What Children’s Book Editors Look for in Submissions with Tyiana Combs

What Children’s Book Editors Look for in Submissions with Tyiana Combs

What makes a children’s book editor want to keep reading, and why might a strong manuscript still receive a rejection? Tyiana Combs, Associate Editor at Penguine Workshop, joins The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast to discuss what editors look for in picture books, early readers, middle grade, and young adult submissions. She also shares what debut authors can expect from the editorial process, how editors and authors collaborate during revision, current children’s publishing trends, and how writers can build resilience through rejection. ✍️ FIND YOUR WRITING CIRCLE WITH STORYRISE Storyrise is our writing platform, built by authors for authors who want more than a blank page. Draft and organize your manuscript, plan characters and plot threads, share chapters with beta readers, join live writing sprints, explore alternate revisions, and prepare your story for publication. Start your 14-day free trial. No credit card is required: https://getstoryrise.com [https://getstoryrise.com] 📚 EXPLORE MORE FROM THE STORYTELLER’S SHELF Find The Storytellers Educational Library, both Storytellers Marketing Mastery Summits and downloadable materials, our 40 Best Gifts for Book Lovers guide, publishing resources, and more: https://linktr.ee/thestorytellersshelfpodcast [https://linktr.ee/thestorytellersshelfpodcast] 🫖 HARNEY & SONS FINE TEAS Make your next reading or writing session cozier with Harney & Sons Fine Teas: https://www.harney.com/discount/STORYTELLER [https://www.harney.com/discount/STORYTELLER] 🔗 AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE The Harney & Sons link is an affiliate link. Our gift guide may also contain affiliate links, including Amazon links. We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Teaser: Penguin Random House Editor Tyiana Combs on KidLit, Revision & Publishing Advice

This is a teaser for our upcoming July episode of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast featuring Tyiana Combs, Associate Editor at Penguin Workshop. In the full conversation, Tyiana talks about children’s publishing, the editorial process, what can make a submission stand out, why editors sometimes pass, how stories grow through revision, and why writers should keep going through rejection. She also shares insight from working across picture books, readers, middle grade, and YA. The full episode releases this July. Find Storyrise, podcast updates, summit resources, our shop page, and more here: https://linktr.ee/thestorytellersshelfpodcast [https://linktr.ee/thestorytellersshelfpodcast]

Need Help Marketing Your Book? Join the Marketing Mastery Summit

Are you an author, illustrator, or storyteller trying to figure out how to market your book without feeling overwhelmed? The Marketing Mastery Summit was created to help writers better understand book marketing, publicity, author branding, social media, platform building, and visibility in the publishing world. Whether you are self-published, traditionally published, querying, hybrid, or still working toward publication, this summit is for writers who want practical guidance and real conversations about getting their work seen. Join us for the Marketing Mastery Summit and learn from publishing professionals, marketing experts, authors, and industry voices who understand the business side of books. Register here: https://summit.getstoryrise.com/ #BookMarketing #AuthorMarketing #WritingCommunity #PublishingTips

Carl Lennertz from Children's Book Council on What’s Ahead for Children’s Books

As we continue Season 2 of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we’re sharing more conversations with people who care deeply about children’s books, publishing, literacy, and the stories reaching young readers. In this reel, Carl Lennertz of the Children’s Book Council gives a preview of the kind of insight listeners can expect this season. And in the meantime, if you haven’t signed up for the Storytellers Marketing Mastery Summit, this is one you don’t want to miss. Summit: https://summit.getstoryrise.com/

Phillip Stead: Why Some Picture Books Stay With Us Forever

Why do some picture books stay with us long after we close the cover? In this episode of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we’re joined by Phillip Stead, award-winning picture book creator and author of many beloved children’s books, including A Sick Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by Erin E. Stead, which received the 2011 Caldecott Medal. Phillip shares a thoughtful look at picture book craft, slow storytelling, writing for children, handmade art, revision, collaboration, and the creative life. He also talks about the story behind A Sick Day for Amos McGee, what picture books can teach us about simplicity, and why words and illustrations must work together so carefully. In this conversation, we discuss: 📚 What makes a picture book feel timeless ✨ Why slow storytelling can be powerful ✏️ How text and illustration work together 📖 The story behind A Sick Day for Amos McGee 🎨 Handmade art, human imperfection, and creativity 🔥 Revision, feedback, and working with editors 🚪 What new creators should know about children’s publishing 📝 Phillip’s move from picture books into middle grade Phillip also shares honest advice about the slow pace of publishing, the waiting period after submissions, and why finding the right creative fit matters. And for children’s book authors and illustrators who want help sharing their books with more clarity and confidence, join us for the Storytellers Marketing Mastery Summit, happening June 12–14, 2026. The summit is a live online book marketing event for kidlit creators who want practical guidance on book marketing, author platforms, social media, publicity, school and reader connections, visibility, and more. 🎟️ Learn more and get your ticket: https://thestorytellersshelfpodcast.com/product/storytellers-marketing-mastery-summit-ticket-2026-live-online/ [https://thestorytellersshelfpodcast.com/product/storytellers-marketing-mastery-summit-ticket-2026-live-online/] Subscribe to The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast for more conversations about children’s books, kidlit, writing craft, publishing, author interviews, and book marketing.