Secrets from a Publisher's Editorial and Acquisitions Meetings
Everything you've ever wanted to know about how an editor picks which books to publish
What’s it like to be in the room when books are chosen for publication? Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Editor-in-Chief Alvina Ling peels back the curtain to reveal the behind-the-scenes of the acquisitions process and what it takes for a book to get through the gauntlet.
In this presentation, Alvina shares what gets a publisher to say, "I love it!" and what makes them say, "Not quite right." You've never seen an editor be quite this candid about the acquisitions process. Plus, Alvina shares an acquisitions story from one of her favorite books.
"Alvina Ling shared things I had never heard before. Getting an insider
account of the publisher’s selection process was really helpful.
" - Paige O.
"I was amazed that Alvina gave us the P & L statement example,
because that will help so very much to have actually seen one when the
time comes to have to read my own statements." - Alexandra A.
"Alvina Ling was an eye opener...It gave me something to gear my writing towards." - Donna R.
Your Instructor
Alvina Ling oversees Little, Brown Books for Young Reader’s Middle Grade and Young Adult lists, and is interested in both genre (including science fiction, fantasy, and mystery), nonfiction, and contemporary fiction. She would love to acquire a commercial “next big thing” series, as well as strong literary fiction with award potential. Alvina edits everything from picture books to young adult, with a particular interest in books with multicultural themes. Some of her recent publications include the New York Times bestselling picture books The Curious Garden and Children Make Terrible Pets by Peter Brown; Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld; Caldecott Honor book Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill and Bryan Collier; Newbery Honor book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin; The Candymakers by Wendy Mass; Bird in a Box by Andrea Davis Pinkney; The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer; North of Beautiful by Justina Chen; Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor; I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga; and The Diviners by Libba Bray. Before starting at LBYR in 1999, Alvina was a bookseller at Barnes & Noble and an intern at The Horn Book, and is a life-long lover of children’s books.
Course Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
"I loved Alvina's because I loved the insider glimpse into the industry!" - Emily A.