First Pages with Lynne Marie of The Little Press

EVENT: Wednesday, April 9, 2025

TIME: 7 - 8:15 PM EST

WHERE: RYS Zoom Room https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9930468519

PRICING: See Above

*Select First Pages will be Read as Time Allows, and ALL will be reviewed by LM and ALL pages will be considered for a full request for The Little Press.

SUBJECT LINE FOR SUBMISSION: [RYS 1st Pgs with LM] Title by Author

Further Instructions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x740g53b8wz2_J6Rf0sXaHgdht7CpYfnjkmfN0p9wA0/edit?usp=sharing

What was the highlight of your Editor Experience in 2024? Why?

In 2024 I celebrated my first acquisition with Rate Your Story Member Donna Marx and Good Luck Puck! I had been a part of Puck’s adventure from very early on and it was gratifying to see it develop over years and achieve success. Donna is a wonderful client to work with -- both talented and professional! But it is actually Michele who first expressed interest in the project. And knowing that I had done developmental editing on it before, she hired me to work on this and other projects. So it was a win, win for both Donna and Me!

How has what you are looking to represent / sell changed in 2025? Why?

While I was originally hired to edit holiday books, I will also be editing special projects and certain other picture books. I am particularly interested in (in addition to holiday books), event tie-ins and anything that may be cool enough to merit being a special project. Hint: The sky's the limit! I am actually closed though, and love to participate in pitch parties and other opportunities. Many other agents and editors are closed now too because so many writers submit and it just becomes overwhelming.

What books from childhood do you refer to / think about most often? Why?

The Wizard of Oz! I was adopted, so I identified with Dorothy in many ways. And, I had wild, imaginative dreams. And if no one figured it out yet, Wicked provided some inspiration for my witchy sisters (as did my sisters).

Also, the fairy tales I learned as a child – I am always returning back to them! Fracturing them or reading fracture are two of my favorite things to do, literally!

What childhood objects that you come across elicit an emotional response? Why?  

Oh, wow! So many objects – if it’s from 1960s or 1970s or even 1980s culture, I have an emotional response to it. So I’ll name one – rocks (yes, rocks!) And, pets (cats, dogs, hedgehogs, gerbils, rabbits, praying mantises) and then a string of others: Silly String, Silly Putty, Farbs, puppets, Squirmles, Flintstones, Jetsons, Wizard of Oz puppets that were on Mr. Bubble bubble bath, Sewing Cards, Barbies, Operation, Etch-a-Sketch, Creepy Crawlies and Goop, Easy-Bake Oven, Potato Heads – to name just a few. And I think these planted the seeds for things I like/like to do now! I think I sprinkle things I like in all of my books. And I love to see them in books I read.

What types of books are you currently looking to acquire?  What do you see too much of in your inbox? What do you see too little of?

A well written/executed manuscript with a story well-told, which transports me effectively to the story world, has hooks and take-away value (without being didactic). I love characters who kids can identify with, and who have problems kids can connect with. 

Unfortunatley, I see too many manuscripts that I did not request and that I did not heart at a pitch party, for starters. But worse, most are clearly not ready or near ready to be published, or don’t even fit what I am looking for (or even what I like). It’s super important to learn your craft prior to submitting if you are going to submit, and also to learn how to rhyme if you are going to incorporate rhyme into your story. 

I would love to see manuscripts that fit my wishlist on one point or another, as well as incorporate all the important building blocks of a well told, well-written story.

If possible, share a recent acquisition that you are excited about and tell why.

I found a potential fit for my list which combined holiday and humor in a really fun way. But it was not to be, as the agent had unrealistic expectations for a small press. I think it's important to figure out whether you are in it for the money, or for having a quality, well-put together and book you can share with children. Becoming an author is surely fun and rewarding, but this isn't a business that will make you rich quick, or even slow.

How has what you look for in a prospective manuscript changed since you began as Editor? 

I’ve been an editor at a small press before and had a broader wish list. For this press, I am really looking for a strong and appealing holiday hook or a book with a strong event tie-in (although, from time to time, I edit other books in house). I’ve always loved holiday stories, so that’s great for me – but it’s extra important for my role/list at this press. 

What is the most common issue/concern/mistake with the submissions you’ve received this year? 

I’ve touched on this vaguely and will elaborate. But #1 – Not being ready to submit… 

That can mean a number of things — poor writing, cloudy characterization, weak story arc, lack of story elements, improper pacing, bad rhyming, and so many other things. Unfortunately, I see these reflected in manuscripts more than I see good writing and storytelling. It’s really, really, important to learn your craft!

But for first pages, it’s a little different. Sometimes it’s worthwhile to submit a first page that’s not quite ready (not writing-wise, but concept and story wise), to see if you are on the right track with your idea, or your character, or even your problem. It saves a lot of wasted to get preliminary feedback on ideas or methods of execution of the ideas.

Please share a Submission or Revision tip with our members. 

I’m happy to share a few! 

Read your story aloud. Use strong and effective language, rather than weak nouns and/or passive verbs. Make sure each line moves the story forward. 

Make triple sure you are ready to submit a story before submitting. Invest in paid critiques or services from trusted editors / agents / mentors and rely on that as a basis for your evaluation. Critique groups can only take you so far. 

Ask Yourself a Question that you Wish I had asked you and provide an answer. 

What can an editor tell about a first page? Oh, goodness – so much!

Is the writer professional (is the required formatting followed)?

Is the writer a good writer?

Does it start off in a way that hooks the reader?

Is the beginning of the story developed, or thrown together?

Is the character one a kid would connect with?

Does the character have motivation to solve the problem?

What are the stakes? What will happen if the character does not solve the problem?

Is the problem one a kid would identify with?

Are there strong page turns?

Does the pacing feel slow, or rushed, or just right?

Is it too slight, or too busy?

Is it a topic kids would care about?

Is it presented in a kind-friendly way? 

Does it seem to have readability?

Is the rhyme well done, or are rhyme crimes being committed?

Could a child navigate what is happening?

Is there tension? 

There are even more but I think those are some really important things to consider. 

Bonus: Share a fun fact about YOU! 

When I was little, I wanted to grow up to be an author (since the first grade), but I also wanted to start a business called The Idea Factory and have people pay me to share my ideas. Ironically, I have achieved both those goals, but not in the exact way I had imagined! I am so thankful!

Lynne Marie is the award-winning author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten -- art by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of School -- art by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play -- art by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares -- art by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling / Scholastic 2019) and Let’s Eat! Mealtime Around the World -- art by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books 2019), The Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project and The Three Little Pigs and the Rocket Project Coloring Book -- art by Wendy Fedan (Mac and Cheese Press 2022), The Palace Rat -- art by Eva Santana (Yeehoo Press 2023), BroomMates: A Brewing Boundary Battle (an Anna Dewdney Read-Together Finalist 2025) co-written with Brenda Reeves Sturgis – art by Nico Ecenarro (The Little Press 2024) and Henny Penny’s Weather Worries and more, forthcoming. 

She’s an Editor at The Little Press, the Director of RateYourStory.org, a Mentor at ThePictureBookMechanic.com, the Creator of March On With Mentor Texts (www.rateyourstory.org/march-on) and Mentor Text Talk, a Co-Host of #SeasonsOfKidLit (www.seasonsofkidlit.com) and a Feature Columnist at Children’s Book Insider (https://writeforkids.online/).  

When she’s not traveling the world in search of story ideas, she lives in her hometown with her high school sweetheart, a Schipperke named Anakin and a Mini Pinscher named Marlowe Charlotte. Visit her at www.LiterallyLynneMarie.com.