Latinx in Publishing (LxP): What do you do?
Lizette Serrano (LS): Through a number of multiple opportunities, I advocate and champion Scholastic book creators to reach book keepers around the world. This includes activating special events, national conferences, generating marketing campaigns, creating promotional materials and so many other awesome stuff to amplify our author’s work.
LxP: How did you get started?
LS: Growing up in the Bronx, books were my best friends and a safe harbor to keep me steady. This love of words manifested and drove me to major in English and decided I wanted to be a writer. That dream took a turn when I started interning in publishing. As a marketing assistant at Scholastic, I was invited to read a manuscript over the weekend and provide a review for a book called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The rest, my friends, is a long career of memorable moments and achievements that still challenge me to reach new heights every year.
LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?
LS: Earlier in my career, I wish I was directed on how to get involved with mentorship and programs that support aspiring publishing professionals. I’m incredibly grateful for the work and space Latinx in Publishing and others have created for our emerging leaders in the publishing community.
LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?
LS: I’m always reading future acquisitions for building marketing plans 6-12 months ahead of publication. I just gobbled up THE WITCHLINGS by Claribel Ortega (Spring 2022), every page offers something enjoyable. This special book gave me goosebumps with anticipation that it’s going to picked up by many readers and do great things. And we’re going to do our absolute best to make sure of it!
Lizette Serrano is the VP of Educational Marketing at Scholastic. For over 20 years, she’s been living her dream job championing authors and their books to readers of all ages. She is also the co-founder of the Power of Story initiative which aims to create a hub of resources to direct educators, booksellers and caregivers on how to build an equitable bookshelf. She is currently serving as a board member for ALAN, USBBY and ECAR and is the Scholastic Summer Reading Ambassador for 2021.
