Mentor Corner: Margaret Coffee
Sr. Director of Sales, Library & Education, Indie Specialist, Sourcebooks
What was your first job in publishing?
My first job was in magazine publishing. I was the editorial assistant at American Bookseller Magazine, which was the American Booksellers Association’s monthly publication.
What was your career path like getting to your current role?
Winding – I’ve been in three different departments, across two branches of publishing, in two different cities. I started in magazine publishing in editorial in New York – interning at two magazines during college, and then working at two more magazines before attending the Radcliffe Publishing Course (now part of Columbia University’s program). That experience opened the door to book publishing, and I shifted into children’s book marketing at Dutton Children’s Books. When I later moved to the Chicago area, I transitioned into sales, working with the indie bookstore channel and education and retail wholesalers at a variety of publishers like Penguin, Candlewick, Scholastic, and Sourcebooks. Every step along the way has given me a deeper appreciation for how stories find their readers.
What advice would you give to those who are either just starting out or are in their first few years in publishing?
If you are just starting out, get lots of book experience – work at a bookstore or a library, do as many internships as possible with publishers, agents, and non-profits. Network – reach out on LinkedIn, go to industry events, read PW Daily, Shelf Awareness, and Publishers Lunch daily. The publishing industry is constantly changing, so stay flexible. If you are already in publishing, talk to colleagues, authors, and readers. Build relationships across departments so you understand what everyone does and how everyone works together. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever gotten to do while working in publishing?
Traveling with Edward Bear aka the original Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal, which belonged to Christopher Robin Milne! Pooh and I went to museums and trade shows before he ended up safely ensconced in air-conditioned splendor at the New York Public Library.
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