Every week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.
Will Book Summary Apps Cause Us to Lose the Ability to Think Critically?
50 Years Later ‘Carrie’ Still Thrills
Are There Too Many Books in The World?
Meta’s Search for AI Feed Continues – Will The Tech Company Buy Simon & Schuster?
Oldest Book in Existence Up for Auction
Every week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.
3 Body Problem’s Lawyer is Sentenced for Murder
Horror Sales are Booming- Why Readers are Resonating with the Genre
How Does Book Design Decisions Impact the Environment?
Another Summer of Striking on the Horizon?- OUP and B&N Continue to Organize
The Lessons From Hundreds of Writers
Every week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.
Oxford English Dictionary Adds 23 New Words
Reading Initiative Drives Children and YA Sales
Vermont Set to Pass Library Bill
What is the Best AI Story Generator?
What are the Numbers?- AAP 2023-2024 Statshot Released
Ever week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.
Publishers Try to Oppose Internet Archives Appeal Again
What are the Big Take Aways of the London Book Fair?
Why is Russian Literature so Popular?
Understanding the Rise of Romantasy Before BookTok
PEOPLE
Bertelsmann CEO Thomas Rabe will exit his role once his contract expires in 2026.
At Penguin Random House, Suzanne Herz is rejoining Penguin Random House as publisher of John Grisham, on April 15th, and will report to chief revenue officer Jaci Updike. Alessandra Scarpaci has joined Random House Children’s Books as publicity assistant. At Putnam, Regina Andreoni has joined as marketing manager. Sofie Parker has joined Putnam as marketing assistant. Marisa Nakasone has joined Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group as designer. Cassie Gitkins has joined Random House Publishing Group as production editor. At Dutton, David Howe has joined as associate editor.
At Hyperion, Chelsea Cutchens has joined Hyperion Avenue as editor.
ReaderLink Distribution: Lakshmi Jiddu has joined as D365 Finance and operations developer.
At Titan Publishing, Rosanna Anness has joined as head of rights, she was formerly publishing manager at Hasbro.
At Abrams, Clarie Stetzer has joined as editor; she was formerly editor at Inkyard Press. Shea Dunlop has joined as sales assistant. Kristi Iwashiro has joined as ComicArts editor, formerly she was the translation manager at J-Novel Club. Evelyn Lema has joined as senior financial analyst, she was formerly senior financial analyst at Amazon.
Megan Zimlich is being promoted to senior manager of digital content at Kensington Publishing
Chronicle Books has named Christina Amini as publisher of gift and she will also work in partnership with Chronicle’s Games & Toys.
At IPG, Julia Dillman has joined as administrative assistant, Kenneth Duncan has joined as digital marketing coordinator, and Megan Trank has joined as client manager for financial statements.
At Open Road Integrated Media, Hazel De Leon has joined as marketing coordinator for sales channels.
At Guilford Press, Lilith Dorko has joined as senior editor for social psychology; she was formerly executive editor for psychology at Rowman & Littlefield.
Kayla White has joined as managing editor associate at Zando Publishing. She was previously managing editorial assistant at Abrams.
At Wroteby.me, Rachel Bell has joined as go to market consultant.
At Phaidon, Audrée Damiba is joining as marketing manager. At Monacelli, Caroline Jones is joining as marketing and publicity assistant.
The American Booksellers Association announced Preethi Kannath has joined the education team as lead instructional designer.
In Agency News…
At Laura Dail Literary Agency, Jennifer Udden has joined as literary agent. She was previously a freelance editor, and previously an agent at New Leaf Literary & Media.
At LCS Literary Services, Kimberly Latrice Jones has joined as an associate agent, she previously authored I’m Not Dying With You Tonight.
PROMOTIONS
At Simon & Schuster, Lara Jones has been promoted to senior editor at Emily Bestler Books.
Penguin Random House promotions: Lauren Weber, has been promoted to executive director,brand development, and will report to Suzanne Herz. Maralee Diana is being promoted to publishing associate at Penguin Publishing Group. Vanessa Haughton has been promoted to editor at Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Katrina Damkoehler has been promoted to associate art director at Random House Children’s Books.
