9th year at PRH & our International Sales Conference

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This week found me in London, at my tenth Penguin Random House US International Sales Conference, which means I’ve been with PRH for nine years now. It’s the longest time I’ve spent in one job. And in total, I’ve been in the book industry—local and international—for 16 yrs.

Many people in the industry often say that people who start working in books stay in books, albeit they might move around. From what I can see, this is true, despite it being famously a low salary industry (compared to other industries, that is). I think there are many reasons for this, but I’m guessing one of the main ones is that if you’re in the book industry, you probably love books. Love reading, love anything to do with the written word and the worlds it creates or the fire or comfort it brings. That counts for a lot when your parents ask you why you didn’t push through with becoming an engineer, because imagine your salary now. (Kidding. They don’t ask me that. Anymore.)

And then there are the people. Don’t get me wrong: the book industry is like any other industry, wherein you also have people you would really rather not talk to. But even if you don’t like everyone, there is still a grudging sense of community for people who love the same art form as you do. 

But the people you do like, ah! And without fudging or flattery, I do like all the people I work with: our whole international sales team and even my accounts. I know this is a privilege which I am extremely grateful for. Apart from a shared sense of mission (corny, I know, but I’m deadly serious), most people are fun, and EVERYONE is interesting. Besides, there is nothing like shop talk with people who understand your shop talk. 

So, here’s some of what went down last weekend and this week at our international sales conference:

At the conference room venue, during one of our breaks.

Had some guest publishers, like MIT Press.

The president and the publisher of Random House Worlds, which includes Del Rey & Inklore, and the publisher of Boom!. On screen is a currently confidential title, which I think many of the people I know will be excited about!

We took pictures of the conference spread, because it was MUCH better than the spreads the previous years. For one, there was hot food! 

The dessert spread plus some goodies from our Taiwanese and Korean colleagues! 

Stocking up on sweets for the afternoon sessions.

Some of the service awardees (10, 15, 25 yrs) at the family dinner (team dinner).

ESTHER-MARIE!!!!!!!! Who is our customer service rep for our territory, and who was fortunately also in London at the time, and my gosh, I cannot emphasize how important a good CS rep is and Esther-Marie is fantastic, and we've worked closely together for the past 6 years, but this is the first time we've met in person, and my gosh, the hugs. THE HUGS!

United Asia team with Esther-Marie! (photo c/o Jenny!)

We met with Esther-Marie during dinner on the 2nd conference night at Dishoom, which seems to be a go-to place now for the informal meals. And because it was a fun night, had two negronis with the awesome food.

Half of our table at Dishoom. With United Asia teammates and our beloved (I kid you not) friends from Sourcebooks! 

Dessert was this ice cream stick. On a chopstick.

What is not in the pics are the work sessions and discussions--ranging from intense to funny--especially for a team who has to navigate all the intricacies of what's happening in the world now. But I find when things are unsure, you hang on to what is sure, and those are the books and the people. 

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