Lindy
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta! My 8th grade class just finished reading Between Shades of Gray and loved it! I'm curious to know how the release of the other "Shades of Gray" book affected your book sales since they came out around the same time. I hate that I get that look when I mention your book because they get it confused with the other! Also, do you have any advice for breaking into the industry as a book editor?
Ruta Sepetys
Hi Lindy!
"Between Shades of Gray" was out for a year before "50 Shades" was released. Thank goodness! That gave a bit of separation between the two. But yes, there has been some confusion about the two books which may have resulted in readers purchasing the wrong book. :(
In terms of breaking into the industry as a book editor, most of the editors I know worked as interns or assistants in the editorial departments of the publishing houses. That seems to the be the traditional path - work as an assistant under an editor, learn from them, and make your way up!
Thanks again!
"Between Shades of Gray" was out for a year before "50 Shades" was released. Thank goodness! That gave a bit of separation between the two. But yes, there has been some confusion about the two books which may have resulted in readers purchasing the wrong book. :(
In terms of breaking into the industry as a book editor, most of the editors I know worked as interns or assistants in the editorial departments of the publishing houses. That seems to the be the traditional path - work as an assistant under an editor, learn from them, and make your way up!
Thanks again!
More Answered Questions
Lucy
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi! In both of your books, you write about some historically brutal circumstances and the people involved really suffered, they had to endure the cruelty of other people's actions and survive. I wanted to ask you if it was ever hard to hear the real life stories people told you during research. How did you deal with it? And how did it affect the way you portrayed the emotions of the characters in your stories? Thanks!
Morgan
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta!!! I am a HUGE fan of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray! I love how you give famous events a new perspective, and I feel like I'm really learning as well when I read your books! How do you get inspiration for all of your different characters? They always seem so real, and though I have never been through what they are going through, they are always relatable! Thank you!!
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