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Brodie, who formerly taught the MFA in Creative Writing program at the New School, says that she's been in publishing for a long time and "this is a nice legacy to leave behind." She finds it "hard to find the time between meetings to mentor someone very well," and hopes that this class will address that problem.

Each class will cover a different topic; in one, "Anatomy of a Teen Manuscript," Brodie will prompt the students on what questions an editor should be thinking of asking when evaluating a manuscript. Other classes will teach how to work well with the design department (a number of art directors are scheduled to speak); and how to write supportive editorial letters and rejection letters.

The classes, which began on January 4, take place in-house and will run for six Thursday afternoons; they are free to employees with fewer than three years publishing experience and are open to all fields, from editorial to production to contracts. Brodie says she hopes that her 16 students will feel comfortable asking any questions they have about editorial work or terminology. "They should know how an editor thinks even if they don't want to be an editor," she says.

Brodie's students have told her that they are glad to have other young professionals to talk to, which was one of her main goals. She says the class should go a long way toward demystifying "what someone in the cubicle next to you is doing."

I’m currently reviewing proofs for a picture book called Scribble (May) by first-time author/
illustrator Deborah Freedman. In 2005, I saw Debbie’s portfolio at the SCBWI Winter Conference in New York. I sent her an email asking to see more from her and shortly thereafter, the dummy for Scribble arrived. Sarah Hokanson, a designer at Knopf, and I took one look at it and fell in love. After all, Scribble is a book about falling in love, with a sibling—or scribbling—rivalry mixed in for good measure.

Scribble is the story of two sisters who love to draw. Emma and her little sister Lucie might now always get along, but can their drawings? This picture book debut proves once and for all that kitties (Lucie’s preferred subject) and princesses (Emma’s) can live happily ever after—and maybe sisters can, too.

As the youngest of four children, I found plenty to relate to in this book. Debbie's captured the way kids play—and specifically how they draw—and I hope the book will enliven imaginations the way reading Harold and the Purple Crayon inspired my drawings as a child. I quite like a picture book where odd couples can live happily ever after.