“I chose [to study] children’s literature because it brings me so much joy,” says Emily Feinberg ’11MAMA.
Having studied English literature for her undergraduate studies, Feinberg expected to be drawn to courses focused on novels for children. But taking a course on picturebook art and design with the late Professor Susan Bloom altered the trajectory of her studies.
“I fell in love with picturebooks,” she recalls. “[Professor Bloom’s] passion for the subject, and the material itself, was exciting. Plus, it gave me the opportunity to discuss the art, even without formal training. I found it challenging and exhilarating.”
Book Editor’s Journey To Award-Winning Story
Once in the publishing world, Feinberg started working with Neal Porter at Macmillan, who she describes as “the picturebook king.” She says, “I’ve experienced so much satisfaction working with artists and authors.”
This led to her first award-winning book, Big Cat, little cat, with author/illustrator Elisha Cooper. But that doesn’t mean the creative process was without difficulty.
“There was a different book we worked on together for a year,” she recalls. “We couldn’t figure out how to get it there. In the midst of that process, [Cooper said], ‘I have another idea I want to share with you.’ We went to a cafe and he drew it out for me, page by page.”
That meeting in the cafe marked the beginning of Big Cat, little cat.
“I’m a very hands-on editor. I like to get in there and help shape the story. Usually, authors are very open about it. Elisha and I would meet every day about the book we are working on, while other [author/illustrators] say, ‘let me work on my art for six months and then [we’ll meet],’” she says.
Feinberg notes that picturebooks — with their combination of art and text — can be challenging, especially given how expensive they are to produce.
Children’s Books That Answer Big Questions
Feinberg is particularly interested in nonfiction picturebooks that address “big concepts for little people.” Just Right, Searching for the Goldilocks Planet written by Curtis Manley, illustrated by Jessica Lanan, is a good example.
“I love those big topics and scaling them down into something digestible for kids. Kids have a lot of big questions and people don’t always have the answers,” she says.
Another recent title with Jessica Lanan, Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider, received a Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, a recognition for nonfiction picturebooks.
Helping Simmons MFA Students Tell Great Stories
Now a part of the children’s literature industry, Feinberg values the chance to share her expertise by mentoring students in the Writing for Children MFA program. She has mentored five students so far, across genres in picturebook, chapter book, middle grade, and young adult.
“I start by asking my mentees, what do you want to get out of this?” Feinberg says. “We set goals in the beginning, then meet five times throughout the semester with the aim of accomplishing those goals.” MFA students generally send her a full manuscript for review, which Feinberg responds to via a phone call. “I love having those conversations with authors and seeing the progress.”
Beyond the feedback on their work in progress, learning to take criticism is a necessary skill to develop, she says. “It gets them acclimated to what it’s like to have an editorial conversation with an editor and do revisions with an editor.”
The process has contributed to success, as two of Feinberg’s mentees have gone on to publication.
“A big part of being an author is being able to work collaboratively with an editor. We are here to strengthen the story, so let’s have a conversation about it,” she says.
As an editor, that willingness to collaborate is pivotal. “I tend to only work with people who are open collaborators — a book I acquire will be different when I publish it,” she reflects. “It’s best for authors to have an open mind and not be too precious about their material.”
Feinberg’s Recommended Reading
- Coyote Moon (Roaring Brook Press, 2016) by Maria Gianferrari; pictures by Bagram Ibatoulline – “Coyotes may seem scary, but this book shows how they are a part of nature; the coyote needs to hunt in order to feed her pups. It connects to the theme of life cycles, which can be a tough topic to discuss.”
- Go with the Flow (Roaring Brook Press, 2020) written by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann; illustrated by Lily Williams – “This book was nominated for an Eisner Award. It’s a graphic novel about a menstrual revolution. I see it as a feminist manifesto for pre-teen girls.”
- Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider (Roaring Brook Press, 2023) by Jessica Lanan