From the Editors

Book editors offer a look inside the publishing house

Latest From the Editors

From the Editors: Into Projects  'On The Edge' From the Editors: Into Projects 'On The Edge'
'I adore narrative nonfiction,' says this hands-on editor eager to add female thriller writers to her wide-ranging list.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, May 30, 2007

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From the Editors: Seeking 'Books That Can Offer Real Benefit'
A publisher of books on the full range of religious traditions branches out to buy fiction, memoir, and more.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, May 2, 2007
From the Editors: 'Experience and Passion' Sought Over 'Credits'
Collaborating with magazines via her house's many imprints makes a home for the writer's guides and humor titles on this editor's list.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, April 19, 2007
From the Editors: After Authors Who 'Understand How Important Their Role Is'
This eco-friendly publisher seeks humorous short stories and informative nonfiction. Best of all? No platform required.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, February 26, 2007
From the Editors: 'I'm Looking for a Really Strong Hook'
Seeking women-centered mysteries and thrillers, this editor wants authors who'll keep working even after the last revision is done.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, January 23, 2007
From the Editors: 'One of Our Missions is Giving Unknown Authors a Shot'
This editor at an up-and-coming pulp imprint puts good writing above all: "We could care less whether someone has an agent."
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, January 18, 2007
From the Editors: 'We Strive to be a Home to Our Authors'
This non-fiction editor believes in transparency, looping his authors into decisions on covers, titling, marketing, and more.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, December 8, 2006
From the Editors: 'I Love the Collaborative Effort'
This kids' book editor hopes her input will spark authors' creativity -- plus, she's in hot pursuit of a horse series that'll gallop off the page.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, December 5, 2006
From the Editors: 'Always Think About the Audience'
Parenting books and prescriptive tomes are what this editor's after, especially with a title that highlights the book's hook.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, November 28, 2006
From the Editors: Show That Proposed Book 'Isn't Already Out There'
This editor of current events, sports, and history titles doesn't let personal politics keep him from taking titles left, right, and center.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, November 7, 2006
From the Editors: Hawaii Publisher Asks Authors to Bring 'Passion, Commitment'
This publisher of inspirationally-minded titles offers authors, 'editorial meetings on the beach, with or without mai tais.'
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, October 23, 2006
From the Editors: Self-Help With Attitude 'Sets Our Authors Apart'
With its 'long history of making authors out of first-timers,' Adams puts out titles it classifies as 'not your mother's self-help.'
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, October 17, 2006
From the Editors: 'Any Sort of Platform Helps' Crafts Authors
For their crafts titles aimed at a burgeoning market, this imprint's authors should "deliver more than just how-to instructions."
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, October 3, 2006
From the Editors: 'Potential Authors Almost Anywhere'
Whether "how-to books with a sense of humor" or "indie craft books," this editor's ideal titles "inspire readers to try something new."
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, September 26, 2006
From the Editors: 'Make Me Laugh'
Three Rivers Press wants pop culture and humor and keeps an eye on blogs, where "lots of undiscovered talent lurks."
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, September 19, 2006
From the Editors: Richard Nash, Soft Skull Press
Big pharma exposés and "books trying to figure out the conditions of American political culture" are all in a day's work for this wide-ranging publisher.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, September 12, 2006
From the Editors: Stacy Boyd, Harlequin
No longer basic bodice-rippers, expand your definition of 'romance' for Harlequin and its slew of themed lines that spark editors' passion.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, August 29, 2006
From the Editors: John Williams of Harper Perennial
Blogging is just one of the ways this editor stays abreast of the strong pop culture thread that runs through his imprint's titles.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, August 8, 2006
From the Editors: Brooke Warner of Seal Press
This editor of adventurous women's titles has a maxim sure to be music to writers' ears: "The author is all-important to me."
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, August 1, 2006
From the Editors: Paul Stevens of Tor/Forge
First-time writers, take note: This sci-fi and women's fiction editor reads his submissions and takes on novice authors, acquiring books based on merit, not marketing hooks.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, July 18, 2006
From the Editors: Marian Lizzi of Perigee/ Putnam
If you're a professional with a platform who writes "self-improvement for smart people," this editor may be your book's ideal shepherd
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, June 27, 2006
From the Editors: Tricia Boczkowski of Simon Spotlight Entertainment
'We put our authors through the airport test: If I got stuck in an airport with this person for eight hours, could we hang?'
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, June 6, 2006
From the Editors: Nichole Argyres of St. Martins
'A strong voice and clear message are paramount. Writing that is too quiet or internal doesn't resonate with me.'
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, May 16, 2006
From the Editors: Danielle Durkin of Random House and Ballantine
'I want to see books with underrepresented characters'
May 3, 2006
From the Editors: Jessica Rozler of Allworth Press
Practical, Legal, and Business Guides For People Who Work In Creative Fields
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, April 18, 2006
From the Editors: Andrea Montejo of Rayo
The HarperCollins imprint introduces Latino books in English and Spanish
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, April 4, 2006
From the Editors: Kate Nitze of MacAdam/Cage
Literature isn't dead — it's at MacAdam/Cage
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, March 21, 2006
From the Editors @ Hyperion: Zareen Jaffery
A "big book nerd" grows up to be a big book nerd — for money
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, March 7, 2006
From the Editors: May Chen of Morrow/Avon
There's room in romance for experienced authors and first-timers alike
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, February 21, 2006
From the Editors @ Mysterious Press/Warner Books: Kristen Weber
Finding new voices in a familiar genre
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, February 7, 2006
From the Editors @ Kensington Books: Jeremie Ruby-Strauss
The editor hopes his new imprint will bring young men back into the bookstore
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, January 17, 2006
From the Editors @ Algonquin Books: Kathy Pories
A small Southern press has national appeal
January 10, 2006
From the Editors @ Henry Holt: George Hodgman
A veteran editor looks for drama and believes it takes "time and money" to get a book right
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, December 27, 2005
From the Editors @ Chronicle Books: Steve Mockus
The eclectic pop culture publisher lets its editors experiment
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, December 6, 2005
From the Editors @ Carroll & Graf: Don Weise
History, biography, gay/lesbian books—Don Weise publishes what matters to him
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, November 22, 2005
From the Editors @ Bloomsbury: Panio Gianopoulos
Seeking the "moment of surrender"
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, November 8, 2005
From the Editors @ Harcourt:
Becky Saletan

