Editor Katherine Tegen - Floating on Mama's Song Blog Tour - Summer Editors Archives

 

A favorite post from 2010:

I am happy to be on one of the stops for the Floating on Mama's Song Blog Tour.  The lyrical picture book by Laura Lacámara, with illustrations by Yuyi Morales, is a beautiful tale.  A single mother is lifted off the ground by her songs.  I was lucky to get the book's editor, Katherine Tegen, to give me an interview about why she acquired the book, the state of promotion and, of course, her favorite dessert. 

What qualities in the manuscript Floating on Mama’s Song intrigued you enough to acquire it?

I have a special desire to publish Latina talent, perhaps because I am part Hispanic myself.  I grew up hearing the stories of my grandmother who was from Puerto Rico, stories that depicted a rich culture that was kind of magical, and so very different from my suburban American life.

So when I read Laura’s manuscript it truly resonated with me – and what is more powerful than the magic of singing, and the happiness that you feel when you are singing?  I think children need stories that show conflict, but that end in a positive and uplifting way.  The world is hard and often dismal; picture books can provide a place of refuge from reality, and a place where imagination can bloom.

In these tough economic times what can an author do to help the house promote her books?

Since publishing houses have cut back on their marketing budgets, authors should do everything they can to promote their books on their own.  The web is an essential tool for marketing with social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter available to everyone.  Authors should build their own websites and offer content for readers and for teachers and librarians.  And they should reach out to schools in their area (if they like interacting with children) and set up as many school visits as possible.  If the school visits are arranged in tandem with a bookstore, the bookstore will sell copies of the author’s books at the appearances, usually in lieu of a speaker’s fee.  The publisher’s publicity department can help with setting up these bookstore alliances.

With the publishing industry in flux and interactive e-picture books becoming a reality, would you recommend that authors write with the thought that their manuscripts might be produced as interactive books?

Yes, it’s probably a good idea to look to the future, and think about how your texts might be adapted for an interactive e-picture book.  But the story would still need to work for a physical (print) book.

What kind of manuscripts are you looking for now?
 
As mentioned above, I like stories that are optimistic, or funny, or very original in some way.  All stories should have a strong narrative arc – a conflict that has a resolution – even in the shortest picture book.  Picture books aimed at the very youngest audience – preschool through kindergarten, seem to be selling best now.  Long picture books for older children are not selling.

What is your favorite dessert and why?

Hmm, that’s the toughest question here.  I do like chocolate.  Chocolate cake is good, but I also love chocolate chip cookies.  I must confess that I eat Oreos frequently (of course we have to keep cookies in the house for my children).  Pumpkin pie is my favorite kind of pie, although I also like a good apple pie with a homemade crust.  I guess I could go on and on, but I’ll stop now!

Katherine Tegen is VP and Publisher of Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.  She has always wanted to work in publishing since she was a little girl, when she wrote stories and printed them up on a little mechanical printing press.  She is the publisher of the SEPTIMUS HEAP series by Angie Sage, WAITING FOR NORMAL by Leslie Connor, and A NEST FOR CELESTE by Henry Cole.  She also publishes picture books and teen fiction.  She is the author of the New York Times best-selling THE STORY OF THE EASTER BUNNY, and the THE STORY OF THE JACK O'LANTERN, available in Fall 2010.

Comments

[Janelle]

I found it very interesting to learn that longer picture books are not selling as well. My daughter is just at the stage of wanting to listen to longer books and now that I think about it, we do usually pick up chapter books to read when we are looking for something longer. However, I have found she really likes to listen to smaller sized chapter books with multiple color illustrations like "The Night Fairy" and "Emmaline and the Bunny." She does love to look at the illustrations while I read.

[James Luna]

I agree with Ms. Tegen's comment on the power of picture books to encourage the imagination of children. I can't wait to read Floating on Mama's Song.

[Laura Lacamara]

Wow, Doret! Am so glad my story (and Yuyi's art) moved you! I appreciate your post here and on your fantastic blog! Look forward to seeing the Amazon.com review. Thanks a million!

[Laura Lacamara]

Thank you, Terri, for your lovely comment!

[Laura Lacamara]

Thanks, Suzy! You've been a terrific supporter, and I appreciate that.

[Doret]

Thank you so much for aquiring and publishing Floating on Mama's Song. I loved it and reviewed it today.

http://thehappynappybookseller.blogspot.com/2010/09/floating-on-mamas-song-laura-lacamara.html

When I was reading it there were moments when I could see it as a really good middle grade novel. Lacamara gave so much goodness.

I wanted to know more about the mama who loved opera, with the beautiful magical voice.

Then there's the grandmother , there's simply a lot of great layers in this beautifully done story.

And don't even get me started on Morales crazy good illustrations.

Thanks again for getting Floating on Mama's Song out into the world. I am off to put my review on Amazon. 5 stars of course.

[Terri Hoover Dunham]

Great interview and this book sounds very interesting and uplifting.

Terri Hoover Dunham
The Legend of Papa Noel: A Cajun Christmas Story

[Suzy Engelman Block]

Always great to hear what turns editors on (so to speak)....Loving all the interviews that give us insights into Laura's work! Best of luck for the book!

[Laura Lacamara]

Whoops! I almost forgot - thank you to Jen Christie for your comment as well! (It sounds like you know Katherine personally!)

And, of course, a huge 'Thank You!' to Tina Coury for hosting my Blog Tour today & for putting up a wonderful interview with Katherine Tegen! -L

[Laura Lacamara]

Thank you: Lee, Laurie Y., & Mara - The support of my fellow authors, illustrators, & creative-type folks has helped keep me going through this rewarding, yet tiring process!

Leticia - It makes me so happy to know that my story is reaching Argentina & other parts of Latin America! (I consider Los Angeles part of Latin America as well.)

Scott ... and ... Nancy - My husband, Hal, informs me that we must have an e-mail address for you, in order to enter you in the book giveaway contest for Floating on Mama's Song. You two (Nancy & Scott) can post your e-mail addresses here, on my Facebook page, or send them to Hal at:

Muchas gracias to all concerned! -L

[Laurie Young]

Tina, Thanks for such an interesting interview. It's always great to hear how an editor thinks and what draws them to a manuscript.

[Mara Thompson]

Dear Katherine and Laura!

Congratulations on the release of this wonderful book!

[Jen Christie]

KBT, I never knew about the Oreos! x,JC

[Nancy]

I cannot wait to read this book - sounds wonderful! Thanks for the great interview, too!

[Scott]

What a wonderful idea for a story. May I also suggest green tea creme brulee as a very yummy dessert.

[Lee Wind]

Fun! And a great reminder that a manuscript really has to resonate with an editor for them to acquire it. Thanks to you all for the interview!
Namaste,
Lee

[Leticia Pontoni]

I am an argentina fan from Laura Lacamara and Yuyi Morales. Many children will enjoy this new book. Go ahead!! Buy this book!!
Leticia Pontoni.

[Hal Martin]

Tina & Katherine:
Enjoyed reading the interview! Thanks for the truly valuable insights into the picture book market.
Funny, it's before breakfast time, yet I find I'm hungry for dessert! -- HMB <3 (Laura's spouse)