Great books don't happen by accident. Sarah Crichton, one of publishing's most respected voices and the founder of Sarah Crichton Books at FSG, joins host Sarah Russo for an unfiltered conversation about what it takes to acquire, edit, and launch books that last. They cover everything: crashing books in secret, fighting for the right jacket design, discovering A Long Way Gone by child soldier, Ishmael Beah, the differences between being a publisher and an editor, what to understand about hiring a developmental editor, and more. Whether you're an author, aspiring editor, or publishing professional, this episode is a masterclass.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Cyberwar by Kathleen Hall Jamieson
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
What Is the What by Dave Eggers
A Mighty Heart by Mariane Pearl, co-written with Sarah Crichton
Portrait of a Marriage: A Memoir by Judy Crichton and Jennifer Crichton
Fierce Attachments by Vivian Gornick
The Odd Woman and the City by Vivian Gornick
M Train by Patti Smith
Key Moments
00:44 — How Magazine Editors Think About Readers 📖
Sarah Crichton explains how her magazine background gave her a superpower most book editors lack: never forgetting the reader exists.
02:27 — What It Really Means to "Crash" a Book ⚡
Sarah C. breaks down the secret, adrenaline-fueled process of rushing a book to publication in weeks instead of years.
05:09 — The Editor vs. Publisher Divide (And Why It's Disappearing) 🏢
Hear about the traditional difference between an editor and a publisher — and why the line between them is blurring
07:22 — How She Turned a Rejected Manuscript into a National Phenomenon 🌍
Sarah C. tells the story of discovering “A Long Way Gone” by Ishmael Beah — a book passed over by every publisher — and how a deliberate cover strategy and the first-ever Starbucks book pick turned it into a classroom staple.
14:58 — What Sarah Looks for in a Manuscript (and Why a Great Title Matters More Than You Think) ✍️
Sarah reveals what makes her sit up when reading a submission, and the brutal reality of how critics decide what to review.
17:08 — Developmental Editors, Self-Publishing, and "Hitting the Lottery" 🎰
Sarah gets candid about the economics of book doctoring, shares the story of self-publishing her late mother's memoir, and explains the role of a developmental editor.
For more information on Sarah Crichton’s work, visit her website or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Connect with Sarah Russo on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahrusso/