All the information contained in this list can be found online, and I therefore presume that it can be made public. Please use this list responsibly. Think very carefully before sending manuscripts to a listed editor. Not all of them are open to unsolicited manuscripts. Check another source, such as CWIM and the publisher’s guidelines, for additional information about how and if to contact each person.

DANIEL NAYERI, editor, Clarion. Daniel has worked as a children’s librarian, a literary agent, and an in-house and freelance editor–and is the coauthor of the YA novel, Another Faust. He is also a professional pastry chef and award-winning stuntman. He was born in Iran and now lives in New York City. Prefers email submissions and will reply only if interested. He will focus on middle grade and YA projects. Genres of special interest are: adventure, detective, westerns, and science fiction. His email address is: daniel.nayeri@?hmhpub.com. Daniel would rather avoid holiday books, children of divorce books, books of greater pedagogical interest than whimsy, or really anything with political bones to pick. He is drawn to literary high concept novels especially those dedicated to “wonderlust.” He is open to work for all readers from picture books to YA fiction.

MICHELLE NAGLER, Editor, Bloomsbury. Query; Bloomsbury will only respond if interested, so do not include a SASE. Be sure your contact info is on the cover letter. Bloomsbury has done well with fantasy, which means it has a stable of fantasy writers already, so no new fantasy. Picture books should be funny and bold and include a hook in the title, if possible. Snarky, off beat, quirky. No early readers. They find the short chapter book market to be very competitive. Early middle grade stories, such as The Magic Half, by Annie Barrows, sell well for them. Tween, or upper middle grade (junior high) stories must have a strong hook. For example, Bloomsbury title, Boys Are Dogs, by Leslie Margolis, is described as a girl who uses a dog training manual to deal with boys. They do some historical fiction, but it’s mostly for girls, such as those by Celia Rees, or Ophelia by Lisa Klein. They publish edgy YA, especially with a voice that takes you back to high school.

NIEHAUS, ALISHA–editor Dial. At a conference she discussed Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman as a moving story with universal themes and emotions. “Can you read your story 10 or more times and not get tired of it?” she asked. She said to think about why and where the book will sell. She also pointed out that characters need to be delineated clearly and quickly in the writing: the title character in Amazing Grace is described in the first two sentences of the book. The most successful books are those that hold their core intended audience but are able to bring in readers from beyond the edges of the target.

BRENDA MURRAY, editor, Scholastic. Nonfiction. Brenda Murray, Senior Editor Scholastic Brenda is with Scholastic Nonfiction and Reference. Grades range from PreK-8 and topics include: science and technology, sports, food and cooking, biographies, language and vocabulary, social issues, history, and popular culture. She is always looking for fun nonfiction proposals. She’s worked on books in many formats, including a cookbook, a book about spiders (illustrated with photos), a book about the states, a children's almanac, a 3-D series, a biography of President Obama, a book on Greek gods and goddesses. She says that kids love to be grossed out--so think icky, nonfiction writers, (if that's your thing)! She says that they are always looking at topics covered by the media and considering how that can be translated into a book. And kids can't get enough of books about dogs. Other popular topics in nonfiction: sharks, snakes, ocean life, mammals, reptiles, dinosaurs, the weather, space/solar system, war (WWII, Civil War--for older readers). Ask yourself: are there similar books out there? How is your book different from the competition? Is it relevant or topical? Are you an expert on your topic? Can it be tied to the curriculum? Does it have special features? How will it be organized and marketed?

**BRIANNE MULLIGAN, Associate Editor, Razorbill/Penguin Young Readers. Brianne primarily edits YA and MG commercial fiction. She acquired the forthcoming Department 19 by Will Hill, the first in a major new YA trilogy, Darwen Arkwright & the Peregrine Pact, bestselling author A.J. Hartley’s upcoming MG debut, and is working with NY Times bestselling author Nancy Holder on her next novel for Razorbill. She began her career on the adult side, first at Random House’s Double day Broadway, then at Penguin’s Gotham Books, where she edited several nonfiction titles that could sit comfortably in the teen section, including Hill Harper’s Letters to a Young Sister and Lucky Magazine’s The Lucky Guide to Mastering Any Style. Brianne is looking for high concept YA and MG fiction with a strong hook and an ambitious plot, and especially loves books for boys.

