KidLit Confidential: Recent Episodes
Victoria Grant
Experts in the world of Canadian kidlit describe what they do and how it impacts - or can be impacted by - us as creators.
The Globe and Mail's Children's Book columnist -- and our country's only national reviewer -- Jeffrey Canton discusses what type of books he reviews, what Canadian authors do particularly well, and what he'd like to see more of.
Vikki VanSickle discusses kidlit book promotion from her vantage point as a bookstore manager, award-winning author, and former marketing and publicity director with twelve years' experience at Canada's two largest publishers.
For five years, Christie Williamson was manager of the Kids and Teens department at one of Canada's largest Indigo stores. In this episode, she explains how Indigo selects and merchandizes books -- and also what authors can do to help improve their sales.
Evan Munday discusses book promotion from the point of view of both a publicity manager at Penguin Random House Canada and the author of the the popular middle-grade series The Dead Kid Detective Agency.
Alice Casarini discusses her process of translating children's and YA fiction - and also reveals a surprising way foreign rights to your book might find a buyer.
Why is it that some authors get chosen to present at children's literary festivals and others don't? What can you do to get your book considered by selection committees? The Festival of Literary Diversity's Kids Coordinator, Ardo Omer, gives us an inside look at the selection process.
Why are some excellent manuscripts not accepted for publication? That's where we begin this conversation with Lynne Missen about the art of editing -- and her role as publishing director at Penguin Random House in the delicate business of helping to bring writers' visions to the page.
Probably all authors dream of having an international best-seller. Lora Fountain of Lora Fountain Literary Agency in Paris walks us through how translation rights are sold and also gives us some tips on which type of books work best -- or don't -- in foreign markets.
Heather Ellis's Instagram account, The Literature Archive, has grown to over 100,000 followers in two years. Heather explains hashtags, algorithms - and how you can grow your bookstagram account too.
Designer Talia Abramson walks us through the cover design process, tells us how best to give direction and gives us some insight into what a book cover is really supposed to do.
Penguin Random House Canada's Director of Audio Production Ann Jansen tells us how audio books are made and what type of feedback producers hope to get from authors. She also gives a few tips about getting into audio book production.
Both from his 33 years as a high school teacher and his experience as a sought-after presenter, award-winning YA author Don Aker has learned a few things about how to give a riveting school visit. www.donaker.com
Some products and services mentioned in this episode:
Authorsbooking.com
Writersunion.ca
Bookcentre.ca
Scbwi.org
The First Stone by Don Aker
Delusion Road by Don Aker
Award-winning MG and YA writer Marty Chan shares easy technical and performance tips for connecting virtually with students. martychan.com
Sites and services mentioned in this episode:
Blue Yeti
Microsoft Team
Google Meet
Zoom
Want to get an agent or an editor to read your unsolicited manuscript? Senior editor Fiona Kenshole shares her advice on writing a killer query letter.
transatlanticagency.com
Services mentioned in this episode:
manuscriptwishlist.com
querytracker.net
pitchwars.org
pitmad
Andrew Wooldridge talks about how he rose from working in Orca’s warehouse to running the publishing house. www.orcabook.com