The Editor’s Desk: Michael Aaglund

Welcome to the Editor’s Desk. This is a blog post series that will feature interviews with different editors from around the publishing industry. Today, we are excited to interview Michael Aaglund, an editor at HarperCollins Publishers. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Michael.

Introduce Michael Aaglund

Michael Aaglund is an editor at HarperCollins Publishers. He has worked in the publishing industry for over a decade, with experience in both trade and educational publishing. He currently edits children’s books and young adult fiction.

Tell us a little bit about your background and how you became an editor.

I’ve always loved books and reading, so it was a natural fit for me to pursue a career in publishing. I started out working in educational publishing, which was a great introduction to the industry. I then transitioned to trade publishing, and I’ve been editing children’s books and young adult fiction for the past few years. It’s been an amazing experience getting to work with so many talented authors and seeing their stories come to life.

What is a typical day like for you as an editor?

There’s no such thing as a typical day in publishing! Every day is different, which is one of the things I love about my job. I might be reading submissions and looking for new authors to work with, editing manuscripts, meeting with authors and illustrators, or attending conferences and book fairs. No matter what I’m doing, I’m always surrounded by books, which is a dream come true for me.

What is your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part of the job is definitely working with authors to help them bring their stories to life. It’s so gratifying to see a manuscript come together and take shape under an author’s skillful hand. And of course, it’s always exciting when a book gets published and people get to read it.

What are some of the challenges you face as an editor?

One of the challenges I face as an editor is managing my time effectively. There’s always more work to be done than there are hours in the day, so it’s important to be able to prioritize and focus on the tasks that are most important. Another challenge is dealing with rejection. It’s a part of the business, but it can be difficult to see a project you’ve poured your heart into get turned down.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming an editor?

My advice for someone interested in becoming an editor is to read as much as possible and to familiarize yourself with the publishing industry. There are a lot of different paths you can take to become an editor, so it’s helpful to learn about all of the different options and to find mentors who can guide you along the way.

Thank you, Michael, for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing your insights into the world of editing. We look forward to seeing great things from you in the future!

Do you have any questions for Michael? Let us know in the comments below! And stay tuned for our next installment of The Editor’s Desk, featuring an interview with another amazing editor. Until then, happy reading!