• The ECC Questionnaire

Jason M. Wells, Executive Director, Abrams Books for Young Readers | Amulet Books | July 1, 2011

JASON M. WELLS executive director, publicity and marketing Abrams Books for Young Readers | Amulet Books

Q: What was your first job in children’s publishing?

A:  In 1992, as a junior in high school, I started as an after school intern at the now defunct coffee table reference book publisher PBC International, Inc., based in Glen Cove, Long Island. I worked there for two full years, full-time in the summer. It was a wonderful place to learn the ins and outs of both marketing and editorial. I was lucky enough to experience book design BEFORE computers-wax, boards, slides, transparencies, and all of the glories of old school, full-color printing.

Q:  What was the first children’s book you worked on?

A:  It was the last book I worked on before leaving PBC to go to college—Children’s Book Illustration and Design, edited by Julie Cummins. It was a survey of the best children’s illustrators in the field and a fascinating introduction to the world.

Q:  How long have you worked at Abrams Books for Young Readers?

A:  9 years as of June 2011.

Q:  What is your favorite word?

A:  It changes, at the moment it is pontificate.

Q: What is your favorite industry-related website or blog?

A: This also changes. Since BookExpo I’m hooked on Shelftalker. There something so real about it.

Q: Can you describe your typical day?

A:  I get up (try to, sometimes) at 6:10am and go to the gym in my building; then bike to work. I’m usually at my desk by no later than 7:55am. I read the Wall Street Journal. Then the juggling begins. As my department is both publicity and marketing, parts of the day involve different aspects of both. I love the variety. I usually wrap things up at 6:50pm, before the freight elevator closes at 7pm (have to get the bike back out of the building!).

Q: What do you think is the most important aspect of your job?

A: Communication. Whether I’m talking to the media, librarians, booksellers, or simply passing information along in-house, the message has to be clear and presented with courtesy (no matter how bad the news is).

 Q:  What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?

A:  When I worked in publicity only at a previous job at a larger house, my very wise boss told me that my talents would be best used by a smaller publisher who could fully appreciate my interests in both marketing and publicity. She was right.

Q:  What are you reading now? Or what was the last book you really enjoyed?

 A:  I just finished Jack Gantos’s new book. For a while I’ve been reading We are the Drowned by Carsten Jensen, and I love it. It is a fantastic epic best read in pieces.