DIANE MULDROW, Editorial Director, Golden Books/Random House. Picture book and concept book submissions ONLY. She is looking for books that are perfect for reading aloud and that don’t have too much text. Lively stories that convey the wonder of everyday experiences that are new to a child. Stories should have a ‘twist’ that makes it special (a riddle, a game, a little joke that the kid is in on.) A book that will backdate well and become a classic.

ROTEM MOSCOVICH-editor (F), Hyperion. Looks for innovation and wants to be surprised. She says about Board Books: “Board books are certainly overlooked and misunderstood, and they serve such an important purpose in introducing babies and toddlers to books. They show toddlers what books are, how they work (and taste). The board makes it possible for toddlers to read and feel comfortable with books.” Rotem has edited some Curious George books.

MARIA MODUGNO, Editorial Director, HarperCollins. Books she has edited include Pinkalicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann, Purplicious by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann, Duck Soup by Jackie Urbanovic, Dirt on My Shirt by Jeff Foxworthy/Steve Bjorkman, Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lesson by Amy Krouse Rosenthal/Jane Dyer, Russell’s Christmas Magic by Rob Scotton, Bad Dog, Marley! John Grodan/Richard Cowdrey, The OK Book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld.

EMILY MITCHELL is Senior Editor at Charlesbridge Publishing. Charlesbridge publishes a wide variety of books for young readers, from picture books and early readers to chapter books and middle grade. Their list includes poetry, alphabet books, holiday books, bedtime stories, read alouds and nonfiction. Emily has worked at Charlesbridge since 2001. Prior to that, she was the subsidiary rights manager at Sheldon Fogelman Agency in New York. Her books include the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor book A Mother’s Journey by Sandra Markle and Alan Marks, Trout Are Made of Trees by April Pulley Sayre and Kate Endle, and Aggie and Ben by Lori Ries and Frank W. Dormer. A graduate of Harvard College and Syracuse University’s Graduate School of Education. Emily also writes book reviews in bad haiku on her blog, www.emilyreads.com

MARGARET MILLER joined Bloomsbury Children's Books in 2008 and previously worked for HarperCollins. She focuses on middle grade and young adult fiction, with a few select picture books and nonfiction titles. Her current projects include Nate Henry’s teen memoir, Brickville; Joni Sensel’s middle grade fantasy, The Timekeeper’s Moon; Dan Gutman’s funny sports picture book, The Day Roy Riegels Ran the Wrong Way; and Eleanor Davis’ graphic novel, The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook. Margaret seeks unique ideas with strong voice and commercial readability, especially: realist adventure/survival; exceptional contemporary fantasy; coming-of-age; and books that thoughtfully and subtly present the character’s exploration of religion/spirituality. She is accepting picture books under 1,000 words and middle grade and young adult fiction.

MARTHA MIHALICK, Editor - Greenwillow: Martha works on manuscripts for all ages, from picture book to YA. Her interests are fairly wide, but series type chick lit and super-edgy novels aren't really for her. She looks for a voice that’s authentic to its age group, one that resonates. She looks for a story that sticks with her, either because it makes her laugh, warms her heart, poses thought-provoking, haunting questions, or leaves her breathless. She looks for characters who seem like real people—all the characters, not just the protagonist. On the Greenwillow Books Summer 2009 list, she edited a fantastic, funny debut picture book called Do Not Build A Frankenstein by Neil Numberman and a middle grade mystery that’s tons of fun called A Recipe 4 Robbery by Marybeth Kelsey. (When last I checked, Greenwillow was adamant about NO UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS. EJ)

NANCY MERCADO-editor, Roaring Brook Press. Seeks fuuny, hopeful contemporary MG and YA. Can be told in verse or prose. No cranky protagonists. Nancy says her pet peeve is the "information dump" in a book, something she said all writers should think about. That's when you as the writer are dying to tell the reader a big chunk of information. Resist that urge and instead spread the information out and/or try to convey it in other ways. The first line and first paragraph of a book are extremely important, and the DNA of the book should be contained in that line and paragraph. The manuscript has to be something that the editor absolutely loves and would feel loyal to no matter what.

