An Acquiring Editor Reveals What She's Buying Right Now

Most rejected picture book and middle grade manuscripts aren't turned down because they're bad — they're turned down because an editor has already seen five just like them. Susan Marston, the new editorial director of Albatros Books' US expansion (and former 25-year editorial director of the Junior Library Guild), joins us to lay out exactly what's landing on her acquisitions list right now — and what's already been done to death.We talk about why Albatros — the largest publisher in the Czech Republic — is betting big on the American market, what makes a manuscript feel "irresistible" to an editor who's read literally thousands of submissions, and why she thinks the industry needs way more funny books, shorter word counts, and readers who aren't just "a boy and a girl who are best friends." Susan also gets specific about the exact gaps she's trying to fill: mysteries that go beyond the Sherlock-and-sidekick formula, horror-lite for middle grade, memoir, magical realism, and chapter books that actually try something new.If you write for kids, this is the episode where an active acquiring editor tells you, out loud, what she wants to see land in her inbox.In this episode:Why Albatros Books chose now to expand into the US marketWhat "fun nonfiction" means as an acquisitions strategyThe gap in chapter books Susan is actively trying to fillWhy humor is one of the hardest — and most underrated — things to acquireHer take on the "boy and girl best friends" trope in middle grade, and why it's fadingWhy she'd take a great 200-page book over another 400-page epic any dayWhere to send your submission (and what she's hoping lands in that inbox)Submissions: Albatros Books is actively acquiring picture books and chapter books from North American authors. Submission guidelines are on their website — send yours to [email protected] play, grab a pencil, and get ready to take notes — then head to writerswithwrinkles.net for the full breakdown and links mentioned in this episode.Send us Fan Mail Support the showVisit the WebsiteFind Full Episodes on YouTube!Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!