Interview with an Editor: Alvina Ling, VP & Editor-in-Chief at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Alvina and I discuss the evolution of her nearly 25 year career as an editor, what makes her stop reading a book that's on submission, as well as advice to aspiring writers on when to submit.

Hello everyone,

As always, I’m committed to demystifying the world of publishing—how it works, why agents acquire the books they do and why they reject others, as well as what editors are looking for on their lists and how that has changed over the last couple of decades.

This week’s installment of The Plot Doctor involves my first editor interview, this time with Alvina Ling. Alvina is the editor of so many wonderful, beloved YA, Middle Grade, and picture book authors, many of them award-winning: Grace Lin, Peter Brown, Chris Colfer (of Glee), and Holly Black, among many others. She is also one of my oldest friends, and one of the people I go to the most whenever I, myself, have questions about publishing and anything related to this book business we’re all involved in. Be sure to also check out the podcast she records with Grace Lin, Book Friends Forever.

I invite you to join in on my wonderful conversation with Alvina by either watching the video of our zoom, or downloading the audio for your next run or walk or whatever you do while you listen to podcasts. Among other things, Alvina and I discussed why earlier on in her career, she was more inclined to do developmental editing work on a book with a new author than she is now, the ongoing overwhelm of email in an editor’s inbox, plus the kinds of things that make her stop reading and say no to a submission. Enjoy!

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Online Writing Workshop! This Saturday, November 21st . . .

My friend Amy Scher and I have been engaged in an ongoing conversation about writing & healing ever since we became friends. This November 11th, we are holding an all day writing workshop on the topic, which is open to anyone, writer or no. Full details below—we’d love to have you join us!

Online: Transforming Grief Workshop

Using Energy Therapy, Journaling, and Letter Writing for Healing

with Amy B. Scher & Donna Freitas

Nov. 11th from 11am to 5pm (Eastern)
Recordings included

Full day Zoom workshop
Class: 11am to 12:30pm ET
Lunch: 12:30 (1 hour break)
Class: 1:30 to 3pm
Break: 3pm (30-mins)
Closing: 3:30-5pm

An Intimate & Uplifting Day

Clear heart-centered blocks holding you back and work through unresolved grief for a powerful healing experience—all in a fun and loving community.

Guided Energy Therapy

Using Amy's energy therapy techniques, you'll gently release stuck emotions, clear old beliefs, and open your heart up for vibrant healing.

Journaling Practices

With introspective journaling tools, we'll walk you through finding deeper meaning and healing through your experiences around loss.

Letter Writing

Discover the healing power in letter writing (even if you never send it). Through thoughtful prompts, letters can catapult your healing.

All online, recordings included.

Sign up here. We hope to see you there!