Our Team
Justin Chanda joined the editorial staff at Simon & Schuster in 2005. A graduate of New York University, Justin was named publisher of the S&S Books for Young Readers imprint in 2007 and McElderry Books and Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 2009. He oversees the publication of nearly three hundred and fifty titles per year ranging from the youngest picture book to the edgiest YA. He is keenly interested in publishing books that are equal parts commercial and literary, books that make a contribution to the tradition while truly entertaining kids. Aside from having the honor of working with the best editorial staff in the industry, he also has the opportunity to edit some of its best talent, including the likes of: Neal Shusterman, Peter Brown, Seema Yasmin, The Fan Brothers, Aaron Reynolds, Michael Ian Black, Karma Wilson, Lucy Ruth Cummins, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, and Morgan Matson. Justin is also an adjunct instructor for the NYU Graduate Publishing Program.
Books Edited by Justin Chanda
Anne Zafian spent the first half of her publishing career at what was then the Time Warner Book Group—now known as Hachette—selling both adult and children’s books to every kind of domestic customer. She cut her teeth on children’s books with TW’s Little, Brown Books for Children, as well as TW’s distribution client, Hyperion Books for Children. Together these experiences fostered her love of children’s publishing, and in 2004, she joined S&S’s sales team, once again overseeing sales of both adult and children’s books, eventually managing our entire distributor sales and retail marketing team. In 2008, Anne made the move from sales to the Publisher’s office, where, as Deputy, she focuses largely on working with the Publisher and the sales, marketing, publicity, and supply chain teams to help usher our books into the world, from cradle to…NOT the grave. Working to get books into the hands of booksellers, children, parents, teachers, and librarians—and doing so with a dynamic list of books and authors—is her favorite job, ever.
sarah.barley@simonandschuster.com
Sarah Barley joined Simon & Schuster in 2024 to create a new imprint dedicated to vibrant literary and commercial books that appeal directly to readers eight and up. She is looking for YA, YA crossover, and middle grade projects with distinctive writing and great storytelling that instill wonder, inspire conversation, and, above all, entertain.
Among the books Sarah has edited are the #1 New York Times bestselling Once Upon a Broken Heart and Caraval series by Stephanie Garber; the New York Times bestseller and New York Times Notable Children’s Book The Hazel Wood as well as The Night Country, Our Crooked Hearts, and The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert; the New York Times bestseller and Reese Book Club Pick Tokyo Ever After and Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean; the Stonewall Award winner and Walter Award honoree If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo; Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust; and Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora, edited by Saraciea J. Fennell. Her books have received recognition from the Printz, Morris, Stonewall, and Walter Award committees, among others.
Young adult fiction
Young adult nonfiction
Middle grade fiction
Middle grade nonfiction
Graphic novels
Krista Vitola is an Executive Editor at Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. Before coming to S&S in November of 2016, Krista had been an editor at Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books.
If Krista could live solely amidst her middle grade bookshelves, she would, and you will find that most of her list focuses on this age range. Krista works with New York Times bestselling authors Stuart Gibbs and Kelly Yang, as well as critically acclaimed authors Susan Hood, Shirley Marr, Supriya Kelkar, and Janet Fox. Krista gravitates toward middle grade with a ton of heart, lyrical writing, and characters that reveal the inner kid in all of us. Some of her favorite authors are Ellen Raskin, Lauren Wolk, Soman Chainani, and Kate DiCamillo. Krista also acquires a range of nonfiction middle grade that can be summed up as nutritious (yet delicious) content in a candy-coated package. Her nonfiction acquisitions have ranged from cadaver dogs to gene-editing to a young readers’ adaptation of an LGBTQIA+ dictionary of lingo and colloquial phrases. Krista loves books that make her laugh and make her cry and these two emotions drive her picture book and young adult taste. She will also never turn down a novel in verse.
On weeknights, Krista is obsessed with beating her time on the New York Times mini crossword puzzle and dancing to country music while performing any necessary household chore. When Krista is not reading, she is running outdoors (or around the house) with her two boys, eating whatever delicious treats are available, and drinking red wine (most times in that order, sometimes all at once). She is a graduate of Villanova University. Follow her @Kav_Tepedino.
Nicole Ellul joined Simon & Schuster in February of 2012 after previous roles with Bloomsbury Children’s Books and the picture book publisher, Sleeping Bear Press. She is the US editor of the Powerless Trilogy by Lauren Roberts and has edited a variety of books including New York Times bestsellers Betting on You by Lynn Painter, Love & Gelato, Rachel Lynn Solomon’s See You Yesterday, The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith and The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw, along with Indie Next List titles such as the space opera Sky Without Stars (Jessica Brody and Joanne Rendell) and Winterwood (Shea Ernshaw), and has been overjoyed editing the critically acclaimed Jenn Bennett romances. During her editorial career, she also had the honor of working on books by the immensely talented Jodi Picoult, Philippa Gregory, and R.L. Stine. A former college volleyball player, Nicole graduated with a BA in history and English language and literature from Grand Valley University located in Grand Rapids—one of the vibrant artistic hubs in her home state of Michigan.
