Stephanie Stein

I recently got around to @kellyyanghk's FRONT DESK and it absolutely deserved the hype and the accolades. I loved it! Check it out if you haven't. #okscbwichat

If I'm allowed to rec my own titles, too, check out @renathedreamer's KINGDOM OF SOULS, @RinChupeco's THE NEVER TILTING WORLD, and upcoming, @rosswriting's DON'T CALL THE WOLF and @ShvetaThakrar's STAR DAUGHTER! 😁 #okscbwichat

Of course! I could literally rec YA fantasy all day. :) #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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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