Publicity Manager/Sr. Publicity Manager, Avid Reader Press

Avid Reader Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, is seeking an all-star Publicity Manager or Senior Publicity Manager with an expertise in high-end practical nonfiction to support the work of two preeminent editors in this space. The desired candidate will still be asked to work in other nonfiction genres, and with other editors, as needed, so having some range is essential. Your level of experience is less important to us than finding the right fit for our team; with that said, five years of experience seems like the minimum.

Avid Reader Press is built on the idea that the most rewarding publishing has three common denominators: great books, published with intense focus, in true partnership with authors, agents, booksellers, and the media. The staff at Avid Reader Press, a small band of cheerful literary warriors, strives to publish every book with avidity.

Key responsibilities include:

• Pitching and securing significant national print, television, radio, podcast, and online interviews and reviews for assigned titles.
• Writing persuasive press releases, galley letters, and other forms of written pitches
• Independently arranging and executing multi-city author tours, including local book events, media interviews, author travel, and pre-publication, buzz-building opportunities.
• Working with authors to craft and place exclusive essays and book excerpts
• Collaborating with outside publicity agencies on select titles
• Creating targeted media mailings
• Maintaining consistent and supportive contact with authors and agents
• Collaborating with editorial, marketing, and sales teams on campaign execution

Qualifications:

• A demonstrated passion for books that help readers live fuller lives, covering categories such as health and wellness, psychology, personal development, spirituality, parenting, relationships, and memoirs with a message

• Candidate must have a minimum of five years’ of book publicity experience
• Be able to work in a fast-paced environment and meet tight deadlines
• Must be a creative and strategic thinker, as well as be assertive and persuasive in meetings
• Possess reliable national media relationships and knowledge of the media, marketplace, and competition
• High-energy and passionate, possess exceptional interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to successfully manage multiple projects