As an editor, what types of stories are you looking for at this time?

Right now I am focused on acquiring young adult fiction for Harlequin Teen. I am interested in stories targeted at girls, 12-18, across all teen genres. Paranormal, contemporary, historical, futuristic, science fiction, mystery, adventure, and across all tones--light, dark, funny, serious...whatever works for the story and characters.

What have you seen too much of lately, if anything?

I will never see too much of any particular story type when the story is well told, but, I do see too much derivative work, where the author is trying to create the next Twilight or House of Night type series, or some other current favorite author voice/story type, instead of developing his or her own story and voice.

What is your favorite part of being an editor? Least favorite?

My favorite part of being an editor is buying a project from a new author. It is thrilling to find a manuscript that reads fresh and original, such as the first wonderful faery story I acquired from Julie Kagawa, The Iron King, and Saving June, a contemporary story by Hannah Harrington. I also love having the chance to work with a pro author who is new to me, such as Douglas Rees, whose story Majix is one of the most heartfelt and truly funny books I’ve had the pleasure of working on. I am having the best time working with these exciting authors and can't wait to see their stories make it to the shelves in 2010 and 2011.

 My least favorite thing by far is saying No. I put rejections off sometimes; there is just nothing fun about disappointing hopeful writers. It is even less fun when I have to say no to a story I truly like--there is just so much competition and our program is small, so I find myself in that position fairly often. It's hard.

 Describe your dream author? And of course....the author from Hades?

My dream author is a consummate professional who is open to suggestions and is also not afraid to respectfully stand up for his or her work. He or she delivers manuscripts on time, or keeps me informed when things go amiss, and works as a team to create the best package possible for the story while being understanding of the challenges and timing faced by the in-house team. My dream author has his or her own Web site and does everything he or she can to self-promote, including anything from making connections with young adult fiction blogs and popular sites to taking advantage of local promotion opportunities. However, this author does not get so caught up in promoting that he or she stops writing!

 The author from down below…would be someone who is constantly worrying about/comparing his- or herself to other authors, focusing on what other authors are doing and getting, and is constantly complaining about it instead of focusing on his or her own work.

 What do you read for pleasure? Name three of your all time favorite books or authors.

I am partial to mainstream fiction. Lately, I’ve been reading almost all young adult stories—not just because I’m working in that field, but because I find them earnest, honest and unpredictable in ways other genres don’t always deliver.

 All time favorites:

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (all four and 1/3 books—I’ve read Twilight and the Midnight Sun partial too many times to count, and the rest of the books almost as often. They’re my go-to feel-good reads).

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

 Tell us about your new YA line at Harlequin, and the titles that will be kicking it off?

Harlequin Teen publishes young adult fiction targeted at girls, 12-18. Our stories feature extraordinary characters caught up in extraordinary adventures, told in authentic, memorable voices that will resonate with readers and be remembered after the covers are closed. HQ Teen is a single title program focused on building author names through individual and series titles and unique packages. Our first two titles, both by New York Times bestselling authors, will be published in 2009, and we’ve got about 14 books scheduled in 2010.

 MY SOUL TO TAKE by Rachel Vincent lands on shelves in trade paperback in August. The story features teen banshee Kaylee Cavanaugh, whose discovery of her secret banshee heritage coincides with the frightening deaths of several of her classmates—and when someone near her is about to die, Kaylee can’t help her urge to literally scream bloody murder. This is book one of Rachel’s Soul Screamers series.

 Gena Showalter’s INTERTWINED hits shelves in September in gift hardcover. The story features Aden Stone, a teenage boy who is a magnet for all things paranormal. Everyone thinks he’s crazy, which is why he’s sent to a halfway house for wayward teens.  But he doesn’t mind. For months he’s been having visions of a beautiful girl entering his life—a girl who will either save him or destroy him.  And even though he’s half in love with her before she ever arrives, he’s unprepared for the centuries-old secrets she brings with her.  Together, they’ll enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger . . . and not everyone will come out alive. INTERTWINED is the first of four Intertwined novels.

 How does one submit to you and do you accept equeries?

I get so many e-mails that, from unagented authors, I am asking for hard-copy queries, including a detailed synopsis of the story. If I am interested in a project, I may invite the author to e-mail the manuscript, although I do sometimes prefer a hard copy (my in-box tends to fill up and create problems when I receive too many attachments). I do accept agented queries and projects via e-mail. I’m also happy to send updates if gently reminded about a project via e-mail. Currently I do not have an assistant and my response time is slower than optimal, and I understand that writers are anxious for news.

 Will you be attending any conferences this year?

I am not officially scheduled to attend any conferences as of today, but I will be lurking around RWA on Saturday and will also be making the rounds at BEA at the end of this month.

 In a year, what is your typical percentage of signing new writers? Do they typically come from slush, or referral, or conferences? How about the ratio of agented to unagented?

Hmm, percentage—I’m not sure how to calculate one, but, this year so far I’ve signed one new author and hope to find several more. All of the authors signed to Harlequin Teen have agents. However, we have no rule that an author must have an agent to sign or submit to us, and I’m happy to look at all submissions. So far, the authors I’ve signed have come to me through meetings with their agents or through referrals from other agents. But you never know where the next gem will be found.

 And Our new question section- an absolute take off of inside the actors studio-adapted for books (how's that for a switch)

 INSIDE THE Editors STUDIO

 Tell us your favorite movie

I have to pick ONE?! Twilight, The Princess Bride and Moulin Rouge. Sorry!

 Tell us your favorite protagonist-hero or heroine, your choice.

Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. And the Little Prince. And Elizabeth Bennett.

 What is your favorite word or phrase?

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” (The fox, to the Little Prince)

 Least favorite word or phrase?

Currently, high fructose corn syrup is right up there with No you can’t do XYZ.

 If you werent an editor, you would be an Olympic-level dressage rider.

 
  ** Also...agents talk of voice. What kind of voice hooks your attention? One that makes you laugh, cry--in your own words.

 One that makes me so involved in the story, I lose track of reality. Sometimes through laughter, sometimes through heavy emotions, and always through a character who draws me in and doesn’t let go.