#081: Publisher Natalie Doherty — The Magic of Writing for Children, Market Trends, Behind the Scenes of Publishing, Children’s Book Categories, Social Media
Nov 11, 2023
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Natalie Doherty, Children’s Publishing Director at HarperCollins, discusses what she looks for in books, the case against market trends, categories of children’s books, and what makes a magical children’s book.
The importance of a strong and authentic voice in captivating young readers.
Balancing important messages with good narrative in children's books.
The need for diverse themes in children's books and exploring underrepresented topics in storytelling.
Deep dives
Importance of Voice in Children's Stories
When acquiring children's books, Natalie Dirty emphasizes the importance of voice. She believes that a strong and authentic voice is crucial in captivating young readers. She encourages writers to draw inspiration from their surroundings and to be true to themselves in their storytelling.
Balancing Important Messages and Good Narrative
Natalie Dirty discusses the challenge of balancing important messages with good narrative in children's books. While she acknowledges the significance of conveying meaningful themes, she cautions against being didactic or overly explicit. Authors are encouraged to weave messages subtly into the story, ensuring that the primary focus remains on entertaining and engaging young readers.
The Need for Diverse Themes in Children's Books
Natalie Dirty highlights the need for diverse themes in children's books, specifically mentioning the lack of representation of topics like divorce. She believes that children should have access to books that reflect their own experiences or offer insights into different aspects of life. Dirty encourages writers to explore underrepresented themes in their storytelling to meet the needs of young readers.
Importance of Voice in Children's Books
One of the key elements that makes a children's book compelling and unputdownable is the voice of the protagonist. A strong, believable, and unique voice that leaps off the page can make a book stand out. Voice is what draws readers in and creates an emotional connection. An excellent example of a book with a remarkable voice is the "Chaos Walking" trilogy by Patrick Ness, where the distinct voice of the main character feels fresh and original. Publishers consider voice to be more important than plot, as voice cannot be edited into a book. A book with a captivating voice can be developed with a compelling plot through collaboration with the author.
Current Trends in Children's Books
In the current children's book market, there are several noticeable trends. Graphic novels are gaining popularity, especially series like "Dogman" by Dav Pilkey and "Bunny vs Monkey" by Jamie Smart, which appeal to younger readers. Middle grade and young adult fantasy novels are also in high demand, particularly stories with epic and sweeping narratives, dragons, courts, magic, and dark academia settings. While being aware of trends is useful, it is essential to prioritize acquiring books that are loved rather than simply following trends. Writing what one loves and finding the right publisher/editor who resonates with the book is crucial for creating fresh and exciting stories.
Natalie Doherty, Children’s Publishing Director at HarperCollins, on what she looks for when acquiring books, the case against writing toward market trends, different categories of children’s books, and what makes a magical children’s book.
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ABOUT NATALIE DOHERTY
Natalie Doherty is Fiction Publishing Director at HarperCollins Children’s Books, where she joined the team in May 2023 and is now working to build a brilliant new list of talent. She was previously an editor at Penguin Random House Children’s, working with a list of award-winning and bestselling authors including Tom Fletcher, Robin Stevens, R J Palacio, Tamzin Merchant and Nazneen Ahmed Pathak.