14 things about Donna
Hey Gang,
Yep. Week 14 on the TIMES list. I'm floored. And in honor of this, I give you...
14 THINGS ABOUT DONNA BRAY
1. Donna Bray is my editor at Hyperion Books for Children
2. Way back when Love You Kill You was in its infancy, Donna was at a conference in Texas when the sample chapters ended up on her desk, and her assistant at the time, Ari, called and said "You have to read these chapters", so Donna downloaded the files and had the hotel print them out for her. But the hotel charged A LOT for printing, so she had them print them out in a teeny tiny font so that it wouldn't be too expensive. She later told me that any book that could make her excited to read it in 8 pt. font was a book she needed to publish.
3. In totally unrelated news, I have complete and utter faith in Donna's taste in books. (Case in point: she was one of the first U.S. editors to see and bid on Harry Potter.)
4. Donna is a fabulous mentor. (As is evidenced by the fact that Ari, from #2 above, is now a kick butt editor in her own right.)
5. Donna is kind. (Did you know she sent me flowers both when I finished CMH AND when it debuted on the TIMES list?)
6. Donna has gone through every single GG book line by line, word by word, to help them to be as good as they can possibly be.
7. Donna has the rare ability to both see the big picture and the small details--the forest AND the trees, so to speak.
8. Donna frequently makes me cry. (Not because she's mean...at all! But because when you've been killing yourself for a book and there's a little part of you that says "it could be 10% better...but maybe no one will notice"...well, Donna always notices.)
9. Donna is also the editor of my favorite book of the year, THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS by E. Lockhart.
10. The Gallagher Girl books are what they are because Donna Bray is my editor, but sadly, as of Monday morning, Donna won't be my editor anymore.
11. Because Donna is so spectacular that she and her colleague, Alessandra Balzar will soon be launching their own imprint (fancy publishing word for subdivision) at HarperCollins.
12. I can't think of anyone more deserving of an opportunity like that than Donna Bray.
13. Because she made me a better writer.
14. So even though I can't tell you much about GG3 at the moment, I can tell you three words that will most definitely appear in it:
Yep. Week 14 on the TIMES list. I'm floored. And in honor of this, I give you...
14 THINGS ABOUT DONNA BRAY
1. Donna Bray is my editor at Hyperion Books for Children
2. Way back when Love You Kill You was in its infancy, Donna was at a conference in Texas when the sample chapters ended up on her desk, and her assistant at the time, Ari, called and said "You have to read these chapters", so Donna downloaded the files and had the hotel print them out for her. But the hotel charged A LOT for printing, so she had them print them out in a teeny tiny font so that it wouldn't be too expensive. She later told me that any book that could make her excited to read it in 8 pt. font was a book she needed to publish.
3. In totally unrelated news, I have complete and utter faith in Donna's taste in books. (Case in point: she was one of the first U.S. editors to see and bid on Harry Potter.)
4. Donna is a fabulous mentor. (As is evidenced by the fact that Ari, from #2 above, is now a kick butt editor in her own right.)
5. Donna is kind. (Did you know she sent me flowers both when I finished CMH AND when it debuted on the TIMES list?)
6. Donna has gone through every single GG book line by line, word by word, to help them to be as good as they can possibly be.
7. Donna has the rare ability to both see the big picture and the small details--the forest AND the trees, so to speak.
8. Donna frequently makes me cry. (Not because she's mean...at all! But because when you've been killing yourself for a book and there's a little part of you that says "it could be 10% better...but maybe no one will notice"...well, Donna always notices.)
9. Donna is also the editor of my favorite book of the year, THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS by E. Lockhart.
10. The Gallagher Girl books are what they are because Donna Bray is my editor, but sadly, as of Monday morning, Donna won't be my editor anymore.
11. Because Donna is so spectacular that she and her colleague, Alessandra Balzar will soon be launching their own imprint (fancy publishing word for subdivision) at HarperCollins.
12. I can't think of anyone more deserving of an opportunity like that than Donna Bray.
13. Because she made me a better writer.
14. So even though I can't tell you much about GG3 at the moment, I can tell you three words that will most definitely appear in it:
Dedication
For Donna
For Donna
-Ally
ps...I have it on good authority that there is another AMAZING editor waiting in the wings (I'll share more details when I can, but for now know that she edits one of my favorite series ever--like, a seriously AMAZING series--and I can't wait to see what phenomenal things I will learn next.)
ps...I have it on good authority that there is another AMAZING editor waiting in the wings (I'll share more details when I can, but for now know that she edits one of my favorite series ever--like, a seriously AMAZING series--and I can't wait to see what phenomenal things I will learn next.)
posted by Ally Carter at Thursday, April 17, 2008
31 Comments:
That is so sweet that you have such a great friend/editor
best wishs
hang in there you almost done
keep writine!
xoxo
lucy
Your editor sounds great ally. it looks like you can really trust her to help you make a great book.
