• The ECC Questionnaire

Kim Ryan, Assistant Director, Penguin | September 1, 2011

KIM RYAN Assistant Director – Subsidiary Rights, Penguin

What was your first job in children’s publishing? How did you come to publishing/sub-rights?  
My first job was right here at Penguin. I had no idea what a sub-right was, but then again, no one outside of publishing ever seems to, so I didn’t feel too bad.

How long have you worked at Penguin? 
It will be 11 years this October. Gosh- I’m getting old.

What was the first children’s book you worked on? 
I remember it well. It was for a series of books called DOYLE AND FOSSEY. They were fun middle- grade stories. I sold Korean rights and I will never forget the thrill of receiving the finished copies, looking just like our English editions, only in Korean.

How did you make the transition from the assistant level to the level of Assistant Director? Can you share a piece of knowledge you wished you had known while making that transition?
I have been very lucky at Penguin. One of the ladies I worked for went on maternity leave soon after I started so I was forced to step up the pace and learn things a lot faster than usual. My advice is “don’t just do your job, think of the next step and then do it”. My colleagues learned to trust me and every chance they had gave me more things to handle and a chance to go to Frankfurt, then Bologna etc. It seems that every time I was getting a little settled something new would happen and before I knew it I am an Assistant Director. I hope that trend continues!

Can you describe your typical day?
Let’s see, check email, check more email, respond as fast as possible. Check phone messages, answer the phone, before I know it it’s lunch. My day consists mainly of submitting books, following up on submissions, negotiating rights deals based on my submissions, following up on the deals to get the money. I’m asked an awful lot of questions each and every day so that is a big part of my job too.

What do you think is the most important aspect of your job?
I think making money for our authors and the company is the most important aspect of my job. Also, encouraging editors to get World all language rights so I have titles to sell is equally important.

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“If they offer five ask for ten and settle somewhere in the middle.” If you don’t ask the question you’ll never know the answer.

What is one of the worst (it doesn’t have to be the worst) mistake you made? How did you get beyond it? 
We all make mistakes. Talking to my buddies often helps me get past things.

Book fairs: when did you go for the first time? Could you tell us a bit more about you experience at a book fair? 
I went to Frankfurt for the first time in 2004. I was so nervous. My enthusiasm for the books carried me through and I absolutely love the fast pace of the fair and meeting people from, literally, all over the World. Book Fairs are a special part of my job and I enjoy them thoroughly despite the extremly hard work that goes into them.

Any funny, interesting, surprising anecdotes (about your own experience or publishing in general) you want to share?
I love it when an author or agent goes out of their way to thank me for making a deal. That thanks goes a long way and it can be a rare occasion. Funny, hmm, I love the people I work with so every day is fun.

What is your favorite word?
Multioptilpupiloptomy. No, just kidding. It’s not a real word just used in the old movie Hot Shots!

What is your favorite industry-related website or blog?
I think I’m supposed to say PW right?

What are you reading now? Or what was the last book you really enjoyed?
I just finished a title we have coming in the Summer of 2012 called AMELIA ANNE IS DEAD AND GONE by Kat Rosenfield. Awesome.

What’s the oddest/craziest query you received?
I don’t know if it’s crazy or odd but I just sold Macedonian rights to a Sarah Dessen title. She’s published all over the World so why not in Macedonia!

Recent years have seen a rise in picture-book biographies. Were your life ever to be chronicled in such a way-and don’t be modest, now-who would you choose to illustrate it?
I love the artwork of Laura Ljunkvist. She has a continuous line running through each of her books from beginning to end. I’d love to see my line go up and down through all the peaks and valleys.

About Kim:
Kim Ryan graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA and dabbled in legal placement for a bit before beginning her career in the wonderful world of subsidiary rights at Penguin. She is married and lives on the southernmost tip of Staten Island.