Chapter Two Cimax! - International Publishing with Mallory Kass

International Publishing Session with Mallory Kass (Scholastic USA) in conversation with Suzanne Gervay. 

Mallory Kass Commissioning editor for Scholastic USA

Despite a difficult Skype connection, Scholastic USA Senior Editor Mallory Kass gave SCBWI delegates a fascinating insight into the US Market.

Mallory acquires middle-grade and young adult fiction. She particularly loves rich word building, magic in unexpected places and heart-expanding emotion.

However Mallory says the editor of each imprint (Blue Sky Press, Orchard Books, Cartwheel, Arthur Levine etc.) will have their own preferences. She says US agents are adept at placing the work with the right agent. Susanne Gervay asked Mallory if she there are any agents who she particularly loves working and Mallory answered that she will read the work from any agent, even if she doesn’t know them.

“Every author I have has a different agent,” she said.

There is no umbrella submission process for Scholastic USA. It is all about finding the right fit – right manuscript with right imprint.

When Susanne asked Mallory what she is looking for in Middle-Grade and Young Adult, she replied that above all, the storytelling must be compelling Although Mallory says Scholastic USA is experiencing success on every level, she is particularly excited by the possibilities of YA at the moment because of the Adult genre crossover.  They also have a lot of middle-grade success due to Scholastic’s strong relationship with schools (book fairs).

Although Scholastic USA is open to Australian creators, Susanne Gervay confirmed Scholastic Australia does look to the USA for their list. Furthermore, regardless of where the story comes from, every office will look at an exciting manuscript with global appeal. According to Mallory, she has a colleague who looks at lists outside the US.

The acquisitions process can be complicated. Mallory’s challenge is to effectively communicate why she is passionate about a manuscript to the different departments within Scholastic (art direction, sales and marketing). If everybody is on board, there is a lot of enthusiasm for the book.

“They take the book very seriously,” she said.

What is your role in the publishing process? How does the pitch go if you love something?

SUSANNE – EK model where the book goes straight to UK and USA. You automatically go into three markets.

How the US classifies genres?

• Picture books aged 3 to 8
• Chapter Books aged 6 to 8
• Middle Grade aged 8 to 12 – (between 30,000 and 65,000 words)
• Young Adult is 13 to 18 – 45,000 to 80,000 words).

Susanne was keen to understand how Mallory approaches the editing process with an author.

“I like to make the character suffer in ways they never imagined. For me, it’s also about the emotional state and make things more urgent. I do three big picture revisions and help the author identify the vision for the story and make sure that vision ends up on the page,” said Mallory.

The editing process normally takes nine months.

“I don’t ever want the author to feel rushed,” she said.

Susanne Gervay asked Mallory if Scholastic USA is open to books with an Australian setting.

“I personally am very open to books set in Australia. We are very proud to publish authors such as Jaclyn Moriarity.”

Susanne also asked Mallory about the relationship between author and publisher. Mallory answered she would never want to reject anything from my authors.

“If it doesn’t fit, I’ll always talk to them about it. I never want to reject anything from my authors, I’ll always talk to them about it. Sometimes, I may not be the best editor for it.”

Regardless, Mallory emphasised the importance of good communication so there is no misunderstandings.

A delegate asked about the category of ‘New Adult’ and whether this is an emerging category.

“Scholastic doesn’t publish New Adult. We publish up to the age of 17/18. I don’t think it’s a category that is going to have continued support. I think it’s a marketing hook.”

Another delegate asked if they expect submissions to be exclusive?

“Submit as widely as you can. It’s assumed.”

Rachel Noble Roving Reporter

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Chapter Two: Uncovering Talent

Paul MacDonald discusses the picture book genre with three creators

Chaired by Paul MacDonald from The Children’s Bookshop, Beecroft

This session featured three wonderful creators talking about their latest books and what inspired them.

Author Emma Allen is inspired by childhood, she re-imagines her own, looks at her children’s childhood as well as those of other children.

Growing up in a small country town, the library was her magical place. When Possum Magic by Mem Fox came out she and her class crafted fake lamingtons that looked good enough to eat. And though she knew they weren’t real she couldn’t resist taking a bite. How can something made-up be so real, she wondered. This incidence started her love of picture books and literature.

‘Fiction seemed truer to me and has stayed like that ever since.'

Her latest picture book ‘My Friend Ernest’ illustrated by Hannah Sommerville, though completely fictional somehow ended up in the non-fiction section of a confused bookshop due to its ‘true emotion’ which though a compliment, ultimately was clearly not where this book should have been placed.

Her work as a paediatric speech therapist has informed her writing, and her love of writing and narrative have informed her career and work with children.

‘Narrative helps children understand the world.’

She collaborated on her story with editor Lisa Berryman from Harper Collins through face to face meetings.

Author Nerida McMullin discussed how her latest picture book ‘Fabish: The Horse that Braved a Bushfire’ is a story based on fact and falls in the category of creative- or narrative non-fiction.

