Last month, I interviewed my agent for some insights on her career and publishing. In part two this month, I'm interviewing my editor, Brian Farrey-Latz, acquiring editor for Flux (the Young Adult imprint of Llewelyn Publishing):
How would you like me to introduce you?
I would like you to introduce me as El Elegante
de la Supremo, but what you’ve got above will do nicely.
What types of stories do you see trending now and in the
future in the young adult genre?
What I like about
what I’m seeing now is there are more stories with emotional stakes that aren’t
necessarily about falling in love or the perils of not having a boy/girlfriend.
I often tell people that I want an issue book that’s NOT about the issue but
the characters and how they deal with the fallout. Writers are taking more
chances and breaking out of the same ole/same ole patterns. I would like to see
that continue.
What would you love to see in your in box?
Something surprising.
Something I haven’t seen before. Something that keeps me guessing. With
beautiful, beautiful words that cut me and remind me why I do what I do.
When you receive a manuscript submission, is there something
that draws you in instantly?
A strong, unique
voice. It’s the one thing almost always guaranteed to save an idea I’ve seen a
hundred times before (girl meets boy, the “chosen one,” etc.). I’m a word and
language junky and I’m drawn to lyrical voices that don’t descend into purple
prose.
What turns you off in a submission?
--Too much info dump
early in the book. (I like backstory and plot points to unfold organically over
the course of a manuscript. The first ten pages aren’t a race to get to the
exciting stuff. Intrigue me, yes. Plant seeds for future revelations,
definitely. But don’t cram it down my throat.)
--Mirror scenes.
(Protagonists who feel compelled to gaze into a mirror and describe themselves
for the reader’s benefit.) This is more of a personal pet peeve but, man, it
makes my skin crawl. It tells me a lot about what a writer values in
storytelling.
--Familiar tropes
executed with familiar means. (Boring protagonist leads a boring life BUT THEN
Hot Person moves to town and inexplicably finds protagonist fascinating… It’s
overdone but can work if you break away from how everyone does it. See above
about strong, unique voice.)
Who are your favorite YA authors and books?
Flux authors aside,
two of my favorites working today are Andrew Smith and A. S. King. I’m also
very fond of David Almond. And I’m watching the career of Stephanie Kuehn with
lots of interest.
What is a typical day like for you?
There’s no such
thing. There are many days where I start by composing a “to do” list and, by
day’s end, I haven’t touched anything on the list. (I’ll admit there are times
when it takes days to get to the list.) Things come up, plans change. When
things go to plan, I spend lots of time reading (submissions and current author
manuscripts). I prepare for and attend meetings. And at some point in there, I
edit.
"...it's impossible to put the book down. Conspiracy, loyalty, secrets, oaths, lies, and riddles flourish, making this the perfect book for readers who love to untangle mysteries by puzzling things out." -BOOKLIST
"At the end of the day, it’s Talan and his endearing combination of bravado and vulnerability, coupled with the crackling chemistry he shares with Laney, that will keep readers turning the pages. A satisfying read for secret-society fanatics and romantics alike." -KIRKUS REVIEWS
"At the end of the day, it’s Talan and his endearing combination of bravado and vulnerability, coupled with the crackling chemistry he shares with Laney, that will keep readers turning the pages. A satisfying read for secret-society fanatics and romantics alike." -KIRKUS REVIEWS
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