3 things you didn’t know about Sales in publishing

The Sales team at Penguin help to sell thousands of books to hundreds of retailers, and work with our distribution colleagues to get these titles onto the shelves for booksellers 📚

Sales is a very collaborative department, working in partnership with our publishing teams to bring our physical books – plus ebooks and audiobooks, to readers across the globe.   

Here are three things you might not know about the Sales team at Penguin!  

Sales are involved in multiple stages of the publishing process 📖    

Being involved right from the beginning, Sales read material of a potential acquisition and provide numbers based on how many copies they think it could sell. This helps inform whether we decide to make an offer to an author.  

They also have a big input in the cover design and production of a book, helping advise on what cover and package would work well for certain audiences and retailers. Minnie Tindall , Children’s Key Account Manager who works in the UK Sales Team said: “We are closely involved in deciding what format a book should be in. This could be whether it should be a paperback or a hardback, or what kind of novelty element a board book could have, such as touch-and-feel, or lift-the-flap!” 

Our Sales team aren’t limited to working with retailers in the UK 🌍 

English language books are popular around the world, and the outlets that buy them are as varied as the readers who eventually hold them in their hands. Tom Ward, Global Sales Manager, Penguin Press says: “I’ve worked across the International Sales team, and I never cease to be impressed by the entrepreneurial customers that I meet around the world selling our books. From independent bookshops in Turkey to Education specialists in Argentina, market conditions are infinitely varied, and I am always inspired by how passionate the people running these businesses are.”   

When you see books being sold in strange and wonderful places, it’s down to our creative sales colleagues ✨ 

Our Non-Trade Sales team, who focus on selling books outside of traditional settings such as bookshops, are always thinking about different, innovative opportunities for our books. They seek out a huge breadth of platforms and work on valuable, long-term relationships with retailers and companies.  

“We use our publishing and editorial expertise as a company to create carefully tailored pitches to brands where books will fit well with their activities. My team are currently working on projects with fashion retailers, theatres, food and luxury brands, and many more!” says Samantha Redhead , Sales Assistant, Adult Non-Trade. 

Now you know a bit more about Sales, why not apply for our paid work experience? Applications are open now, find out more >> https://bit.ly/WorkExperienceWIPW