In Conversation with Leila Sales
| I love YA books that reference music and musicians in one way or another. Thus, I found This Song Will Save Your Life and enjoyed a fantastic book with a great plot and a fantastic main character. I explored the internet and found out several interesting facts about Leila. She is an editor, an author and a humorist. All of these interesting career moves made her a perfect candidate for an interview. I didn't know her, but I began reaching out and, thankfully, Leila responded and we had a wonderful conversation. I look forward to reading even more of Leila's books. |  |
Summary
Steven and Leila discussed Leila's diverse career as an author and editor, her approach to time management, and her writing process. They also explored the challenges of balancing a career as an author with other responsibilities, the impact of technological advancements on education and society, and the historical context of media. Lastly, they delved into Leila's recent and upcoming works, focusing on her experiences with middle-grade and young adult literature.
Steven and Leila discussed Leila's diverse career as an author and editor, her approach to time management, and her writing process. They also explored the challenges of balancing a career as an author with other responsibilities, the impact of technological advancements on education and society, and the historical context of media. Lastly, they delved into Leila's recent and upcoming works, focusing on her experiences with middle-grade and young adult literature.
Leila's Diversified Career in Publishing
Steven and Leila discussed her diverse career as an author and editor. Leila shared that she has published eight books, both fiction and non-fiction, and has been working as an editor for more than a decade. She also established her own editorial consultancy, The Book Engineer, after leaving Penguin in 2018. Leila's work involves editing books on a freelance basis for various publishers, developing book ideas for clients, and creating books for specific niches, such as a women's sports brand. Despite her success, Leila shared that the publishing industry can be challenging, with rejections and the need to constantly innovate.
Steven and Leila discussed her diverse career as an author and editor. Leila shared that she has published eight books, both fiction and non-fiction, and has been working as an editor for more than a decade. She also established her own editorial consultancy, The Book Engineer, after leaving Penguin in 2018. Leila's work involves editing books on a freelance basis for various publishers, developing book ideas for clients, and creating books for specific niches, such as a women's sports brand. Despite her success, Leila shared that the publishing industry can be challenging, with rejections and the need to constantly innovate.
Balancing Career and Other Responsibilities
Steven and Leila discussed the challenges of balancing a career as an author with other responsibilities. Leila shared her approach to time management, emphasizing the importance of creating distinct spaces for different tasks and setting specific time limits for writing. She also noted that while she aspires to write every day, there are days when other responsibilities take priority. Steven, as an academic and former teacher, expressed admiration for Leila's productivity and was encouraged by her approach to balancing multiple tasks.
Steven and Leila discussed the challenges of balancing a career as an author with other responsibilities. Leila shared her approach to time management, emphasizing the importance of creating distinct spaces for different tasks and setting specific time limits for writing. She also noted that while she aspires to write every day, there are days when other responsibilities take priority. Steven, as an academic and former teacher, expressed admiration for Leila's productivity and was encouraged by her approach to balancing multiple tasks.
Leila's Writing Process and Revision Strategies
Leila shared her writing process with Steven, explaining that she heavily revises her work as she goes, often introducing and adjusting characters' roles throughout the draft. She emphasized the importance of having a clear overall structure before moving on to refine details. Leila also discussed her approach to addressing specific issues in her writing, such as developing character arcs and adding necessary scenes. Steven expressed appreciation for her methodical and controlled approach to revision.
Leila shared her writing process with Steven, explaining that she heavily revises her work as she goes, often introducing and adjusting characters' roles throughout the draft. She emphasized the importance of having a clear overall structure before moving on to refine details. Leila also discussed her approach to addressing specific issues in her writing, such as developing character arcs and adding necessary scenes. Steven expressed appreciation for her methodical and controlled approach to revision.
Discussing Romance Plots and Online Themes
Leila discussed the challenges she faced while writing a romance plot line for her book, with Steven praising her ability to create relatable characters and highlighting the book's appeal to readers interested in the music world. They both acknowledged the importance of providing teenagers with a space to feel at home and successful, particularly online, and discussed the themes of their respective books, including the consequences of online actions and the struggle to reinvent oneself. Leila shared a story about a girl who learns to create better boundaries in her own life and stand up for herself more after a road trip to meet an infatuated man she met online.
Leila discussed the challenges she faced while writing a romance plot line for her book, with Steven praising her ability to create relatable characters and highlighting the book's appeal to readers interested in the music world. They both acknowledged the importance of providing teenagers with a space to feel at home and successful, particularly online, and discussed the themes of their respective books, including the consequences of online actions and the struggle to reinvent oneself. Leila shared a story about a girl who learns to create better boundaries in her own life and stand up for herself more after a road trip to meet an infatuated man she met online.
