Interview
with Agent Steven Chudney
Snacks: What led you to specialize in children’s
literature?
Steven: I was national
sales manager at Farrar, Straus & Giroux where I sold the entire list: both adult and children's books. Over time,
I became more involved in the marketing of the children's books, reading them, loving them and really enjoying working
in this specific field. Later on, I was appointed marketing director at S&S Children's books--fully entrenched then in the world of children's
books.
Snacks: As an agent,
how involved are you in the editorial process?
Steven: I am very involved. I read and critique every manuscript that leaves
the Agency for submission, whether it's a picture book or a novel. I comment on voice, character development, storyline--the
whole gamut.
Snacks: Are there themes in MG and YA that have been
done and would be a difficult if not improbable sell? (For example: dog stories, suicide, depression, eating disorders, etc.)
Steven: All the themes you
mention are ones that I've heard aren't what editors are looking for, as they are too issue oriented. But I think
that at the end of the day, if the novel is written in a beautiful, compelling way--and the author offers the reader more
than just the issue at hand, then all bets are off, and editors would be fine with books that might cover an issue. What they
don't want is a novel specifically and mostly focusing on the issue, they don't want a novel like one of those ABC
Afternoon movies that were popular in the 80s.
Snacks: As a mother
of a teenage boy, I notice that boy books can often have protagonists who are goofy and/or incompetent. Is there a difference
in representing books for boy or girl readers? Is it harder to sell books written for boys?
Steven: It can be more challenging to sell boy oriented
novels, pretty frustrating. I only have a handful of guy writers, and tons of women writers. Maybe that's part of the
problem. Also, publishers feel that girls read more than boys, and buy more books. I suppose they are right to some degree,
but I hope this isn't some sort of self fulfilling prophesy!
Snacks:
What are the greatest challenges of being an agent?
Steven: Keeping up with trends and phases
of the publishers, keeping track of individual editor's tastes. By far the worst thing is waiting to hear back from publishers--they
can be SO slow! And for me, as an agent who doesn't chase trends too much and do a heck of a lot of paranormal, these
times can be challenging to simply sell a great novel with no dead kids or vampires in it.
Snacks: What do you love about it?
Steven: I love reading and reading and reading--good material! I love helping make a manuscript
as good as it can be, and I enjoy working with the talent and seeing them grow in what they do. And I still love opening up
a package to find a picture book F&G or a galley for a novel I've sold. Of course, my favorite thing is to call a
client and let them know we've sold their book!
Snacks: Are you open to submissions and what are some of your pet peeves
& preferences when receiving submissions?
Steven: I am open to submissions--info avail on my website. I do have some pet peeves: I don't like receiving material I don't
handle (like fantasy), or messy/disorganized submissions, or receiving incomplete submission packets. It seems lots of folks
don't know how to properly and professionally represent themselves. And folks that vaguely refer to their submission as
"stories" even if they may be novels--rather than be very specific about the category. And those that call their
novels "fictional novels"--all novels better be fiction!
Snacks: Would you like to highlight some of your
upcoming titles and authors?
Steven:
A very tricky proposition--I can't list them all, but here are some:
• Forget-Her-Nots, by Amy Brecount White, young teen novel, Greenwillow/Harper (Publication
Date: March 2010)
•
The Youngest Templar series, Michael Spradlin, historical fictions, Putnam/Penguin.
Sold to 11 foreign countries
• The River,