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I am an editor of books for children and young adults and the publisher of Dutton Children's Books. Opinions (of which I have many) are entirely my own. Expect a lot of text and book/publishing chatter ... and a pretty poor understanding of what are surely the many wonders of tumblr. Twitter: @jsgabel Happy to answer questions if I can. Please ask!

[penguinteen]

Exclusive reveal alert! 

See the awesome cover and read an excerpt from Spontaneous here!

[jsgabel]

Nearly as vibrant as the book and its author. Color and beauty, all. Read more about Tahereh Mafi’s FURTHERMORE in EW!

FURTHERMORE goes on sale August 30!

[penguinteen]

Sophomores and Other Oxymorons, David Lubar

[jsgabel]

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but I'm attending the SCBWI conference in LA next week and I would like to attend your first pages session. Do we just bring the first page to the session the day of? Does the page need to be labeled a certain way? Genre, name, title? No label? Thanks!

Glad to hear you’ll be coming to the conference!

There isn’t much needed to label a first page for a session like this. You can include your name, or be anonymous if you’d prefer. Sometimes people will label the total number of pages/words and a genre (YA, middle grade, etc.), but it’s not critical . Part of the learning experience of a first pages session is seeing how an editor responds to a cold read: Does your first page convey tone, etc. even without added guidance? It can be important to see when that isn’t happening without added direction.

And one small word of advice ... do a standard margin, double-spaced, 12-point type. Cramming in twice as much isn’t truly testing your FIRST page/impression.

[jsgabel]

I'm hoping you can answer this or give me some kind of advice. I'm new to writing and I'm looking into sending out my query letters to agents for a children's picture book. I've looked into all sorts of things but nothing seems to mention including illustrations or if you have to. I'm a writer not an artist so my book has no illustration. I'm wondering if it's ok to send query letters and manuscripts for a book without illustration? I don't know how this works. I appreciate your response. Thanks

It’s absolutely okay. Picture book manuscripts can be just the manuscripts; SHOULD be just the manuscripts if you are not also an illustrator. It’s part of the normal publishing process that the house will contract an illustrator for the book. Don’t invest your own money in hiring someone, even just for samples. Most likely that will turn out to be a disadvantage, not a benefit. And, generally, don’t add instructions for illustration to the manuscript. An editor is going to want the words of the manuscript to build a complete foundation from which a professional illustrator (and designer and art director) will then bring a whole new level of expertise and vision. The text should speak for itself.

It’s been many years since I acquired or edited picture books, but these fundamentals don’t change much. Do check individual agencies and publishing houses (or market guides) to determine their submissions policies. Many may allow a full picture book to be submitted, though others might limit you to a query. It’s hard to know much about a picture book from a query letter--you have to read the words--so policies might differ.

[jsgabel]

Draft vs sequel

Swimming with thoughts about editing, publishing, and so much more as we approach the publication of GO SET A WATCHMAN. Too much to unpack right now, and too much that will probably never be known. Questions that will likely never be genuinely answered (that frustrate and worry me).

For now, I hope we can try to look backward at drafts and craft and beginnings, and learn something from that ... and not forward to sequel. Direction makes a difference.

[penguinteen]

We’re human, which means we make mistakes. But sometimes those mistakes affect our bookshelves, which, let’s be real, is unacceptable. That’s why we’ve rounded up 9 of the some of the most buzzed-about and raved-about YA books that you may have missed because your nose was in another...

[jsgabel]

Proof of mission accomplished. The pictures no one ever expected to see, me included. Almost as high up as my office.

[penguinteen]

BEA 2015 is just around the corner!! We’re seriously excited about our schedule this year, and we can’t wait to bask in the book love with all of you! Read on for all of our author events and signings.

THURSDAY, MAY 28TH

AT THE PENGUIN BOOTH #3119

2-3 pm                       C. Alexander London - The Wild Ones

FRIDAY, MAY 29th

AT THE PENGUIN BOOTH #3119

9:30 – 10:30 am          Marie Lu - The Rose Society

10:30 – 11:30 am        Oliver Jeffers - The Day the Crayons Came Home

1 – 2 pm                    Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski - Nightfall

1 – 2 pm                    Brad Meltzer and Chris Eliopolous - I am Jackie Robinson

3 – 4 pm                    Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri - Robosauce

3:30 – 4:30 pm           Lisa Lewis Tyre - Last in a Long Line of Rebels

4 – 5 pm                    Moira Fowley-Doyle - The Accident Season

IN THE AUTOGRAPHING AREA

10:00 – 11:00 am       **Jan Brett - The Turnip (Table 2)

10:00 – 11:00 am       Carrie Ryan - Daughter of Deep Silence (Table 13)

11:00 – 12 pm            **Judy Shachner - DeweyBob Crockett (Table 2)

