Questions for Vixen's editor Wendy Loggia

[Sarah-W]

Hello All,

We are very lucky to have both Jillian Larkin and her editor Wendy Loggia with us this week. I'm setting up this thread for any questions you might have specifically for Wendy Loggia. Please join me in welcoming her to the board!

[DSaff]

Welcome to First Look, Wendy! We're so happy to have you join us. Did you think this book would be a hit when you first read it? What drew you to it?

[Lavasoap]

Hey Wendy and welcome!

What kind of bribes would it take to get Ingenue as a First Look?

On a more serious note, is there an expected release date for Ingenue?  and is the picture in the back of the book the real cover?  It is gorgeous! 

[dhaupt]

Hi Wendy and welcome, my question is, well it's more of a comment/question.

To me Vixen seems much more sophisticated than a regular YA, even though it stars mostly teens why did the powers that be decide it best fit in the genre of YA. I think it would be great in the adult fiction labeled spot.

[ScrappyMama]

---

Lavasoap wrote:

Hey Wendy and welcome!

What kind of bribes would it take to get Ingenue as a First Look?

On a more serious note, is there an expected release date for Ingenue?  and is the picture in the back of the book the real cover?  It is gorgeous! 

---

Hello Wendy!

  I am very honored to be a part of this First Look club for "Vixen."  I have really, really enjoyed this book. 

  I have to agree with the question of this poster, what kind of bribe do you need for a first look at the second book?  Chocolate?  Haha!

Take care!

Ashley

[bookrooted]

Hey Wendy!

My quesiton is, how long have you been working with Jillian, since first reading the manuscript to publication? Which part of the editing processes is easiest? Toughest?

Lastly, how did you get into the book editor career?

I think being an editor sounds amazing, but with a lot of hard work too. I really apprieciate what you do-someday I want to get into the book editor career, and it's really nice for you to take a break and answer our questions here.

Thanks!

-Madison

[Wendy-Loggia]

Hi! I am with you as I haven't actually read INGENUE yet myself--and can't wait to.  I have a very richly detailed outline--outlining is the best way for me to see where a story is going and pinpoint any problems before a full draft is written--and Jillian is working fast and furious on the draft, which should be with me in the next few weeks. I then plan on staying home with a big cup of tea, ignoring my email, and diving in!

INGENUE is set for August 2011, and yes, that is the cover. It really is to die for. So beautiful. We shot it earlier this year.

---

Lavasoap wrote:

Hey Wendy and welcome!

What kind of bribes would it take to get Ingenue as a First Look?

On a more serious note, is there an expected release date for Ingenue?  and is the picture in the back of the book the real cover?  It is gorgeous! 

---

[Wendy-Loggia]

---

DSaff wrote:

Welcome to First Look, Wendy! We're so happy to have you join us. Did you think this book would be a hit when you first read it? What drew you to it?

---

I hope it's a hit! I ran into the agent for the book at a cocktail party this past winter, and he told me about the project--he was getting ready to send it out & thought it would be something I would love. I really trust his opinion and so when it arrived I put everything aside to read it, and I did love it--the sexy era, three heroines that made me cheer/wince/gasp, the quickly moving plot . . . it was everything he said it would be and then some.  I read submissions with an eye to the marketplace but also, mostly, I look for something I love, and hope that it will translate into something many, many more people will love as well.

[Wendy-Loggia]

---

ScrappyMama wrote:

---

Lavasoap wrote:

Hey Wendy and welcome!

What kind of bribes would it take to get Ingenue as a First Look?

On a more serious note, is there an expected release date for Ingenue?  and is the picture in the back of the book the real cover?  It is gorgeous! 

---

Hello Wendy!

  I am very honored to be a part of this First Look club for "Vixen."  I have really, really enjoyed this book. 

  I have to agree with the question of this poster, what kind of bribe do you need for a first look at the second book?  Chocolate?  Haha!

Take care!

Ashley

---

Ashley, I'm so glad you enjoyed the book. I don't know what I love most--the time when just the author, agent, and myself have the book--which is a special privilege--or when the book is shared with the world and readers like yourself. I guess I'd have to say the latter!

[Wendy-Loggia]

---

dhaupt wrote:

Hi Wendy and welcome, my question is, well it's more of a comment/question.

To me Vixen seems much more sophisticated than a regular YA, even though it stars mostly teens why did the powers that be decide it best fit in the genre of YA. I think it would be great in the adult fiction labeled spot.

---

It's a dynamite book for any age, isn't it? I acquired it for the "teen" audience because the cast of characters are mostly teens or in their early twenties, the 1920s setting has huge appeal for teens (the glamour, the rule-breaking, the refreshing lack of modern technology), and the story was a relatable page-turner. If this had landed on the desk of an "adult" editor, they could just as easily have snapped it up. I look for great stories & solid writing that will appeal to our audience--12 & up. If we're able to bring in other readers, that's terrific. The success of Harry Potter & Twilight made it "okay" for readers of all ages to read books that weren't necessarily published for their demographic.

[Wendy-Loggia]

---

bookrooted wrote:

Hey Wendy!

