Here’s an interesting job that I can’t apply for (among other things, it requires relocating to Austin, Texas, which I can’t do at the moment), but perhaps you can: Head of Author Marketing for Book in a Box, the “turn your idea into a book” company founded by Tucker “Not as Douchey as He Used to Be” Max and run by him along with Zach Obront and Charlie Hoehn.
Here’s how Book in a Box describe themselves, in their own words:
We’re Book in a Box, and we’ve created a new way for people to write and publish a book. Instead of spending years at a computer typing out a book, and then being frustrated by the confusing and arcane book publishing process, we do all the difficult and frustrating work for the author to help them turn their ideas into a book in 6 months.
All the author does is spend about 20 hours on the phone with us. We discuss their ideas and position them into a complete book outline, the systematically interview them, transcribe those interviews, and edit those transcriptions into a book. Unlike ghostwriting, this is entirely their ideas, in their words and their voice. We do not add content.
Here’s a video that expands on this description:
My writerly friends will find the existence of such a company horrifying, perhaps repugnant, and I understand why. But not all of us who have good ideas that take them and turn them into a book. For some, it’s a matter of time. For others, a matter of writing talent; after all, we can’t be good at everything. There are probably many other circumstances that haven’t even occurred to me as to why someone can’t simply take their big idea and write it down. For these people, Book in a Box could be exactly what they need.
Book in a Box is looking for someone who can handle a fast-paced, ever-changing, no-two-days-are-quite-alike sort of job, where they will:
- Work with authors to create story angles from their existing books
- Craft email and phone pitches
- Write compelling headlines for blog posts or emails
- Build relationships with journalists, and understand what stories they want to hear
- Find new and relevant niche media outlets to pitch stories to
- Oversee new content creation (both ideation and writing)
- Build relationships with authors and ensuring Book in a Box delivers on their goals
- Manage entire book launches
A sampling of books published by Book in a Box.
This isn’t an entry-level job. My guess is that they want a strong self-starter with some background in marketing, PR, or social media — and preferably a combination of all three — who can engage audiences either directly or through the media. You should already have a network of influencers and at least a couple of media contacts, as well as some kind of online following. And of course, you need to know how to get things done without constant supervision or micromanagement.
The pay will range from $55K – 70K depending on your experience, but they also have a profit-sharing plan that they say has historically been 25% to 50% of salary. There’s health care coverage, dental plan, life insurance, and 401(k) matching.
Interested in this job? Read the full description, then apply for the job and say “Joey deVilla sent me” (there’s a referral bonus).
By the bye, I’m also looking for work in technical / developer evangelism or technical management. If you’d like to know more about what I can do for you, see my LinkedIn profile, or download my detailed resume.
