Justin Chanda joined the editorial staff at Simon & Schuster in 2005. A graduate of New York University, Justin was named publisher of the S&S Books for Young Readers imprint in 2007 and McElderry Books and Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 2009. He oversees the publication of nearly three hundred and fifty titles per year ranging from the youngest picture book to the edgiest YA. He is keenly interested in publishing books that are equal parts commercial and literary, books that make a contribution to the tradition while truly entertaining kids. Aside from having the honor of working with the best editorial staff in the industry, he also has the opportunity to edit some of its best talent, including the likes of: Neal Shusterman, Peter Brown, Seema Yasmin, The Fan Brothers, Aaron Reynolds, Michael Ian Black, Karma Wilson, Lucy Ruth Cummins, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, and Morgan Matson. Justin is also an adjunct instructor for the NYU Graduate Publishing Program.

Anne Zafian spent the first half of her publishing career at what was then the Time Warner Book Group—now known as Hachette—selling both adult and children’s books to every kind of domestic customer. She cut her teeth on children’s books with TW’s Little, Brown Books for Children, as well as TW’s distribution client, Hyperion Books for Children. Together these experiences fostered her love of children’s publishing, and in 2004, she joined S&S’s sales team, once again overseeing sales of both adult and children’s books, eventually managing our entire distributor sales and retail marketing team. In 2008, Anne made the move from sales to the Publisher’s office, where, as Deputy, she focuses largely on working with the Publisher and the sales, marketing, publicity, and supply chain teams to help usher our books into the world, from cradle to…NOT the grave. Working to get books into the hands of booksellers, children, parents, teachers, and librarians—and doing so with a dynamic list of books and authors—is her favorite job, ever.

Caitlyn Dlouhy likes to say she grew up in a tree, a massive willow where she hauled up books tip top high.  From that perch, she could see the whole world… through the lens of those books. Her publishing choices have always stemmed from this: giving readers the opportunity to see not only themselves, but the rest of the world. The power of voice—voices unusual and unexpected, marginalized or yet un-sung, voices that just plain shimmer and hum, that press and push and experiment—is utterly irresistible to her, and her books have always showcased this.  Covering most every age group and format, her books have often been published to great accolade, including a Newbery Medal and Honors, a National Book Award and Finalists, Caldecott honors, Printz honors, Coretta Scott King Awards and honors, Walter Awards, Edgar Awards and Christopher Medals, PEN USA Literary Awards, a Kirkus Award and finalists, a Pura Bel Pre Award and a Kate Greenaway Award.  Many have also topped New York Times bestseller lists (and the most banned books in America lists).  

It is her great honor to publish such luminaries as Marjorie Agosin, Laurie Halse Anderson, Kathi Appelt, Ashley Bryan, Doreen Cronin,  Jennifer de Leon, Frances O’Roark Dowell, Sharon Draper, Candace Fleming, Jason Griffin, William Joyce, Desmond Hall, Heather Henson, Cynthia Kadohata, Naaz Khan, Betsy Lewin, Alison McGhee, Matt Mendez, An Na, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Jason Reynolds, Sujean Rim, Eric Rohmann,  Raúl the Third, Judith Viorst, Briana Uchendu, and Alicia D. Williams, to name just a few.   
Categorizing what she’s looking for could result in her possibly missing out on something that could quite possibly take her breath away, so, if you truly love it, she would truly love to see it!

Miloni Vora joined Simon & Schuster in January of 2022, after interning at W. W. Norton, the Feminist Press, and various agencies. She assists Caitlyn Dlouhy on a range of picture books, middle grade, and young adult. Regardless of genre and format, she loves stories with a strong, spunky, characters that make her laugh (and cry). She specifically enjoys multigenerational family stories, stories about language and connection, and stories about healing and hope. Her favorite fantasy books are ones rooted in inclusive worldbuilding, particularly from non-European cultures, and featuring multiple protagonists who use humor as a coping mechanism. For middle grade, she loves reading shenanigans featuring the class nerd and the class clown, and for picture books she loves everything from grumpy toddlers to stories filled with stunning, lyrical prose. On any given Sunday, you can find her at her favorite café, crocheting baby animals, and watching dramas that give her serious second-lead-syndrome. Find her on Twitter @Miloni_Vora.

Reka Simonsen joined Atheneum in 2014 after working at various other publishers and bookstores including Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, Harcourt, and Books of Wonder. She loves to work on books all across the age range, especially those that can turn kids into lifelong readers. She looks for believable, engaging characters whose voices she can’t forget, and stories that blend humor and heart. She has been lucky enough to work with such amazing authors and illustrators as Margarita Engle, Carole Boston Weatherford, Jamie Sumner, Evan Turk, Frank Morrison, and Lloyd Alexander, among others. Books she has edited have received such accolades as a Newbery Honor, Coretta Scott King Awards and Honors, a Geisel Honor, a Sibert Honor, Walter Honors, A PEN USA Award, Pura Belpré Awards and Honors, an APALA Honor, Jane Addams Peace Awards and Honors, Americás Awards and Honors, and have been longlisted for the National Book Award and finalists for the Morris Award, the Andre Norton Award, and the Edgar Award.

