Editor Spotlight: Emily Feinberg

Sept. 6, 2017

Today we have the pleasure of featuring Emily Feinberg, Associate Editor at Roaring Brook Press. She is the featured speaker for a September 19 webinar co-hosted by Kidlit411 and Inked Voices, Picture Books in Focus: Structuring your Picture Books and Nonfiction, at 8:30 p.m. EDT.

Be sure to enter to win a seat for this webinar!

How do you approach submissions as an editor? What makes you stop reading?

I usually like to set aside some uninterrupted time each week to read submissions. I say "usually" because it rarely happens and more often than not, I find myself reading them on my phone while waiting for the Q train. I try to approach each submission with an open mind but can usually tell pretty quickly if something is not right for my list based on voice.

What’s currently on your manuscript wish list? What’s definitely not on the list?

Overall, I'm looking for narrative nonfiction with a strong voice. I also kind of want a middle grade novel set in the middle ages, like CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY (by Karen Cushman). I don't typically edit anything with fantasy elements.

What is your typical work day like? What would surprise writers about your job?

I love my job because each day is different with its own set of problems and successes. I spend a lot of time answering emails, typically edit at home on the weekends (it's hard to concentrate in an office setting), writing flap and sales copy. Writers might be surprised at how much rejection editors face on a daily basis. It's not just writers- we're constantly pitching to big rooms of people, getting our copy sent back to us with red marks all over it. It's our job to fight for the authors and the books and sometimes you get told no.

What’s the best part about your job? What's the most challenging part about your job?

The best part for me is working with authors/artists to make a book as good as it can be. I love the collaborative nature of it- in that sense it's a really creative job and I now realize that I always need a bit of creativity in my day-to-day.

The most challenging is probably managing expectations. I like to make people happy but sometimes you have to deliver some not so great news. That always gives me a bit of anxiety, even if it's something beyond my control.

What advice do you have for aspiring children's book writers and illustrators?

Keep working. Take rejections in stride. Always try to refine your craft.

We know that Roaring Brook is closed to unsolicited submissions but what are the biggest DON’Ts that authors should remember when submitting from a conference? What are the biggest DOs?

DON'TS: Don't over-explain yourself in cover letters. Don't submit ill-formatted or un-spellchecked manuscripts. Don't be too pushy about getting a response right away.

DO: Do your research and make sure you're submitting the right type of manuscript to the right editor.

What is ONE thing people can do to improve their submissions?

Make sure they know the market and are up to date on books that are out there.

What is one thing most people don't know about you?

I can wiggle my ears.

Information about the Picture Book Webinar:

In this talk (Picture Books in Focus: Structuring your Picture Book and Nonfiction), we will look exclusively at the ways in which picture books (fiction and nonfiction) benefit from a narrower scope and a focused structure. We will go through examples of finished books and works in progress so participants will be able to see some before and after editorial work.

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About Emily:

After earning her master’s degrees in Children’s Literature and English Literature from Simmons College in Boston, Emily joined the editorial team at Roaring Brook Press. She works mostly with picture book, middle grade, and nonfiction titles. She edited Elisha Cooper’s Big Cat, Little Cat, which earned five starred reviews, Maria Gianferrari’s Coyote Moon (illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline), which earned three starred reviews and was a 2016 ALA Notable book, the spooky middle grade novel by Marina Cohen, The Doll’s Eye, among others. While she is always looking for solid, voice-driven picture books and middle grade, she also particularly loves nonfiction for young readers of all ages. Emily is not an editor of fantasy.

About Inked Voices:

Inked Voices is a platform for online writing groups. We are a place for existing critique groups to collaborate in private online workspaces, and a place for writers to find spots in open critique groups or get personal help finding a group or partner. We also run craft lectures like this one, First Pages events with agents, and a select number of small workshops. Learn more at www.inkedvoices.com. Follow us @InkedVoices.

About Kidlit411:

Kidlit411 (www.kidlit411.com) is a one-stop information resource for children's writers and illustrators. Our website includes a wide range of articles and resources, arranged topically, weekly interviews with authors and illustrators, and a weekly email newsletter with updated links. Kidlit411 also hosts an active community in our Facebook group and helps connect writers and illustrators seeking critique partners.