Assistant Marketing and Publicity Manager - Children's Books

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Assistant Marketing and Publicity Manager - Children's Books

🔹 Company: Sourcebooks

🔹 Location: New York, NY (Remote/Hybrid)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Publishing

🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote from select states) / On-site (Naperville, IL or New York City)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving end-to-end marketing and publicity campaigns for children's books
• Launching a new imprint, Stonefruit Studio, and supporting existing titles
• Building relationships with media and influencers, creating engaging content, and executing events
• Hiring and mentoring a Marketing Assistant to support campaigns

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic, creative, and passionate marketer with a deep love for children's literature and strong social media skills. Experience in publishing or a kid-centric brand is preferred.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Drive full-funnel marketing and publicity campaigns for children's books, from picture books to YA and nonfiction

✅ Launch Stonefruit Studio with strong brand voice, high-visibility campaigns, and reader engagement strategies

✅ Pitch media and influencers across national, regional, and niche outlets, building lasting industry relationships

✅ Create trend-savvy social media content, craft compelling copy, and champion authors and illustrators

✅ Plan and execute memorable events, including book tours, school visits, and festival appearances

✅ Collaborate across departments, integrating paid and organic strategies and leveraging performance data

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong communication, time management, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field

Experience: 5+ years of experience in marketing, publicity, or brand development, ideally within publishing or a kid-centric brand

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in marketing and publicity campaigns
• Strong social media fluency and content creation skills
• Excellent writing and pitching skills
• Familiarity with Canva, CapCut, and basic video/design tools
• Strong time management and collaborative skills

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with Premiere Pro or Final Cut
• Experience in children's publishing or a related field
• Bilingual or multilingual skills

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant experience in marketing or publicity, a passion for children's literature, and strong social media skills are encouraged to apply.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000/year (Starting pay based on location, experience, and relevant skills)

Benefits:

• Medical/Prescription drug insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• 401(k)
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life/AD&D Insurance
• Generous paid time off

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's stated range and industry standards for similar roles. Benefits are comprehensive and include health insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Book and Periodical Publishing

Company Size: 201-500 employees (Fast-growing, entrepreneurial publisher)

Founded: 1987 (Over 35 years of experience in publishing)

Company Description:

• Bound together by the idea that books change lives
• Works with diverse authors, illustrators, and industry partners to create a vibrant future for books
• Committed to innovation, diversity, and fostering a positive work environment

Company Specialties:

• Books
• Authors
• Marketing
• Digital
• Ebooks
• Poetry
• E-commerce
• Publishing

Company Website: Sourcebooks

ASSUMPTION: Sourcebooks is a fiercely independent publisher with a strong commitment to changing lives through books. They value innovation, diversity, and fostering a positive work environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level (Assistant Manager)

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Marketing and Publicity Director

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Remote from select states) or On-site (Naperville, IL or New York City)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a full Marketing and Publicity Manager role
• Opportunities to work with a wide range of children's book titles and authors
• Chance to build and mentor a small team

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities, both in terms of career advancement and exposure to diverse children's book titles and authors.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (Remote from select states) or On-site (Naperville, IL or New York City)

Office Location(s): Naperville, IL; New York City, NY

Geographic Context:

• New York, NY: Vibrant, multicultural city with a strong publishing industry
• Naperville, IL: Suburban city with a family-friendly atmosphere and easy access to Chicago

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling

ASSUMPTION: The work environment is fast-paced, collaborative, and book-loving, with a strong commitment to the future of storytelling, especially for young readers.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR department
• In-depth interview with the Marketing and Publicity Director
• Final interview with the CEO or another senior team member

Key Assessment Areas:

• Marketing and publicity campaign strategies
• Social media fluency and content creation skills
• Writing and pitching skills
• Collaboration and time management skills
• Alignment with company values and culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing and publicity experience, as well as your passion for children's literature
• Include a portfolio of your marketing and publicity work, if available
• Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the company, and the team

ATS Keywords: Marketing, Publicity, Children's Books, Campaigns, Social Media, Writing, Pitching, Collaboration, Time Management

ASSUMPTION: The application process is thorough and designed to assess the candidate's marketing and publicity skills, as well as their fit with the company's values and culture.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Canva
• CapCut
• Premiere Pro or Final Cut (optional)
• Social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)
• Microsoft Office or Google Workspace

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is required or preferred, depending on the specific role and responsibilities.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Bound together by the idea that books change lives
• Committed to innovation, diversity, and fostering a positive work environment
• Collaborative and book-loving team

Work Style:

• Fast-paced and entrepreneurial
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Flexible and adaptable

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody the idea that books change lives in your personal and professional life?
• How do you approach innovation and staying up-to-date with industry trends?
• How do you balance collaboration and independence in your work style?

ASSUMPTION: Sourcebooks values candidates who align with their mission to change lives through books and who can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Working remotely with a hybrid team
• Adapting to a fast-paced, entrepreneurial work environment
• Balancing the needs of multiple authors, illustrators, and stakeholders

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong time management, communication, and collaboration skills, as well as a passion for children's literature and a commitment to the company's mission.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on both launching a new imprint and supporting existing children's book titles
• Similar roles in other publishing houses may focus solely on marketing and publicity for existing titles or launching new imprints
• Career path comparison: This role offers growth opportunities to become a full Marketing and Publicity Manager or to specialize in launching new imprints

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique combination of responsibilities and growth opportunities, making it an attractive choice for marketing and publicity professionals with a passion for children's literature.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a social media campaign to launch Stonefruit Studio
• Pitching national and regional media outlets to secure coverage for a new children's book release
• Planning and executing a book tour for an author with multiple titles across different formats

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of marketing and publicity responsibilities for this role, from creative content development to strategic planning and execution.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role support the growth and success of Stonefruit Studio and the wider children's book list?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What is the team structure and dynamic for the Marketing and Publicity department?
• How does the company foster a positive work environment and culture?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to assess the role's priorities, the company's support for employee growth, and the team's dynamics and culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant marketing and publicity experience, as well as your passion for children's literature
• Include a portfolio of your marketing and publicity work, if available
• Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the company, and the team
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, if you haven't heard back

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.