We've noticed your name in the back of the Wimpy Kid books. How did you first meet Greg Heffley?
Charles Kochman: I first met Greg at a comic book convention a few years ago. He came up to our booth, handed me a copy of his journal and said he was going to be famous one day, and if I was smart enough to publish his book it would sell millions of copies. He was very confident, so I figured why not? Turns out Greg was right. He's now an action figure, has written more than 13 books, been in four movies and is on board games and T-shirts and emojis. I've even seen a Greg Heffley balloon marching in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! And I think he's sold something like 200 million copies of his Wimpy Kid books in 60 languages all over the world. Turns out, meeting Greg Heffley was the luckiest day of my life.
What exactly does an editor do?
CK: Good question. Don't tell anyone, but I've been trying to figure that out myself for years. Basically, when a writer hands me a book, I publish it. A lot of other people then help make it happen.
What was your reaction when the Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid manuscript landed on your desk?
CK: Greg has told me so much about Rowley Jefferson over the years, so it was great to finally hear Rowley's side of all of those stories. I never thought Rowley would want to be a writer, but since he and Greg are best friends, I am not surprised that he copied him. Ever since Greg's first book came out, it seems like everyone is trying to publish their own diary. But I really love Rowley's book. It's funny, and it's also awesome and friendly. In fact, it even says so on the cover!
Was it a difficult negotiation?
CK: Actually, no. I have a jar of jelly beans on my desk, and when Rowley came to my office he kept asking for more and more of them throughout our meeting. I finally offered him the whole jar and he leapt to his feet, shook my hand and said, "We have a deal!" I was just being polite, and was going to pay him real dollar bills, but Rowley was happy with the jelly beans, so that was that. It was a really easy negotiation.
As editorial director at Abrams, you have the chance to work with many talented authors and illustrators. What has it been like working with Rowley Jefferson?
CK: Rowley is nothing at all like Greg makes him out to be. He really is an awesome, friendly kid. He's not as good an artist as Greg is (he forgets to draw noses on people), and he doesn't quite understand grammar (I think the comma key may be broken on his computer). But he was so enthusiastic and excited to have his own book published, he was the perfect author. We had a meeting with our marketing and publicity team, and he gave everyone jelly beans. (I think they may have been the same jelly beans that I had given him.) Mr. Jefferson, Rowley's dad, says Rowley is a good sharer, and I can tell you firsthand, he is.
You're familiar with Rowley's best friend, Greg Heffley. What's your opinion of their friendship?
CK: Rowley and Greg are best friends. Greg may not want to admit it, but he sure does spend a lot of time hanging out with Rowley. The two of them are always talking, always doing things together. I had a best friend when I was a kid, and we were a lot like Greg and Rowley. We were always playing games and reading comic books together, and sometimes we argued, but we also laughed a lot, especially when we should have been studying. We went to the same school, so we even got to hang out there too. I think the dynamics between kids are all the same, really. It reminds me of my friendship with this writer guy. His name is Jeff Kinney. You've probably never heard of him.
What are your favorite parts of the book?
CK: Okay, I know I said earlier that I loved the book, but to tell you the truth I haven't read all of it yet. I really should, and promise that I will, real soon. But flipping through it right now I see some really funny drawings, and others that scare me a little, like this one picture of the ghost of Bampy. Thankfully they're not all like that. I see there's a scene with a sleepover and one with a giant rock and another with a teacher. And Abraham Lincoln is also in the book for some reason (I'll have to read that part later to find out why). But there are also some comics inside too. And I really like comics. I have to say, this book really looks great. I like that there are a lot of drawings on every page, because that means I can read it really quickly.
How do you think the millions of Wimpy Kid readers will react to this new voice?
CK: I think anyone who loves Greg's Wimpy Kid books will love Rowley Jefferson's journal. I read the back cover all the way through, and they really seem to be similar (except for the drawings and the lack of commas). If Greg Heffley could become famous, then I can't see why Rowley Jefferson can't be just as famous. Although I think that will make Greg mad, so I hope he doesn't find out. I'll have to remember to hide the copies of Rowley's books when he comes to the office to visit. And that reminds me, I need to buy more jelly beans. And a new jelly bean jar.