Nicole is looking for books from picture books to YA that have a storybook atmosphere and lyrical writing that feels ethereal. In middle grade she leans more towards magical adventures with descriptive settings. Her primary focus is in YA where she gravitates towards unique contemporary romance stories with compelling hooks that amplify the escapist experience. She loves light fantasy (including romantasy); gothic and speculative romance and any story that embraces the setting as another character. Romance in YA is a must! In picture books, it's all about the lush atmosphere and musical quality. Also, any and all books across any genre / age range that explore magic—especially those centering around witches/witchcraft! She is on the lookout for an Erin Morgenstern for YA, an intense, true love romance, along with a standout gothic thriller.
Books Edited by Nicole Elull
Celia joined Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers as Executive Editor in 2021, where she works with authors and illustrators such as Ashley Woodfolk, Beth Ferry, Jashar Awan, Alex Willan, Whitney Gardner, Emmy Kastner, and more. She previously worked at Scholastic for over thirteen years in both the Book Clubs and Trade divisions, where many of her books became New York Times, USA Today, and Indie bestsellers, as well as making Chicago Public Library, NYPL, and ALA notable best of the year lists. Illustrated titles are what Celia loves working on best, from fiction and nonfiction picture books to chapter books to illustrated middle grade to graphic novels for all ages, always with an eye for commercial hooks and kid-friendly storytelling that provide windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors for all readers.
In addition to editing, she has served on the CBC’s diversity committee and is a mentor for People of Color in Publishing. She is a proud Hokie as well as a graduate of NYU’s Masters in Publishing program.
Alexa Pastor enthusiastically began her career at Simon & Schuster in August of 2014. Since that time, she has edited rewarding stories across all age ranges, including National Book Award Longlist selection Forget Me Not; Target’s YA Book of the Year winner Their Vicious Games; bestsellers Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice, She Gets the Girl, All This Time, If I See You Again Tomorrow, and Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh; and #1 New York Times bestseller Five Feet Apart. She is fortunate to work with a host of incredible authors and illustrators including Ben Clanton, Rachael Lippincott, Alyson Derrick, Robbie Couch, Caroline Kusin Pritchard, Selina Alko, Marisa Kanter, Nikki Grimes, Naomi Klein, and Joelle Wellington. Prior to landing her dream job, Alexa graduated summa cum laude from Villanova University (Go ‘Cats!) and completed her master’s degree in children’s and young adult publishing at Rosemont College.
She is acquiring picture books, middle grade, and YA that have strong commercial hooks, led by a standout voice, and a unique approach to storytelling either in structure or trope. She is most drawn to stories with a surprising twist (thrillers welcome, but twisty picture books too!), nonfiction that elevates marginalized events and voices, and contemporary love stories in all their forms including swoony romance (both rom-coms and rom-drams welcome!), friendship makeups rather than breakups, and celebrating family love in every shape and form it takes. When not reading and editing, Alexa is voraciously consuming bad reality TV or Nancy Myers movies, listening to true crime podcasts, or exercising the eternal optimism that comes with being a Mets and Giants fan. You can follow her on Twitter
@Alexa_Pastor926.
Deeba Zargarpur joined Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Salaam Reads in March of 2020 after previous roles with Disney Publishing Worldwide and a book packager. She has the privilege of working with talented authors and illustrators such as New York Times bestselling author A.F. Steadman, Linda Sarsour, Brittney Morris, Hanna Alkaf, Dana Mele, Kat Zhang, and Charlene Chua. Her aim is to acquire commercial books that empower young people from diverse backgrounds. As a self-taught polyglot, Deeba’s love of literature across various languages stemmed from the tales spun throughout her childhood. She is always on the hunt for stories that inspire a sense of magic and wonder, plot lines that challenge traditional assumptions about morality, and strong character arcs that redefine what it means to be the hero of your own story. Visit her at DeebaZargarpur.com, follow her on Twitter at @DeebaZargarpur, and see a complete roster of the books she’s edited here.
Alyza Liu is an Editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, where she got her start assisting on books by authors like Neal Shusterman, Patricia MacLachlan, Christian Robinson, the Fan Brothers, and Jessie Sima. Prior to S&S, she graduated magna cum laude from NYU. Her real dream is to be a Jin Yong heroine, but in the meantime she’s happy to daylight in publishing.
