Sophie Herbut/Contributing Writer
In a room filled with Hogwarts wands and circular glasses, Cheryl Klein shared her experiences on the British book novel series, “Harry Potter.”
Klein, executive editor at Arthur A. Levine Books, was invited by the English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta and Betsy-South Beach’s Writers for Young Readers to talk about editing and writing Friday, Aug. 28.
Klein was editor for J.K. Rowling’s last two Harry Potter American editions, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
She also edited books by Lisa Yee, author of, “Absolutely Maybe” and “Bobby the Brave (Sometimes),” and she wrote “Second Sight: An Editor Talks on Writing, Revising, and Publishing Books for Children or Young Adults.”
The event is the first in a series of four guest speakers like E.E.Charlton-Trujillo, William Alexander and Kathi Appelt.
FIU’s partnership with Betsy is focused on bringing in a diverse group of writers to the University.
“Hispanic, African American, [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender]… Our series with the Betsy has made it a brand to bring exactly that kind of writer to FIU,” said James Sutton, chairperson of the English Department.
Klein said it was during her college years when she first read “Harry Potter.” She recalled being captivated by the series.
She said she attended the release of the fourth book, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” and was the oldest “non-parent” there. Klein also said she was always drawn to literature, but mostly children’s books.
College is a great place to experiment with courses and activities you would never think you would like too, said Klein.
“I took a marimba course when I was college,” Klein said. “Take this opportunity to both go deep within your passions and try something you don’t think you will like at all.”
Carlos Paolini said that as an English major, he can relate to Klein. “It’s more encouraging to have someone out in the real world that I can easily connect to,” said Paolini.
After graduating in Minnesota with a bachelor’s in English at Carleton College, Klein took a course in publishing at the Denver Publishing Institute. She was hired as an editorial assistant at Arthur A. Levine imprint of Scholastic and worked closely with Arthur Levine.
“[She shows that] if you take a chance, you’re gonna end up somewhere really big,” said Chloe Gonzalez, a participant at the event.
Sigma Tau Delta hopes to expand to diverse readers, not just English students, said Alexis Lopez, a junior majoring in English and president of the English Honors Society.
Students from other majors also came to see Klein. By the time she finished her speech, they became interested beyond her experiences with Harry Potter.
They asked about the the popularity of young adult novels and the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in writers within the genre.
“We’re trying to create events that are relevant today,” Lopez said.
Editors are aware of the issue, said Klein. She said they are trying to encourage different voices to tell their narratives to reach out to more than just white American readers.
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