There are so many of us that are avid readers and a few that are budding authors as well. Too often we simply look at the book and not the journey it takes to put those books in our hands. This week we welcome in the weekend with a special guest from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, a branch of Random House. Ashley Boyer is a publicist at WaterBrook Multnomah and helps get many of the authors, whose works we read get the word. Since many people outside the publishing world don't know what a publicist does I asked Ashley to give us a glimpse at the publishing world through her eyes and where her journey started.
First, tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a 20-something publicist living in Colorado, but I grew up in Missouri. So far in my career I’ve worked as corporate communications assistant for a foster care/adoption agency, an editor at a magazine for teen girls, and as a publicist for an imprint of RandomHouse.
What made you decide to go into publishing?
I’ve always enjoyed words and the way they go together to tell a story, and expressing myself through writing came naturally. I’ve been fortunate to be on both sides of the publishing coin: as a writer and as one who gets publicity for writers.
Describe for us your journey in publishing from just starting out to your current position.
I graduated from Taylor University with a degree in English, and minors in Spanish and Journalism. After internships with Focus on the Family and Cooking Light magazine post-college, I moved to Colorado and worked for a year for a foster care agency, doing corporate communications and donor events. Then I worked for several years as an associate editor for Brio magazine, where I got to edit articles, interview interesting people, and brainstorm fun ideas to make each issue engaging and entertaining. Sadly, that magazine ceased publication in early 2009, at which time I found myself no longer receiving press releases, but being the one to send them in my new position as publicist at WaterBrook Multnomah.
What impact do you think digital books will have on book publishing? Are bound books destined to become endangered species?
I think that’s the question EVERYONE in book publishing is trying to answer! I hope there’s always a place for printed books, but I guess we’ll just have to see what the future holds!
What do you feel is the most important thing that a first-time author should know?
From a publicity standpoint, being willing and available for media, no matter how big the reach might be, can be really important. Every interview helps to sell the book, and we depend on authors to do what they do best-be available to talk about their book!
What advice would you give to someone wanting to break into the publishing world (not as an author)?
Read a lot! Being well-informed about publishing trends and what makes for good writing will serve you well in whatever part of publishing you find yourself.
How involved do you get with individual authors when helping them promote a book (do you offer guidance, set up a lot of things for them, etc)?
Each author and publicity campaign can vary greatly, as we look to send press materials to different audience types. Some authors have a strong online presence, so a blog tour might be the best way to reach potential readers, who are already used to engaging with the author through online media. For another author, it might be a strong radio campaign, or a book-signing tour. As a publicist, I look at each book and decide the best way to let media know about it, so my involvement looks different for each campaign.
Share with us one fun fact or event that you have encountered in the publishing world.
I’ve been privileged to work with some of the same contacts as a publicist that I worked with as a magazine editor. It’s fun to continue to build those relationships with other industry professionals. But copies of every book we publish is great too!
On a personal level, what books do you enjoy reading?
Honestly, I like to read everything from chick-lit to biographies. A story that draws me in and teaches me something I didn’t know before is always worth my time. With access to so many amazing titles, I’m afraid my to-be-read list extends into the next 10 years!
If you were attending a slumber party with three other people who were either authors or characters from books, who would you want them to be and what would be your topic (s) of conversation?
I would want any of the leading ladies from a Jane Austen book to be there. I would love to discuss what love and romance looked like during that era. I think talking with Jane Austen herself would be equally as fascinating!
If you were to jump in a time capsule and land 200 years into the future, what do you envision the publishing world to have evolved into?
Interesting question! Perhaps everything would be digital, and everyone would have an e-reader implanted into their head, which would automatically download the book’s info into their long-term memory. Or maybe robots will have replaced publicists!
What do you do in your free time, for fun or to relax?
Since I live in Colorado, I like to take advantage of the close proximity of the ski resorts! I’m currently training to run my second half-marathon, catching up on season 5 of LOST, and doing some freelance magazine writing.
A special thanks to Ashley, for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions!
Be sure and visit WaterBrook Multnomah for some great books and check back here next week when we welcome the weekend with one of Ashley's authors, C.D. Baker, author of 40 Loaves.
Thanks Ashley for the view from the other side!
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