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NaomiGibbs
Our 2024 Editor Mentors!
NAOMI GIBBS
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Pantheon Books
2024 Adult Fiction Mentor
Naomi Gibbs is an Executive Editor at Pantheon Books. Previously, she worked in the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt trade division. She acquires literary and upmarket fiction, both American and international, as well as some select memoir, essays, and narrative nonfiction. Some of her recent and forthcoming titles include the National Book Award finalist Chain-Gang All-Stars and Friday Black by New York Times-bestselling author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, winner of the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree; Mina’s Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa, finalist for the National Book Award; How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by nationally bestselling author Alexander Chee, winner of the Publishing Triangle Award and Lambda Literary honoree; Thin Skin by Jenn Shapland, finalist for the National Book Award; No Time to Spare by Ursula K. Le Guin, winner of the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay; Land of Big Numbers by Te-Ping Chen, one of President Barack Obama’s favorite books of the year; and The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami, finalist for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.
CharlottePeters
CHARLOTTE PETERS
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Dutton
2024 Adult Romance Mentor
Charlotte Peters joined Dutton in May 2022. In fiction, she is interested in commercial, genre, and literary fiction, especially anything in unique, atmospheric settings that involve gothic, fantastical, or magical elements, escapist romance imbued with magic (in the literal and figurative sense!), and immersive, character-driven fantasy and romantasy with a feminist bend and clever takes on unique perspectives and experiences. In nonfiction, Charlotte gravitates towards relatable pop culture-focused works that appeal to enthusiastic fanbases, publicity-driven memoirs, and fun, quirky history. Upcoming titles include Cats of the World by Hannah Shaw and Andrew Marttila and The Knox by Karen Winn.
rachelD
RACHEL DIEBEL
EDITOR
Feiwel & Friends (an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group)
2024 Young Adult Fiction Mentor
Rachel is an editor at Feiwel & Friends (an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group), acquiring middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels. Throughout her career, she has worked on multiple New York Times bestsellers, as well as celebrity projects including books by Lili Reinhart, Jimmy Fallon, and Jake Gyllenhaal. She lives in the Seattle area with her partner and one very silly tuxedo cat.
Leyla
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LEYLA ERKAN
ASSISTANT EDITOR
HBG/Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano Books
2024 Middle Grade Mentor
Leyla Erkan (she/her) is an Assistant Editor at Christy Ottaviano Books, where she works on a diverse range of titles spanning age categories, formats, and genres. Previously, she was a graphic designer for NYU Press and The Bronx Is Reading; interned at Nike in their Global Internal Communications department; and played Division I tennis as an undergraduate at Florida State University. Leyla is excited by dynamic fiction that hooks her through voice and unforgettable characters, particularly with a speculative twist. She is passionate about empowering talent from the margins and is thrilled to be working with The Word as a mentor.
TJ OHLER​​​
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Zando
2024 Picture Book Mentor
TJ Ohler is an Assistant Editor at Zando, acquiring across age categories for young readers with a focus on YA and YA crossover as well as adult romance, select adult genre fiction, and IP. Prior to joining Zando, they were a literary assistant at Andrea Brown Literary Agency and a bookseller and assistant store manager at the beloved NYC-based children’s bookstore, Books of Wonder.
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