My quesiton is, how long have you been working with Jillian, since first reading the manuscript to publication? Which part of the editing processes is easiest? Toughest?

Lastly, how did you get into the book editor career?

I think being an editor sounds amazing, but with a lot of hard work too. I really apprieciate what you do-someday I want to get into the book editor career, and it's really nice for you to take a break and answer our questions here.

Thanks!

-Madison

---

Hi, Madison! I've been with Jillian from the beginning . . . a real roller coaster ride! Normally we acquire mss. that publish approx. 2 years later. This project came in January and is on sale in December, which is super fast for us . . . but it was just SO good that we wanted to get the book out right away. And then we have books 2 and 3 to publish, so Jillian won't be taking a vacation for a long time (sorry, Jillian!!!!)

I was always an avid reader and had a vague notion about working in publishing--but basically knew nothing about the industry or how to go about getting a job in it. Luckily I ended up becoming an assistant in the children's division at Putnam (I learned from the best--my first boss was Jane O'Connor of Fancy Nancy fame!) . . . and fell in love with all things editorial. The funny thing is, now that I'm an editor, I barely have time to read or edit at my desk anymore!

[Deltadawn]

Hi Wendy! Thank you very much for joining us here and for sharing this great book with us!

As you can see, we're loving Vixen!

Also wanted to thank you for the information on the publication date for Ingenue!

Dawn

[dhaupt]

---

Wendy-Loggia wrote:

---

dhaupt wrote:

Hi Wendy and welcome, my question is, well it's more of a comment/question.

To me Vixen seems much more sophisticated than a regular YA, even though it stars mostly teens why did the powers that be decide it best fit in the genre of YA. I think it would be great in the adult fiction labeled spot.

---

It's a dynamite book for any age, isn't it? I acquired it for the "teen" audience because the cast of characters are mostly teens or in their early twenties, the 1920s setting has huge appeal for teens (the glamour, the rule-breaking, the refreshing lack of modern technology), and the story was a relatable page-turner. If this had landed on the desk of an "adult" editor, they could just as easily have snapped it up. I look for great stories & solid writing that will appeal to our audience--12 & up. If we're able to bring in other readers, that's terrific. The success of Harry Potter & Twilight made it "okay" for readers of all ages to read books that weren't necessarily published for their demographic.

---

Wendy, thanks for answering my question. My youngest is 30 so I'm way out of the loop on the new YA generation and didn't know that the 20's had a pull for our teens and tweens of today.

And I do see where they would love these characters. Thanks again and thanks especially for joining us.

[brilliantsunsh…]

I could not agree more with this comment.  Even though the characters are teenagers, I don't think that should automatically deem it YA.  I think the themes are a little bit more adult than your typical YA.

[brilliantsunsh…]

Hi Wendy!  I was wondering if the book has been fully edited yet or if it has just had a preliminary edit to get it out for advance readers.  I have found just a couple of story discrepancies, small ones, that I was hoping would be fixed before it hits shelves.  Thanks!

[DSaff]

thank you  

---

Wendy-Loggia wrote:

---

DSaff wrote:

Welcome to First Look, Wendy! We're so happy to have you join us. Did you think this book would be a hit when you first read it? What drew you to it?

---

I hope it's a hit! I ran into the agent for the book at a cocktail party this past winter, and he told me about the project--he was getting ready to send it out & thought it would be something I would love. I really trust his opinion and so when it arrived I put everything aside to read it, and I did love it--the sexy era, three heroines that made me cheer/wince/gasp, the quickly moving plot . . . it was everything he said it would be and then some.  I read submissions with an eye to the marketplace but also, mostly, I look for something I love, and hope that it will translate into something many, many more people will love as well.

---

[pixie203]

Hi!!! 

I have a question, sometimes in the book I felt that some of the story lines that we were following kind of ended too short. Example, the story line between Clara and Harris Brown.  What's your opinion?

Thank you! 

[Atreyu59]

Ok - How could I have missed seeing the cover of Ingenue?  Where did everyone see the back cover?  If Wendy feels it is awe-struck beautiful I want to see it too....

---

INGENUE is set for August 2011, and yes, that is the cover. It really is to die for. So beautiful. We shot it earlier this year.

[Vermontcozy]

Good Morning Wendy..Thank you so much for recognizing Jillian's Talent and bringing us "Vixen " to FirstLook..The readers here are certainly varied.and its a pleasure to be able to read all the YA posts.Those of us who aren't in that age bracket any longer,have been reading YA fiction and have found some of the best New Writers around...Its so Refreshing....Its been quite a learning experience for those who have not delved into any other novels,or history of the 1920's..It might even have some reading Edith Wharton..or "The Great Gatsby" as well..Such a great Era..I hope we are able to buy more than "Ingenue "and "Diva",Wendy..This can become quite a series..and with Jillians Captive audience here..I would save every copy to hand down to my Grandchildren...,of which I have none as of today lol..But my daughter who is 25 will be reading "Vixen"..as well..Much Success Susan

[SSDailey]

Wendy, I already asked Jillian this question but I would like to get an editor's opinion as well. Do you have any advice for hopeful future authors?