Three Times A Charm with Common Deer Press
Welcome to Three Times A Charm. I love
to introduce readers to the people involved in children’s publishing. Today we
welcome publisher, Ellie Sipila from Common Deer Press. Thanks for joining us,
Ellie. Tell us a little about you, please.
Hi there. I’m Ellie Sipila, and I’m the
acquisitions editor/publisher of Common Deer Press.
On top of being a published writer myself,
I hold a Publishing certificate from Ryerson University. Being the professional
kind of nerd, after a short (and somewhat unfulfilling) stint in Engish Lit, I
figured out that actually, my passions were with making books, not so much
dissecting them. So I enrolled at Ryerson for all three kinds of editing, went
on to get a specialization in editing books intended for young readers, then rounded
out my education with courses in book design and physical and digital book
production. Now, at Common Deer, I am living the dream by acquiring great
manuscripts and making them as awesome as is humanly possible.
Oh that sounds both exciting and impressive.
Can you tell us more about your publishing house, Common Deer Press?
Common Deer Press is looking for the
unusual. We are tired of being “common” deer. We want to be different. You know
those deer you see form time to time in the woods munching bark, scratching
their fleas, wearing glasses? NEITHER DO WE!!! We want to be those deer (minus
the fleas part).
Have a set of interconnected short stories?
We want that. Have a YA novel written completely in verse? Send it our way.
Basically, as long as there is not too much kissing (ie., no erotica please),
we’re interested. Children’s books, adult books, fiction or non (or fiction
that pretends it’s nonfiction). Throw it at us.
I recommend my publishing house to writers
who were rejected by Quirk Books, or those who have had trouble selling their
work because it wouldn’t “pigeonhole” into a specific genre. (We don’t really
like pigeonholes either. Gross. Just sayin’.)
*Snort* Now for the threes. Give us your
top three answers to these questions to help us get to know you a little
better.
- Top 3 books you recommend reading and why you recommend them.
1)
Squirrel
Seeks Chipmunk written by David Sedaris and
illustrated by Ian Falconer. This book embodies what we love in a book and what
we’d love to publish at CDP. It’s funny, a little bit disturbing, and it’s
highly unique. Also, it’s a beautiful book full of colour illustrations and
awesomeness. Yes please!
2)
Warren
the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye by Tania
Del Rio and illustrated by Will Staehle. It’s spooky, it’s silly, and it’s
GORGEOUS visually.
3)
The
Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. Beautiful
writing, music, and spooks! Doesn’t get much better than that.
- Top 3 leisure activities.
1)
Reading (I truly have the best job in
the world)
2)
Playing the cello
3)
Wait…what does the word “leisure” mean
again?
- Top 3 favorite personality traits that appeal to you.
Easy:
1)
Quirky
2)
Funny
3)
People who believe EVERYTHING I say
and obey me 100% of the time.
Ha! I think that last one is inherent of
publishers. *wink* Ellie, where can our tech savvy readers find Common Deer
Press?
Website: www.commondeerpress.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/commondeerpress/
Twitter: @AHerdOfDeer
Thanks for joining us today, Ellie. It
was wonderful to get to know the quirkiness behind the curtain and to learn
more about your publishing house. Many happy submissions!
LOL! That was a fun interview. Oh my. Love it...minus the flees.
ReplyDeleteSo fun! Right? I want to write something quirky so I can work with Ellie!
DeleteNice interview! Looks like a fascinating publishing house.
ReplyDeleteI love the refreshing approach to acquisitions.
DeleteFunny, quirky people are the best!
ReplyDeleteAnd it's important to model it for young people so they know it's okay to be that way if that's what's comfortable. Let loose!
DeleteQuirky is good. Sounds like a great publishing house. Enjoyed the interview.
ReplyDelete