Introduction

A rare opportunity has arisen to join the publicity team within HarperFiction to work on and support innovative campaigns for some of the leading names in commercial fiction. HarperFiction is home to two of the UK’s most successful publishing estates in Agatha Christie and J. R.R. Tolkien, as well as to some of the UK’s biggest brands in George R. R. Martin, Cecelia Ahern, Karin Slaughter, and to chart-topping debuts in Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Woman in the Window. HarperCollins UK in turn is part of a global business within HarperCollins Worldwide and News Corp.

Purpose of the role

As directed by the PR Director, the Press Officer/Senior Press Officer will create their own attention-grabbing campaigns for all the HarperFiction imprints and across an exciting range of genres including: crime & thriller, SFF, commercial women’s fiction, and commercial/literary crossover. The Press Officer/Senior Press Officer will also be working with the PR Director on some of the division’s most high-profile and bestselling campaigns.

Key tasks

• Plan and implement fully integrated PR campaigns for books across our list (imprints include HarperFiction, The Borough Press and HarperVoyager), by liaising with the media, festivals, bookshops, and by using our digital platforms.

• Maintain good relationships with the media, and regularly meet with journalists, festivals and bookshops on behalf of the team to pitch the list.

• Attend festivals and author events throughout the year as required.

• Work on campaign's alongside the PR Director on a selection of some of our highest profile books, including liaising with the media and securing interviews, reviews, broadcast and more.

• Engage with online communities and growing our social media presence, particularly book bloggers and influencers.

• Liaise with key stakeholders within the division – Marketing, Sales and Editorial – to ensure they have the publicity needed to achieve our sales ambitions. You will also be taking part in author presentations and internal meetings to ensure smooth communication across your campaigns.

• Working closely with other members of the publicity team on creative projects, events and partnerships to bring our authors to new audiences.

• Read submissions and feedback to line manager and editorial ahead of acquisitions meeting, in some cases help create pitch documents for new authors.

• Stay in tune with trends and news within fiction publishing, to maintain an awareness of the market.

Person Specification

Experience

• A genuine passion for, and preferably direct experience in commercial fiction publishing – from women’s fiction to crime and thriller, historical to literary.

• Experience of managing fully integrated and dynamic PR campaigns, ideally within fiction publishing.

• Proven track record of providing impeccable author care, and of having a strong relationship with the media.

• A working knowledge of target readerships, relevant media outlets and social media is required.

• Excellent knowledge of different media opportunities across print, broadcast and online.

Skills & Disposition

• A team player with excellent communication and people skills at all levels

• Innovative and creative

• Passionate about Publicity and Publishing

• Helpful and flexible

• A strong eye for detail

• Fantastic organisation skills and ability to prioritise work effectively

• Ability to work under pressure