Julia McCarthy enjoys working on a wide range of voice-driven young adult, middle grade, and picture books; and is an insatiable lover of graphic novels. She believes that each story has the power to inspire compassion and courage within a reader and is committed to developing books that serve as a safe harbor. Julia is most drawn to stories that celebrate underrepresented communities; non-traditional folklore; LGBTQIA+ perspectives; empowering environmentalism; neurodivergent protagonists; magical realism; fantasy that addresses contemporary issues; narratives centering BIPOC voices; novels in verse; accessible science; stories of any age with a touch of clever humor, fantasy, or darkness; witches and goblins and ghosts and Halloweenish whimsy; STEAM-themed novels and picture books, and any sort of graphic novel you can imagine. If you’re a fan of puns, visit her on social media @TheJumbles.

Feather Flores joined Atheneum in 2022 after four years at Chronicle Books. She works on smart, joyful picture books; middle grade romps with coming-of-age themes; distinctive, atmospheric graphic novels; and bold, open-hearted YA that explores everything our identities, and our world, can be. Her list encompasses fiction and nonfiction, with an emphasis on stories by, about, and for people from marginalized communities. She was named a PW Star Watch Honoree in 2023 and an inaugural recipient of the We Need Diverse Books Internship Grant in 2015.

Across the board, Feather is drawn to upmarket, voice- and character-driven narratives with addictive plots and a solid command of their readers’ emotional responses. She champions books that depict the beauty and diversity of the human experience: the humor, the complexity, the curiosity, the magic. Anything that encourages young readers (especially queer readers and readers of color) to be more fully and unapologetically themselves, she wants to see it. 

Feather edits from San Francisco, California. You can explore her (very) full manuscript wishlist at FeatherFlores.com.

Kristie Choi joined Simon & Schuster in 2020 after interning at W. W. Norton & Company, McIntosh & Otis, and previously sleuthing as a private investigator. She's acquiring for a range of fiction and select nonfiction and loves working on everything from young adult, middle grade, graphic novels (early reader, MG, and YA), to picture books. Kristie is looking for stories that have an original and timeless feel that young readers of all backgrounds can get lost in and feel seen in. Regardless of format, she's drawn to underrepresented voices (especially Native/Indigenous, BIPOC, queer, ND, and disabled); evocative, immersive prose; lyricism; smart and absurd, silly humor; complex characters; big ideas; twists and turns and an air of the unexpected; literary fantasy; and a standout voice. Kristie has been a lifelong detective of sorts and loves reading about everything from mystery/thrillers written with beautiful prose to coming-of-age tales of characters discovering the secrets of the universe. Her taste tends to run literary or "upmarket" for genre fiction, and she loves when writing doesn't underestimate the intelligence of young readers. Many of the stories she's fallen in love with have been quirky or a bit innovative—the kind she would never have thought to ask for with a manuscript wishlist. In her spare time, she loves exploring the hiking trails and hot springs around Denver where she's based, rock climbing, and listening to true crime podcasts. Find her on Twitter/IG @MinjiPatterson.

Daniela Villegas Valle joined Simon & Schuster in 2021 and is now an assistant editor to Justin Chanda and Anne Zafian. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both English and Spanish and a minor in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University, after which she completed the NYU Summer Publishing Institute.

She is drawn towards multicultural voices that speak about identity and adventure. Whimsical picture books, cozy fantasy, and character driven stories are some of the things that she loves. Currently acquiring.

Anum Shafqat joined Simon & Schuster in 2021 and is an assistant editor to Sarah McCabe at McElderry Books and Julia McCarthy at Atheneum Books for Young Readers. A fan of lovely queer stories, slasher plots, and everything in-between, she is on the lookout for rich worlds with earnest tropes. While on the hunt for powerful fantasy, horror, and contemporary romance in the young adult space, she is also seeking whimsical and electric upper middle grade (think spy worlds, heists, and first crushes). And finally, sweet character-driven picture books that celebrate underrepresented identities are right up her alley. She also has an interest in graphic novels, with a soft spot for stubborn, loveable protagonists and stories of grand adventure. When she’s not reading, you’ll find her in an obscure Wikipedia rabbit hole, calling her mom about some Pakistani drama, or making a fairly respectable cup of chai.

Jin Soo Chun (first name “Jin Soo”) joined Atheneum in 2024 and assists Reka Simonsen and Feather Flores. Previously, she worked in book marketing at Ecco and in the fashion and restaurant industries. Jin Soo enjoys middle grade, YA, graphic novels/nonfiction, and picture books across all genres.

For picture books, she is drawn to books that celebrate the complex interior worlds of children and mischievous stories that make readers feel like they’re a partner in crime as they tag along with the protagonist on misadventures. In MG and YA (graphic and prose), she loves vividly imagined stories full of heart and humor and is especially partial to narratives propelled by an unforgettable, diverse cast of characters ranging from the spunky and spirited to the devious and terrible. Jin Soo delights in dynamic, cinematic storytelling that balances lively dialogue and emotionally stirring prose, and overall, she’s a big fan of books that humanize characters through their flaws and mistakes and allow for growth without compromising the essence of who the characters are.

In her free time, you can catch her watching Korean variety programs, reading manga/manhwa, or nerding out on Succession, Severance, Beef, Insecure, Bob’s Burgers, Schitt’s Creek, Ponyo, the Spider-Verse movies, Hunter x Hunter, Blue Eye Samurai, and When Harry Met Sally.