• The ECC Questionnaire

Molly Motch, Senior Manager, School & Library Integrated Marketing for HarperCollins Children’s Books | March 30, 2015

What was your first job in publishing? How did you climb the ranks?
My lovely friend Hallie was working at Disney-Hyperion, and moving from School & Library Marketing to the Publicity department. She thought I would be a good fit for the position she was leaving, so I interviewed and got the job! I’d had somewhat related internships in magazines (fashion and art) that helped me realize that I really wanted to work in book publishing, but I don’t think I realized at the time just how lucky I was to A) get a job in publishing at all, and B) end up in School & Library Marketing. I hope I continue to pay that lucky break forward. As for climbing the ranks, you have to show up and speak up.

What do you like about working on children’s books? What do you like about working in School and Library Marketing?
The children’s book community is so passionate and collaborative, so the opportunities I’ve had to work in conjunction with other publishers have been invaluable. I’m on lots of committees, and it’s been my absolute pleasure to get to know my colleagues at other houses. We share goals, ideas, and authors, and we do it so nicely. I’m really proud to be part of this world.

I can’t say enough good things about librarians and teachers—they’re my heroes. When they get behind a book, it really moves the needle, and they’re the most encouraging, open-minded, savvy people ever. That old “shh!” mean-old-librarian stereotype needs to END.

How long have you worked at Harper? How has your job changed?
I’ve been at Harper for three and a half years. I’ve taken on additional responsibilities as time has gone by, but the bulk of my job has always been, and continues to be, conferences—pitching authors, working with educators on programs, lots of coordination, author scheduling, and attending the shows with my awesome team and our authors.

Can you describe your typical day?
So many emails! Coffee, meetings, email. Lots of discussions of snacks and books with my coworkers. Email. But about seven to eight times a year, I travel to conferences, and my typical day is totally different—I know the ins and outs of convention centers all over the country, including which one has the best chicken fingers (Minneapolis).

What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Throw money at the problem! Not always an option, but when it is, just do it.

What was the first conference you took part in? What advice would you give someone going to their first conference?
My first conference was NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English), and it was only about a month after I’d started, so I truly had no idea what I was doing. But this is where my advice comes in: you need to have a customer service oriented philosophy—greet everyone that enters your booth with a smile, introduce yourself, ask how you can help, and listen. It’s kind of like working retail (think of yourself as a bookseller!), so my number two piece of advice is: wear comfortable shoes. Conferences are all about author care and teamwork—I’m lucky to be on the ground with a really terrific team. We can basically read each other’s minds at this point, which comes in handy when things get really nutty and busy in the booth. 

Conferences are hard work, don’t get me wrong (unpacking and lugging around thousands of pounds of books is no joke), but they’re also absolutely the most rejuvenating, inspiring part of my job. Meeting the teachers and librarians that put our books into the hands of children is an incredible honor. I’ve had conversations that have brought me to tears!

What’s one skill you’ve acquired in your job that you never thought you’d need?
I can battle with a hotel front desk like nobody’s business. The most stressful part of my job is when our authors are traveling because I absolutely want them to have the most stress-free, rewarding experience possible, but for that to happen, so many tiny little details have to fall into place perfectly. Publicists will know what I’m talking about—a snowstorm or an inefficient hotel front desk can really muck up your hard work. So I guess learning to roll with the punches and think flexibly has come in handy for me. Oh, and graciously apologizing for something that might not have really been your fault. That’s a life skill.

Any funny, interesting, surprising anecdotes (about your own experience or publishing in general) you want to share?
Someone thought I was Mo Willems at a conference once. DON’T I WISH!

What was your favorite book as a child?
Like anyone reading this interview, I’ve been in love with books from day one. But my literary bosom friend (points for that children’s book reference) would have to be Matilda—which even became my mom’s nickname for me when I was a little girl.

What are you reading? Or what was the last book you really loved?
At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson. I love all of his books—he’s a nonfiction genius!