Talisa Ramos hosted our Instagram on December 4th for our weekly #SalaSundays series. Below are a few questions that we asked Talisa.
Latinx In Publishing (LxP): What do you do?
Talisa Ramos (TR): Most recently I’ve been an associate manager selling part of the list published by Penguin Young Readers into Barnes & Noble. Shortly though, I will be transitioning into a marketing role where I can help strategize on campaigns that will help get our books on the radars of the most folks possible.
LxP: How did you get started?
TR: My story might be an outlier, in the sense that now that I have experience in this industry, I know how difficult it can be to get your foot in the door of publishing and how folks often will intern and/or do publishing courses in order to gain experience & contacts that will help them get started. I lucked out in that I had complete beginner’s mind when I decided to try and get a publishing job, which was about 6 months after graduating from my Bachelor’s degree. I applied to a Sales Assistant role that was on PRH’s entry level jobs page, and got called for an interview. I will say that I worked hard on my cover letter, but otherwise am grateful that the timing aligned and know it’s not so often such a clear cut entry point.
LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?
TR: I wish I knew that as much as it’s wonderful to have a focus on curiosity and learning when you’re getting started, and to learn from other people’s expertise/experience, that does not have to mean that you’re not also eligible to contribute your ideas and perspectives. In many ways, it’s wonderful to start out and look at things from the perspective of someone who was most recently an engaged book lover/consumer themselves, who’s willing to consider new avenues for exploration and in general is not so tethered to existing processes or philosophies because you’re looking at everything from a fresh perspective. Especially as folks from marginalized and/or underrepresented communities, it is especially important to feel that you have a right to share because you likely have a deeper understand about what might resonate/reach folks who aren’t traditionally focused on in book campaigns or considered “target consumers.”
LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?
I’m excited for Doodles from the Boogie Down, a Middle Grade graphic novel coming from Kokila next April.
Talisa Ramos is a born and raised 2nd generation New Yorker/Nuyorican. A graduate of Barnard College, she earned her degree in American Studies & currently works at Penguin Random House. A proud Brooklynite, she lives in Fort Greene with her dog Jax, where she can be found marathon reading or marathon watching compelling stories of all genres.
