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Jean Lui tells us all about her role as head of product at Altmetric.

Describe your role

I’m head of product at Altmetric, a London-based data company that tracks and analyses online activity around scholarly research outputs. I serve as the bridge between the commercial and engineering parts of our business, and I am responsible for planning, setting and communicating our roadmap and product vision. I also manage a team of software engineers that focuses exclusively on new product development.

What do you like best about head of product?

The best thing about my role is the fact that Altmetric products are helping to change the way that the scholarly community thinks about the societal impact of research. Through user research sessions, I get to interact with and learn from many groups within the scholarly community, including publishers, academic institutions, funders, and more.

Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

Currently, we’re adding the final touches to an update for our AltmetricExplorer platform. We’re also in the process of planning a new author alerting system that will let book publishers quickly generate and send informative Altmetric data reports to their authors and editors.

What skills do you need to be head of product?

As a product manager, having great written and verbal communication skills is a must. My role is very social—on any given day, I might need to present a compelling product pitch to our customers, train our sales team on technical aspects and product messaging, and then also talk extensively about user needs in an engineering planning session.

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

It’s a really exciting time to be in scholarly technology, as many companies in this space have been growing at a really fast pace and are doing some fantastic work. My biggest piece of advice for those looking to work in the industry is to be open-minded and engage with people at conferences, meet-ups, and other events—be ready to make connections and share ideas!

Find jobs in the book trade with Jobs in Books.

Jo Fenn is the HR Director of Imagine That Publishing and the star of this week’s My Job in 5.

1. Describe your role.

As HR director, my role is extremely varied and often changes on a daily basis! Alongside general office management, I work closely with the leadership team on projects and strategic business planning, as well as managing our recruitment process. Another important element of my role is developing our company culture and creating opportunities for both personal and professional development.

2. What do you like best about your role?

Working closely with recruitment agencies to find new talent for the business is particularly rewarding. It’s been amazing seeing the growth of individuals from their initial first interview to where they are currently within the company. I feel very privileged to work in such a creative and fun industry. Being surrounded by children’s books every day is definitely good for the soul!

3. Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

I’m currently working on an employment engagement survey, which will provide regular opportunities for staff to give focused feedback and inform key business decisions. We have also just launched our brand new charity team, part of a new wave of opportunities for staff wellbeing and collaboration. The formation of our company running club, The Flying Elephants, has resulted in me running the London Marathon this year so I look forward to seeing what the charity initiative has in store for us!

4. What skills do you need for your role?

Flexibility is key in managing competing responsibilities, alongside a good amount of patience. The person-focused nature of HR means that empathy, and the capacity to listen and problem-solve is fundamental. I talk to a variety of people so being adaptive to different scenarios and communication styles is really important too.

5. What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

Whatever role you are interested in, ensure that your passion for the industry shines through. Not only will it make you stand out at interview, but it will make you better at your role. Being invested in the company and understanding their values and vision makes for a positive working environment, which equals a positive employee!

Kay Farrell works as an Assistant Publisher for Sandstone Press and is our spotlight for this week’s My Job in 5.

1. Describe your role.

As Assistant Publisher I manage production processes for the whole list and work hard to keep production on schedule. I also edit five or six books a year and sit on the acquisition panel. It’s a great variety.

2. What do you like best about being an assistant publisher?

My job offers the best of both worlds in that I get to suggest a book for acquisition and see it all the way through until it is in my hands. I love book delivery day and seeing all the hard work of everyone involved come to life.

3. Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

I’m developing the book craft for a narrative non-fiction entitled Gears for Queers about a queer couple taking a cycling tour in Europe. I’m also editing a debut novel called The Actuality which beautifully combines literary and speculative fiction. Both will be out next summer and both are really exciting!

4. What skills do you need to be an assistant publisher?

I think persistence and persuasion are key, whether negotiating with a printer or trying to get an edit in from an author. You also need an eye for the small details as they are what can elevate a book from good to great.