Thank you for the book recomendations! I loved The Disreputable History of Frankie Landua-Banks!!! Could you maybe tell us which series your new editor editted? Because, not only do I want to know who she is, I also want to know what one of your all time favorite series is. Good luck with GG3!
Wow! Donna sounds like a really nice friend and editor. Sorry about her leaving!
I sure hope ur new editor is almost as good as Donna (b/c from what you say there doesn't seem to be an 'as good')!!
Good Luck Donna!
And thanks for reading LYKY in 8pt. font.
Will you tell us what series ur possible future editor edited?
awww i hope u wont be too sad since shes not ur editor anymore!! good luck with getting the editor u want!! keep writing!!
OMG!!! I read The Disreputable History of Frankie Landua-Banks in three days! On the last day I read for so long that I got dizzy when I stood up! It was sooo good! I'm soo excited to read more of E. Lockhart's books and let's not forget GG3 and the "Kat" book. Also, your mysterious favorite series.
Wow! Donna seems really nice!
<3 Renee
Sounds to me like Donna is more than an editor. She seems like a person who would be a really great best friend. It's like you wrote in one of the GG books(can't remember which...2nd I think...) but it goes something like "Sometimes a girl just has to be angry at someone she knows will forgive her later". It relates to the editing process you go through cause you get mad, and then you get glad cause it's so much better then! Sorry she isn't going to be with you anymore. She sounds fabulous!
*Marina*
Awww...that's too bad that your super awesome editor has to go. At least you are getting a new one. Congrats on week 14!
Hey Ally,
So wait, what is Donna doing again? I don't quite get it.
-Kate L. M.
thats awesome! (especially If you compare to my editor...my dad)
hey ally! luv u and ur books! i was wondering if you could help me out. i'm doing 'i'd tell you i love you but then i'd have to kill you' for my book report and i have to do a poster. i was wondering if you could post some pictures of some of the things that they use in the books like the binocuglasses, etc. so if you could help me out i would appreciate it tons!!
-Courtney
that's worse than when your favorite hairdresser stops doing hair to have kids :( *sigh*
I love that #7 references the seven habits of highly effective people :) that's pretty much the ONLY thing I remember from that book, but it's a great visual nonetheless.
AND congrats for making it to week FOURTEEN!! HOORAY! here's to a week fifteen!
why wont she be your editor anymore?
I thought that was really sweet. She sounds like a very dedicated editor. And also a very dedicated friend. He, he, I sound so serious.
Hope your working hard on the book!
Nah, I know you are.
Madi
That's great for Donna! Sad you guys having to part, but it's for the greater good, right? :)
Anyways, I was wondering... is there any possibility you could extend the t-shirt contest deadline? I haven't read the GG series in a while and I wanted to grab a quote, but I don't remember what it was and I probably won't be able to get the books until tomorrow and my library is closed on Sunday and Monday. I know it's a long shot, and I'll totally understand if you can't.
I'm super excited for GG3! :D
Awww. That was so sweet. Too bad she has to go. What was that seriously AMAZING series you said?? I hope you ca find a new editor that is as awesome and kind as Donna. With your amazing books, I know you can. Good luck with your work and search for a new editor. :)
Nice picture, by the way. You and Donna look so fabulous!! :D
Thats so nice I bet you will get another good editor. I read that book by E.Lockhart and OMG it was SO good! I could hardy put it donw my dad had to force it out of my hands!
Ally, u r so sweet to be dedicating a book to Donna! u looks SO pretty in the pic u posted!!!
What series??
3. Go HP!
10. Not editor anymore! :*(
Thanx a Million,
Love ya x2,
---Jessi
Your editor sounds awesome. Too bad that she has to go. :(
But the new one.. Oooh.. Is it Stephenie Meyer's editor??????? (speaking of Twilight, what are you thinking about the movie? Are you following along with the news and such?)
hey i'm reading
The Disreputable History of Franie Landua-Banks!
its such a good book so far!
I was just trying to figure out where I had bought my first copy of GG1 and I couldn't remember... Well, now I do ... I bought my first copy of GG1 at Sam's Club (the supermarket) hahahahha
congrats on week 14!!!
~Ellie~
Oh My Gosh! The t-shirt designing contest is almost due!! I have to hurry! I haven't enter mine yet!! :O
Omg! Tell Donna that she is awsome and that I'm sad to hear she wont be doing GG3, but I'm also excited for the new editor: Who is it? Hmm, must find out. *hehe*
Hey Ally,
Your friend sounds so nice... Really! You two sound so close.
I know you haven't updated in a while but I'm super-doper-super exicted for GG3 and I'm commenting you for support! Take Your Time!
Lots Of Support,
Wghoops21
Hey, are you ready to have your writing edited yet?
is she related to libba bray
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