STEVEN MELTZER-editor, Dutton. Great PB books, fiction or narrative nonfiction. Some nonfiction (PB only) Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Edgy, YA.
He suggests that authors need to answer certain questions when they send a book to an editor: What makes your book special? What is the unique draw of the book? What makes it exciting? Is there a curriculum tie-in? Timely topic? Historical setting? What are the comparison titles?
Steve is the editor of many books for young readers, including John Madden's Heroes of Football: The Story of America's Game; The Sydney Taylor award-winning, Hanukkah at Valley Forge by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by Greg Harlin; Barbarians! By Steven Kroll, illustrated by Robert Byrd; Useful Fools by C.A. Schmidt (a Booklist Best Book of the Year). Also, Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse by Rebecca Janni, illustrated by Lynne Avril, and Mud Tacos! by Mario Lopez and Marissa Lopez Wong, illustrated by Maryn Roos. Steve is looking for a good story and a good voice. Also the story has to be attractive enough for at least 15,000 people to plunk down $16.99.

EMILY MEEHAN now Executive Editor at Disney-Hyperion Books has worked on almost every aspect of trade publishing for children: picture books, middle grade, young adult, original paperback series, and in most every genre, from general interest fiction to nonfiction, to fantasy, romance, religious, and historical. She will be acquiring MG and PB at Hyperion. Her list at S&S focused on teen novels, including the New York Times Best selling Private and Privilege series by Kate Brian and the New York Times best selling debut novel Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. Her other projects have included the Summer Trilogy by Jenny Han, and the debut novel in a trilogy by Kieran Scott, She’s So Dead to Us. She’s also published picture books by Douglas Wood and Paula Deen as well as middle grade novels with authors like Dan Gutman. She sets the same standards for her list that she sets in her own reading: engaging, well-conceived and -written plot, strong and believable characters, and overall a experience that feels like a reward at the end of a long day.

CAROLINE MECKLER-editor, Wendy Lamb. MG and YA. No PB. Seeks fiction that features strong narrators with fresh, gripping stories. Recent WLB titles that reflect her taste include How to Build a House by Dana Reinhardt; First Light by Rebecca Stead; Would You by Marthe Jocelyn; and Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury. Caroline is seeking to acquire novels with nuanced characters, multi-layered stories, and unique voices. She particularly enjoys adventure/mystery, reality-based fantasy, voice-driven YA, humor, and historical fiction.

LOUISE MAY, editor-in-chief of Lee and Low Books which focuses on diversity themes. LEE & LOW BOOKS is a small, independent publishing house that publishes twelve to fourteen new titles a year. L&L books focus on bringing into the mainstream of children's literature those racial, ethnic, and cultural groups that have traditionally been underrepresented there. They publish fiction and nonfiction about people with non-Caucasian ancestry, yet their stories have universal interest and appeal. Louise has worked with many award-winning authors and illustrators including Ted and Betsy Lewin, Joseph Bruchac, R. Gregory Christie, and Eloise Greefield.

JULIE MATYSIK–Editor, Sky Pony Press. How-to books on individual activities--i.e. spelunking or backgammon asopposed to baseball or soccer or team sports, Judaica-themed books, medical issues of concern to children, especially at the picture book age, allergies, obesity, diabetes, autism, and ADHD, holiday books, preferably for some of the less mainstream holidays, and museum tie-in books. Their parent company publishes many excellent books in the fields ofecology, independent living, farm living, wilderness living, recycling,and other green topics, and this will be a strong theme in their children’s books. They will consider picture books, early readers, board books, novelties, and informational books for all ages. Although we are not searching for middle grade or YA fiction, but would consider projects that tied in with the subject areas in which they are publishing. They are mainly publishing single titles but are open to series ideas.

MARILYN MARK (Editor, Marshall Cavendish Children’s Books) has been working at Marshall Cavendish for the past five years, where she edits everything from board books through YA fiction. She’s a magazine journalism graduate of Syracuse University and has also worked at a magazine and a film company. Recent books she’s edited include The Adventures of Benny, middle grade novel full of gross “boy” humor; The Fiesta Dress, a picture book about not being the center of attention; and A Field Guide To Aliens, a book of alien profiles. She is also writing her own teen novel. www.marshallcavendish.us/kids
www.myspace.com/mcteentalk

KRISTA MARINO is a Senior Editor at Delacorte Press (Random House Children's Books). She works on Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction solely and is always looking for strong new voices, innovative concepts, and great stories for her list. She doesn't do cute- she's more on the darker edge of fiction (she has not been buying much of lighter fare lately), but she does like works with comedy in them. Many of the works she's edited in the last few years are trilogies or series, she is now looking for amazing stand-alone books. Recent books she has edited include King Dork by Frank Portman, The Alchemyst, The Magician, and The Sorceress in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series by Michael Scott, and The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.