5. What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

My first publishing job was in production and I almost turned it down because I wanted to work in editorial. I took it because I needed paid work and the experience turned out to be invaluable. Keep an open mind and always think transferable skills!

Find assistant roles on Jobs in Books.

Leena Normington tells us all about her role as Social Media Producer at Vintage.

Describe your role

I’m a producer, so essentially, I create content that suits our social platforms. On any given day you’ll find me editing a podcast, creating a YouTube video, plotting a thread of tweets or building a fun reading list for our website. I manage our social channels so that we have a constant stream of content being uploaded on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, iTunes, YouTube and more, so it’s up to me to make sure everything is scheduled and looking good, and that we respond to our readers’ questions and suggestions.

What do you like best about being a social media producer?

I love inventing new ways to tell the story of a book online, whether it’s about the plot itself or the way a book came to be on the shelves. I’m always looking for things that publishing houses can offer to an audience that news outlets or traditional media perhaps can’t, so whether I’m persuading production managers to vlog about their jobs or going behind the scenes at the printer, there’s always an inside scoop within our own walls to capture and share.

Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

At the moment I’m editing some exciting new content for our YouTube channel, and we’ve got a collaboration with podcast Mostly Lit in the pipeline, which is exciting. This week I’ll also be popping in to film the building of our Vintage Minis window at Foyles, Charing Cross Road. Getting out and working with booksellers is always fun.

What skills do you need to be a social media producer?

You have to be able to think on your feet creatively and respond fast. Knowing, at least in part, the systems and challenges other departments face is key. It’s also important to use and be familiar with all the most popular social media platforms, to be fluent in the way people communicate in each place—they’re all very different!

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

Practise your craft—whether by starting a YouTube channel or a podcast, or publishing zines, helping build a brand for a charity, running a blog or creating events. Become part of the online book community, either as a creator or a viewer/commenter. Start small, and build a portfolio of skills before applying for the role you’d love.

Find roles in social media and marketing on Jobs in Books.

Amy Fitzgerald is a Literary Agent at The Blair Partnership, she’s at the helm of this week’s My Job in 5.

1. Describe your role.

As an agent at TBP my main role is to find talented new writers, nurture and grow their career and ensure that their work reaches the widest possible audience. This includes editorial feedback on manuscripts, preparing proposals for submission, negotiating contracts, liaising with our International Rights team and exploring opportunities in TV, film and live events. My focus is always to support my clients at every stage.

2. What do you like best about being a literary agent?

The thing I cherish most about my job is being able to work with a client through every step of the publishing process from developing their idea and finding the right editor to publication and beyond. I’m also an absolute sucker for beautiful storytelling and love to uncover new talent that I can’t wait to talk to everyone about.

3. Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

I am currently building my list in crime thrillers, reading group fiction, memoir and smart narrative non-fiction with a commercial edge so I’m reading a lot and meeting with some great authors and editors. I also have a few exciting projects in the pipeline which I will be going on submission with shortly including a brilliant non-fiction title which explores one family’s experience of restorative justice in the UK.

4. What skills do you need to be a literary agent?

You need the ability to see the potential in writing that can be quite rough and may need a lot of redrafting, and the commitment to work with an author to develop their work to be the best it can possibly be. I also think it is really important to be a creative and innovative strategist as the way in which people consume stories is continuously changing and evolving in this industry.

5. What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

I know this comes up a lot, but I think it is really important to read widely and keep on top of what is going on in the market. It is also definitely worth exploring the wide range of roles within the industry including agenting, scouting, editorial, marketing, international rights, audio production, sales etc. to see where your passions and skills would work best. I began in an editorial role but soon realised my skills were better suited as an agent.

Discover agent roles with Jobs in Books.

Amy Stewart tells us all about her role as publicity assistant at Princeton University Press.

Describe your role.

I provide publicity assistance for two publicists as well as working on our academic classics list and trade paperbacks for Princeton University Press’ European office. Most of my day is spent scouring magazines for reviews, sending books to journals and magazines, as well as creating lists of media outlets to offer review copies to. I also help to organise and pitch authors for events and I frequently attend events and conferences to help with bookselling.