Fabish was inspired by a radio interview she heard, featuring a man, Allen, who lived through Black Saturday with his horses. Neridah herself experienced the effects of Ash Wednesday and coming from a racing family could identify with his experiences. And the story of one of one retired racehorse leading itself and seven yearlings to safety after hope had been lost during the fires was what led to her writing of ‘Fabish’.

The story originated as a short story which was published in the School Magazine, though her editor immediately saw it as a picture book.

As a great example of collaboration between author and illustrator Neridah took the illustrator, Andrew McLean, to meet racehorses so he could experience firsthand the horses’ body language, to be immersed in the feel, smell and sounds of horses. This collaboration between author and illustrator also ensured the authentic feel of the book.

Illustrator Marjorie Crosby-Fairall who illustrated ‘Mrs Dog’ didn’t get the chance to work with the author Janeen Brian directly. The editor, Karen Tayleur, formerly with Five Mile Press, had a specific vision for this story; to have the illustrations feature the animals without emphasise on humans.

Marjorie took this on board but also wanted the story feel like a hug, and to slowly intertwine the images of the two animals, dog and lamb, as the story advanced.
Using added texture in the illustrations for a tactile feel and using underpaint in warm browns added to the warm, snug, feel of the story

Perfecting the 'hug' Mrs Dog spread

Each creator had a different response to when they first saw the finished book:

Emma, put the book a way for a while before looking at it, to prepare herself emotionally, and then read it for the first time with her children.

Neridah was not ready to see the finished book published as in the time it took for the book to be finalised, Allen, the horse trainer she collaborated with closely in the telling of the story had passed away unexpectedly. But, after contacting his wife and family she realised it was important for this story to be told and remembered.

Yvonne Mes Roving Reporter

#SCWBISyd

Chapter Two: Ascending Action with a Big Twist! - From Ideas to Publication

Editors, authors and illustrators from Penguin Random House and Harper Collins discussed the process of creating their books.

The audience were treated to an exciting insight into how ideas are developed by a team of committed people, each with a unique skillset, to create the best possible book.

'All we want to do is create the best book possible' Lisa Berryman Harper Collins

Harper Collins - Lisa Berryman, Jen Storer and Lucinda Gifford

The idea for Jen's book The Fourteenth Summer of Angus Jack started when two goblin girls strolled onto the page while she was writing The Accidental Princess. The girls didn't fit this story, but they were fascinating, and Jen invited them onto a blank page so she could find a different story for them. Eventually they made themselves at home in Angus Jack.

Lisa had a strong vision for Angus Jack and knew an illustrator would need to bring out the gothic atmosphere of the story, but she didn’t have anyone in mind at the time. Lisa and Jen had seen Lucinda’s work separately and were both thinking her style suited the story. When Lisa suggested Lucinda, it was an easy decision.

Lucinda took time to develop the characters because the target age of the readers meant that the illustrations needed to have realistic features, not stylised one. She also focused on quirky details described in the story, such as the artefacts. Lucinda sent sketches to get feedback, then developed roughs before the final drawings were submitted.

Lisa loves creating a team and values a collaborative process. She selects a designer early so they are involved with the author, illustrator, editor and publisher from the start. In the case of Angus Jack, the book designer had a strong vision, which helped guide Lucinda's illustrations.

The team worked together to find the voice of the book - i.e. the marriage of text, illustrations, internal design, and cover design.

Lucinda and Jen happen to live close to each other. When Jen used a local antique shop and its owner as the inspiration for a character and setting, Lucinda could draw on the same source of inspiration for the illustrations. Their collaboration resulted in the characters being drawn just as Jen envisioned them.

Penguin Random House Team - Belinda Murrell and Serena Geddes (Zoe Walton was unwell – we hope she’s started to feel better – Ed)

The Lulu Bell books were created collaboratively too. The writer, illustrator and editor developed the books together.

The idea for the Lulu Bell series came to Belinda in 2011 and was a shift from writing for 10-14 year olds to writing for 6-10 year olds. Initially, Belinda found writing for a younger audience challenging. The editing process focused on adjusting the sentence length and changing the vocab to suit the readers.

Belinda lived in a vet hospital when growing up. There were a number of quirky animal characters she drew upon, including an escape artist python.

The series was initial named Charlie Rose. Zoe loved it but asked Belinda change it because of Jacqueline Harvey’s Clementine Rose. Belinda tried many names and eventually came up with Lulu Bell.

After suggesting a number of other illustrators for Belinda’s new series to Zoe, Serena finally gathered the courage to put her own work forward. Zoe said she couldn’t promise but she’d try.

Serena’s illustrations are inspired by watching the author speak about the story they’ve written. She also borrowed a lot of Belinda’s photo albums and based the characters on Belinda as a girl and Belinda’s family members. Using real people and things in her illustrations also peaks the interests of kids when she’s visiting schools and libraries.

The consistency within the series (family life, characters, clothing, etc.) is maintained by the editor and publisher.

Belinda was asked why there are 13 books in the series. Originally four books were planned, written, and released. They were so successful, Penguin Random House took the series to six, then eight, then ten, a Christmas special, and the final two. Three big bumper books will be released this year.

The panel was a great insight into how books for younger readers are created by a team of dedicated and passionate professionals.

Melanie Hill Roving Reporter

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