Hachette Book Group promotions: Lauren Kisare has been promoted to assistant editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Patrick Hulse has been promoted to designer at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Savannah Kennelly and Christie Michel have been promoted to senior manager of school and library marketing at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Ruqayyah Daud has been promoted to editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Jessica Anderson has been promoted to senior editor, Jenny Kimura has been promoted to associate art director, Cheryl Lew has been promoted to associate director of publicity, and Lisa Yoskowitz has been promoted to VP and executive editorial director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Hachette Audio has promoted Jasmine Normil to publicity and marketing coordinator. Laura Essex has been promoted to audio editor, Charles McCrorey has been promoted to studio manager and audio operations associate, Ghenet Harvey has been promoted to senior audio production associate, and Michelle Figueroa has been promoted to senior audio production associate at Hachette Audio. At Black Dog & Leventhal, Katie Benezra has been promoted to art director. Scott Trebing has been promoted to production manager. Shay Brown has been promoted to senior reprint manager. Jennifer Tordy has been promoted to production manager of trade frontlist. Kenzie Sena has been promoted to marketing and sales associate. Lauren Shade has been promoted to assistant marketing director. Michelle Forde has been promoted to senior marketing manager. Sarah Alli has been promoted to marketing associate.
At Macmillan Publishers, Patrick Nielson Hayden has become editor-at-large for Tor Publishing Group. Miriam Weinberg has been promoted to executive editor of Tor. Troix Jackson has been promoted to assistant editor and Dianna Vega has been promoted to assistant editor. Jenna Johnson has been promoted to SVP, editor-in-chief at Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (FSG). Eric Chinski, has been promoted to editorial director, nonfiction at FSG. Na Kim has been promoted to creative director at FSG. Alex Merto has been promoted to senior art director at Picador. Jonathan Woolen has been promoted to associate marketing manager at FSG. Isabella Miranda has been promoted to senior manager of subsidiary rights at FSG. Bri Panzica has been promoted to senior production editor at FSG.
At Candlewick Press, Rachel Wood has been promoted to assistant art director.
IPG, Bianca Rodriguez has been promoted to marketing assistant. Valerie Pedroche has been promoted to associate publicist. Adam Barresse has been promoted to senior digital services associate. Casey Park has been promoted to digital services manager. Qassye Inwood has been promoted to digital print manager.
Phaidon, Ellie Levine is being promoted to director of marketing and digital initiatives. Eva Baron is being promoted to publicist.
At Quirk Books, Jhanteigh Kupihea has been promoted to president and publisher. Nicole De Jackmo has been promoted to EVP, deputy publisher. David Borgenicht has moved into the role of chairman and founder.
At Orbit Books, Bradley Englert has been promoted to executive editor and Angela Man has been promoted to senior publicist.
DULY NOTED
Zando is launching their romance imprint, Slowburn and will aim to publish 2 to 3 books per season. Hayley Wagreich, director of original development at Zando, and Sierra Stovall, director of rights at Zando, are co-directors of Slowburn. Nicole Otto, who joined Zando senior editor and was previously a senior creative executive at Realm, and TJ Ohler, assistant editor at Zando, will work closely with Wagreich and Stovall.
Akira Toriyama, Manga creator of Dragon Ball Z died at 68 on March 1st due to an acute subdural hematoma.
EVENTS
Mar 20-24
Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival
New Orleans, LA
Mar 20-24
Charlottesville, VA
Mar 21-24
Leipzig, Germany
Mar 22-24
Chicago, IL
Mar 26
New York, NY
Mar 28-Apr 8
Bangkok International Book Fair
Bangkok, Thailand
Mar 29-31
Anaheim, CA
Apr 3-5
Public Library Association Conference
Columbus, OH
Apr 4-7
Brussels, Belgium
Every week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.
Why is the Gig Economy a Risky Model for Those in Publishing?
The London Book Fair Highlighted the Book Adaption Hype
The Great American Novel- Who Made the Cut?
Authors Pushback on Growing Amazon Sales for AI Books
Pay Respects or Print?- Where is the Line for Publishing Posthumously?
Every week, we recommend 5 publishing articles/blog posts that supplement the major news for the week. Whether data or industry commentary, we hope these 5 links will be a simple way to keep you in the know.
Gabriel García Márquez Never Wanted His Story Published- Why His Son Felt Differently
World Reading Day Finds Children Put Off Reading For Pleasure
Before Popcorn and Oscars There Were The Stories That Inspired Them
PEN America Announces Paul Simon Will Receive Literary Service Award
Although our firm, Market Partners International (MPI), does a lot of different kinds of consulting, we’re known for recruiting. We’ve found presidents, publishers, publicists, and production pros – you get the drift. As a result, we’re often the first call after someone is laid off or fired, or just restless. And because we talk to people in various stages of their search for a new job opportunity, we are able to gauge who is likely to land somewhere and thrive, rather than spin their wheels until they give up or take whatever comes along, regardless of the fit.
