Orli Zuravicky is a Senior Editor at Scholastic and the author of the forthcoming Happily Ever Afterlife middle grade novel series.
In this interview we talk about:
- How an Editor chooses an Illustrator.
- How to approach an Editor at a conference.
- How being an Editor helped Orli become a better writer.
- Why manuscript submissions get rejected.
- Why there are more opportunities in Kidlit now than ever before.
Listen to ‘Stories Unbound’ Episode 19:
[ download the mp3 ] [ subscribe in iTunes ]
Join Us On The Storytellers’ Summit:
Whether you write children’s books, screenplays or novels…
…or draw storyboards or comics: You are a storyteller.
…and every storyteller understands that turning our lofty thoughts into a finished work often feels like an uphill climb…
The Storytellers’ Summit – an online course at The Oatley Academy – will provide guidance from some of the entertainment industry’s best teachers.
We’ll help you master fundamental concepts like:
- Developing your protagonist
- Building a believable world
- Constructing a compelling plot
- Finding your voice
- Fighting writer’s block
Your story is waiting.
Join The Storytellers’ Summit today!
Awesome Links:
Happily Ever Afterlife (Shawna’s Affiliate Link)
Connect with Shawna on Twitter
Music by Ryan Keith and Wes Cepin
Share Your Thoughts:
Today Orli helped us understand what it’s like to be an Editor at a major publishing house.
What did you learn about the Editor’s role that you didn’t know before?
I wanted to thank you for the great interview with Orli Zuravicky today. As usual it was informative and helpful! I was curious… in the interview Orili suggested would-be author illustrators might consider making Look books to help promote themselves. I always thought look books were more geared for photographers and fashion industry hopefuls. Are there any good examples out there of what a kidlit look book would look like? Thanks very much!
Hi Melanie,
Thanks for stopping by! So glad you enjoyed the interview. I’d like to know more about look books to. It’s something I’ve never thought about or really heard of before. It’s fun to hear of some new ways to get the attention of editors!
This was such a great interview!!! I was so hooked from the beginning. It had such a great vibe! Great questions too, Shawna! They were very insightful.
It was very interesting to learn about how sometimes the author will be right but not necessarily the project they are pitching. Makes me think about how valuable people are and not precisely the idea itself.
Really great stuff 🙂
Hi Maria,
So glad you enjoyed the interview today. It was really fun to hear things from Orli’s point of view as both an editor and a writer! That really was good to hear, that even if editors don’t necessarily like the book you’re pitching, there’s probably another story within you that they might be interested in. So keep sending your stuff out there! Thanks for stopping by! <3
Thank you Shawna and Orli for your time. I recently sent samples of my works to Scholastic. I learned after one of my letters came back from another publisher that my envelope did not withstand traveling through the mail. My presentation was not how I sent it. I have already made cards so finding a way to send them would be great. Shawna, I love the speech you gave in the beginning about planting seeds. It is so true that nothing is going to grow unless you plant seeds. Orli, your message is inspiring. I would like to know what agents work with Scholastic?
I recently discovered the Stories Unbound podcast and really enjoyed this episode. I especially liked hearing about how editors want writers and artists to succeed and put so much thought into feedback when they have time to give it. So inspiring and encouraging!
Thank you Shawna for making this great interview. 🙂 It was interesting to listen to
Orli Zuravicky and her insider advice from her point of view because of her job at Scholastic.
I’m really looking forward to your 2nd interview and the topic you’ll cover along with Jake Parker! Hearing his advice is so helpful.
Finally getting around to listing to this…
YAY for Albany/Capitol Region people! Thats where I am. Its fun to have a little connection :-).
I definitely agree that it takes a LOT of creativity to create a story that fits a set of strict guidelines. Its nice to have something to start with, but meeting specific criteria makes writing a whole different ballgame.
I think I already had a pretty clear idea of what an editor does, but its always good to hear a different perspective, and great to remember that they really are just people who love books too 🙂