PUBLICIST

Biblioasis is seeking a full-time publicist. This position entails the promotion of titles to media, review copy mailing and follow-ups, database updates and maintenance, author relations, festival pitching and event planning, and collaborating on social media campaigns and assisting marketing staff with sales materials and promotional items. We are looking, especially, for someone who reads widely and well, someone who is, ideally, familiar with the types of books we publish and can understand and place them in a wider context. We are looking for someone who can talk and write about books intelligently and with enthusiasm and enjoys proselytizing on their behalf. A person who enjoys working with authors, discussing ideas, making things, someone who likes mail and isn’t afraid of heavy lifting: the real business of books is moving boxes from one place to another, and then back again.

We strongly prefer an in-person position and will give priority to candidates who will join us in our Windsor office, but we will consider remote applicants. Please specify in your cover letter the type of position for which you are applying.

Major responsibilities:

• Read and think about our books
• Assist with national and international publicity strategies for 25+ books annually, including media lists, pitches, review copy mailings, and related follow-ups
• Build and manage relations with key media, freelance reviewers, and influencers throughout North America
• Interact with authors to build strong relationships, field queries, and strategize and execute publicity opportunities
• Organize and promote author tours, launches, readings, receptions, and festival and trade show appearances, including travel arrangements
• Write and update press releases and pitches
• Travel to the occasional book fair or conference in support of our books and authors
• Assist in production of marketing materials, including tipsheets, early reading materials, author questionnaires, and digital and print catalogues
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required:

• Individuals must be extremely organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated problem solvers
• Excellent reading skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Must have a high degree of creativity and the ability to think strategically
• Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Computer skills include: Word and GSuite experience required. Experience with Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, Filemaker an asset

Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, history, philosophy, art history, or a related field would be an asset but is not required
• Experience thinking about and presenting books, whether in a professional capacity (e.g. in the classroom, as a bookseller) or more informally (social media) would be an asset
• Previous publicity or marketing experience would be an asset

All this being said, we are looking for the best possible person for the job. We’ll be more impressed by what you’ve read and how you write and speak, by how you think and where you’ve worked—including the automotive factory or shoe store—than by where you went to school. Publishing experience would be wonderful, but if you have all of the necessary skills or the potential and a willingness to learn, we can train you. Almost no one at Biblioasis started knowing that publishing could be a career, but we’re thrilled to have discovered it and love the shape it makes in a life. We want, most of all, someone who understands that too.

Salary expectations:

Salary will be commensurate with experience, but starting at 42,500 with an additional flexible health spending account for a candidate with entry-level qualifications.

Who we are:

Biblioasis is an award-winning independent publishing house based in Windsor, Ontario. We publish approximately 30 titles a year, including short fiction, novels, poetry, literary criticism, memoir, belle lettres, local and regional history, and general nonfiction. We are also the publishers of the critical journal CNQ: Canadian Notes & Queries and the annual Best Canadian anthologies and operate an independent bookstore in Windsor’s historic Walkerville.

To apply, email your resume and cover letter to Vanessa Stauffer at vstauffer@biblioasis.com by Tuesday, June 4. In your cover letter please tell us about three books you love and why they matter to you.