Catherine Laudone, Senior Editor
Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
My Manuscript Wish List®
I joined Simon & Schuster in 2013 and have the pleasure of working with many talented authors and artists, such as New York Times bestseller Apryl Stott, Geisel Honor-winner Kaz Windness, Indie bestseller Maggie Edkins Willis, Don Tate, Lauren Emmons, Jessica Stremer, Lisa Bentley, Jennifer Gennari, and Wesley King, among others. I acquire picture books and middle grade featuring underrepresented voices with a special focus on stories with neurodivergent and disabled main characters. Across the board, I love stories about intergenerational relationships, family, friendship, community, identity, and the joy and wonder of being a child.
Specifically for picture books, I am looking for “modern classics”—character-driven stories with lots of heart and a fresh spin on timeless themes. I love twist endings and characters that make you laugh or cry. For illustrations, I am drawn to cozy art with a commercial appeal. For nonfiction, I am looking for biographies featuring positive role models and untold real-life legends, and accessible narrative nonfiction with environmental and STEM tie-ins. I am not the best fit for picture books with potty humor or for super meta picture book concepts.
For middle grade, I am primarily looking for coming-of-age stories with distinct voices and a high concept premise. I will consider historical and mystery stories as well. I am open to middle grade nonfiction, if the topic has a unique STEM tie-in or a big hook in general.
I am also open to realistic middle grade graphic novels with themes and illustration styles ala Shannon Hale’s Real Friends series, Alexis Castellanos’ Isla to Island, and Maggie Edkins Willis’ Smaller Sister. I am selectively considering contemporary or historical young adult novels that has a strong hook and voice.
Fun facts about me:
I have my MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and I am a published children’s book author. When not editing or writing, I enjoy baking, crocheting, and playing with my cat, Biscotti.
Submission Guidelines
Submissions should be emailed to catherine.laudone@simonandschuster.com
Please note that I am only considering agented submissions, unless I’ve requested to see unpublished work after a conference.
Vital Info
Favorite sub-genres:
#ownvoices, Author-Illustrator, Author-Illustrators, Biography, Children's, Children's Nonfiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction and Nonfiction, Commercial MG, Commercial YA, Contemporary YA, Contemporary Young Adult, Disability, Diversity, Found Families, Funny MG, High Concept, High-concept YA/MG, Historical mysteries, Humor, Illustrator, Illustrators, Illustrators and Author/Illustrators, Literary MG, Literary Middle Grade, MG, MG Nonfiction, MG adventure, MG contemporary, MG mystery, Magic Realism, Magical Realism, Middle Grade, Middle Grade Adventure, Middle Grade Contemporary, Middle Grade Graphic Novels, Middle Grade Mystery, Middle grade magical realism, Multicultural, Multiple POV, Mysteries, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction Picture Books, Picture Book, Picture book non-fiction, STEM, YA Contemporary, YA/MG graphic novel, children's graphic novels, classic retellings, coming of age, commercial middle grade, contemporary, contemporary MG, contemporary middle grade, diverse, diverse and own voices, found family, friendship, friendship stories, high concept fiction, middle grade non-fiction, narrative non-fiction, narrative non-fiction YA/MG, picture books
I’d like the next…
- From the Desk of Zoe Washington
- Nature-focused narrative nonfiction picture book
- Seasonal picture book (I especially love Fall-themed stories)
- Middle grade featuring a character getting their first crush and/or period
- Real Friends by Shannon Hale
- Modern-day Ella Enchanted
My favorites include…
Favorite TV Shows: Gilmore Girls, The Bear, Top Chef, Next Level Chef, Hell’s Kitchen, MasterChef