MELISSA MANLOVE, Assistant Editor at Chronicle Books. Acquires picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA. She describes herself as "passionate about all genres and topics in children's books, with the exception of religious themes." When acquiring, she looks for fresh takes on familiar topics as well as the new and unusual. More important than topic, however, is an effective approach and strong, graceful writing. PB techniques she likes: Talk to the audience (readers): invite kids to yell back to the main character. Get it wrong: Kids love to be right and to show off their impressive knowledge. I spy: Use the illustrations. Invite prediction: Guess! Figure! Think! Sing-a-long refrains. Choose: Options embedded in the story. Invite actions that accompany the story, but from a sitting position for the sake of teachers and librarians! Let the reader in on a joke: Readers can be smarter than the story’s characters.

JULIA MAGUIRE is an editor at Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. Julia works on all types of books from PBs to YA. She has assisted on editing the re-launch of the Sluggers series by Phil Bildner and Loren Long as well as Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. She has edited the upcoming PB 1 Zany Zoo by first time author and illustrator Lori Degman and Colin Jack. While interested in books for all age ranges, she is particularly interested in young PBs and literary YA novels that have a commercial appeal. She is not the best match for science fiction or fantasy.

GRACE MACCARONE, editor, Holiday House. She acquires picture books and younger nonfiction. The stories that Ms. Maccarone has written often explore themes of cooperation and friendship. One of her favorite PBs is May I Bring A Friend? by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers . Her own books include The Lunch Box Surprise, and It's Graduation Day and The Haunting of Grade Three.

TRACY MACK–Executive Editor, Scholastic. “Every inch of the book matters—the copyright page, folios, head and foot bands, jacket flaps, end papers, case covers...one of the things I love most about this business is creating objects of meaning and lasting beauty.” Tracy grew up in a one-square-mile village near the Hudson River, just north of New York City. Tracy studied literature and art history at the University of Pennsylvania and has worked as a camp counselor, a waitress, an English teacher in Spain. She is also a devoted yogini, a champion jacks player, a passionate mountain climber, a novice potter, and a very enthusiastic dancer. Tracy has edited Walt Whitman: Words for America and The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley and You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer! by Shana Corey among others. She acquires both fiction and nonfiction. In nonfiction, she likes to combine accuracy with a spirit of playfulness.

KIRA LYNN publisher of Kane Miller says Kane Miller is for: “three-legged dogs, roller-blading rabbits, and cows of all kinds. We’re for grandparents and grandchildren and banging your drum as hard as you can. We’re for figuring out who you are, and what you’re going to do with it. We’re for guitar-playing fish, bicycle-riding chickens, and multi-lingual roosters. Kane Miller publishes picture books, young readers, and middle readers. Only interested in agented material. “We publish books that make kids say ‘wow that’s just like me’ and also ‘wow, that’s different.’ That make kids say, ‘I want to go there someday,’ or even just sometimes ‘wow, what a silly story.’ And maybe someone in another part of the world is saying ‘wow’ about the exact same book. A common ground, even if that common ground is a silly story about a rabbit wearing underpants on his head. Although KM continue to look for books from other countries, they are now actively seeking works that convey cultures and communities within the US. They are looking for picture book fiction and non-fiction on those subjects which may be defined as particularly American: sports such as baseball, historical events, American biographies, American folk tales, etc.

STEPHANIE OWENS LURIE is the Editorial Director of Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of the Disney Book Group. Disney-Hyperion publishes a mixture of picture books, middle grade novels, and young adult fiction. Stephanie edits books in all categories. Some of her advice -- mothers and grandmothers buy books for younger children, so think of things that turn them off: Bratty kids, lots of text, depressing stories, odd names. She is not looking for just one idea. She’s looking for authors who can continue to produce books. (This doesn’t have to be a series). She’s looking for authors she can develop relationships with over time. Chain stores like authors who have books coming out every year. She has worked with such authors and illustrators as Sara Pennypacker, Marla Frazee, Bob Shea, Sharon G. Flake, Charlie Higson, and Melanie Watt. A few of her most successful projects at are FRINDLE by Andrew Clements, DOUBLE FUDGE by Judy Blume, and WALTER THE FARTING DOG: TROUBLE AT THE YARD SALE by William Kotzwinkle, Elizabeth Gundy, Glenn Murray, and Audrey Coleman.

