Middle Grade Ninja Episode 114: Literary Agent Holly McGhee

To watch new episodes as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe.

Middle Grade Ninja is available on Soundcloud, Stitcher, itunes, Podbean, Podblaster, RadioPublic, blubrry, Listen Notes, Google Play, and many other fine locations.

Holly McGhee and I talk about her childhood in the country and how she went from selling corn out of a pickup truck to founding Pippin Properties Inc, an agency that has profoundly shaped the face of modern children’s literature. We chat about her relationship with author Kate DiCamillo both as a client and as a friend, and how it led to the creation of Holly McGhee’s new picture book, WHAT THE WORLD COULD MAKE. We also discuss ghosts, discovering hints of the mystery of the universe, a bird’s eye view of a literary agency, writing for art rather than money, the importance of focusing on your next book, the qualities of a successful author, and so much more.

Click here to read Holly McGhee's original 7 Question interview.

For more information about the WHAT THE WORLD COULD MAKE on May 4, 2021 at 5pm EST, go to: https://www.schulerbooks.com/event/what-world-could-make-virtual-conversation-and-launch-event

Holly McGhee still carried MADELINE around in 3rd grade — until Mrs. Carrier, her school librarian, tricked her into reading longer books by giving her one with her name on it, HOLLY IN THE SNOW. After college, Holly headed straight into the book world of New York City, where she has enjoyed being a secretary, an advertising manager, a sales rep (for one month), and in the six years prior to opening the doors at Pippin, an executive editor at HarperCollins.

Now, as the President and Creative Director of Pippin she is dedicated to shepherding books that make a difference into the world. Someone once told her, “If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life,” and that has proven true for her.

From the bestselling creative team behind Come with Me and Listen, comes a story of hope, abundance, and the unfailing possibilities the world holds.

Bunny and Rabbit are kindred spirits who celebrate the gifts of the seasons together, both of their friendship and of the earth—from the smell of lilacs to the wonder of gingko leaves, from the taste of sea pickles to the silent beauty of the first snowflakes . . . What the World Could Make is a joyous reminder that if we pay attention, hope can always be found in our friendships, in nature, and in generosity toward each other.

“[And] Autumn unfolds with a carpet of ginkgo leaves heaped into a pile perfect for play. The two good pals joyfully exult in yet another bounty of the world in this gentle tale of sharing and seasonal splendor. The delicate pen-and-ink illustrations complement the spare text with delicate settings . . . the expressive cants of their ears deftly communicate emotions. . . Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Lemaitre and McGhee lift up gifts ‘the world could make’ . . . [Rabbit and Bunny] rejoice in the beauty of the seasons, enjoying each moment’s gifts.”

—Publishers Weekly

HollyMcGhee.com

PippinProperties.com