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Visiting Your Editor

  • Apr. 16th, 2008 at 1:27 PM

Thanks, everyone for your kind responses! 

The Candlewick offices are new, having just made the horrendous move from Cambridge to Somerville MA.  In the old building, Candlewick was spread out over two floors but now they're housed in one large, meandering space, which includes sections for editorial, sales, art, marketing, etc.  There's a room for their out-of-print books, and a room for their newest books.  Also a reference library of current picture books from other publishers which helps in researching illustrators, and recently  published subjects.  Every editor's work cubicle is lined with shelves, holding piles of books in progress.  Boxes of new books, fresh from the printers, took up floor space here and there.

There's a lot of creating going on in that building and it was fun to see and imagine!

Meeting Your Editor

  • Apr. 16th, 2008 at 7:41 AM

Ten years ago when I began writing for children, I never dreamed I'd one day visit a publishing house and meet my editor face to face.  But it happened last Friday.  My writing daughter, [info]stacy_dekeyser, and I drove from Connecticut to New Hampshire for the spring NE-SCBWI conference, and we were invited to stop in Somerville MA to see the Candlewick offices and meet editor Andrea Tompa. 

Right inside the entrance I saw my book Virginnie's Hat on their display case of recent books!  (It's on the lowest shelf, second book from end on the left.)  A welcoming touch!


                                                     Candlewick entrance display
And then I got to meet Andrea!  She's a warm, charming, and delightful person, and very, very smart!


                    Andrea Tompa and Dori Chaconas at Candlewick

Of course I'd hoped to take a picture of her slush pile, but there were only three things in it!  Andrea explained that since Candlewick is closed to unsolicited manuscripts, most of the submissions from agents and Candlewick writers come through email, and so... goodbye, slush pile!

A fun part of the visit was to read my Candlewick book-in-progress Hurry Down to Derry Fair to an audience of thirty Candlewick staff members!  I read from a dummy while Andrea held up larger loose pages. 


     Reading to Candlewick staff

Thanks to Andrea and Candlewick for a wonderful visit!  It was a great experience.