Now, she’s focusing on building a diverse list of authors across age ranges and formats (excepting board and chapter books). Her taste can best be described as “elevated guilty pleasure” and she likes to joke that she enjoys “murder or makeouts”—preferably both, ideally at the same time. Think of her for your big feelings; your sweeping gothic romances; your emotionally intense YA; your complicated, morally gray girlfailures; your voicey, fantastical middle grades; your cheeky, sardonic picture books; as well as any and all translated genre fiction from the Global South. She’s also a big fan of monsters, mean girls, and revolutionaries. Connect with her @AlyzaLiu on Twitter, or find out more about her taste at AlyzaLiu.com/WishList.
Books Edited by Alyza Liu
Having been part of the team since 2019, Dainese is an associate editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. In her time here, she has had the great fortune to work alongside incredible authors and illustrators, such as Mary H.K. Choi, Emily Calandrelli, Renée Kurilla, Julie Falatko, Marissa Valdez, and Priyanka Taslim.
Appropriate for someone who hails from the sunny shores of San Diego, California, her favorite stories to tell are bright, warm, and playful, especially when they center historically underrepresented folks. Raised on 2000s romcoms and Asian dramas, she’s a sucker for meet-cutes, crush energy, and things that are fluffy and frothy. Her taste, which she describes as “big and silly,” leans more commercial versus literary, and her favorite characters are kids who march to the beat of their own drum, walking disasters, and friends who are nuanced and complicated.
Contemporary realistic romances are her sweet spot in YA; for MG, she loves anything that captures the unique, hilarious chaos of being in middle school; and her picture book tastes are on the silly and sweet side. And though she’s usually not the best fit for speculative fiction, she loves horror and will never turn down a good ghost story, especially when it brings something fresh to the genre.
Find Dainese on Twitter/X @ChanceofDain.
Daniela Villegas Valle joined Simon & Schuster in 2021 and is now an assistant editor to Justin Chanda and Anne Zafian. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both English and Spanish and a minor in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University, after which she completed the NYU Summer Publishing Institute.
She is drawn towards multicultural voices that speak about identity and adventure. Whimsical picture books, cozy fantasy, and character driven stories are some of the things that she loves. Currently acquiring.
Alma Gomez Martinez joined Simon and Schuster in 2022, she supports Kendra Levin and Alexa Pastor. She graduated with both her BA in English language and literature and her MS in Publishing from Pace University. Alma previously worked as a page at the New York Public Library, and prior to that interned at Quarto Publishing Group. She’s a Colorado native Chicana, who hopes to provide a bigger platform for BIPOC authors and stories. Alma finds herself drawn to fun and fantasy filled stories, especially ones with diverse voices and cultures. A healthy dose of romance and magical realism also hooks her attention.
jessica.egan@simonandschuster.com
Jessica Egan started at Simon & Schuster in 2024 and works as an editorial assistant to Krista Vitola and Nicole Ellul. She has received her Masters in Publishing from NYU and has continued to read any and every book that comes across her path. She loves character-driven stories that follow anything from a heart-wrenching coming-of-age contemporary to a never-before-told historical account to a thrilling fantasy adventure with a mystery to solve (and romance is a must!). Some of her recent favorites include A Million Junes by Emily Henry, A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal, and These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong.
tionne.townsend@simonandschuster.com
Tionne Townsend joined Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and Denene Millner Books assisting Kendra Levin and Denene Millner in 2024. Before joining these imprints, Tionne first came to Simon & Schuster in 2022 by way of the S&S Associates Program. Born and raised in the vibrant NYC neighborhood of East Harlem, she graduated from Williams College with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Spanish with a concentration in Africana Studies.
Tionne is most interested in stories that highlight BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ voices in ways that push beyond simple explorations of identity. Her wish is for young readers to not only see themselves in the characters on the pages, but for the characters in those stories to invite readers to aspire to bolder dreams.
xenia.weakly@simonandschuster.com
Xenia Weakly joined Simon & Schuster Books for Younger Readers, supporting Celia Lee and Deeba Zargarpur, in 2024. She graduated with a BA in English and Comparative Literature and Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before joining Simon and Schuster, Xenia previously interned at Macmillan with the imprints Farrar, Straus and Giroux for Young Readers and Feiwel & Friends. Originally from North Carolina, she’s a proud master of Southern small talk.
Having a background in childcare, Xenia is most interested in social-emotional learning picture books as well as heart-warming cultural stories. She will also never say no to a YA story that features BIPOC characters, wholesome platonic bonds, or a healthy dose of magic!