Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent
Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent
Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent
Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Valerie Lawson @litbeing

@stephlystein You say YA Fantasy is your first love, what are some great books in this genre you could recommend to those unfamiliar or wanting recs? #okscbwichat

It's a big category, but recent best in class: Laini Taylor's STRANGE THE DREAMER, Heidi Heilig's THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE, Holly Black's CRUEL PRINCE, Melissa Albert's THE HAZEL WOOD, Rin Chupeco's THE BONE WITCH, and Tomi Adeyemi's CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE! #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Karina Liane Evans @karinalianee

Hi @stephlystein ! On average, how many subs do you have in your TBR pile? #okscbwichat
Replying to @karinalianee

I'd have to look up exact numbers, but usually somewhere between 25 and 50. I try to stay on top of it, but some times of year are much much busier! #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Jerry Bennett @comicbookjer

@stephlystein Are you hoping for a graphic novel in any of these categories, too? #okscbwichat

Yes! My graphic novel tastes tend to branch out in two lanes: whimsical fantasy (like HILDA or @AngrygirLcomics's MOONCAKES) or contemporary realistic/memoir. Looking for more of both for MG and YA! #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Valerie Lawson @litbeing

@stephlystein You have an excellent #mswl that clearly spells out what you're looking for

(Which can be found here:
manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/step…)

What are you NOT looking for?
#okscbwichat
Replying to @litbeing

Yes, still looking for all of those things! I hate to rule out entire categories wholesale, because something always surprises me. But I'm not looking for YA sci-fi right now, and I'm not usually a great match for YA thriller UNLESS there's a fantasy element. #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Valerie Lawson @litbeing

@stephlystein Conversely, what makes you stop reading a manuscript? Any read flags that can lead to an automatic pass from you? #okscbwichat

It's rare for me to see a single red flag that turns me off altogether. In general, though, if I see that my sense of humor isn't a match for the manuscript's, or feel that the story doesn't have a clear sense of where it's going. #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Kenda Henthorn @kendahenthorn

...or would happy and funny be a more welcomed offset? #okscbwichat twitter.com/kendahenthorn/…
Replying to @kendahenthorn

Ha, I think you've got it in one there! Speaking personally (and for a few agents I've heard from lately), I'm not looking for a pandemic or dystopian novel right now. But art is also an important way to process difficult times, so I expect they'll be back one day. #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Valerie Lawson @litbeing

@stephlystein Share some insights on your working process with us - what are some of the steps a manuscript goes through once you receive it from the author you're working with? #okscbwichat
Replying to @litbeing

I think I got to some of this in my earlier answer about editorial style, but beyond that: once we're done with developmental and line edits, it goes off to copy editing. Authors review those queries and then get one more review in the designed "first pass pages." #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Valerie Lawson @litbeing

@stephlystein What really grabs your attention when reading a manuscript? What keeps you turning the page and wanting more? #okscbwichat

The eternal question! It always comes down to voice. Is this narrator one I want to get to know better over the next 200+ pages? How much personality shines through? Other factors like smart plot choices and a great opening scene can also hook me, but that's the key! #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Jerry Bennett @comicbookjer

@stephlystein I suppose you have to work closely with the art direction in GNs. Was that a difficult challenge, or did it come naturally? #okscbwichat
Replying to @comicbookjer

Our art style is pretty well established for Warriors, which is most of the graphic novel work I've done so far. But yes, we work closely with our ADs and designers on original GNs! We also work w/ the fantastic Andrew Arnold, who's directing our HarperAlley imprint. #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Stephanie Stein @stephlystein

This is a great question and obviously something we're thinking about. Acquisitions we make now pub in 1-2 years, so we're still going ahead via email and video conference! A few pub dates have moved, but many are staying. (1/2) #okscbwichat twitter.com/kendahenthorn/…

Personally, I'm most worried about our indie bookstore ecosystem! Many are still operating via online ordering and curbside pickup, so please be sure to support them! Big retailers have other revenue streams, but indies need our support to weather this. #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Kenda Henthorn @kendahenthorn

Hi @stephlystein! I'm wondering what immediate impacts COVID-19 may be having on the publishing industry...are acquisitions and publications proceeding or are you seeing shockwaves and delays in light of our current uncertainties?

This is a great question and obviously something we're thinking about. Acquisitions we make now pub in 1-2 years, so we're still going ahead via email and video conference! A few pub dates have moved, but many are staying. (1/2) #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Stephanie Stein @stephlystein

I am a pretty hands-on editor and I ask a lot of questions. One of my favorite things about the job is figuring out what each of my authors needs from me in order to do their best work. (1/2) #okscbwichat twitter.com/litbeing/statu…

My usual process is to write 1-2 rounds of big-picture notes (edit letters), then dive into line edits. But I'm also happy to jump on the phone for a brainstorming call or work from an outline, especially for Book 2 with the same author. Depends on them! (2/2) #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Valerie Lawson @litbeing

@stephlystein Can you talk about your editing style? #okscbwichat

I am a pretty hands-on editor and I ask a lot of questions. One of my favorite things about the job is figuring out what each of my authors needs from me in order to do their best work. (1/2) #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Jerry Bennett @comicbookjer

I’d love to know a graphic novel you’ve recently edited that went smoothly, or relatively smooth. #okscbwichat

I have to tip my hat to the amazing @_DanJolley and @JamesLBarry, who work on the graphic novels set in Erin Hunter's Warriors universe. They keep everything feeling like a well-oiled machine! Our latest is A SHADOW IN RIVERCLAN, coming this summer. #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

gayesanders @gayesanders

@stephlystein @litbeing @comicbookjer Are there any #bookbirthdays coming up soon for anything you’ve edited? If so let us know!

Actually, TODAY is the #bookbirthday for the fantastic and heartwarming MG fantasy THE TRIUMPHANT TALE OF PIPPA NORTH by @TemreBeltz! And in April, I've got an atmospheric and dark YA debut, @rosswriting's DON'T CALL THE WOLF. #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Stephanie Theban @StephanieTheban

Can you tell us some things you love in queries and some things you hate in queries? Thank you. #okscbwichat

Things I love: smart comp (competitive) titles that would be realistic neighbors for your book on the shelf. A fresh premise. A hint of the MC's voice (sense of humor, etc). Things I wish I didn't see: Don't disparage your own work OR others in your genre! #okscbwichat

Stephanie Stein
@stephlystein
Editor
Senior Editor @HarperChildrens & @HarperTeen , she/her, 47% caffeine by volume. Opinions my own, and I do have a lot of them. 🌈
213 MSWL
34 AskAgent

Valerie Lawson @litbeing

@stephlystein How did you find the transition from marketing to editing?
#okscbwichat

I loved it! I think editors who start in another department, be it marketing or sales or whatever, take such a valuable perspective with them. And it helped to already know a bit about how the rest of the business worked while I was learning the ropes in editorial! #okscbwichat