2 – 3 pm                     Richelle Mead - Soundless (Table 15)

SATURDAY, MAY 30th

IN THE AUTOGRAPHING AREA

5:30 – 6:30                Richelle Mead - Soundless (Table 9)

AT THE PENGUIN BOOTH #3119

2:30 – 3:30 pm          Carrie Ryan - Daughter of Deep Silence

SUNDAY, MAY 31st

AT THE PENGUIN BOOTH #3119

12 – 1 pm                  Maureen Johnson - The Shadow Cabinet

IN THE AUTOGRAPHING AREA

12:30 - 1:30 pm         Jacqueline Woodson - Brown Girl Dreaming (Table 6)

4 - 5 pm                    David Levithan - Hold Me Closer (Table 3)

** Events are ticketed. Tickets will be handed out prior to the event at Penguin Booth 3119, so please arrive early.

[jsgabel]

Hi, I was wondering if you had any advice about writing cover letters for entry level jobs in publishing. I read your past posts about breaking into publishing, and how to craft resumes. I don't have a lot of internship experience and I'm struggling to write a letter that is both professional and personal. If I lean towards too formal it feels stale and if its too informal it feels immature. If you have any advice, it would be much appreciated

As someone who hires entry-level candidates, my advice is to err on the side of professionalism and simplicity in your cover letter. Usual caveats: 1. Other publishing professionals might have differing opinions, of course. I place a lot of personal importance on clear communication and professionalism when hiring. Showcasing your personality and passion while also speaking for your boss(es) and company will be a big part of finding your way through that new job and that starts with the cover letter. 2. My experience is in a large company; standing out in a smaller, unique place might be different.

You have to remember that your cover letter is likely (at least at a larger company) to start with the human resources department/recruiter long before the hiring manager sees it. Excessive quirk and flash might not work. They are looking for people with strong experience and passion to fill each job. The person hiring might also have specific wants/preferences/quirks ... something you can’t know/anticipate. They see a lot of resumes and cover letters.

My advice: be clear and professional. Work hard to let your passion for the job shine through--it’s important to highlight why you really want this job, not just any job. Think about what every other candidate is probably going to say about why they want this job and think about what can make you stand out. What do you know about that imprint/list/company that speaks to your interest and skills? 

[jsgabel]

Ms. Strauss-Gabel, I am a writer with a passion for young adult literature. I am seeking an editor right now, and am curious to know how much you charge for book-editing. Also, do you take solicitations, or should they come from an agent?

I’ve had a lot of similar asks lately, about my editing fees. 

I don’t charge for editorial services. Editors employed by publishing houses, and agents, should not be charging fees to writers. Editors pay you (via advance and royalties) once we acquire a manuscript. Agents (who do sometimes charge back small office fees), get paid via commission when they sell your work. If an “agent” is charging reading fees, be warned.

That said, there are an increasing number of freelance editors whose services are available for a fee and they can sometimes be a resource for new/unagented writers who seek professional/paid feedback while working on a manuscript and preparing for submission. This is a paid resource and can be a useful one to those who need additional, objective, guidance (beyond what friends, family, and critique partners can provide). There are many exceptionally talented freelance editors (including some who worked for years in publishing). If you consider this route, just be careful, do your homework, get references, and find someone with the skills and experience that would be a real asset to your developing manuscript.

[penguinrandomhouse]

[penguinteen]

penguinrandomhouse:

The new Penguin Random House site is coming soon! In the meantime, enjoy this adorable gif. 

[jsgabel]

Oh man, I never get tired of cute Penguin (book) things. (Cute living penguins not so bad either.)

[papertownsy]

TFIOS wins Movie of the Year at the MTV Movie Awards

[penguinteen]

John’s MTV Movie Awards acceptance speech for The Fault in Our Stars included a beautiful tribute to Esther Earl. Read This Star Won’t Go Out to get to know Esther through her own words in the form of letters, journal entries, sketches and short fiction.

[jsgabel]

When looking at submissions, do you typically only consider books submitted by agents from big, famous agencies? Or only agents you've worked with before or met before? Or do you look at everything? In short - does the agent's name matter?

Thanks anon, I think this is an excellent question that many might have, but never ask.

An agent’s name does matter, but in complicated ways. 

I pay the most attention to agents I know very well and have worked with successfully in the past. There are a handful of agents whom I have known for many years and they really understand my taste and working style. When someone I know and trust sends me something and says “THIS is perfect for you,” I pay A LOT of attention. They’re usually right. 

I could talk endlessly about agents/targeting submissions. In order to avoid a bottomless wall of text, a few key thoughts:

- I highly value targeted submissions. Nothing makes me tune out faster than a mass email to every editor in town.

- I pay a lot more attention when an agent lets me have a first look or a period of exclusivity on a special project they feel is uniquely right for me. I return that consideration and care and put that sub at the top of the list.

