Tales from the Rushmore Kid

Most Popular Posts 2009 - Laurent Linn - Art Director - Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

I met Laurent Linn several years ago at the SCBWI National Conference and I was struck by his kindness, generosity and humor.  He is a great friend to the SCBWI, participating in portfolio reviews, workshops and roundtable discussions.  I am also a great admirer of his work as a designer.  It gives me great pleasure to interview Laurent Linn.

When and why did you start art directing for children?

My entire career has been involved in children’s worlds. I didn’t set out to do that, it just evolved that way. Perhaps because I’ve never grown up (and don’t plan to), so I’ve basically worked on projects that interest me.

Most Popular Posts - 09 - Kathy Landwehr - Vice President - Peachtree Publisher

 I met Kathy Landwehr at the Ventura/Santa Barbara Mission picturebook retreat this year.  Kathy was gracious and generous with her critiques of first pages.  I am always pleased to interview an editor.  I give you Kathy Landwehr.

When and why did you become an editor for children’s books?

I started working at Peachtree in 1990, but in publicity and marketing. I moved over to editorial and production in 1995 in a managerial role and starting acquiring titles in 2001. And that’s when I felt I’d really found my home, even though I loved my time at Peachtree before that as well.

Suzanne Pfefferle - Pelican Publishing Company Publicist

Suzanne Pfefferle, publicist for Pelican Publishing Company, contacted me about a blog tour for one of her authors.  I agreed to participate and she agreed to be interviewed!

In these tough economic times, what can authors/illustrators do to help the publicity department promote their books?

There are several ways an author can generate publicity for their book on a limited budget. The first thing they should do is create a website, begin a blog, or join a social network. Everyone is online these days, so creating a presence on the web is a great way to generate buzz for a book.

My Editor, Steve Meltzer

I was recently in New York and had the opportunity to meet with my fabulous editor, Steve Meltzer of Dutton. He showed me around the Dutton offices and took me to lunch. I had my video camera with me and managed to get him to sit down to answer a few questions for the blog. He had lovely things to say about the SCBWI.

Alice Pope - Editor, Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market

I've  seen Alice Pope for many years at the SCBWI National conferences.  Last year I attended a fun and informative round-table discussion on marketing research that she chaired. For the past fifteen years Alice has been editor for Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market.  I am proud to say that I will have an article on blog tours and book promotion in the 2010 edition.  Alice also writes a very hip kidlit blog, Alice's CWIM Blog.

When did the annual book Children’s Writer's and Illustrator's Market first come out?
 
My company began publishing CWIM in 1989. After publishing Writer’s Market since the 1920s, they began to focus on some niche markets and children’s publishing was one of them.

Kate Fletcher - Candlewick

Kate Fletcher was my core group editor at the Santa Barbara Mission retreat in January.  She was funny, kind and gave great feedback on everyone's picture book manuscripts.  I also had the opportunity to hang out with her at the Saturday night party and discuss our favorite books of the year.  I am so pleased to interview Kate Fletcher.

When and why did you start editing for children?

After I completed the Columbia Publishing Course in 2003, I interviewed with the President and Publisher at Candlewick Press. Visiting the office and learning more about Candlewick made me want to be a part of creating books for children.

The Ali Forney Center

Charities are really hurting in this economy, so I was pleased that my former editor, Mark McVeigh, emailed me about a worthwhile charity that he helps lead.  The Ali Forney Center finds housing for LGBT youths in New York City.   The mission of the charity is to help LGBT youths feel safe and become independent as they move from adolescence to adulthood.

Here is the email from Mark:"The Ali Forney Center is the only organization of its kind in NYC and we desperately need the help of individual donors. We constantly reach out to City, State and Federal funds—all of which have contributed—but it is donors like yourselves who make a difference. As a new board member, I’m doing my best to  make sure as many people know about this worthwhile organization and consider a donation, no matter how small."

Most Popular Posts 2008 - Carolyn Yoder - Editor

Like most children's book authors, I have files full of rejection letters. Some broke my heart.  Some pissed me off.  Just a couple encouraged me to continue.  One good rejection letter I received was from Calkins Creek editor, Carolyn Yoder.  Even though she did not buy my manuscript on Mount Rushmore, she took the time to write me a two page critique.  I want to thank her publicly for that encouragement. I am thrilled that Carolyn Yoder agreed to be interviewed.

When and why did you become a children’s book editor?

Well, that’s interesting. I was working in Boston, in scholarly publishing, and basically answered an ad for an editor at a small children’s magazine publisher.

Tim Gillner - Art Director

I met Tim Gillner at last year at SCBWI Ventura Writer's Day. I was the portfolio coordinator so I brought him talented illustrators all day long.  He also gave a wonderful speech and slide show about his house, Boyds Mills Press.
I am delighted that he agreed to be interviewed.


When and why did you become involved in art directing for children’s books?

I became art director of Boyds Mills Press in 1991. Why, is a little tougher to answer. I had worked in children's publishing for 15 or so years prior to that. I guess it is just the natural progression of my field.

Editor - Steve Meltzer

When Stephanie Owens Lurie, President and Publisher of Dutton Children's Books, e-mailed me that my editor had left and she had assigned me a new one, I must admit I was a little nervous.  I had heard countless stories of orphan books that never see the light of day.  But I had no reason to worry and I want to publicly thank Stephanie, because she gave me the wonderful Steve Meltzer.  He is attentive, he is creative and he is just a blast to work with.  So I am delighted that my editor, Steve Meltzer, agreed to be interviewed for the blog.


When and why did you become a children’s book editor?

The bigger question is when did I enter the wonderful world of publishing. That was in 1985 when I started as an inventory analyst for a book club. I went from there into educational sales and then became an editor in 1999.