Kate Dresser, editor at Simon & Schuster's Gallery/Pocket Books, sat down with us this week to discuss her perspective on the book industry: how things have changed over the years, what titles she's most excited about, and her not-so-secret life as a podcast co-host. Also: cake.

Kate launched her editorial career at Pocket Books in 2008, and after a stint at Harlequin, returned to Gallery/Pocket as an editor in 2014. She’s always looking for an attention-grabbing book, no matter the genre. When she’s not reading for work or pleasure (or both!), she buys too many lipsticks and cooks what her friends call “comfort food on a budget.”

Dare we ask: Print or E? 

For both business and pleasure, I tend to read print books more. For extensive traveling, though, I do rely on my Kindle. 

What would you say have been the most significant changes in the industry since your first day on the job?

When I started my first job in publishing, ebooks were barely worth mentioning in terms of total book sales. By the end of that first year, though, they were gaining steam at a noteworthy rate, and of course by now they're a major component in any arena of book publishing. I consider myself lucky to have had a front-row seat to that (this!) particular moment in book publishing history.

What's the best part of being a book editor?

The best part of my job is when people (consumers, sales people, independent booksellers, friends) say that they liked something I edited. Nothing feels better than being part of something that makes the world a little bit brighter.

Tell us something about your job that might surprise people.

Something that might surprise people is that even though editors generally hide in their reading-caves, we also host podcasts! Two colleagues and I host a podcast about romance (you can listen here) and we have so much fun talking about books and reading and writing.

What's #1 on your submission wish list?

In romance, I'm looking in particular for non-traditional love stories. In women's fiction, I'm interested in dual storyline novels and sister-stories. In nonfiction, it just has to be attention-grabbing.

Tell us about an acquisition that you're really excited about.

The first thing that comes to mind is what I'm editing right now: the second book by a beloved author, Amy Reichert, whose first book The Coincidence of Coconut Cake came out this year. I am so excited to share this next book, entitled Luck, Love & Lemon Pie, with the readers who loved her first book (and more!).

Tell us about a book that you've recently read (for fun) and loved.

Can I tell you about two? Right now I'm reading Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff, which is fantastic and darkly funny. Before that I read Roxane Gay's An Untamed State, and I can't stop thinking about her wrenching and compassionate storytelling. 

And finally, what was the first book you fell in love with as a child?

The very first one I remember loving in particular is Little Women. I remember who gave it to me (my mom's friend for Christmas) and I remember vividly starting it on the car-ride home and not wanting to even leave the car to pause reading. I probably read that book 15 times when I was a kid. [Click here to find out about our favorite children's books.]

Thanks Kate!