Feb032011

UK Publisher Month: Meet Lauren Bennett from Random House Children’s Books, Plus Upcoming Titles 2011 & Fab Giveaway!

by Carolyn • Posted in Uncategorized

During the month of February I will be celebrating UK publishers and the books they publish. There will be posts from editors and publicists revealing some of their upcoming titles for 2011 as well as giving us a glimpse into their working lives. I will also be reviewing some of their titles and there will be lots of UK giveaways too. Enjoy!

What I do. Its very hard to outline what I do on an average day as I’m not sure you get ‘average’ days in publicity! I work in a team of six and we publish on average 15-20 books each month. These books are divided up between the department so we can be looking after the publicity for 3-5 books each month. Our aim for each title is to get as much media coverage as we can, be it regional, national, radio, print, online, TV etc so we spend quite a bit of time contacting journalists and bloggers to tell them about our books and authors and set up interviews, reviews, competitions and feature articles. Working in children’s publicity can be frustrating as the amount of space in national papers and magazines dedicated to children’s books is minimal – this is why online activity is vital, and an important part of our jobs as our key readership uses online resources as their main source of info. I do a lot of work on facebook and twitter but find myself constantly distracted by great book blogs and websites which can take me rapidly off-track!

Lauren with author Ellie Updale at Edinburgh Festival

The other part of our campaigns is to set up events, these can be author tours, school events, bookshop events, festivals, library events, teachers evenings, conferences and roadshows. Last year I even attended a Twilight Convention with an author which was a real experience! As a publicist you get to travel around the county a lot and I think my favourite part of events has to be the literary festivals as they always have such a good buzz around them, its not all champagne and air-kisses though, more like wellies and strong coffee to get you through the early starts! One of the great things about working in children’s publicity is that you get to attend events and watch the children’s reactions, which makes it all feel worthwhile. I love the fact that one day we can be with an author drawing monsters for five-year-olds then the next day with another talking to teenagers about children from the Philippines working on dumpsites. The contrast is fascinating.

Lauren’s desk at RHCB HQ

To give you a rough idea of a ‘normal’ month for me, this is what I have been up to in January: The lovely author Karen Mahoney popped in for a meeting at the office and we had a celebratory lunch for her debut novel, The Iron Witch; I met with Malorie Blackman in Waterstones to discuss upcoming events for 2011; I had a meeting with colleagues from our adult division in our Vauxhall office to discuss a book we are co-publishing in the summer (In The Sea There Are Crocodiles); My colleague and I visited a new story centre in Essex called Just Imagine, and while we were there met with the children’s events co-ordinator for Essex Libraries, a journalist from the Essex Chronicle and the lovely Carolyn from Book Chick City; The publicity team held a blogger brunch in the office one Saturday morning to tell 16 book bloggers what fantastic new books we had coming out in 2011 and I had a meeting with the education correspondent from the Daily Telegraph – phew! Oh and lots of time in the office writing emails and going to meetings!

Finally I wanted to let you know about some of the YA books we have coming out in 2011 that I am most excited about – look out for them!

Kissing Game by Aidan Chambers (March)

Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough (April)

Where She Went by Gayle Forman (May)

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton (May)

Passion by Lauren Kate (June)

Killing Honour by Bali Rai (June)

The Devil Walks by Anne Fine (July)

In The Sea There Are Crocodiles by Fabio Geda (July)

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel (September)

Hope that gives you a good idea of what we get up to in the RHCB publicity team!

Lauren Bennett, Publicity Manager at Random House Children’s Books.

GIVEAWAY!

Lauren and RHCB are kindly giving away a YA goodie pack consisting of books, audiobooks and bookmarks! I’m sure this secret pack will be fantastic!

All you have to do to enter is the following:

1. Leave a comment for Lauren

2. Read Book Chick City’s giveaway policy

3. Fill in this form

4. One entry per person

That’s it!

This giveaway is for UK Residents Only and ends 28th Feb 2011!

GOOD LUCK!

Tagged with Giveaways, Guest Publisher, NEED TO CHANGE

Carolyn

Carolyn created Book Chick City in July 2009 due to her love of books. A Brit chick obsessed with zombies, kick-arse chicks and sexy heroes, she's also seriously addicted to chocolate, shopping, and speciality teas. Favourite genres are Urban Fantasy, Romance and Zombie Lit... brrraaaaiiinnnnsss! - Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

→ Carolyn

59 Comments

nicnacnoo100 February 3, 2011 at 6:44 am

Great insight into a publicists life – so exciting to do something different everyday! I'd love to have my pick of all the latest books. Great secret prize draw too – I hope I win

Neda B February 3, 2011 at 10:17 am

What a fun life! I am living vicariously through these posts! Great giveaway, I am just starting to get into audiobooks now.

