Simone Roberts-Payne

Hi! I am an Assistant Editor at G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. Putnam strives to publish a book for every reader. Prior to joining Putnam, I worked as a research assistant for Jacqueline Woodson. I have always loved books from a teen perspective, especially because I feel like they act as a microcosm for what people are worried about in our larger society, and it’s such a pivotal age group. I am particularly interested in uplifting BIPOC voices and am mainly looking to acquire commercial YA as well as picture books.

In YA, I am drawn to contemporary fiction that is dynamic and diverse. I am looking for stories that explore complicated familial or romantic relationships, have a hint of mystery, and are a touch heartbreaking. I love voicey YA with girls that feel like outcasts, thrillers with twists that leave your jaw dropping, and romance with couples you just can’t help but root for. I would love to see an author similar to Britt Bennett but for Young Readers, and books that deal with race in a nuanced way. I am also looking for a book with the darkness, humor, and detective element of the Netflix TV show Wednesday or Veronica Mars.

For picture books, I am looking for quiet and lyrical fiction that explores hope, love, grief, identity, family, and new experiences.

I am not the best fit for:

• Animal focused novels
• High fantasy
• Locked-door mystery (setting is very important to me)
• Stories with time travel
• Desert, Groundhog Day, Robot or Space stories

Submission Guidelines

I only accept agented submissions.