- I do pay attention to where an agent works and his/her client list. 

- The work of meeting agents and talking about my list is never done. I welcome meeting new people and helping them to target me well. I think it’s easy to make wrong assumptions about what an editor wants/is open to and I worry every day about fine tuning and sharing that message and helping people to know what I want. I certainly don’t need to see most/all submissions … but I really want to see the ones that would be perfect for me and my list.

[penguinteen]

Tiny Cooper is finally taking center stage … and the world will never be the same again. Filled with honesty, humor, and “big, lively, belty” musical numbers, Hold Me Closer is the no-holds-barred (and many-bars-held) entirety of the beloved musical first introduced in Will Grayson, Will Grayson, the award-winning bestseller by John Green and David Levithan. “Tiny will have readers falling out of their chairs laughing… . It’s big. It’s gay. It’s outrageous and hilarious,” said the Kirkus review. Penguin Teen Author Spotlight is proud to introduce Tiny Cooper. Get to know more about him below!

Name: Tiny Cooper 

Novel: HOLD ME CLOSER: The Tiny Cooper Story 

Available: 3/17/15 

Who’s your favorite author, living or dead? Sondheim. 

What’s your favorite thing about your book? The dancing. 

If you could spend one year on a deserted island with one character from literature, who would you choose? Superman, because he could leave all the time and pick up magazines and food. 

Where do you write? In my head, mostly. 

Who is your favorite hero or heroine of history? Sondheim. 

Do you tweet? What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever tweeted? A GIF of kittens singing “Giants in the Sky” 

What is your favorite season? Tony season. 

If you could teleport anywhere in the known universe right now, where would you go? HEDWIG rehearsals, in the space right in front of Lena Hall as Darren Criss leans in to kiss her, so that he would end up kissing me and fall in love and decide that I was not only his best friend but someone he wanted to kiss on a highly frequent basis for at least a year and a half. Is that too specific? 

Do you have any writing rituals? A song isn’t done until I’ve sung it in the shower. 

What is your idea of earthly happiness? Sondheim. 

What is the best concert you’ve ever been to? Patty Lupone’s one woman show, You Didn’t Think I’d Last But Suck It I’m Still Here. 

What are you currently working on? The road to getting a Tony.

………………

Thank you, Tiny Cooper! We wish you luck on getting a Tony!

You can find David Levithan on his website and his Facebook!

Add HOLD ME CLOSER: The Tiny Cooper Story to your “to-read” shelf on Goodreads!

Purchase HOLD ME CLOSER: The Tiny Cooper Story from your favorite retailer!

[fishingboatproceeds]

THIS IS THE PAPER TOWNS MOVIE POSTER! I’m so excited for everyone to see the movie when it comes out on July 24th and grateful to the people at Fox who made this beautiful poster and YAY YAY YAY. Also, in TRAILER NEWS: I’ll be debuting the Paper Towns trailer live on-air on The Today Show next Thursday 19th March! 

[fishingboatproceeds]

A Proper Blog Post

Things have been a bit crazy here, because A. Henry and Alice (our children) have been sick, and B. Sarah and I have both been traveling for work, and C. it was cold in Indianapolis for 12 years straight like a full-on Game of Thrones-style winter, which just drains the soul.

So here are some updates:

1. The Paper Towns movie will come out in the U.S. on July 24th. (Hopefully there will be a showing on July 23rd with a special livestream into movie theaters, but I dunno yet.) I don’t know when it will premiere in other countries; SORRY. 

2. I have seen the movie, and I love it. I thought the whole cast did an amazing job and it’s a beautifully shot film and very funny and sweet, and while I did not make it or really have much to do with making it, I am so grateful to those who’ve worked so hard on it.

3. A series of encouraging developments makes a Looking for Alaska movie suddenly seem more likely. It’s still totally possible that it won’t happen, but Scott Neustadter and Mike Weber (who wrote both TFIOS and Paper Towns) have signed on to write the script, and the producers of TFIOS and Paper Towns have joined as well. That is very encouraging news.

4. I am trying to write a new book. It is slow going. 

5. There are many new Crash Course series, and more coming: In addition to literature, world history, chemistry, biology, and psychology, this year we’re doing anatomy and physiology, U.S. government, astronomy, and starting soon both economics and copyright law (so we residents of the Internet can figure out exactly what copyright is and isn’t). There’s also the just-launched Crash Course Kids.

6. The Art Assignment continues to be the most fun I get to have all week. This week Brandon Odums gets us to think about discarded material and buildings differently.

7. If you live in or near New York, there are 200ish tickets available to this Paper Towns event that I’m not allowed to tell you what it is but trust me it will be fun, so try to get a ticket if you’re interested.

8. My ask box is open! 

9. Sorry for the wall of text.