New Books Network Children's Books with Annie Kelley From Random House Books
Oct 29, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Annie Kelley, Executive Editor at Random House Studio and a children's book aficionado, shares her journey from a young book lover in Kuwait to a leading voice in children's publishing. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity in writing, urging authors to avoid trends and write from the heart. Annie also elaborates on her unique talent for matching manuscripts with illustrators and highlights her excitement for upcoming projects like 'Emily Saw a Door', showcasing distinctive art and inclusive themes. Her insights into the editor-author relationship are invaluable for aspiring writers.
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How Emily Reached Random House Studio
- Annie Kelley found Emily Saw a Door as an exclusive from agent Liza Fleissig and fell in love immediately.
- She bought the book the same day and shared it with her publisher, who also said yes.
Childhood Reading Abroad
- Annie grew up in Kuwait and Bahrain and devoured Scholastic book orders as a child.
- That early access to books sparked her lifelong love of children's literature.
Cold Call That Launched A Career
- Annie attended the Columbia publishing course and then cold-called an editor hiring an assistant.
- That call led to her first job working on Olivia and jumpstarted her editorial career.
