Marketing and Publicity Associate - Bloom/Casablanca

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Marketing and Publicity Associate - Bloom/Casablanca

🔹 Company: Sourcebooks

🔹 Location: Naperville, IL (Hybrid: Naperville, IL or New York, NY; Remote: IL, AZ, CT, MA, MD, MN, NV, NJ, NY, OR, PA, TN, TX, WA, WI)

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing & Public Relations

🔹 Date Posted: May 13, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid with remote options for certain states

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing and executing strategic publicity and marketing campaigns for romance, women's fiction, and fantasy authors.
• Supporting the marketing director in creating brand strategies for top authors.
• Handling media outreach, creating visual marketing assets, and collaborating with authors on publicity plans.
• Working in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with a mission-driven, data-centered approach.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the romance and fantasy genres, as well as experience in publicity and marketing. Candidates should be comfortable working independently and collaborating with authors and the marketing team.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute strategic publicity and marketing campaigns for romance, women's fiction, and fantasy authors.

✅ Support the marketing director in creating brand strategies for top authors, going beyond a single title's publication.

✅ Handle media outreach to secure top media placements and trade magazine reviews.

✅ Create visual marketing assets for various social platforms and write compelling press releases and media pitches.

✅ Coordinate galley mailings, including media, influencers, and trade submissions.

✅ Speak directly with authors to work collaboratively on publicity plans, including media pitches, tours, and events.

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of creative and strategic tasks, requiring strong communication and organizational skills. Candidates should be comfortable working with authors and media outlets to promote books and authors effectively.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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

Experience: 3 years of experience in Publishing or Public Relations.

Required Skills:

• Excellent promotional writing and communication skills.
• Basic HTML and graphic design skills, familiarity with consumer design apps and programs.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to department goals.
• General experience working in Powerpoint, Excel, and Office programs.
• Working knowledge of social media platforms as used for author promotion.
• Passion for romance, fantasy, and the fandom that comes with them!
• Comfortable with public speaking (remotely) in large and small meetings.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with authors and media outlets in the romance and fantasy genres.
• Familiarity with the romance and fantasy publishing industry.

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in publicity and marketing, with a proven track record of successful campaigns. Experience in the publishing industry is a plus but not required.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $21.63 - $21.83/hourly for the Chicagoland area. Starting pay is determined based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education.

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 per week. This position allows for a hybrid work schedule at the company's offices in Naperville, IL or New York, NY, with the opportunity to work remotely from specific states.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's evaluation of job-related factors. The total compensation package may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and the company's assessment of their fit for the role.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Book and Periodical Publishing. Sourcebooks is a fiercely independent publisher known for changing lives through books since 1987.

Company Size: 201-500 employees. As a mid-sized company, Sourcebooks offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.

Founded: 1987. Sourcebooks was founded by Dominique Raccah and has since grown into a recognized leader in the publishing industry.

Company Description:

• Fast Company Most Innovative Companies 2024 (#6 Media)
• Best Practice Institute Certified Most Loved Workplace 2024 (#2 in Newsweek)
• INC Female Founders 2024
• Fast Company Best Workplaces for Innovators 2023 (#31 of the Top 100)

Company Specialties:

• books
• authors
• marketing
• digital
• ebooks
• poetry
• eCommerce
• and publishing

Company Website: https://www.sourcebooks.com/

ASSUMPTION: Sourcebooks is an entrepreneurial book publisher bound together by the idea that books change lives. They work with a diverse group of authors, illustrators, booksellers, librarians, industry partners, educators, and others to create a vibrant future for books.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level. This role offers opportunities for growth and career advancement within the marketing and publicity department.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing Director and works collaboratively with authors and other departments within the company.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid. This position allows for a hybrid work schedule, with the opportunity to work remotely from specific states.

Growth Opportunities:

• Working with top romance and fantasy authors, developing brand strategies that go beyond a single title's publication.
• Gaining experience in both publicity and marketing, allowing for career growth in either field.
• Contributing to the company's mission-driven, data-centered approach to driving success for authors and their books.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the marketing and publicity department. Candidates should be eager to learn and grow in their role while contributing to the company's success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. This position allows for a hybrid work schedule at the company's offices in Naperville, IL or New York, NY.

