Australia
I publish original and award-winning books for children and adults. Nothing is ever off limits, from author management to brainstorming new ideas, and from writing pitch-perfect copy to tackling a scheduling or budgeting crisis. No matter what the challenge, it always comes with a positive attitude, an atmosphere of collaboration, and a genuine openness to learning new skills in a constantly changing and innovative industry.
Informed by data and insight, the Penguin Publishing Lab seeks out, commissions, and develops trend-driven titles.
With more than 14 years experience in London creating highly illustrated books as an editor, writer, and project manager, I am now based in Sydney and taking on new projects. Here's how I can help you achieve your goals... - Commission creative staff to help on projects, from authors, celebrity foreword writers, and fact-checkers to photographers, artists, and sensitivity readers. - Generate gold standard sales metadata for both frontlist and backlist titles, leading to improved product discoverability online and greater revenue. - Instill a clear creative vision with every title, always set within a realistic timeline and budget. - Look for new sales channels – for example, working alongside educators to align backlist trade titles with different curricula in order to sell into schools worldwide. - Manage colleagues around the world, from formulating realistic schedules to maintaining a high standard of output. - Collaborate closely with graphic designers, producers, printers, publicists, marketers, operational and finance colleagues, salespeople, and data analysts. - Present titles to sales and rights teams, often in the lead up to product and book fairs. - Engage with publicity and marketing teams to ensure they understand the product and are able to promote it effectively. - Help create – or amend existing – operational workflows and guidelines for best company practice. - Negotiate pay and write up contracts. - Take an active role to improve representation, from the commissioned authors and illustrators who make the books to the models photographed. - Research new title and series ideas, both individually and in teams. - Mentor new starters to ensure they get off on the right foot and have somebody to turn to, be it professional challenges or personal problems. - Write catchy and age-appropriate book spreads, punchy blurbs, and consumer-facing copy.
• Make award-winning books on a range of subjects, from science to the arts, in both quirky and traditional styles. • Work alongside talented graphic designers, editors, and a host of celebrated household names such as Carol Vorderman and Robert Winston. • Select authors and consultants, research new book ideas, prepare contents pages, and write book spreads. • Pen snappy copy for sales documents and punchy blurbs for our books, as well as scripts for video tutorials that appear on DK's YouTube channel. • Liaise with the management team to ensure targets are being met, including budgets. • Manage a small team in our Delhi office to create workflows and maintain quality control. • As a "Publishing Superuser", I look after the metadata that is fed out to Amazon and other sales channels. • Train editorial colleagues how to write the best possible sales copy that leads to higher rates of discoverability for our books. • Work in the Diversity and Inclusivity team, looking at issues surrounding content and recruitment.
• Meet regularly with internal partners, from production editors, producers and technical professionals to the sales and marketing teams. • Build relationships with a number of third parties, from photographers to packagers. • Work with iconic institutions, such as the Smithsonian. • Pitch ideas for fast turnaround publications outside of mainstream avenues, such as WH Smith and Costco.
At this small, one-entry school I was in charge of English as an Additional Language (EAL). In a multicultural city, the students attending Saint Agnes of course mirrored the society of its surrounding East London. I was responsible for creating literacy programmes for new and continuing students. I was also the physical education teacher for reception to year 6, taught students in the lead up to entrance exams for secondary school, helped produce a school play, and attended staff meetings and professional development seminars in the literacy and science curricula.