How did you get into children’s book publishing?
I first realised I wanted to work in publishing when I was sixteen – I was lucky enough to get a two-week work experience placement at Penguin after my GCSEs. When I was at university I realised that I still preferred reading children’s books for pleasure, so in the summer of my second year I did another two weeks’ work experience, this time at Puffin, and I just adored it. When I graduated I applied to every single publishing job going – in rights, in editorial, in publicity, in children’s and adults, in London and in New York (a girl can dream). I got a few interviews but never managed to get a job. I can remember just weeping and weeping after being told I hadn’t got a publicity job I really wanted . . . I was working as a temp at the Home Office and was desperate to leave. But then I spotted an ad for an Editorial Assistant job at Usborne Publishing. I had to write a book plan and the first three chapters of a book about the Olympics to get the job, and luckily I pulled it off. I spent four and a half years there, mostly writing children’s non-fiction (Usborne is quite unusual for a publishing company in that most of their books are written in-house). Then I worked as a non-fiction editor at Scholastic for a year before moving to Walker.
How would you spend a typical day at work?
I work on a wide variety of books, which is quite unusual in publishing, but I think it’s one of the best things about my job. I edit fiction, picture books, non-fiction and pop-up books, and I get to write books, too, which I love.
I always start the day by checking my emails, in case anything urgent has come up. Then I might have a meeting with an illustrator to go through the roughs for a pop-up book, or with an author, to discuss a young fiction book. After that I might write the text for a picture book or pop-up book, or read through some proofs EXTREMELY SLOWLY to check that no typos have slipped through. I often get in touch with our colleagues at Candlewick Press in the States to tell them about a new project we’re developing, or scour the internet looking for inspiration for new books.
What top two things do you love about your job?
Getting to be creative – brainstorming plots, coming up with new ideas and approaching people I think could write brilliant books for kids. And working with incredible writers and illustrators.
Which stories and/or illustration styles are catching your eye right now?
Stories-wise, I just look for things that are brilliantly written, from an author with a strong voice. It’s always exciting to read something genuinely funny, or gripping, or moving. Some of my favourite illustrators are already published by Walker – I like beautiful, contemporary, witty illustrators like Jon Klassen and Vivian Schwartz, and I love artists like Emily Sutton and Mark Hearld who appeal to both adults and children.
Have you ever seen a book and thought I wish I’d published that?
Loads of them: the Mr Gum books, the His Dark Materials trilogy, the Mog books . . . before I worked in publishing I picked up a copy of Michael Rosen’s Sad Book in Waterstones and burst into tears. I still cry every time I read it. To me the marriage of text and illustrations is just stunning - it’s a perfect picture book. And James Dawson's new book - This Book is Gay – I know it’s going to be brilliant. Amazing, amazing cover.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone looking to work in publishing, what would it be?
Try and get a work experience placement – though I realise that might be easier said than done. You could apply directly to publishers, but you could also try getting in touch with editors or designers on Twitter. Publishing people are friendly and often want to give people a chance, so it’s worth a shot.
If you could give one piece of advice to an author and/or illustrator looking to get published, what would it be?
Try to get as good as possible at writing/illustrating before you try to get published. Writing is HARD. Illustrating is HARD. Do courses, read loads, do your research, and then just practise for ages. And then, when you think you’re ready, try to find an agent. (Get a copy of the Children’s Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, try to find out who represents writers/illustrators you admire, follow them on Twitter and find out what they’re looking for!)
Describe yourself in five words
Creative, friendly, optimistic, enthusiastic, excitable.
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