Ever wondered what it’s like to turn a student’s wildest imagination into a published book? Miranda Burel (she/they), 826 Boston’s Publishing Manager, gets to do just that! They are the magical maestro who works behind the scenes with students and our programs team to transform student stories from an idea to a full-fledged literary masterpiece.
We chatted with Miranda about what went into the making of 826 Boston’s newest publication, What If the World Needs You? Advice and Life Lessons from 826 Boston Students.
Q: What If the World Needs You? is such a fun, quirky advice book for kids, by kids. As the Publishing Manager who gets to work with students on this project from start to finish, what was the process like? Can you give us a quick behind-the-scenes overview of the months-long journey?
It took about a year to go from the conception of the idea to the completed book. In July 2023, all program teams came together to brainstorm ideas for the next Young Authors’ Book Project. I had the idea to bring all programs—which includes the Writers’ Rooms, Out-of-School Time, and the In-School program teams—together in one project for the first time in 826 Boston history . We started by talking about what the wildest fantasies would be for a book project and eventually landed on creating a book of advice and life lessons for young readers. The students were encouraged to interpret the theme in whatever way they saw fit, so long as each piece held some sort of lesson. We got all sorts of incredible writing including myth retellings, friendship recipes, personal narratives, and so much more.
Throughout the academic year students submitted their writing in three rounds: (1) Drafting, (2) Revising, and (3) Author Approvals. My team and I read through all submissions and pulled out themes that would eventually be the chapters within the book. We also hosted an illustration workshop for students so they could submit their own illustrations to accompany their writing!
In the spring of this year, the Student Editorial Board (a staple of 826 Boston publications) met to read the manuscript, select the title, write an introductory letter, and give feedback on the book design. Then, after many rounds of revision and proofreading, the book was published in May. We celebrated with a book release party and ice cream social, which featured some incredible student readers!
Q: Students play such an integral part in creating these books—from the initial idea to submissions, editing, title selection, and more. What was it like working with so many students and the editorial board? How much creative control do they have over this project?
We have a limited time with the student editorial board, so we have to be very intentional about what creative decisions they are responsible for. This year, my team proposed the manuscript order, created a shortlist of potential titles, and drafted a few options for cover and chapter illustrations to streamline the decision-making process for the students. Each from the student editorial board read a proposed chapter and we discussed the overarching themes, which they used to select the title, write their introductory letter, and provide feedback on design.
Q: Speaking of working with students, what was your favorite part of creating this book with them?
It’s always a pleasure to work with students! I loved talking to them about design and the way we wanted the book to feel is my favorite part. We typically do a few rounds of design and title suggestions between staff before bringing them to the students. Then the students choose from a few options, sparking conversation and feedback around both title and design. From there, the publishing team runs with their decisions, making final adjustments as needed before the book goes out into the world.
Q: Let’s talk about the cover of this book with that adorable red panda! What’s the story behind it and how did it come to be?
Isn’t it so cute?! It began during the illustration workshop. A student wrote a story about a red panda and asked the workshop leader, MassArt Illustration and Design Assistant Colomba Klenner, to help him draw it. She shared some examples, which delighted everyone in attendance. When tasked with illustrating the cover, Colomba took inspiration from students’ stories. The final options included the red panda, a bunny in a hot air balloon, and a pair of hands holding the Earth. The student enthusiastically chose the panda, and I think it’s a perfect choice!
Q: This book is full of advice for kids, by kids. But let’s be honest—they’re also for adults. What was your favorite piece of advice shared in this book?
This is such an impossible question. This book is so full of advice that it’s hard to pick! I’d have to say my favorite advice comes from the recipe for Chocolate Chip Pancake Pizza with a side of Pavlova, which recommends inventing something new when you can’t decide on what to cook.
Q: You must be proud of all the students and the work they put into this project. What are you most proud of?
This is our biggest publication to date, and I could not be more proud of that. Most books that we produce are limited to a single program. But this time we gave all programs the opportunity to participate, and they really blew me away. About 91 students submitted a total of 76 stories, and the final book was a whopping 245 pages. That was unbelievable itself, but then when you consider the collaborations we had with Nosy Crow and the Boston Globe…I’ll be proud of this book for a long time.
Q: What do you hope readers will get out of these stories?
I hope that readers will have fun reading this. I hope it feels like a hug. I hope this book reminds them that wisdom comes from all sorts of places and you’re never too old to learn something new.
Q: Looking ahead, what upcoming publishing project are you most excited about?
I am very excited to see what the Youth Literary Advisory Board (YLAB) chooses for their signature book project this upcoming school year. YLAB leads the creative process and it’s totally up to them, so stay tuned for what they decide!
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