"Good Enough" Versus Fit: Editor Erica Finkel On Improving Your Odds Of Yes

We're thrilled to welcome Abrams editor Erica Finkel to the podcast to discuss editorial board meetings, the top reasons writers get rejected--and how "fit" means far more than you'd think. Book a meeting with Erica here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/faculty-members/erica-finkelErica Finkel hails from Maryland and studied English Literature at Tufts University in Boston. After graduation, she taught English in a teeny town in France, then returned to Boston to earn an MA in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College while interning at Harvard Education Press and Shambhala Publications. She moved to New York to take a job at Abrams Books in 2010 and has been there ever since.She now works on a variety of children’s books from picture books to young adult novels. Some of her favorites include In My Heart (a USA Today bestseller) by Jo Witek, Fraidyzoo (an ALA Notable Book) by Thyra Heder, Dr. Critchlore’s School for Minions by Sheila Grau, and My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula Freedman. She’s especially looking forward to the publication of her acquisitions Camp Rolling Hills by Stacy Davidowitz and The Movie Version by Emma Wunsch. She loves character- and relationship-driven stories, with a vivid atmosphere and a strong sense of place.Her favorite genres are contemporary realistic, fantasy, and magical realism. Check out her work here: https://www.pinterest.com/ericafinkel/books-ive-edited/Timestamps: Erica Finkel's background (00:00:42)Erica Finkel, an executive editor at Abrams Books for Young Readers and Amulet Books, discusses her role and experience in the publishing industry.Career in publishing (00:02:55)Erica Finkel shares her journey into publishing, from internships to her current role, highlighting the value of education and personal growth.Editorial autonomy and collaboration (00:08:02)Exploration of the balance between an editor's individual taste and the imprint's identity, discussing the collaborative process of shaping a list.Book acquisition and fit for the list (00:09:35)Insight into the importance of a book's similarity and difference within the imprint's list, considering marketing, sales, and readers' perspectives.Editorial decision-making process (00:13:37)Erica Finkel shares the challenges of evaluating and selecting manuscripts, highlighting the emotional and practical aspects of the decision-making process.Advice for writers (00:18:05)Erica Finkel's advice for writers, emphasizing the value of industry education, extensive reading, and understanding market demands.The vision (00:21:20)The risk and reward of seeing the potential in a manuscript despite potential rejection.Understanding the child reader (00:21:36)Considering comprehension, readability, and authenticity in children's literature.Avoiding stereotypes in children's literature (00:22:22)Emphasizing the need for nuance and authenticity in portraying childhood experiences.Editorial and acquisitions meetings (00:29:32)Insight into the casual and collaborative nature of editorial and acquisitions meetings.Pub board decision-making (00:31:18)The process of evaluating and deciding on book acquisitions involving multiple departments.Book success and in-house support (00:35:29)The importance of in-house support in setting a book up for success.The role of Twitter in book promotion (00:39:12)Discussion of the impact of social media and conflicts in the book industry.Overcoming writers' fears (00:40:15)Addressing common fears of writers and dispelling misconceptions about the publishing process.Tips for querying agents (00:44:01)Advice for writers on targeting junior agents and personalizing query letters.Making queries compelling (00:46:03)Insight into what agents can do to make their queries stand out and be more likely to be read by editors.