Ashlyn Keil

Ashlyn Keil – Marketer

I am a children's and YA book marketing professional specializing in author coaching and helping authors build long-term marketing skills.

Overview

I am a book publishing professional with over 4.5 years of experience in author coaching, Kids/YA marketing and publicity, and events at one of the top 10 largest trade book publishers in the country, and the largest woman-owned trade book publisher in North America.


I am passionate about author training for kids and young adult authors who are looking to learn the marketing/publicity skills that will take their work to the next level (and help them wasting their time on marketing activities that don’t work, and start focusing on those that do!).


I especially LOVE inspirational picture books, spooky middle grade, and YA fantasy.


**Please note: I focus exclusively on authors in the United States, with a U.S. target market


SERVICES I OFFER:

--Email pitch writing/consultation

--Press release writing and design

--Targeted media list curation (online, newspaper/magazine, podcast, etc.)

--Online description optimization

--Influencer list curation (paired with email pitch writing/consultation)

--Activity Kit writing/design (for kids books only; not YA)

--Author email marketing consultation

--Book awards list curation

--Subscription box list curation

--Additional services can be added if I feel it’s right for your project!


WE’RE A GOOD FIT IF:

You are an author of a published or soon-to-be-published book(s) for kids or teens, and:

--Are looking to optimize your book(s) online presence and build your author brand

--Want actionable steps to market yourself and your book(s): a list of actual media contacts to pitch, awards to submit to, specific ways to update your online listings, etc.

--Have limited time to market your book(s), and want to know what marketing actions are actually worth your time


WHAT I REQUIRE TO WORK WITH ME:

A completed book (or books!) that has been published or will publish soon (online/ebook format and/or physical print-on-demand) in the Kids/YA space. This includes board books, picture books, chapter books/early readers, middle grade, and young adult books. This means your book(s) has a completed cover/jacket and an online description.

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy New Adult Picture Books Young Adult Fantasy
Certifications
  • Graduate Certificate in Publishing (University of Denver)
  • Bachelor's Degree in English (Summa Cum Laude)

Work experience

Sourcebooks

Oct, 2021 — Present

I currently coordinate and strategize high-impact authors tours across all imprints, managing book festival submissions, non bookish-event strategy, and developing Author Events training programs + email marketing programs.

Sourcebooks

Apr, 2019 — Oct, 2021 (over 2 years)

Running complete book marketing and publicity campaigns for over 3 books publishing every month. Responsibilities included: library/educator marketing, social media management, e-newsletter campaigns, media pitching, influencer outreach, trade show attendance and promotion, and more.

Sourcebooks

Mar, 2018 — Apr, 2019 (about 1 year)

Helping authors of all genres create impact through author communication, training and support. Included providing services and resources on: email marketing, social media, events, Amazon, Goodreads, author websites, and more.

Projects

The Perfect Place to Die by Bryce Moore (Young Adult Horror)

Spearheaded a publicity campaign for Bryce Moore’s YA debut, that resulted in 10+ media hits, including an exclusive excerpt in The Daily Dead, an author post on UnitedByPop, and coverage on Culturess, Bookstr, Bookstacked, and HorrorSociety.

The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinska (Young Adult Sapphic Fantasy)

Spearheaded an aggressive subscription box strategy that resulted in inclusion of the book in three YA book boxes that resulted in over 3,000+ copies of nonreturnable sales, and additional channels of social media/online promotion from each box.

Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna (Middle Grade Contemporary)

Executed a high-impact school/library and influencer marketing strategy for debut author Alda P. Dobbs, including aggressive awards submissions, kidlit blogger/influencer outreach, and over 20+ events the first two weeks post-publication. Results included the book included on the most prestigious state award list in the U.S. (the Texas Bluebonnet award), 20+ reviews/author interview hits on kidlit blogs/online platforms and the creation and promotion of highly designed activity kits/educator guides to boost exposure and curriculum-adoption.

All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel, illus. by Nabi. H Ali (Picture Book)

Spearheaded a marketing/publicity campaign focused on high-impact school/library marketing and publicity around the anniversary of the passing of the ADA. Resulted in 15+ media hits including the Kathryn Zox show, A Mighty Girl, We Are Teachers, and Book Riot, inclusion as a honor book on the ALA Schneider medal list (one of the most prestigious awards in the kids book space), and more.

Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous by Suzanne Park (Young Adult Contemporary)

Managed a high-impact marketing/publicity campaign for Suzanne Park’s second YA novel, including unique social media campaigns around digital detoxing, extensive media coverage, pre-pub influencer marketing, and more. Resulted in inclusion on 3+ Buzzfeed articles, coverage on PopSugar, The Tempest, UnitedbyPop and Frolic, 15+ influencer hits across bookstagram with over 5k impressions, metadata/online optimization that resulted in the book ranking for top categories like “young adult romantic comedy,” and contemporary romance keywords.

The Violent Season by Sara Walters (Young Adult Thriller)

Managed a high-impact debut YA thriller marketing campaign for Sara Walters debut, THE VIOLENT SEASON (Fall 2021). Instrumental in building preorders through unique social media marketing (podcast-style voiceover content, etc.), pre-pub influencer campaigns, Netgalley strategy, 2+ subscription box buys, and extensive ongoing media coverage. Results included garnering over 72 4/5 star Netgalley reviews with potential transfer to Amazon/Goodreads/online retailers, over 5,000 to-reads on Goodreads, and media hits on The Tempest, Culturess, and The Nerd Daily.

Lindsay Currie (Middle Grade Thriller/Horror)

Currently managing and executing high-impact event strategy and author brand-building campaigns for spooky middle grade author Lindsay Currie. Ran a full-service marketing/publicity campaign for WHAT LIVES IN THE WOODS that resulted in over 5+ award nominations, a 50+ school visit tour (reaching over 3,900 students the first month on sale) that resulted in 3,000+ copies sold in the first 4 weeks on-sale, and metadata/online optimization that resulted in the authors’ books ranking in the top 50 for high-profile Amazon search terms around middle grade books, ghost stories for kids, and historical fiction for kids.

Author Training Program

Instrumental in building a full-service Author Toolkit exclusive to Sourcebooks authors, and exclusive authors-only email newsletter. Included building and promoting over 50+ pages of advice and resources, deploying bi-monthly email marketing campaigns, and direct author coaching.

Ashlyn has 10 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Eric M.

Eric M.

Jun, 2023

I loved working with Ashlyn. She was professional, thorough, and all of her guidance has really paid off. Highly recommend!
Shetal S.

Shetal S.

Aug, 2022

Ashlyn was great to work with! She provided useful ideas, tips, and recommendations on marketing my book. Her timely responses and thoughtful questions gave me the confidence that I hired the right person to help me out.
Elsa S.

Elsa S.

Jul, 2022

Ashlyn did exactly what had been outlined. She was punctual! She was never late; whenever she said she’d do, she did.
Ashlyn K.
Thank you for the kinds words, Elsa! It was lovely to work with you and I wish you all of the best in getting BUENO into readers' hands this year and beyond.
Jules M.

Jules M.

Apr, 2022

If you are taking the indy route, Ashlyn is essential to understanding the current trends for marketing your book. It would be foolish not to work with her.
Ashlyn K.
Thanks so much Jules, for the lovely review! I wish you the best of luck in your publishing journey!
Emil B.

Emil B.

Mar, 2022

Ashlyn was very knowledgeable and punctual, took time to walk me through the details. She did a terrific job
Ashlyn K.
Thanks so much Emil! Best of luck in your publishing your debut book.

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Ashlyn and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Ashlyn

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Caethes Faron

Caethes F.

I run AMS ads for some of the bestselling fantasy writers on Amazon. I specialize in fantasy and romance. Now accepting new clients.

Hague, Netherlands

100% reply rate

View profile
Tara Lewis

Tara L.

I am a children's, middle-grade, and YA book marketing expert with twenty years of experience in the Top Ten publishers and freelancing.

New York, NY, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Rodney Hatfield

Rodney H.

25+ yrs Growing Brands /Former Vice President of Brand Strategy at HarperCollins Publishers/ Publishing Consultant/ Book Marketer

Austin, TX

100% reply rate

View profile