Tara Lewis - Marketer
I am a children's, middle-grade, and YA book marketing expert with twenty years of experience in the Top Ten publishers and freelancing.
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Overview
I am an experienced children’s marketing professional with more than twenty years in the children’s book publishing industry. I have insight into the workings of children’s book publishers and internal operations and processes, having managed a global marketing department as a Director at Disney Publishing Worldwide for six years and managed teams at Scholastic Inc. for six years.
I have worked with a broad range of children’s original titles in the picture book, middle-grade, and young adult categories. I have also spearheaded the campaigns for many licensed book series such as Scooby-Doo, Disney Princess, Harry Potter paperbacks, Pokemon, Powerpuff Girls, Marvel, Lego, Tinkerbell, Matchbox, Winnie the Pooh, and Baby Einstein.
My marketing planning included not only devising the strategies but also conducting competitive analysis reports, writing press releases, articles, blogs, catalog copy, and news pieces for the product. I worked on a daily basis with the editorial teams to bring a successful book to market.
As a freelancer, I am thrilled to provide the following services:
-Marketing plan development (strategy, tactics, social, deliverables, etc.)
-Writing press releases, author bios, catalog copy, book blurbs
-Market research and competitive analysis
-Creating book proposals for authors to submit to publishing houses. Also query letters.
-Book editing and proofreading
My areas of specialty are picture books, middle-grade, and YA sci-fi/fantasy. I love working with self-published authors to help them navigate and understand the publishing process. I also enjoy working with seasoned publishing veterans.
I have an impeccable career history at the highest level at the best publishing houses in the world. Let me help you - and your book - make the leap from good to great! I will help your book get the exposure and readership that it deserves.
I have worked with a broad range of children’s original titles in the picture book, middle-grade, and young adult categories. I have also spearheaded the campaigns for many licensed book series such as Scooby-Doo, Disney Princess, Harry Potter paperbacks, Pokemon, Powerpuff Girls, Marvel, Lego, Tinkerbell, Matchbox, Winnie the Pooh, and Baby Einstein.
My marketing planning included not only devising the strategies but also conducting competitive analysis reports, writing press releases, articles, blogs, catalog copy, and news pieces for the product. I worked on a daily basis with the editorial teams to bring a successful book to market.
As a freelancer, I am thrilled to provide the following services:
-Marketing plan development (strategy, tactics, social, deliverables, etc.)
-Writing press releases, author bios, catalog copy, book blurbs
-Market research and competitive analysis
-Creating book proposals for authors to submit to publishing houses. Also query letters.
-Book editing and proofreading
My areas of specialty are picture books, middle-grade, and YA sci-fi/fantasy. I love working with self-published authors to help them navigate and understand the publishing process. I also enjoy working with seasoned publishing veterans.
I have an impeccable career history at the highest level at the best publishing houses in the world. Let me help you - and your book - make the leap from good to great! I will help your book get the exposure and readership that it deserves.
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Parenting & Families
Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Young Adult
Certifications
- Dale Carnegie leadership training
- Disney Institute leadership and business training
Work experience
Book Publishing Services, Marketing and Editing
Self-employed
May, 2008
–
Present
(almost 15 years)
Provide children's, middle-grade, and YA publishing services including marketing plan development, book reviews, book proposals, query letters, editing, competitive analysis, and more.
Director, Global Marketing
Disney Publishing Worldwide
July, 2000
–
April, 2006
(almost 6 years)
Managed the global marketing department for Disney Publishing Worldwide and all its imprints. Oversaw marketing strategy and campaigns, publicity, promotion, author relationships, multi-million dollar budget, staff of 26 employees worldwide.
Marketing Manager
Scholastic Inc.
August, 1994
–
July, 2000
(almost 6 years)
Marketing manager for trade paperback and licensed imprints. Oversaw all marketing, promotion, and publicity campaigns and author relationships for relevant books and series.
Projects
Science-Fiction and Fantasy marketing
Comprehensive marketing and publicity campaign including social and digital media, Amazon marketing, press release, author bio, awards and grants.
Me and My Afro by Aiden Taylor
Create a full media, publicity, and marketing campaign to launch this wonderful story of self-love, inclusion, diversity, and acceptance.
Freelance book campaigns
Edit and/or develop marketing strategies and analysis for self-published authors or to enhance book proposals for published authors.
Harry Potter
Managed the paperback book marketing for the first three Harry Potter books.
-Dovetailed off the massive hardcover marketing campaign to push the paperbacks into all bookstore and non-traditional outlets
-Worked on a one-of-a-kind , never-before, and never-since book launch event: a nationwide midnight launch party for book IV
Disney licensed properties book publishing
Managed the marketing strategies for all of Disney book brands including Winnie the Pooh, Tinkerbell (and Peter Pan), Mickey Mouse, W.I.T.C.H., and more.
-Implemented a valued multi-million dollar promotion through McDonald's Happy Meal for the W.I.T.C.H. book series
-Was the Walt Disney Company's and Disney Publishing Worldwide's brand ambassador for Disney Fairies across all book and consumer product outlets
Goosebumps
Managed and executed the marketing plans and strategy for over 160 of these series titles.
