News for Authors

Behind the Making of a Book Cover

by Penguin Random House U. S.|September, 2023

Ever wondered what goes into the making of a book cover? Earlier this year, we shared “Evolution of a Book Cover: The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr.”, a video that shows Vi-An Nguyen, art director with Penguin Publishing Group, narrating the progression of her cover options for The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr., and how she arrived at the final choice. In case you missed it, the video, created by Jonathan Masino, senior video producer on the Consumer Marketing Creative Media team, can be seen below:

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Introducing Our New Banned Books Resource Site

by Penguin Random House U. S.|August, 2023

We’re excited to announce the launch of the new Penguin Random House Banned Books Site to address the sharp rise in book bans and challenges across the country. The site is a centralized destination featuring customized resources for everyone who is interested in taking action against book bans, from librarians and teachers to authors, illustrators, booksellers, parents, and students. Whether you have ten minutes or ten hours to dedicate to this cause, we outline clear ways to make a difference in your community.

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Behind the Scenes: A Q&A with Christine Dillon and the Premium & Diversified Sales Team

by The Author Newsletter Team |August, 2023

We sat down with Christine Dillon and the rest of the Premium & Diversified Sales team, part of the Special Markets department at Penguin Random House, to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how they sell many of our authors’ books in unexpected venues.

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Persona: A Refreshed Way to Reach Today’s Readers

by Grant Griglak |June, 2023

What is Persona?

Persona launched in 2017 as Penguin Random House’s first proprietary market segmentation project. It was our largest market research study of readers in the United States and a major milestone in our company’s journey toward being the most consumer-centric book publisher. The research was rolled out to the entire company, providing foundational insights on U.S. readers while also focusing on understanding and segmenting adult and teen readers, and gaining a better understanding of parents of younger readers.

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Penguin Random House Launches Website and Zine Dedicated to LGBTQ+ Books

by Penguin Random House U. S.|June, 2023

The Consumer Marketing team, in partnership with the Penguin Random House LGBTQ+ Network, is excited to announce the launch of Pride in Your Words 2023!

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Stay Connected with the Authors and Stories that Inspire You!

by Penguin Random House U. S.|June, 2023

On this season of the Books Connect Us podcast, join your new hosts Alyssa Adler and Carolina Meurkens in conversation with authors—including Joanne Lee Molinaro, Chrissy King, Haley Jakobson, and Emily Henry—speaking about their diverse lived experiences and how they translate them onto the page. Books Connect Us brings you the inside scoop on “the story behind the story,” and discusses how identity impacts writing, the inspiration behind books, and how storytelling can change the world.

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The Represent Asian Stories Campaign Returns This May

by Penguin Random House U.S.|May, 2023

This May, the Creative Strategy team at PRH is thrilled to continue its Represent Asian Stories campaign. We’ll kick things off in Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month by celebrating stories across the diaspora and continue our efforts through June.

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Banned Books: One Author’s Story

by Penguin Random House U. S.|April, 2023

In early March, Laurie Halse Anderson, acclaimed Penguin Random House author of Shout, Chains, and Speak, attended a school board meeting in Pennsylvania’s Central Bucks School District to challenge the district’s ban on “sexualized content” in school libraries. Her own books have long been a target of numerous book-banning efforts across the country, including close to her own Pennsylvania home.

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Welcome to Arab Stories Relaunches This April

by Penguin Random House U. S.|April, 2023

This April, the Creative Strategy team is thrilled to continue our #WelcometoArabStories initiative for Arab American Heritage Month. The campaign kicked off on April 1, highlighting the theme Home Is Where the Heart Is. We continue to celebrate the history and accomplishments of the Arab American community by highlighting works by Arab and Arab American writers and inviting readers to immerse themselves in these rich stories.

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How PRH Turns Your Manuscript into a Printed Book

by Jacky Bethea|March, 2023

Have you ever wondered how the story you’ve drafted becomes a finished, bound book? Spoiler alert: it is a long process that starts about a year ahead of the on-sale date. While some specific steps can vary from imprint to imprint, this workflow is a well-oiled machine. Read on to learn about the full process, from the time your editor has completed their full review of your manuscript to the delivery of finished copies to the PRH warehouse.

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