Does marketing ever suggest book ideas to editorial?
SPURLOCK: Yes, we suggest subjects that we feel would be interesting and educational. If it’s a subject that everyone agrees should be addressed, editorial will then either seek out manuscripts, or an author and illustrator for the project. OLSWANGER: Where does Charlesbridge find authors for its licensed books? SPURLOCK: In the case of the original The M&M’s® Brand Counting Book, the author Barbara McGrath conceived of that idea and came to Charlesbridge. Sometimes authors submit original works, and sometimes the editorial department commissions authors. OLSWANGER: Are licensed books harder or easier to market than “regular” books? SPURLOCK: We don’t approach marketing a licensed book differently than any other book. We understand that books with a product or character license have sparked controversy, but we think that if a book with M&M’s®, for example, helps a child learn basic concepts or encourages that child to read, then it’s a good book. All our books have educational value, w