Some who are laid off are given the option of outplacement. Take it; the one-on-one coaching, access to courses, opportunity to network and practical help with resume writing and LinkedIn profile development are very helpful. If you aren’t offered it by your company, ask for it.
If this isn’t an option, there are ways to approximate some of these services. Most job boards, like Indeed and LinkedIn offer resume building tips for little or no money. But a surefire way to improve your LinkedIn profile is to look at profiles of colleagues whose job titles are similar to yours.
Two areas that don’t always get attention are the “About” section and the “Contact” section. The former should be robust (boastful!) and the latter should include an email address (and if you have one, a website) so that people can reach you without going through in-platform messaging.
It’s always surprising to find that people who are not actively job-hunting don’t feel the need to create a fleshed-out profile. Does that mean you never want to be approached about an opportunity, or you want to wait until you’re playing catch-up, after the pink slip? Plus, having a good profile makes it easier to engage with other industry colleagues whom you might meet at parties and conferences.
Meanwhile, be aware of applicant tracking systems – which many companies use to weed out applicants. How to game the system so that your resume isn’t held up before it lands on the right executive’s desk? Julie Blattberg, a senior advisor to MPI and a metadata expert, reminds us that it’s important to add relevant keywords to your profile, resume, and cover letter. “Consider the work you do and your areas of expertise. Then, think like a recruiter—or a search engine. Use industry- and role-specific terms. For example, a senior marketer might include “management experience,” “content strategy,” and “customer acquisition”—phrases that can be easily understood by humans and identified by filters.”
Remember that some companies use software to process and prioritize inbound applications before a human ever lies eyes on any individual’s documents.
So when applying for a specific role, she added: “It’s a good idea to mirror language in the published job description, but only do so where pertinent to you and your experience. When updating a dusty resume, look for keywords and verbiage from job specs of roles you aspire to.”
“Open to Work” or not?
There’s much debate about whether to add this label to your LinkedIn profile. While nowadays there’s pretty much no stigma about being unemployed, someone who is casually liking your post or comment may think twice if he or she anticipates a follow-up request for help in your search.
On the other hand, people who are hiring – whether full time or part time, will have you on their radar. Speaking of part-time, some job seekers don’t want to take on a consulting job for fear it will interfere with their search or that they’ll land a job before the project is done. Neither is an issue, especially if you’re clear about your end goal of full-time work.
Taking on consulting work will keep you engaged and, ideally, gives you a potential reference who can speak to your strengths. As for leaving a gig for a full-time job, fear not — other consultants will happily take on the project.
What makes a good candidate?
What makes a good job seeker? Some qualities are obvious: a candidate who’s well prepared, with an updated resume and LinkedIn profile, and a clear idea of which skills are needed to perform the job.
Todd Berman, a former VP Sales Director at Penguin Random House who just landed a position at a university press, also thinks it’s important to know what you liked in previous positions, and what you want from your next job. He credits Phyl Terry’s Never Search Alone: The Job Seeker’s Playbook with focusing his efforts so that he could enunciate that when he networked. Terry has created more than a thousand Job Search Councils which individuals can join at no cost other than the price of the book. In Berman’s group there were five people from disparate industries who met once a week to provide feedback, coaching and perhaps most importantly, structure, to the search process. All five have found jobs since they started their group less than six months ago.
While an applicant’s belief that an opportunity is worth pursuing is key, keep in mind that the job doesn’t exist simply as a great fit for your aspirations. And regardless of how the interviews go, everyone should get a “thank-you” email. A client recently turned down a candidate who neglected that step, because she was deemed “insufficiently eager” for the job. This lapse was especially flagrant as the candidate was interviewing for a publicity role; a PR pro would know that relationship management tactics like TY notes are table stakes during the interview process.
But getting to the hiring manager often takes more than belief in a good alignment of aspiration and job description and a great resume. It usually involves extensive networking. One person looking for a job tells us that he has a spreadsheet of people he’s contacted, when he first talked with them, what they discussed, and when a follow-up is appropriate. (We have had people contact us more than once without remembering our previous conversations.)
When talking to a potential networking contact, it’s important to make it a dialogue; that person has a job, a life, and a network too. It’s also important to briefly recount your “story” – whether your path to unemployment or (as the case may be) concern about potential unemployment.
Finally, a follow-up email is always appreciated, and job seekers who then tell their network that they’ve snagged a terrific position thanks to their help, are spreading good karma – which even the most seasoned networker or hardened recruiter will appreciate.
Good luck!
