Q&A with Disney Hyperion Editor Stephanie Owens Lurie

Disney Hyperion editor Stephanie Owens Lurie was one of the faculty members at the 2010 SCBWI LA National Conference. I attended her breakout session on How To Think Like a Publisher and the below question and answer session followed her presentation.

Q: Can you comment on the rights landscape?

A: You need to think about property in multiple ways. Everything is so new, and we are all exploring the possibilities. Yes, there will be rights discussions and fights. We are all working through this.

Q: How should one implement new technology?

A: Get your story down first, then think about technology. Share it with your editor and feel them out on the subject. It is not the authors idea to execute these ideas. Share them with the publisher. The publisher will produce the product.

Q: Why did you move to Disney Hyperion and how does it compare to other houses you’ve worked at?

A:  I love that Disney Hyperion is both a book publisher and an entertainment company.  I was interested in seeing how books can branch into new areas. For example Disney has just acquired Marvel, and so we will be making graphic novels! We are also a much smaller company than some of the others I’ve worked at, and I enjoy that aspect.

Q: Can We Submit Our Work To You?

A: No. Disney Hyperion has a very strict policy about non-agented work. We don’t accept it. Because Disney is a big company we are often getting sued about copyrights and plagiarism. Therefore we do not accept unsolicited work. Even if we win the lawsuits, we still have to pay for them in the first place.

Q: If you’re an illustrator and not a writer, what is your elevator pitch?

A: Look for a character in your portfolio that has the potential to become a book. Develop that character into a story. Become a writer/illustrator!

Q: In a recent New Yorker article it was quoted that 70% of all books don’t make back their advance. Is that true for children’s books?

A: It varies depending upon the advance.  In general if an editor continues to buy books that don’t sell out their advance, then the editor will get fired and the author dropped. Books last about two years now, which is less time than in the past.  We are hoping that the digital landscape will help to create new opportunities.

Q: What is the ideal number of book for a YA series?

A: It is better to have too few than too many. Limited series are always better. I would shoot for 3 or 4. You can always do a spin off later.

Q: With all the new opportunities for digital arenas, what is your thoughts on self publishing?

A: Publishers really help in so many ways – editing, distribution, expertise, know book sellers, etc.  But there doesn’t seem to be any harm in self publishing. However, if your book has been reviewed by a lot of people (yourself published book) then it can be hard to get it reviewed again later if a larger publisher publishes it.

Q: How has the iPad changed the game?

A: There’s all sorts of new apps now. Things like a marketing app, a Dr. Seuss App, a monetized app (which is a version of any sort of book with some type of game play). I suggest you click around and explore to see what is out there.

Q: What should an author have on their website?

A: Author info, a biography, information about how teachers can use your book, game play, etc. The key is to keep the content coming so someone will continue to revisit your site. Book content is always good. Websites are really essential for illustrators. I am always trolling online for illustrators. I don’t keep/use printed materials anymore.

Q: How does one contact their market?

A: Use Facebook, or do school appearances. Twitter it turns out is an older person’s thing, but you can still interact with other writers with twitter. Think about contact with your market as a pebble thrown in a pond. Everything you do causes ripples of some sort.

Q: Should authors make their own book trailers?

A: I am not a fan of authors making their own book trailers, unless you are a film student or have film experience. Otherwise they will end up looking very amateur. Book trailers are great for YA books. If you have an idea for a book trailer share it with your editor. If they like it the publisher will put up the cost to create a trailer for the book. Often book trailers will cost between 5 and 15 thousand dollars to make.

Q: What are some of your favorite current books?

A: I love M.T. Anderson’s Feed, The Book Theif by Marcus Zusak. Some of the new stuff Rick Ryerden is doing is very exciting. He’s really stretching himself.

Q: What are your thoughts on edgy content in YA novels?

A: Teens buy their own novels so using edgy content is less of an issue.  But I did hear some teen reader say recently that “We are not all depressed you know.” So feel free to move away from edgy content. Personally I am often looking for books that are uplifting and entertaining.

Stephanie Owens Lurie is the editorial director of Disney Hyperion, a position she has held since October 2008. In addition to acquiring and editing picture books, middle grade, and young adult novels, Stephanie manages six acquiring editors. The primary goal of Disney Hyperion is to provide content that will entertain and inspire kids.

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4 responses to “Q&A with Disney Hyperion Editor Stephanie Owens Lurie”

  1. Great interview, Ingrid. Thanks for doing this. I attended her session in LA and thought it was one of the best in the whole conference.

    Martina

  2. This is a good interview. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Rai Aren says:

    Excellent interview. As a debut/indie author, I greatly value getting an insider’s perspective into the publishing biz. I’m in this for the long haul, so it’s helpful to assess things from an objective viewpoint & gain some valuable tips along the way…

    Many thanks for sharing!

    Rai Aren, co-author of the award-winning adventure novel Secret of the Sands

  4. J E Broughman says:

    Hi. I just purchased the Rick Riordan, Heroes of Olympus books 1-5 in hard cover. When I began reading, I immediately noticed something odd about Book One, The Lost Hero. The hard cover is on the book upside down. The dust cover was fine, so I didn’t notice until I put it down and then picked it up again, trying to read upside down. Is this unusual ? Have I stumbled onto a rare collectible that I should cherish, and expect to sell someday for thousands of dollars ? Please say yes, I could use some good news.

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