A veteran editor says vision is required, but one that is shared by the author.
October 25, 2005
From the Editors @ Perseus Books Group: Ellen Garrison
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, October 4, 2005
From the Editors @ Ballantine/Del Ray: Chris Schluep
A book may start out with the genre label, but popularity means no one cares what you call it.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, September 27, 2005
From the Editors @ Razorbill: Kristen Pettit
YA doesn't mean easy or sleazy—books for teens are as rich and nuanced as those for adults.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, September 6, 2005
From the Editors@ Warner Books: Jason Pinter
If you can get him laughing, you might just get a deal.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, August 30, 2005
From the Editors @ HarperCollins:
Jill Schwartzman

Good news: Da Vinci Code ripoffs are growing scarce and women are allowed to write serious books again.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, August 16, 2005
From the Editors @ Riverhead: Megan Lynch and Sean McDonald
At the Penguin imprint Riverhead, the emphasis is on younger writers and fewer titles.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, August 2, 2005
From the Editors @ Random House: Julia Cheiffetz
This editor wonders where all the women writers went, but don't tell her "Chick Lit."
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, July 19, 2005
From the Editors @ Scribner: Brant Rumble
A sports fiend and music enthusiast on finding talent, enforcing a "no jerks" policy, and keeping an open mind
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, July 5, 2005
From the Editors @ Farrar, Straus and Giroux: Lorin Stein
A champion of the "outwardly eccentric" on mass appeal, the Home Land saga, and the strange economics of FSG.
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, June 20, 2005
From the Editors @ Simon & Schuster: Denise Roy
For this editor of "Adventures in Americana," the devil is in the details
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, June 7, 2005
From the Editors @ Grove, Atlantic: Amy Hundley
An editor on the "tyranny of influence" and how writers can find their own voice
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, May 24, 2005
From the Editors @ Doubleday: Kendra Harpster
An editor of young, edgy literary fiction on why "lad lit" failed and what it's like to work with first-time authors
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, May 10, 2005
From the Editors @ Atria: Brenda Copeland
A senior editor reveals why copycat books are a fallacy, how agents can do better, when you should listen to the market—and, why you sometimes shouldn't
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, April 26, 2005
From the Editors @ Little, Brown: Asya Muchnick
Our new, biweekly series takes you inside the minds of a new guard of book editors. In our first installment, Rachel Kramer Bussel talks to the editor of The Lovely Bones
By Rachel Kramer Bussel, April 12, 2005