What do enjoy about being a publicity assistant?

One of my favourite things to do is to chatter away about books, and I am constantly recommending books to my friends. The fact that I get to think about how to get a book into the right reader’s hands on a daily basis is incredibly rewarding.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently assisting with the publicity and marketing for a trade classics title about robotics and AI in ancient myth which I am really excited about. Anything that makes the ancient world relevant and part of today’s conversations is fascinating.

What skills do you need to be a publicity assistant?

I think a determination for the books you are passionate about is really important. You also need a keen eye for topical and interesting angles, as well as being able to juggle a lot of tasks at once. I also think that reading a wide variety of publications and genres is key to keeping on top of the publicity opportunities.

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

Editorial isn’t the be-all and end-all of publishing; there are a lot of different cogs in the machine that are equally interesting and valuable. I think that if you are enthusiastic about the books that you are working on, any area of publishing will be exciting.

Discover roles in publicity with Jobs in Books.

Caoimhe Fox holds down two jobs! She’s the head of publicity and marketing for New Island Books in Dublin as well as a development and marketing professional for Books Ireland magazine. She’s My Job in 5‘s subject for our Irish Focus edition this week.

Describe your role.

I actually have two jobs and my working week is split 50/50 between two publishers—both based in South County Dublin. I work in Marketing and Development for Books Ireland magazine and also take care of Publicity and Marketing for New Island Books.

What do you like best about being head of publicity and marketing?

Working in a small, independent company you get involved in many aspects within the life cycle of a book or magazine. From production and publicity, to coordinating events and working closely with authors, I enjoy how each day is different. I am certainly never bored—there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day!

Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

We just launched a new website for Books Ireland which has been a lot of fun: www.booksirelandmagazine.com. I’ve also been busy meeting with editors and festival directors to discuss New Island’s forthcoming Autumn list and to propose authors for events and readings.

What skills do you need for your role?

The ability to adapt and react quickly to new challenges is essential. No day is ever the same and being flexible is a key element of my job. Taking the time to meet people in person and cultivate relationships also goes a long way. The Irish book world is small and it’s worth getting to know the people you are working with.

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

Keep reading! Finding time to read purely for pleasure can be a challenge. There is always a manuscript or a new key book waiting to be read but prioritise keeping your love of books alive and you won’t go wrong. Remember that everyone has to start somewhere and while you likely won’t make millions working in publishing, you will meet and work with wonderful, inspiring people—not to mention all the books you can eat…

Chie Nakano is the Foreign Rights Manager for Eddison Books, she’s at the helm of this week’s My Job in 5.

1. Describe your role.

I sell translation rights of our books to foreign publishers so they can publish them in their local language. As we are an illustrated book publisher, most are sold on a co-edition model, which means we print the foreign editions for the clients and oversee the entire production process.

2. What do you like best about being a foreign rights manager?

Having grown up in a multicultural environment, I love the breadth of countries and languages my role spans – meeting customers from virtually all over the world, gaining appreciation of their cultures. Foreign rights is about collaboration with international partners. It’s exciting to share the success of our books with them.

3. Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

We have an international bestseller inspired by a Korean lifestyle trend – Honjok – on how aloneness transforms and empowers. Ten foreign editions are confirmed, but I’m working on more. I’m also promoting Power Skills, a fabulous TED coach’s guide on how women can understand and use body language to communicate powerfully.

4. What skills do you need for your role?

Excellent communication and presentation skills and the ability to prioritise and multitask are essential. Knowledge of foreign languages will give you a head start but, ultimately, it’s a sales job: you need to be a strategic thinker, an astute negotiator and be armed with tons of resilience!

5. What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

Who you know matters in publishing, and many people land their first job through word of mouth – I did. Make the best of events and social media to network with industry people. Ask for advice, introductions, references. Take internships seriously, as if on probation for a job – you never know.

Discover foreign rights roles with Jobs in Books today.

Paul Smith, Press Officer from SelfMadeHero, takes the reins of this week’s My Job in 5.