SusanKMann February 3, 2011 at 10:45 am

That is a really interesting post about the life of a Lauren. I am surprised at the amount of books you publish per month. That is a lot. Great giveaway. Fingers crossed. x

Maria February 3, 2011 at 11:35 am

Lauren – your job sounds SO interesting!! I am amazed at how many books you publish each month that is a real eyeopener. Sounds like the festivals are fun but hard work when is your next one? And you have a really neat desk!! Superb giveaway too.

Kat February 3, 2011 at 12:12 pm

Interesting post. Lauren's job sounds like such a fun job, but sounds very busy too!
Thanks for the giveaway

Laura Summers (BCC) February 3, 2011 at 12:59 pm

Really fascinating & another great sounding job!
Loving the look of the new Lauren Kate novel too, gorgeous cover

Georgia Lawe February 3, 2011 at 1:43 pm

Great post by Lauren! Having worked with her for two years while I was at RHCB I can vouch for how busy the department is. The Publicity Department is the front line in books – the people who join up authors and readers. I'd encourage anyone to enter this career, it's hard work but great fun too and you get to work with lovely colleagues and authors/illustrators.

Pagecrawler February 3, 2011 at 1:44 pm

Fantastic look at a very interesting job Sometimes when you're reading the books you forget how much work and how many people were involved in getting it into your hands. Its nice to be reminded

Great giveaway too!

Thanks

Vivienne February 3, 2011 at 2:12 pm

Your life sounds so varied and interesting. I love the different things that each day brings your way.

Ailsa February 3, 2011 at 2:17 pm

I'm really enjoying this feature so far – it's very interesting to see the different kinds of things publicists get to go. Sounds like a lot of fun, if very busy!

~Ailsa

Dizzy C February 3, 2011 at 3:11 pm

What a fab job!

Great giveaway too.

many thanks

carol
http://dizzycslittlebookblog.blogspot.com/

Holz February 3, 2011 at 4:19 pm

Your job sounds really rewarding! I am aspiring to enter in this career path so this postt is really helpful. The amount of books you publish is amazing, I had no idea how much work you put into the publishing if one. It's made me more certain that publishing is what I want to do:)

holz_twilight@msn.com

Media Girl February 3, 2011 at 5:08 pm

Great post and a fascinating insight into publishing. As a resident of Edinburgh I love the Edinburgh book festival.

Emma

Stephanie :) (Books Are A Girl's Best Friend) February 3, 2011 at 5:15 pm

Your job sounds so interesting Lauren! I'm thinking about going into a publishing career so it's really useful to read an insight into a publicists life. Thanks for the giveaway

Nikki-ann February 3, 2011 at 5:53 pm

Very interested post! Lauren, I LOVE your desk… If only I could have a pair of black wings above mine!

Looks like there's some great books coming out this year, thanks for sharing these with us.

Shirley February 3, 2011 at 5:58 pm

I love this "novel" idea of interviewing and doing guest posts of the publishers, editors and publicists! This is fascinating to me and I will be back for more.

Unfortunately I don't reside in the UK.

Books Glorious Books February 3, 2011 at 6:12 pm

Really interesting post!
Great giveaway too!

Blueicegal ♥ February 3, 2011 at 7:05 pm

Lauren!! She is just lovely, so it's nice to know in greater detail what her average day consists of. Love these posts!

Mel February 3, 2011 at 7:09 pm

A great insight into what happens behind the scenes of a book launch – thanks Lauren!

Rusted February 3, 2011 at 7:28 pm

Hi Lauren – Your job sounds so busy, but absolutely wonderful. How did you end up deciding on this career path?

brendajean February 3, 2011 at 7:51 pm

What a fantastic job! I love your desk, it oozes creativity to me:)

bchild5 at aol dot com

♥Iffath February 3, 2011 at 8:38 pm

What a fantastic post! Lauren is such a lovely person and it's fab to people able to get an insight into her life working at RHCB! LOVE the wings on her desk

I can't wait for Where She Went and Long Lankin!

Sarah February 4, 2011 at 4:17 am

What a fun job! Great giveaway, thanks, crossing my fingers :]

natalie23 February 4, 2011 at 11:09 am

It's really interesting to find out what goes into a book release behind the scenes. Thanks for the giveaway.

lilithalba February 4, 2011 at 6:23 pm

really interesting post! i love reading and scribbling away at my own writing and so does my 15 year old daughter . Give away sounds good too !!

charleyf February 4, 2011 at 7:10 pm

Hi Lauren, I am a big enthusiast of books (they are a relief from doing so much work!)I was wondering, how did you become a publisher? It sounds like such an amazing job,with meeting a lot of authors who write inspiring books! was it hard at first?

feefeegabor February 4, 2011 at 7:28 pm

Thanks for the insight. You do do a lot!

lamlovestoread February 4, 2011 at 8:59 pm

Thank you for explaining your job it sounds very interesting and challenging.