WENDY LOGGIA is an Executive Editor at Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children's Books; the focus at Delacorte is almost exclusively on middle grade & YA novels. Wendy is the editor of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series and 3 Willows by Ann Brashares; the Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray; and the Magic in Manhattan series by Sarah Mlynowski. She's proud to have published the debut novels of several SCBWI members, including Kristin O'Donnell Tubb (Autumn Winifred Oliver Does Things Different) ; Georgia Bragg (Matisse on the Loose); and Barrie Summy (I So Don't Do Mysteries). She looks for a strong narrative voice, great stories, and for writers that display a clear authorial hand. She's also written a number of books--media tie-ins, a young middle grade series, teen romances--and has a special empathy for writers during the revision process! Loves YA romance, contemorary settings, girl books, paranormal elements. Not very interested in straight historical fiction, but likes historical fantasy. Seeing an awful lot of dystopian.

ALVINA LING, Senior Editor at Little Brown. Acquires for all ages, Baby through teen. Looks for reasons to say “no” to projects: not well written, too slight, too quiet, forced rhyme, off rhythm (for picture books, mainly), too similar to something already on our list, too similar to too many books already in the market, forced/inauthentic dialogue, too didactic, melodramatic, cliche, slow pacing, too niche in appeal.

KEVIN LEWIS, Executive Editor, Hyperion. He acquires and edits picture books as well as middle grade and YA novels. Previously, he was editorial director at the Simon & Schuster Children’s imprint. Authors and illustrators he has worked with include authors and illustrators Laurie Halse Anderson, Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black, Kadir Nelson, Cynthia Rylant, Ntozake Shange, and Lauren Thompson.

ARIANNE LEWIN is an Executive Editor at Putnam. In the past, she has worked with authors Cinda Williams Chima; Whoopi Goldberg; Julie Anne Peters; EB Lewis; Scott Magoon; and Daniel Waters, among others. Picture books - keep 'em short! Doesn't do original board books (too expensive to produce). Things she does not buy: she doesn’t love a lot of historical fiction UNLESS the voice is so good that it blows her away. Examples of historical fiction that are exceptions include A Northern Light and The Book Thief. She personally has a tough time with quiet or slow-moving plots. She doesn’t do a lot of problem novels unless the voice is really fresh.

ARTHUR LEVINE is the publisher of Arthur A. Levine Books and a vice president of Scholastic Inc. His imprint publishes a list of literary hardcover books for young readers, and his authors include Lisa Yee, Roddy Doyle, J.K. Rowling, Jonah Winter, and Shaun Tan. He is also proud to be publishing many bright new authors such as Francisco Stork, Elizabeth Bunce, and Kevin Emerson. Prior to establishing his imprint at Scholastic, Levine held the position of editor in chief of Books for Young Readers at Alfred A. Knopf and at G. P. Putnam's Sons.

KENDRA LEVIN- editor, Viking. PIcture books to YA. Likes unique books that combine a dark side with a good sense of humor. Also books that take place in other countries. Ms. Levin has been with Viking for the past three years and has spent that time working with a broad spectrum of authors, which include David A. Adler, creator of the Cam Jansen mystery series. Pet peeve–doesn’t like it when authors call her on the phone. She advises authors to do their homework--know what's already been published and what specific editors are looking for. A really common mistake many slush pile writers make is trying to capitalize on trends. She’d love to see more stories set internationally, or even in regions of the U.S. that aren't typically see in fiction for young readers. Looking for all age groups. Doesn't like high fantasy but likes blends of reality and magic. In YA she's looking for contemporaries, romance, thrillers, performing arts themes, empowering stories for girls. Would like to see more non-traditional settings. She's open to historical but wants it to have a contemporary feeling and have relevance for today's readers. Not interested in American historical settings. No vampires or zombies or werewolves; dystopian is well on its way to saturation levels.

AMY LENNEX, editor at Sleeping Bear Press. Regional books, especially picture books that tell the tale of a local legend. Amy helps conduct focus groups with educators, hosts annual bookseller luncheons, and travels to trade shows several times each year gathering experience and different perspectives on publishing.Sleeping Bear publishes picture books, concept books and easy-to-reads. Please review the Sleeping Bear Press catalog before submitting.