1. Describe your role as press officer

I’m the publicist at SelfMadeHero, and my role is to create an awareness of our books by liaising across all national media, whether that’s in print, through broadcasting or online outlets. Whilst I focus each new title as it is published, I am also dealing with enquires about our whole catalogue of titles. We’re a small team so I work closely with marketing and acquisitions departments to share our ideas on how best to promote each book. Those teams efforts often develop the most surprising results.

2. What do you like best about your role

I enjoy the diversity of topics that each book since they cover a range of topics and styles, meaning that each book can potentially appeal to a wider audience beyond the graphic novel. It’s a delightful challenge to find ways of widening a continual awareness of SelfMadeHero as one of UK’s exciting independent publisher and increasing an appreciation of what graphic novels or sequential art can offer any reader. For example, INJ Culbard’s Lovecraft appeal to horror fans whilst Martin Rowson’s The Communist Manifesto and Reinhard Kleist’s An Olympic Dream offer opportunities to reach out to readers more interested in politics and current affairs. Likewise, the range of Art Masters titles, which include Vincent and Munch offer an invaluable introduction to art history. On top of that, I get to meet an amazing range of writers, artists and creatos from all over the world. It’s a friendly supportive community who like to share their creative passions.

3. Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

Currently, SelfMadeHero have a strong slate of titles for the Autumn making it a busy time of year. There’s Rachael Ball’s emotional fable, Wolf, the macabre delights of Lip Hook by David Hine and Mark Stafford, and the bright pop art celebration of Warhol’s life in Typex’s Andy. However, we’re already preparing our slate for Spring 2019 next year and one of those highlights will be the new acquired Guantánamo Kid, the powerful true story of Mohammed El-Gharani by Jérôme Tubiana and Alexandre Franc.

4. What skills do you need for your role?

Publicity and PR are skills that combine natural personal and a wide range of practical skills. Clearly it helps to be a good communicator and enjoy meeting a wide range of interesting people in all walks of life. I have developed my experience through a varied range of roles, promoting arts-related events and independent films, even writing book reviews. It’s a role where you never stop learning and that’s very exciting.

5. What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

As with any job, it’s important you have a love for what your doing and a understanding of the the graphic novels and comics medium, as well as the books industry in general. Equally, it’s important to build awareness of trends and ideas that are going on in the world because you never know when specialist knowledge or even trivia you’ve picked up elsewhere will open new doors of opportunity.

Discover more roles within the publishing industry here.

Victoria Brown is a publicity executive at Thames & Hudson, she takes the helm of this week’s My Job in 5.

1. Describe your role.
   I am a publicity executive at Thames & Hudson, so my job is to secure reviews, interviews, features and events to promote our upcoming books. I personally specialise in the history, archaeology and museum titles. I also have the opportunity to work across a diverse list of beautifully produced books.

2. What do you like best about your role?
   I love picking up a newspaper or magazine and seeing a feature I’ve helped arrange, and it’s a fantastic feeling when you see an increase in sales on the back of coverage you’ve secured. I really enjoy working on events too, whether that’s literary festivals, museum lectures or bookshop events.

3. Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?
   I’m currently working on the beautiful Charles Booth’s London Poverty Maps. It’s a remarkable book that not only reproduces the world-famous maps, but also pairs them with contemporary photography, anecdotes from the researchers’ notebooks and contextualising essays. I’m also collaborating with the British Museum for the catalogue accompanying their upcoming exhibition, Troy: myth and reality, and I’m looking ahead to Spring 2020!

4. What skills do you need for your role?
   Communication is key. Every day you are liaising with journalists, authors, editors and publishing partners, so it helps to be clear, concise and quick to respond. It also helps to be highly organised and have an ability to prioritise a busy schedule – especially in the lead-up to Christmas.

5. What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?
   Publishing is a very friendly industry and there are always people who are happy to help you take your first steps. Reach out to people on social media and, especially if you are able to get an internship, ask questions, be proactive and enthusiastic – that’s what entry-level jobs are looking for.

Discover book trade publicity roles here.