Renate Chalk hosted our instagram on May 22nd for our weekly #SalaSundays series.
Latinx in Pub (LxP): What do you do?
Renate Chalk (RC): I work with a team to create marketing strategies and plans for HarperCollins Focus’ books and authors. These strategies are tied to tangible KPIs that we aim to hit prior to the launch of a title as well as after launch. I love using data to make informed marketing decisions that are specifically catered to an author’s target market, and historical data and benchmarking analysis are really important to my work. Each author and their audience are so wonderfully unique, that each one requires a unique approach.
LxP: How did you get started?
RC: I got started in publishing by simply taking a change on myself and applying online to a job that seemed interesting to me and one in which I had most of the skills for. While I had never worked in marketing books or their related podcasts, tv shows, and other items, I had previously worked in marketing and knew I could learn the nuances of the publishing industry.
LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?
RC: I can’t think of anything I wished I knew. I am okay with not knowing and learning along the way. One thing that did surprise me and I LOVE is how collaborative it is. I am highly extroverted and love the opportunity to work with our editors and public relations team, and enjoy all the partnerships that come along with being in this industry.
LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?
RC: I am working on “How am I Doing?” by Corey Yeager, and a book with Reba McEntire whose title will be released soon! I am currently reading Finding Me by Viola Davis, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, and Violeta by Isabel Allende. I’m also looking forward to Neruda on the Park by Cleyvis Natera.
Renate Chalk is a Senior Marketing Manager at HarperCollins Publishers on the HarperCollins Focus imprint. She has been in publishing for about 2 years, but a marketer for 10 years. She did her undergraduate work at NYU where she majored in Economics. After beginning her career in operations, she returned to NYU for a graduate certificate in Marketing and Brand Management as she transitioned to marketing.
