Who:
Alvina Ling

What do you do:
Editor, Children’s Book Publishing

Where do you work:
Little, Brown, New York City, New York

When did you realize your interest in book publishing:
Then one of my friends asked me if I had ever considered book publishing because one of his friends was considering it. Even though it had crossed my mind before, since there was very little book publishing on the West Coast at that time where I went to college, I hadn't really seen it as a viable career option. But when he said it, it made sense to me. I had always loved books and reading, so I decided to look into it.

Why work in this field:
Being in children's books specifically, I really love the idea that somewhere there are children reading the books I edit. I remember how big an influence books had on my life when I was growing up, so thinking that I had a hand in touching these young reader's lives is probably the largest appeal.

How would you advise others:
Be passionate about books. And if you really want to become a book editor, because it's considered an apprenticeship, you pretty much have to start at the bottom--as an Editorial Assistant. I don't know of any book editors who didn't start this way.