Joanne Owen - Marketer
London, United Kingdom
Publishing professional with twenty years experience across the fields of book buying, marketing, writing and reviewing.
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Overview
I’m a children’s book professional with twenty years experience across multiple facets of the book trade. I’ve worked as Senior Children’s Book Buyer for a major international retailer, Marketing Manager for Bloomsbury Children’s Books, Marketing Director for Macmillan Children’s Books, Head of Consumer Marketing for Walker Books and am now a freelance marketing consultant, whose clients include Nosy Crow, Bloomsbury and Usborne.
I’ve worked on a number of high profile books and series, including Harry Potter, Alex Rider, The Gruffalo, Where’s Wally, and have worked with many high profile authors, including Neil Gaiman and Patrick Ness. I’ve marketed books for all ages (from books for babies through to YA and crossover titles) to a variety of markets (retailers, parents, schools, libraries children and teens).
I have a particular skill for copywriting for different contexts (e.g. book blurbs, sales material, advertising) and in creating content (activity material, quizzes, reading group guides/teachers' notes) for children and teen readers.
As an author of books for children and teenagers (published by Orion Children's, Hot Key Books and Piccadilly Press), I'm well-placed to provide guidance on writing synopses and pitches, and helping authors plan events, and create resources for events.
I'm also an Expert YA reviewer for lovereading4kids.
Services
Fiction
Adventure
Children's - Middle Grade
Children's Picture Books
Young Adult & Teen
Awards
- Book Marketing Society Award: Highly Commended for 'Araminta Spook' series
- Book Marketing Society Award: Special Award For Sustained Marketing Excellence for Harry Potter (team award)
Work experience
Freelance book marketing professional and writer
Joanne Owen
October, 2011
–
Present
(almost 7 years)
Since 2011 I have worked as a freelance children's book marketing professional, initially managing all marketing activity for multi-award-winning independent publisher, Nosy Crow. Other publishing clients include Bloomsbury and Usborne.
I'm particularly skilled in the following areas:
- creating exceptional sales material and Point of Sale
- conceiving, copywriting and executing consumer campaigns aimed at children of five and upwards
- ad copywriting
- writing reading group guides/teachers' notes that stimulate engagement with books (great for distribution in library and school networks)
- creating child-friendly content-rich material such as activity sheets that are ideal for author events, and for use in bookshops, schools and libraries
- writing teen-oriented book-based content e.g. Buzzfeed-style quizzes
- providing guidance in writing synopses and pitches
- assisting authors in devising school events, and creating resources for use at events
Head of Consumer Marketing
Walker Books
August, 2010
–
October, 2011
(about 1 year)
Conceiving, copywriting and delivering consumer marketing campaigns across outdoor, print and digital media. Books/authors worked on include Where's Wally? Alex Rider, Patrick Ness, Cassandra Clare.
Presenting to bloggers, retailers and librarians.
Leading pitches to agents, authors and promotional partners.
Marketing Director
Macmillan Children's Books
June, 2009
–
August, 2010
(about 1 year)
Overseeing all marketing and publicity activity for Macmillan Children's Books, heading a team of five and managing campaigns for the likes of The Gruffalo 10th Anniversary, Young Sherlock and The Immortals YA series.
Children's Marketing Manager
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
December, 2004
–
May, 2009
(over 4 years)
Conceiving, copywriting and delivering award-winning trade and consumer marketing campaigns across outdoor, print and digital media. Books/authors worked on include Harry Potter, Neil Gaiman, Celia Rees, Mary Hoffman, Angie Sage.
Creating stand-out sell-in material (catalogues, presenters, proof packs) and Point of Sale
Presenting to retailers and librarians.
Leading pitches to agents, authors and promotional partners
Senior Book Buyer
Borders
March, 2000
–
December, 2004
(almost 5 years)
Head of children's book buying for all UK Borders and Books etc bookshops
Portfolio (13 selected works)
The Gruffalo 10th Anniversary Edition
Julia Donaldson
Features a clever little mouse which outwits the creatures of the deep dark wood.
Will be dispatched from UK
The Infernal Devices 1: Clockwork Angel
Cassandra Clare
Will be dispatched from UK
Seven sensational classic Where's Wally? books packed into a handy travel-size edition.
The Grunts in a Jam
Philip Ardagh
The Rescue Princesses: The Rainbow Opal
Paula Harrison
Rescue Princesses: the Rainbow Opal
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
J.K.Rowling
![[ HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS ] By Rowling, J. K. ( AUTHOR ) Jul-2007[ Hardback ]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Iasgrd%2B3L._SL160_.jpg)
Edition Bloomsbury First edition 2007. ISBN: 978-0-7475-9105-4. This new and unread copy remains in very good condition. Immaculate throughout. Prompt dispatch from UK.
The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman
Graveyard Book
My Brother is a Superhero
David Solomons
My Brother is a Superhero
Pip and Posy: The Bedtime Frog
Axel Scheffler
When Posy goes to stay at Pip's house they have lots of fun together before bedtime. But just as they switch out the light, disaster strikes: Posy realises that she has forgotten her favourite frog toy. Desperate to help his distraught friend, Pip offers Posy a range of different toys to substitute for her frog, including his own favourite frog money box. But none of them will do, "that's the ... read more
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