-Instrumental in the development and production of the Goosebumps Scare Shack, one of the largest in-store floor displays ever created for a children's paperback series
-Implemented one of the largest free book giveaways ever in Central Park, New York City
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Managed marketing plans for five years for this well-loved and longstanding early book series.
-Oversaw the creation, production, and approvals for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon
-Worked with our television synergy partners on marketing opportunities with consumer products and media
Portfolio (38 selected works)
Baby Einstein: Mirror Me!
Julie Aigner-Clark
Can you stick out your tongue like Frog? Puff up your cheeks like Cow? Scrunch up your nose like Jane the Monkey? Look in the mirror and try! This busy book with a mirror on every spread (and a peekaboo finale!) teaches babies and young children parts of the face in a playful way.
W.I.T.C.H.: The Magic of Friendship (Books 1-4)
Elizabeth Lenhard
In the W.i.t.c.h. boxed set, see how the story started as the girls discover their new responsibility in The Power of Five and then find out how a friendship is destroyed in The Disappearance. In Finding Meridian, the girls travel to a new world and in The Fire of Friendship, they learn just how much their lives have changed since they became Guardians of the Veil.
Say Cheese and Die! (Classic Goosebumps #8)
R.L. Stine
Discover the bone-chilling adventures that made Goosebumps one of the bestselling children's book series of all time. Now with all-new bonus materials!Greg thinks there is something wrong with the old camera he found. The photos keep turning out . . . different.When Greg takes a picture of his father's brand-new car, it's wrecked in the photo. And then his dad crashes the car.It's like the cam... read more
Emily Elizabeth recalls a snowy day while Clifford was a puppy, when he went sledding in her boot, was rescued from the ice by a hockey player, and helped build a snowman
i Hope: A Daddy's Dream A Daughter's Wish
Freeman, Mr. Benjamin, Author, Benjamin D
Open Sesame 2: Unlocking Hidden Doors in Relationships
Author, Benjamin D
A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children
Caroline Kennedy, Jon J Muth
ME AND MY AFRO
Taylor, Aiden M
The Scribble Cloud: Necky the Dinosaur Learns Anger Management
Vellutini, Frances, De Roussan, Jane, Vellutini, Frances
Mr. Fluff and the Tall Tower (The Adventures of Mr. Fluff)
Brandt, David, Lavrova, Olga
The Battle of Spencer Street (Bikes in the Mango Tree Book 1)
De La Roca, Evi
Silver Planet
Johnson, Tom
I Am Different - Just Like You!: I Have Down Syndrome
Rebecca DalMolin, Megan Speirs Mack, Kathryn Mertz
Ready For The World - Driver's Education
Gallardo, Charmeljun
But i don't want to say GOODBYE! (A Child's Journey Through Grief)
Mason, Ta'Shay, Colton-Cauley, Tanya
Agent Darcy and Ninja Steve in...Tiger Trouble! (Volume 1)
Goodman, Grant
Khison is Having Company
Dunn, Allison, Dunn, Khison
I Am Glad I Was There!: The March on Washington
Gordon, Juanita
Pearl's Journey in Search of a Home
Bushey, Terry, Harris, Pam Elise, Murphy, Lorna
I AM
Allen, Mary C.
Spoken: A Novel
Weiss, Melanie
Pictures at the Protest (Virginia Mysteries)
Smith, Steven K.
The Bearded Marvel: A True Life Story of my Nonno, an American WWII Hero!
Alayvilla, Staci, Huddleston, Courtney
Shaq and the Beanstalk and Other Very Tall Tales
O'Neal, Shaquille, Evans, Shane
Saint Francis of Assisi: A Life of Joy
Kennedy Jr., Robert F., Nolan, Dennis
Isle of Dragons (# 1)
Thompson, L. A., Nicolescu, Thea, Harris, Pam Elise, Lewis, Tara, Rees, Jennifer
Tara has 225 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
This was our second time working with Tara and she was as amazing as the first time. Her knowledge and professionalism is exactly what we needed for our publishing company. I look forward to working with Tara again in the future and highly recommend working with her!
Jeff and Ashley Wall, March 2023
It was a pleasure working with Tara! Not only did she provide so much valuable marketing material for our book launch, but she was extremely professional and great to work with. We would definitely recommend her to help with your next book launch!
Matt Browne, February 2023
Reply from Tara Lewis
Tara has been extremely supportive throughout this process. She has become an integral part of my team.
L.T. Caton, February 2023
Reply from Tara Lewis
Tara was really easy to work with and answered all of my questions up front so I had a very good idea of what the service was going to be. She was right on time with the delivery and although the amount of material was overwhelming, as she helped me sift through it and set priorities. I'm hoping that I can turn this all into actual sales but it's an excellent road map!
Jill Thomas, February 2023
Reply from Tara Lewis
I feel so blessed that Tara has agreed to assist me on my writing journey. She is an amazing, clever, articulate, and creative professional.
Carole Hansbrough, February 2023
Reply from Tara Lewis
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