Rachel Cone-Gorham

Rachel Cone-Gorham – Marketer

Former PRH Exec turned Literary Agent & Book Marketing Strategist. I help authors position, pitch & market their books for success.

Overview

Hi! I’m Rachel—a literary agent, publishing consultant, and book marketing strategist with deep experience in positioning books for success. I spent 10+ years in top ad agencies before leading digital & social marketing at Penguin Random House. Since 2018, I’ve worked with authors to develop, pitch, and market books that stand out in a crowded marketplace.


I specialize in both fiction and nonfiction:


📚 For nonfiction authors (thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and public speakers), I help position your book as a powerful part of your larger brand ecosystem—ensuring it enhances your authority and reach.


📖 For fiction authors, I work on book positioning, marketing, and trajectory shifts—sometimes transforming the potential of a book in just one session.


I prioritize proven, high-impact strategies that are cost-effective before recommending any paid marketing investments.


How I Can Help You


💡 Book Concept & Positioning (Nonfiction & Fiction)

• Market & Competitive Research – Identify comps, reader expectations, and positioning strategies.

• Big Idea Development – Ensure your nonfiction book aligns with your business ecosystem.

• Fiction Positioning – Genre fit, reader appeal, and metadata optimization.


📝 Query & Proposal Services

• Query Letter Review & Full Rewrite

• Full Nonfiction Book Proposal Development


📢 Turnkey Book Marketing & Publicity Support

• Custom Book Marketing Plan (Pre-Pub & Launch Strategy)

• Metadata & Amazon Optimization – Ensuring your book is discoverable with the right keywords, categories, and descriptions.

• Press Materials – Crafting author bios, press releases, and pitch emails for media & influencers.

• Influencer & Podcast Outreach Strategy – Building a network of people to amplify your book.


📈 Done-for-You Author Platform & Ads

• Social Media & Brand Strategy for Authors – Define your messaging, audience, and content approach.

• Email List Setup & Lead Magnet Development – Building your reader list before launch.

• Paid Ad Strategy (Amazon, Meta, TikTok, BookBub) – Guidance or full setup of ad campaigns.


📆 1:1 Consultation & Ongoing Coaching

• Strategy Calls – Personalized book marketing, audience growth, and sales plans.

• Ongoing Coaching & Support – Monthly calls for continued guidance & implementation help.


Every book is unique, and I customize my approach based on your goals, audience, and publishing path. If you’re looking for expert guidance on positioning, pitching, or promoting your book, let’s talk! 🚀

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Health & Wellbeing Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Humor & Comedy Mystery & Crime Thriller & Suspense Young Adult

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2018 — Present

Penguin Random House

Jun, 2013 — Feb, 2018 (over 4 years)

Portfolio

“Wrenching and revelatory,” #1 bestseller Turtles All the Way Down is a widely acclaimed best book of the year!A New York Times Notable Book • A New York Times Critics’ Top Book of the Year • An NPR Best Book of the Year • A TIME Best Book of the Year • A Wall... read more
Like No Other Boy

Center, Larry

From USA Today Bestselling Author Liz Long comes a new duology that “…belongs on the shelf with The Hunger Games and the Divergent Series.” When seventeen-year-old Reina is accepted to KEY, the King's Education for Youth, she knows she’ll have to hide her true... read more
For years the abandoned MacKenzie mansion remained hidden in rural Wisconsin. Rumors and stories of apparitions, odd noises, accidents, and strange deaths in or near the property were enough to convince the townsfolk it was haunted and they stayed away. Lucas ... read more
** The newest innovation in sexual joy and wellness—now in hardcover.** “Terrifically encouraging... McLaughlin has written a thorough primer on everything from sex toys to bondage to ‘no means no,’ intended for young women readers who might be new to the idea... read more
The Moving Blade

Michael Pronko

When the top American diplomat in Tokyo, Bernard Mattson, is killed, he leaves more than a lifetime of successful Japan-American negotiations. He leaves a missing manuscript, boxes of research, a lost keynote speech and a tangled web of relations. When his all... read more
The Escape Artist

Brad Meltzer

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "Meltzer is a master and this is his best. Not since The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo have you seen a character like this. Get ready to meet Nola. If you've never tried Meltzer, this is the one."--Harlan Coben WHO IS NOLA BROWN? Nol... read more
A space odyssey that’s worth taking. (Kirkus)In the year 2031, a robot probe detects traces of biological activity on Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons. This sensational discovery shows that there is indeed evidence of extraterrestrial life. Fifteen years later... read more
Changing Tides

Veronica Mixon

"A must-read, page-turning, suspense-filled novel set in the Georgia Low country where money, family, and lies collide." After her son witnesses his father's tragic death, Katelyn Landers quits her high-powered banking career as a financial analyst and moves w... read more
The New York Times bestselling series is now available in a box set! What makes a hero? Brad Meltzer and illustrator Christopher Eliopoulos answer that question, one great role model at a time. And now you can buy the first four—Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart... read more
Fish in a Tree

Lynda Mullaly Hunt

"Fans of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder will appreciate this feel-good story of friendship and unconventional smarts.” —Kirkus ReviewsAlly has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to re... read more
Circus Mirandus

Cassie Beasley

A New York Times bestseller! "A beguiling first novel"—Gregory Maguire in the New York Times"Takes readers to a marvelous place.”—The Wall Street JournalEven though his awful Great-Aunt Gertrudis doesn’t approve, Micah believes in the stories his dying Grandpa... read more
A #1 New York Times bestseller, this innovative and wildly funny read-aloud by award-winning humorist/actor B.J. Novak will turn any reader into a comedian.You might think a book with no pictures seems boring and serious. Except . . . here’s how books work. Ev... read more
The hilarious, colorful #1 New York Times bestselling phenomenon that every kid wants! Gift a copy to someone you love today. Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons h... read more
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Torch Against the NightINSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTELLERAMAZON'S BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF 2015PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER - FAVORITE FANTASYBUSTLE'S BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF 2015 “This novel is a harrowing, ha... read more
Warcross

Marie Lu

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu—when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths. For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession start... read more

Rachel has 70 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Nadine B.

Nadine B.

Aug, 2023

Rachel has years of experience working at Penguin Random House and it shows. She is professional, clearly knows the industry, and is practically minded. I also greatly appreciated the time she took the time to read my book carefully and to give me a marketing plan that fit my particular book. Most importantly for any collaboration, she is helpful, personable, and a delight to work with. I coul...
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Avery S.

Avery S.

Jul, 2023

Working with Rachel was a blast. She was every bit helpful, insightful, and professional. She genuinely cares about your work as well as you, and her ideas and strategies are genius. Couldn't have asked for anything better!
Blake F.

Blake F.

Apr, 2023

Rachel is an absolute joy to work with! She was able to come up with a very extensive list of things for me to do in terms of marketing. After dozens of hours of research on different strategies myself, I couldn’t pinpoint the right path for me. Rachel came up with a beautifully made plan to walk me through it step by step. I now feel fully confident in my ability to market my book thanks to th...
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Ron J.

Ron J.

Jan, 2023

Rachel is a total professional and a pleasure to work with. She's knowledgeable, creative, and strives to understand what I'm wanting to do. Then she works to get me there. I'm looking forward to working with her again.
Izzy M.

Izzy M.

Nov, 2022

I loved working with Rachel. I think the value for price was amazing. She obviously is an expert in her field and she taught me a lot about marketing. The marketing plan she provided for our book was phenomenal. She was also very personable and available to me if I had questions. I would highly recommend working with Rachel!

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