow me on twitter and one new follower will be randomly picked to

*Remember to always check agent/editors submission guidelines. Some individuals listed below are only accepting queries from conference attendees—and they do check the list. Don’t burn any bridges.

And now:

Julie Tibbott, Senior Editor, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group. Julie works on MG and YA titles. Some recent books she has edited include Marlene Perez’s Dead Is paranormal mystery series (Dead is the New Black, Dead is a State of Mind, Dead is So Last Year, and Dead Is Just a Rumor), Swoon at Your Own Risk by Sydney Salter, The Bad Queen: Rules and Instructions for Marie Antoinette by Carolyn Meyer, The Clearing by Heather Davis, A Wizard of Mars by Diane Duane, and Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler. Julie is particularly interested in high-concept fiction and projects with series potential.

Andrea Tompa, Editor, Candlewick Press. Andrea Tompa has edited books by Joan Carris (Wild Times at the Bed & Biscuit), Dori Chacnas (Don’t Slam the Door!), Kate DiCamillo (The Magician’s Elephant), Megan McDonald (The Sisters Club: Rule of Three), and G. Neri (Ghetto Cowboy). She acquires books for all age groups but is especially looking to increase the diversity of her list, always hoping for more characters who are well-rounded but happen to be non-white, non-straight, non-middle-class, non-thin, and/or non-able-bodied. Will accept submissions for six months after the conference.

Christy Webster, Associate Editor, 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 Anna Maria’s Gift by Janice Shefelman; the Calendar Mysteries series and A to Z Mystery series, both by Ron Roy; upcoming PB Perfect Soup, by Lisa Moser; and upcoming early reader Ducks Go Vroom, by Jane Kohuth. She is particularly interested in PBs, early chapter books and beginning readers. Christy is originally from Maine. Christy will be happy to receive one submission per attendee after the conference.

Noa Wheeler, Associate Editor, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers. Noa edits books for all formats except original board book. She has recently worked on Charles and Emma by Deborah Heiligman. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jackie Kelly, and The Queen’s Daughter by Susan Coventry. She is mostly drawn to YA and higher-level MG novels, and is particularly interested in fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction/historical romance, and contemporary stories. She is not looking for PBs with a gross-out factor or religious books. Will accept submissions for six months after the conference.

Marietta B. Zacker, Agent, Nancy Gallt Literary Agency (www.nancygallt.com). Marietta has professionally experienced every aspect of children’s books for over 15 years, working with authors, illustrators, publishers, educators and readers. As an agent, she is passionate about bringing those worlds together. She represents authors whose work makes her pause, shiver or laugh out loud and illustrators who add a completely different dimension to the story being told. Marietta approaches her work with the knowledge that there are remarkable books of all genres, targeted to all ages, just waiting to be discovered. Marietta is happy to receive submissions after the conference.

Happy Writing!

Coll