Office Location(s): 1935 Brookdale Road, Ste. 139, Naperville, IL 60563, US; 232 Madison Ave., Ste 1100, New York, NY 10016, US; 18 Cherry Street Suite 1W, Millford, CT 06460, US

Geographic Context:

• Naperville, IL: A suburb of Chicago with a population of approximately 150,000, offering a mix of urban and suburban living.
• New York, NY: The most populous city in the United States, known for its cultural, financial, and entertainment industries.
• Remote: Candidates may have the opportunity to work remotely from specific states, allowing for flexibility and work-life balance.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. This position allows for a hybrid work schedule, with the opportunity to work remotely from specific states.

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Sourcebooks is dynamic, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and be able to balance independent work with team projects.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission through the provided link.
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager or HR representative.
• In-person or virtual interview with the marketing director and/or other team members.
• Background check and reference check for the final candidate.

Key Assessment Areas:

• Candidates' understanding of the romance and fantasy genres and their passion for the fandom.
• Candidates' communication and writing skills, as well as their ability to create compelling press releases and media pitches.
• Candidates' ability to work independently and collaborate with authors and the marketing team.

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Showcase your passion for romance, fantasy, and the fandom in your application materials.
• Prepare examples of your promotional writing and graphic design work to demonstrate your skills during the interview process.

ATS Keywords: romance, fantasy, publicity, marketing, authors, campaigns, media outreach, graphic design, social media, press releases, media pitches, brand strategy

ASSUMPTION: The application process at Sourcebooks is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit for the role. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their qualifications and enthusiasm for the position throughout the interview process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Powerpoint, Excel, Word)
• HTML and graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
• Social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Media outreach and database management tools (e.g., Cision, Muck Rack)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working with a variety of tools and technologies to execute their responsibilities effectively. Familiarity with industry-specific tools and platforms is a plus but not required.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Innovation and creativity
• Mission-driven and data-centered approach

Work Style:

• Dynamic and fast-paced
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Flexible and adaptable
• Data-driven and strategic

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment?
• Are you comfortable working collaboratively with authors and team members?
• Do you have a passion for romance, fantasy, and the fandom that comes with them?
• Are you able to balance independent work with team projects?

ASSUMPTION: Sourcebooks values candidates who are entrepreneurial, collaborative, and passionate about their work. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their fit with the company's values and work style throughout the interview process.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple campaigns and deadlines simultaneously.
• Working with a diverse range of authors, each with their unique brand and audience.
• Adapting to the company's fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Balancing independent work with team projects and collaboration.

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Candidates should be prepared to rise to these challenges and contribute to the company's success.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on romance, women's fiction, and fantasy authors, requiring a strong understanding of these genres and their fandoms.
• Compared to other marketing and publicity roles, this position offers a blend of creative and strategic responsibilities, allowing for career growth in either field.
• Career paths in this role may include specializing in romance and fantasy publishing, moving into a more senior marketing or publicity role, or transitioning into a different area of publishing or media.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for career growth and development within the marketing and publicity department. Candidates should be eager to learn and grow in their role while contributing to the company's success.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a marketing campaign for a debut romance author, including media outreach, social media promotion, and event planning.
• Creating a brand strategy for an established fantasy author, going beyond a single title's publication to build their personal brand and engage their fanbase.
• Coordinating a book tour for a popular women's fiction author, including media appearances, book signings, and virtual events.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities available in this role. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and skills in relation to these projects during the interview process.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the company's approach to working with authors and developing their personal brands?
• How does this role fit into the broader marketing and publicity department, and what opportunities are there for growth and development?
• What is the company's approach to data-driven decision-making, and how does this role contribute to that process?
• How does the company support work-life balance for its employees, particularly for those working remotely?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how does the company support its employees in overcoming these challenges?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions during the interview process demonstrates candidates' interest in the role and their ability to contribute to the company's success. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their qualifications and enthusiasm for the position throughout the interview process.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the provided link.
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Prepare examples of your promotional writing and graphic design work to demonstrate your skills during the interview process.
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role.

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