We on PRH’s Author Development Team love to provide authors with resources and guidance for every part of the publishing journey. From the monthly Author Newsletter, Author University, and the Author Playbook, here are some of our most popular marketing tips and other resources that you may want to check out!
Author Newsletter
The PRH Author Newsletter connects with groups from all around the company, compiling internal news updates and information on the publishing process to help keep authors informed. We also hold a space each month for a marketing tip to help answer the myriad questions we’ve received from authors about marketing, publicity, and social media. Here are a few of our standout resources from the last couple of years:
- How PRH Turns Your Manuscript into a Printed Book—Have you ever wondered how the story you’ve drafted becomes a finished, bound book? This article explains the full process, from the time your editor completes their full review of your manuscript to the delivery of finished copies to the PRH warehouse.
- Five Tips for Working with Your Editor—Authors work very closely with their editors throughout the entire publishing process. We sat down with editors from across PRH to get tips on how authors can get the most out of their collaboration.
- How to Reach More Readers on Goodreads—Goodreads hosts more than 150 million members all looking for their next great read. This marketing tip gives details on their Author Program, which can assist any author in connecting with new audiences.
- How to Keep the Momentum Going in the Months (and Years) After Launch—This marketing tip compiles techniques for keeping buzz around your book after the initial marketing and publicity push.
- Six Tips for a Social Media Cover Reveal—This article gives some pointers on how to build momentum for your upcoming book with a successful online cover reveal.
Author University
In 2021, the Author Development Team launched Author University, a seminar series featuring authors and in-house experts sharing their advice and insights. The live sessions are recorded for those who cannot attend and hosted on the Author Portal. Here are some of our recent sessions:
- Media Training Tips for Communication and Interviews—VP & Director of Media Coaching & Creative Messaging Barbara Fillon examines two case studies and gives tips for how authors can master the art of the interview.
- How to Start / Grow Your Author Newsletter—Authors Valarie Kaur, Elise Loehnen, and Nicola Yoon chat about what newsletter platforms they use and how they use them to foster community with their readers.
- Mastering Short Form Video Content—Social media manager and strategist Payton Mitchell and Richard Wylde, Associate Director of Creative Media Strategy & Distribution for Penguin Random House, discuss short-form video-making for social media and how best to create content for the ever-evolving landscapes of TikTok and Instagram Reels.
The Author Playbook
The Author Playbook was launched in 2023 as a way to help authors who were looking to expand their online presence but were unsure where to start. This interactive experience starts with a quiz that considers several important factors to assess an author’s goals and comfort level with social media. Then it gives a recommendation of three platforms the author can lean into, with a personalized playbook of best practices for each.
If there is something about the publishing process that you’re curious about would like to see us cover, feel free to reach out to us at portaladmin@penguinrandomhouse.com!