Interview with Susan Burke, Associate Editor
Susan Burke is an Associate Editor at Atheneum Books for Young Readers. She is interested in both fiction and non-fiction, including picture books, middle-grade works, and teen novels. Burke’s projects have received numerous honors, such as starred reviews and nominations for state awards and Best Books for Young Adults lists. Currently, Burke lives in New York. She thinks often about what kind of dog she’d have, if only her apartment were bigger.
Please tell us a little about your background and what led you to become an editor.
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t reading. Books have always played a huge role in my life and I knew that I wanted to work with them in some capacity. In college, I studied English and Art History, both of which are ideal for working as a children’s editor. All of these factors, plus a bit of luck, are what brought me to where I am now.
What makes a book stand out for you?
Voice. That’s the number one thing that I look for. It’s important that a book stay with me long after I’ve read it and that the voice keeps echoing in my head.
Are you willing to read beyond the first few pages of a manuscript, or do you feel a reader must be “hooked” before that?
Given the number of submissions that all editors receive, I think it’s important for an author to pull their reader in right from the start. Otherwise, it’s hard to justify spending the time on reading further.
What are some common mistakes writers make?
A common mistake that writers make is trying too hard. For example, I see a lot of manuscripts that contain great storytelling ideas, but sometimes writers can go too far with them, making it feel gimmicky, not entertaining.
About what percentage of the manuscripts you accept are from first-time authors?
I don’t have an exact percentage number, but I definitely do work with first-time authors and enjoy doing so.
Do you sometimes have to turn down books you love? Why?
Yes, sometimes that does unfortunately happen. Reasons could include already having a similar book on your list, having a list that’s too full, or an author and editor differing dramatically over ideas for revision.
What do you like to see in a query letter?
A query letter should be concise and to the point, but still give me a sense of your writing style. If you’ve published books previously, please include that information. Make sure to proofread and don’t forget to include your SASE.
Do you accept unsolicited manuscripts?
I prefer to receive query letters.
What were some of your favorite childhood books? What did you read as a teen? What books do you currently love?
Growing up I read a huge variety of books. I loved Anne of Green Gables, Little House on the Prairie, The Secret Garden, The Babysitter’s Club, Gone with the Wind, and Nancy Drew. The picture book that stands out most clearly for me is The Wedding Procession of the Rag Doll and the Broomstick Handle and Who Was in It by Carl Sandburg. Books I love now include A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, The Passion by Jeannette Winterson, anything by Margaret Atwood, Anne Sexton, or Gabriel Garcia Marquez, The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, and Atonement by Ian McEwan. I also enjoy nonfiction.
What do you see as the biggest obstacle one must overcome to become a published writer?
That’s a tough question, but I think one of the biggest obstacles is the fact that publishers can only acquire a certain number of books and that number is always going to be less than the number of aspiring authors out there.