Joel & Becs February 4, 2011 at 8:59 pm

Amazing i'm so jealous you get to know the endings before everyone else. Have you got your hands on Passion yet. I'm so excited at the release of the final books in a number of trilogy's this year and you get to read them first!
If you ever need help as you sound awfully busy i'm ready to lend a hand.
Fantastic prize just like your job.

katherinesara February 5, 2011 at 10:19 am

Brilliant – so interesting

carol810 February 5, 2011 at 3:18 pm

Great insight I can now understand why we get so many good diverse books as you seem to have a very varied time.

SJH (A Dream of Books) February 5, 2011 at 4:02 pm

I want your job Lauren! It sounds amazing. I love your desk too – looks like an incredible place to work.

Thank you so much for the giveaway

April February 5, 2011 at 8:03 pm

Your job sounds so cool Lauren! Love your desk. You publish a lot of books a month i was very suprised. Awsome giveaway!

Kulsuma February 6, 2011 at 1:26 am

Thanks for the wonderful insight to your job!

Medsdemon February 6, 2011 at 4:57 am

The more I read the more interesting varied your job sounds. I had a friend who worked for the library services in Edinburgh and I used to covet her job what with her working with The Book Festival and dealing with the authors etc but your job sounds even better!!

angelshimmery February 6, 2011 at 10:47 am

Brilliant post and what an interesting job. It sounds great fun but hard work. Good luck with all the new books you have coming up this year.

Siobhán February 6, 2011 at 11:50 am

What are amazing Giveaway from lauren and RHCB. Awesome!!

Sarah February 8, 2011 at 1:04 am

I really think you have the best job Lauren! It must be so nice to get to do so many different things in a month and not be constantly tied to a desk )

Kelsey February 8, 2011 at 2:01 am

I want your job Lauren! Wow so many good books coming out this year I better start saving now.
Ohhh a surprise pack giveaway, they are deffinatly the best kind og giveaways there are!
Kelsey

Ghost February 11, 2011 at 8:25 pm

I would love her job. Get paid to do that so very cool

Ghost February 11, 2011 at 8:26 pm

jessik February 11, 2011 at 10:16 pm

Loved the post… Would love to have your job when I'm older!!! Thank you so much for the giveaway!

Jess

jessik February 11, 2011 at 10:17 pm

Loved the post and would LOVE to have your job! Thank you so much for the giveaway!!!

Sarah C February 15, 2011 at 2:20 pm

What a wonderful insight I can't wait for Passion to be released! How exciting, a secret prize draw!

whispering words February 16, 2011 at 1:03 am

great giveaway! Some of those new books look so amazing! thanks

Lisa February 17, 2011 at 7:26 pm

Wow 15-20 books a month. That's awesome.

Maria February 19, 2011 at 12:33 am

Your job sounds pretty awesome! thanks for the giveaway! m.ramey@ymail.com

bookfreak72 February 21, 2011 at 7:52 pm

Sounds a fab job to have

ASHLEY HOLT February 22, 2011 at 9:32 pm

HI LAUREN I JUST LOVE SUPRISES SO THANKS!!

BooksforCompany February 26, 2011 at 3:52 pm

That is a lot of books a month! Must be a very busy job =o
Thank you for the post =)

Chia Ren February 26, 2011 at 8:30 pm

Great giveaway, would love to have a chance at winning.

LilLeese February 27, 2011 at 9:37 am

Sounds like a really interesting job.

Caroline February 27, 2011 at 12:50 pm

Lauren, your job sounds so fun! So interesting to hear about other kinds of jobs. Like people who posted before me, I am too surprised at how many books you publish a month. You must be so busy.

The giveaway sounds great, thank you so much!

LaurenAmba February 27, 2011 at 1:03 pm

Heya Lauren, your job sounds very fun. I was amazed at how many books you publish in a month-amazing! I'm quite partial to surprises
Thanks for the giveaway!

sardoc February 27, 2011 at 4:20 pm

Sounds like a fun job, you're very lucky!

YA reader February 27, 2011 at 4:59 pm

Sounds like a very fun job. Great post, really interesting to find out what a publicist does.

garbhein February 27, 2011 at 5:48 pm

Really interesting article and a great giveaway, fingers crossed would love to win

cath February 27, 2011 at 10:08 pm

Hi Lauren, I didn't realise that it was so much harder to get publicity for children's books. I love children's books and enjoy reading them to my children. Have you ever thought about getting in touch with Scout Groups for added publicity? I am a Cub Leader and also help organise a County Cub Camp where about 1000 Cubs attend and we are always looking for new ideas for the camp. We have a book reader badge so perhaps there is potential for publishers to get involved?

beverley February 27, 2011 at 11:29 pm

Hi Lauren
Any tips on how to enter the publishing field as a second career?

UK Publisher Month: Meet Lauren Bennett from Random House Children’s Books, Plus Upcoming Titles 2011 & Fab Giveaway!

Carolyn

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