Discussing Leila's Book Mostly Good Girls
Leila and Steven discussed Leila's book, "Mostly Good Girls," which was published 15 years ago. Leila shared that the book, based on her high school experiences, was originally a collection of humorous short vignettes about life at an elite all-girls school. She noted that the book's landscape and what editors seek have changed since its publication. Despite this, the book remains in print, and Leila expressed pride in its origins as her first novel. Steven found the anecdotes about the school's quirky traditions amusing and relatable.
Leila and Steven discussed Leila's book, "Mostly Good Girls," which was published 15 years ago. Leila shared that the book, based on her high school experiences, was originally a collection of humorous short vignettes about life at an elite all-girls school. She noted that the book's landscape and what editors seek have changed since its publication. Despite this, the book remains in print, and Leila expressed pride in its origins as her first novel. Steven found the anecdotes about the school's quirky traditions amusing and relatable.
Technology's Impact on Education and Society
Steven and Leila discussed the impact of technological advancements, particularly the rise of cell phones, on education and society. Steven shared his experiences as a student and teacher, noting the significant changes he observed during his time in higher education and his subsequent teaching tenure. They also discussed the challenges of balancing the desire for access to technology with concerns about its potential negative effects, such as distraction and social isolation. Lastly, they touched on the potential impact of technology on the longevity and relevance of certain types of literature.
Steven and Leila discussed the impact of technological advancements, particularly the rise of cell phones, on education and society. Steven shared his experiences as a student and teacher, noting the significant changes he observed during his time in higher education and his subsequent teaching tenure. They also discussed the challenges of balancing the desire for access to technology with concerns about its potential negative effects, such as distraction and social isolation. Lastly, they touched on the potential impact of technology on the longevity and relevance of certain types of literature.
Media History and Book Deal Discussion
Leila and Steven discussed the historical context of media, using their favorite TV show "Arrested Development" as an example. They noted how the show's humor and style would differ if it were produced today due to the impact of social media. Leila also shared her experience of selling her second book, "Past Perfect," in a two-book deal, which she described as a dream come true. She further explained that the second book had to be similar to the first one to cater to the audience and the space she was built in as an author.
Leila and Steven discussed the historical context of media, using their favorite TV show "Arrested Development" as an example. They noted how the show's humor and style would differ if it were produced today due to the impact of social media. Leila also shared her experience of selling her second book, "Past Perfect," in a two-book deal, which she described as a dream come true. She further explained that the second book had to be similar to the first one to cater to the audience and the space she was built in as an author.
Leila's Museum Experience and Book Discussion
Leila shared her experience working as a tour guide at a historical museum based on Colonial Williamsburg, where she encountered various interesting characters and witnessed the dynamics among the staff and their respective cliques. She also discussed her novel, Past Perfect, which revolves around a girl working at the same type of museum and her forbidden romance with a Civil War reenactor. Steven, recalling his own experiences with adolescents and niche communities, expressed interest in the book due to its relatable themes. Both Leila and Steven appreciated the unique insights into these communities that are often misunderstood by outsiders.
Leila shared her experience working as a tour guide at a historical museum based on Colonial Williamsburg, where she encountered various interesting characters and witnessed the dynamics among the staff and their respective cliques. She also discussed her novel, Past Perfect, which revolves around a girl working at the same type of museum and her forbidden romance with a Civil War reenactor. Steven, recalling his own experiences with adolescents and niche communities, expressed interest in the book due to its relatable themes. Both Leila and Steven appreciated the unique insights into these communities that are often misunderstood by outsiders.
Leila's Writing Journey and Upcoming Projects
Steven and Leila discussed Leila's recent and upcoming works, focusing on her experiences with middle-grade and young adult literature. Leila shared that her first middle-grade book was initially rejected due to its genre, but she continued to write in the space and found success with her second book, "The Museum of Lost and Found." She also mentioned her current projects, including a potential series for younger readers and two young adult novels, one of which is heavily music-focused. The pair agreed to stay in touch and possibly meet at upcoming conferences.
Steven and Leila discussed Leila's recent and upcoming works, focusing on her experiences with middle-grade and young adult literature. Leila shared that her first middle-grade book was initially rejected due to its genre, but she continued to write in the space and found success with her second book, "The Museum of Lost and Found." She also mentioned her current projects, including a potential series for younger readers and two young adult novels, one of which is heavily music-focused. The pair agreed to stay in touch and possibly meet at upcoming conferences.