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WRITE HABIT: #NYSCBWI15 Editors Panel: Children's Books 2015: Report from the Front Lines

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So I learned a LOAD of useful information on the 2015 State of Children’s Books from an Amazing Editors Panel at the NY15SCBWI Conference. Check out what the experts had to say.






Justin Chanda, VP & Publisher of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 3 imprints of S&S


BEST ADVICE: “We’re growing generations of readers.”

MY TAKE: Start them young and they will read with you for life!!



Laura Godwin, VP & Publisher of Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, Imprint of Macmillian, 5 imprints

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She thinks we’ll see a Picture Book Renaissance, and here’s why: picture books are on the upswing.

Social media allows authors to push their own books and other books—it’s great publicity for everyone all around.

MY TAKE: I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again and again. Writers and Illustrators are soooo GREAT and FRIENDLY. We are ALL in this together, so lets spread the word!!




Beverly Horowitz, VP & Publisher, Delacorte Press (Dell Press)
BeverlyHorowitz

She wanted to take a moment to remember George Nicholson. Fifty years ago he began printing paperback books. He was ridiculed and criticized but he did it anyway, and none of us would not be here today if it wasn’t for his tenacity.

MY TAKE:  Individuals can make a difference. We just have to BELIEVE.

She edited We Were Liars.

BEST ADVICE: “Bring your imagination to your writing and readers will bring imagination to books.”

*Write a great book and readers will come.”



Stephanie Owens, Assoc. Publisher, Disney-Hyperion
OwensLurie

GOOD NEWS: Research proves “Kids prefer REAL books.”

Ebooks trending downward. 

Hardcover more viable than ever—“Kids wants them as soon as they come out.”  
—Hmmmm, not just kids.

Ask yourself the question: What makes my story unique?

What’s my backstory and how can it help me?

Can my story be expanded beyond the work.


Think about how to grow your fanbase. 

MY TAKE: The market and the world has changed. You might have the BEST agent and the MOST BRILLANT editor and the LARGEST Publisher, but if you don’t get out into the world via social media or networking at conferences or social visits, YOU’RE SUNK!  




BEST ADVICE FROM ALL OF THEM: Start with a Great Book!


We Need Diverse Books Stance

Justin Chanda: The campaign brought the issue to the forefront. Now buyers need to make the choice to purchase diverse books.

Beverly Horowitz: Books are out there, but what we need is for people to say to themselves, “I need to know more about worlds that aren’t mine.”




And that’s the NY15SCBWI Editors Panel in a nutshell, now get cracking!

Write on,


Kim Briggs

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