PICTURE BOOK ACADEMY
A New Insider Series · Picture Book Author Academy
with Mabel Hsu
EPISODE #4
A candid conversation with Mabel Hsu, Editorial Director at Stone Fruit Studio, Sourcebooks
*THIS IS A NON-REFUNDABLE PURCHASE
ROSIE J. POVA
Award-Winning Picture Book Author
ABOUT THIS SESSION
A Rare Look Inside The Editorial Mind
What makes an editor fall in love with a manuscript — and what quietly kills a submission, even when the writing is strong? In this episode of In The Green Room™, Rosie sits down with Mabel Hsu, Editorial Director at Stone Fruit Studio (Sourcebooks), for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation covering everything from editorial vision and acquisitions decisions to what it really takes to build a lasting author-editor relationship. If you write picture books, this is the inside knowledge you can't afford to miss.
In this session you'll hear:
What Frances is actively acquiring right now
What she's tired of seeing in submissions
What actually gets her attention
Real questions from working writers answered candidly
The Big 5 editorial mindset, unfiltered
Instant access, watch on your own schedule
"Don't write the story that you think people want you to write. Write what makes you feel happy — a story that only you can tell."
— Mabel Hsu, Editorial Director · Stone Fruit Studio, Sourcebooks
WHAT YOU'LL HEAR
Some Of The Burning Questions That Mabel Answers... plus much more!
What Makes Mabel Say "I Have to Publish This"?
What Kills a Promising Manuscript?
What's Inside An Acquisitions Meeting?
The Revision Process Explained
Platorm, Social Media, and Author Presence — Is your platform a dealbreaker?
How to think strategically about what comes after your first book.
★ Exclusive — Registered Attendees Only
An Exclusive Manuscript Submission Opportunity
As part of this event, all registered attendees will have the opportunity to submit one picture book manuscript directly to Mabel Hsu for consideration.
Submission guidelines, Mabel's current wishlist, and all submission details will be shared when the event launches. Registration secures your place and your submission slot.
In this session you'll hear:
What Frances is actively acquiring right now
What she's tired of seeing in submissions
What actually gets her attention
Real questions from working writers answered candidly
The Big 5 editorial mindset, unfiltered
Instant access, watch on your own schedule
IS THIS FOR YOU?
This Session Is For You If...
You write picture books and want to understand what editors are genuinely looking for right now
You're tired of formulaic feedback and want to understand what "voice" and "original thought" really mean in practice
You've received encouraging rejections but can't pinpoint the gap between "this is good" and "this is a yes"
You want a clear picture of what happens after an editor falls in love — from acquisitions to illustrator search to publication
You worry your platform (or lack of one) is holding you back from landing a deal
You want to build a lasting publishing career — not just sell one book — and need to know what editors are really investing in
FEATURED GUEST: MABEL HSU
Mabel Hsu is an Editorial Director at Stonefruit Studio, an imprint of Sourcebooks. Prior to that, she spent the last decade at HarperCollins, where she had the pleasure of publishing books for kids and teen readers, including the 2026 Caldecott-winning Fireworks by Matthew Burgess and Catia Chien, New York Times bestselling series The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett and Sharn Harris, and acclaimed books such Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo, Pig Town Party by Lian Cho, and The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan.
She publishes board books through young adult novels and focuses on narratives that transform genre tropes, feature intersectional representation, and—most of all—makes reading a pleasure for every type of reader.
Mabel is a co-chair on the Brooklyn Book Festival children’s committee, was previously a mentor in POC in Publishing, and an indie bookseller at Books Are Magic!
YOUR HOST
Rosie J. Pova
Award-winning children's author, speaker, and founder of Picture Book Author Academy. Rosie's books have been featured in The New York Times and recommended by Parents magazine. Through In The Green Room™, she brings picture book writers face-to-face with the publishing industry's most insightful voices — in the kind of candid, unscripted conversations you won't find anywhere else.
What you'll hear:
The current picture book landscape
The qualities that capture an editor's attention and make a project feel worth pursuing.
Why strong manuscripts still get passed on
The subtle factors that can keep an otherwise promising manuscript from moving forward.
The path from manuscirpts to publication
A behind-the-scenes look at what happens after an editor falls in love with a project and the many steps involved in bringing a book to readers.
The Big 5 editorial mindset
A rare inside look at how acquisition decisions are made at a major trade publisher—from someone in the room.
You questions, answered
Thoughtful questions submitted by picture book creators—covering the topics they most want to understand about publishing and the editorial process.
Backstage access on your schedule
An insightful discussion designed to help you reflect on your own work, strengthen your manuscripts, and approach publishing with a clearer perspective.
IS THIS FOR YOU
✅ This is for you if...
You're a picture book writer or illustrator pursuing traditional publishing
You want to know what Big 5 editors are genuinely looking for right now
You're revising a manuscript and want a clearer sense of the editorial bar
You've been submitting and want to understand the editorial perspective more deeply
You want insider access without a $500 conference price tag
❌ This is not for you if...
❌ You're exclusively focused on self-publishing
❌ You're looking for a step-by-step writing course
❌ You want surface-level "tips" rather than a real editorial conversation
❌ You're not yet serious about traditional publishing
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Attendees Say
I have learned so much from these interviews you have hosted. You are such a gift to the writing community.
- Workshop Registrant
As always, your programs have timely topics and excellent presenters. Well done!
- Workshop Registrant
I can say, with 100% confidence, it was the most helpful agent workshop I have attended. Thank you!"
- Workshop Registrant
WHAT OUR ATTENDEES SAY
" I have learned so much from these interviews you have hosted. You are such a gift to the writing community. "
Workshop Registrant
As always, your programs have timely topics and excellent presenters. Well done!
Workshop Registrant
I can say, with 100% confidence, it was the most helpful agent workshop I have attended. Thank you!"
Workshop Registrant
I have learned so much from these interviews you have hosted. You are such a gift to the writing community.
As always, your programs have timely topics and excellent presenters. Well done!
I can say, with 100% confidence, it was the most helpful agent workshop I have attended. Thank you!"
Workshop Registrant
Workshop Registrant
Workshop Registrant
An inside look at the decisions, perspectives, and insights that shape today's picture books.
$12
$19
REGISTRATION CLOSED!
* This event is intended as an educational conversation offering behind-the-scenes insight into the picture book publishing process. It does not include a submission opportunity, and registration for or viewing of the event should not be interpreted as an invitation to submit manuscripts to Frances Gilbert.
Ready to hear what Mabel has to say?
Get access to this episode of In The Green Room™ and hear the full conversation.
* THIS IS A NON-REFUNDABLE PURCHASE
A must-see conversation! Get access with the early bird registration for only $12.