MAGGIE LEHRMAN, Abrams Books for Young Readers and Amulet. At Abrams she edits middle grade, YA fiction, and graphic novels, as well as non-fiction and fiction picture books, including the Sisters Grimm series by Michael Buckley, My Life in Pink & Green by Lisa Greenwald, and Hush, Little Dragon by Boni Ashburn. She loves older fantasy books, funny picture books, middle grade mysteries, but other things too. She adds: “For picture books, it’s hard to keep seeing lovely, poetic ideas without any structure or larger appeal. I’d love to see something that makes me laugh unexpectedly. For middle grade, I hope for a nice stand-alone story (in any genre) that isn’t clearly setting me up for eighteen sequels. For YA, I’d like to see more writers take the challenge of writing for teens seriously. This doesn’t necessarily mean the story should be angsty and melodramatic, but I think a lot more thought could be put into what it means to be a teen and what kind of writing would appeal to that group.” (From Sudipta Bardhan’s blog)

EMILY LAWRENCE-Editor, HarperCollins. PB, chapter books, MG, YA. Literary, NF, fantasy, and manga. Looking for funny books of all kinds (PB and MG especially). Smart action oriented YA/MG.

ELIZABETH LAW is VP and Publisher of Egmont Books USA, a new American children’s book imprint whose list has recently debuted. Previously, Elizabeth was Associate Publisher of Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers and before that was an editor for many years at Viking Children’s Books. Egmont’s list focuses primarily on middle grade and young adult fiction, which are Elizabeth’s own specialties. Some of Egmont’s titles are Leaving the Bellweathers by Kristin Clark Venuti, Candor by Pam Bachorz, Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Jo Eland and Food, Girls and Other Things I Can’t Have by Allen Zadoff.

JEANETTE LARSON is Editorial Director and VP of Harcourt Children’s Books, a hardcover imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. She and the Harcourt editors publish picture books, fiction, and occasional narrative nonfiction for preschoolers through young adults, seeking out irresistible stories that will inspire kids to become lifelong readers. After twenty-two years with Harcourt on the west coast, she is now based in New York City, where she’s discovering the nuances of seasons and subways.

JULIE LANSKY-editor-Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins). PB, MG, and YA. Likes all genres, drawn to quirky, funny PB, younger MG with light humor or fantasy and literary YA which handle realistic or topical teen issues. Currently looking for graphic novels and MG mysteries.

DEIRDRE LANGELAND–Senior Editor, Roaring Brook Press. Ms. Langeland publishes “high quality nonfiction for middle graders and young adults that speaks directly to kids.” Books she has edited include Abby Carnelia’s One and Only Magical Power by David Pogue and Born To Be Giants: How Baby Dinosaurs Grew Up to Rule the World by Lita Judge.

DIANNE LANDOLF is an Editor at Random House Children’s Books. Diane works on chapter books and MG and YA novels. She has edited Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go and Rapacia: The Second Circle of Heck; Ring of Fire (Century Quartet Book 1; many titles in the A to Z Mysteries series, and the upcoming medieval historical, The Book of the Maidservant, by her former Rutgers mentee, Rebecca Barnhouse. She is interested in MG and YA novels across all genres, with a particular interest in quirky or dark fantasy and literary titles. For YA, a strong voice is what she looks for most. For contemporary MG, she loves stories where kids are smart and figure things out, especially by working together. For historical, she prefers pre-20th century. The older the better.

SARAH LANDIS has joined HarperCollins from Hyperion. She will acquire teen fiction. She says: “What I look for in a submission is a great voice and the ability to tell a story. I see a lot of novels that are beautifully written but don't go anywhere--they don't entertain or keep you turning the pages. By the time a project gets to me its usually been through several edits, so I have to see a clear way to fix it without totally restructuring it. I usually talk to the author before I buy something to make sure we're all on board with whatever changes might need to be made.” About the slush pile, she says: “I wish I could say I find novels without a literary agent representing the project and submitting them to me, but I don't. I've gotten to know certain literary agents over the years, and they know what I like. Literary agents work as a sort of filtering process for editors. When I first started in publishing as an assistant we read manuscripts that came to the house in what was called a "slush pile." But pretty much every house has done away with that process, sadly.”