Books Forward is celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, and one of the ways we’re celebrating is by showcasing 25 people you should know in the book world. There are many unique roles in the book world, and the many kinds of people who play a part in the community we love.
Today, we’re getting to know Zakiya N. Jamal (she/her), a senior marketing manager at Atria Books. Stay up to date on other industry professionals by reading our Lit Happens blog throughout the year.
A note from Zakiya:
Hello! As a senior marketing manager at Atria Books/Simon & Schuster, we work on a hybrid schedule, so I go into the office twice a week. Today, I went into the office because I was doing a panel, had to send out a mailing, and went to an author event.
9 a.m.
I arrive at our office, which is at Rockefeller Center. One thing I love about going into the office is my train goes directly into the Rockefeller Concourse, so I don’t have to go outside to get to my office. Before I went upstairs, I stopped at Café Grumpy and grabbed an iced vanilla latte, as my treat for going into the office.
11 a.m.
Every Tuesday we have our Ed Board meeting where editorial shares the books they have in on submission. It’s our chance as marketers (and the publicity team) to share our thoughts/excitement for the titles that are being discussed for acquisition. Even though I was in the office, I attended the meeting via Zoom as there’s usually not enough space in the conference room for everyone who’s in the office, and the most important people in attendance are on our editorial team.
12 p.m.
My co-workers and I went back to the concourse to grab lunch. I had tacos! I also used my lunch break to post about my events for my debut novel, If We Were a Movie, on Instagram and Threads.
1:15 p.m.
My boss, Morgan, the head of our corporate marketing team, Brandon, and I attended a panel where we discussed discoverability with self-published authors.
3:00 p.m.
Back at the office, we had our weekly marketing team meeting. Our marketing assistant, Heaven, talked to us about our influencer program and how we can improve.
3:30 p.m.
I spent the rest of the day putting together an influencer mailing for one of my titles, Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine. Everyone in the office was really excited about the stickers we made for it. Victoria also created her own fanart!
5 p.m.
Heat of the Everflame, one of the titles my co-worker Dayna worked on, hit the New York Times list so we all celebrated!
7 p.m.
Megan, a publicity manager, and I went to The Ripped Bodice to attend our author’s event for the publication of her novel Pomona Afton Can So Solve a Murder!
And that wraps up the day! Typically, my days aren’t this packed, but it was a busy day and I had so much fun spending time with my team and authors.
Zakiya N. Jamal is a senior marketing manager at Atria Books where she works on a number of nonfiction and fiction titles by authors like Hannah Grace, Kate Fagan, TJ Alexander, Alison Cochrun, Christine Pride, and more! She’s also the author of the forthcoming novels If We Were a Movie and Sparks Fly. You can find her on all social platforms @zakiyanjamal.
Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.
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