The Lerner Blog
By Amy Fitzgerald, Associate Editorial Director, Carolrhoda Novels
There’s no one right way to edit a book, but when I tackle a middle-grade or YA novel, I usually divide my editorial process into three stages. Each stage calls for a different skillset, a different way of looking at the story. Here are some of the questions I ask myself at each stage. Read More
by Ashley Kuehl, Executive Editor of Trade YA Nonfiction
Who’s having a birthday next week? Our very own national space agency, that’s who! As of October 1, the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (more commonly known as NASA) has been in existence sixty years (#NASA60th, yay!). They’re posting lots of fun photos and videos to celebrate the big 6-0, and because Lerner really loves its top 10 lists these days, I thought I’d pull together a top five list of unexpected challenges, surprises, and delights in making books related to space. Read More
by Laura Otto Rinne, Senior Art Director, School Library Division
Like many of us, I annually resolve to eat better—less junk, less fast food. So, I was pleasantly surprised to find a new vegan restaurant in my city that makes a perfect knock off of “the-franchise-which-must-not-be-named” signature hamburger. In place of the two all-beef patties was a mix of wheat and soy protein. It was tasty and sustainable; proof that it is possible to satisfy a fast food craving without the heart disease or carbon footprint. Read More
By Domenica Di Piazza, Editorial Director of Twenty-First Century Books
When I was a young girl growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, I was a big fan of reporter Brenda Starr. She was the protagonist of a comic strip by the same name, created by Dalia Messick (who went by the professional name of Dale Messick). I loved Brenda’s glamorous life as a girl reporter. In fact, at the time during which I was enamored of her (late 1960s), the comic strip wasn’t syndicated in the newspaper my family read, so I would run down the street in the early morning to read the latest panel in the Chicago Tribune on a neighbor’s stoop before that family got up. Read More
By Greg Hunter, Associate Editorial Director, Graphic Universe
The World Series is only one month away, and there’s no better way to get excited for the baseball games than with a ballpark mystery. Q & Ray Case 3, Foul Play at Elm Tree Park, arrives in stores October 1. It’s a hilarious graphic novel about baseball, forgery, and more. In the meantime, enjoy artist Stephen Shaskan’s book trailer for the crime-solving critters’ latest case. Read More