We’re offering readers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the bookmaking process—the people behind the books and the products we create! Through our “Behind the Book” blog series, discover who plays a role in creating a book, what daily life looks like at Norton, and what being part of an independent and employee-owned company means.
Image Credit: Sarah England Bartley
Sarah England Bartley started at W. W. Norton more than two decades ago as an editorial assistant for the history list. She worked as an assistant editor on science texts and associate editor on psychology titles before crossing the country to be the local sales representative based in San Francisco. She eventually returned to the history list as the marketing manager, crafting the messaging and strategy for new editions of titles she first worked on at the beginning of her career.
How did you end up at Norton, or what enticed you to apply?
Like many, I was a literature major and used many Norton Anthologies and Critical Editions throughout my studies. I also had a work-study job at my university press, so by the end of my schooling I was pretty set on working in publishing. When I graduated, I looked through many publishing job boards and lucked out when I found the Norton opening.
What is your current role, and what part do you play in the book publishing process?
As a Marketing Research and Strategy Manager, I call myself the “town crier” for the history list—helping to spread the word about our titles internally and externally, and connecting our authors and their work to as many instructors and students as I can.
For your current role, what does an average day look like?
I work with the history editors and specialists to develop messaging and strategies about our books and resources; research the market and the needs of instructors and students; and develop advertising materials, tools, and templates for use by my sales colleagues. I also reach out directly through email, through virtual lectures and live Q&As with my authors and colleagues, and at conferences throughout the year. I work remotely most days from my home office but still find time to hit the road and visit campuses.
What skills do you need to succeed in your job? Did any previous work or life experience help you in your role?
I like to say that marketing, as it is practiced at Norton, is the perfect combination of editorial and sales. You use creativity in connecting authors with their audience, and that involves writing and building community within the discipline. But you also use research and analysis to develop and execute the best strategy you can to make your books successful. I’m glad I learned the bookmaking process from the ground up as an editorial assistant, a role that sits in the middle of so many of the teams and departments that produce the text and its resources. I also greatly appreciate the sales skills that are best learned from being a local sales representative and meeting with instructors at a range of schools all over a region to hear about their needs and challenges. I also think being the book review editor of my school newspaper helped me read books quickly and write enough about them to hopefully whet the readers’ appetite.
Were there any projects or moments that surprised or challenged you?
I have had the chance to travel around the country for campus visits and conferences. But my first journey out of the office was when I worked on our astronomy titles and went to Cape Canaveral to watch the launch of the New Horizons mission to Pluto. It was such an honor to witness the joy of the many astronomers who had worked on that project for so long . . . and then who had to say, “OK, now we wait for nine years” to see if the probe made it all the way. And a short while later, Pluto was reclassified from a planet to a dwarf right before our textbook went to press, which required some creative scrambling to incorporate the latest information.
How has your current job/role changed while you’ve worked at Norton?
Initially my marketing role involved a lot of visits to college campuses and in-person presentations as well as the creation of a lot of print advertising pieces. Then the pandemic moved most of my job online and shifted my main method of outreach to emails and webinars. Slowly we are moving back to in-person connections, and I’m happy to say Norton has never and will never abandon print.
What has kept you at Norton? What excites you about the future?
I honestly never expected to stay at my first job out of college. But Norton has allowed me to explore so many facets of the publishing process while supporting the growth of my family outside of work. I’m always excited to see the new projects we develop each year with engaging and inspiring authors. Working on our college side, I feel as if I am taking the best college courses around with each new book I take on. And the study of history has kept me informed and hopeful for our future by constantly grounding me in our past, from which we can always uncover more.
What advice would you give someone just starting out in publishing?
Get an internship or entry-level job and learn the industry from the ground up. It is also helpful to explore the different types of jobs involved in publishing to find the best fit for you—there are so many different things you can do behind the scenes.
What does Norton being independent and employee-owned mean to you and your work?
I am proud to be one of Norton’s employee owners, and to know all of the editors and directors who make up our key decision-makers.
Lastly, what do you like to do outside of work? Any fun hobbies you would recommend?
I keep very busy with my kids, kittens, family, and friends. In a past life I actually made artist’s books (artwork in the shape of a book), a handmade version of my publishing passion. I hope to get back to that when the littles are a little older!
Interested in learning more about careers at Norton? Check out our Careers Page and follow us for job updates on LinkedIn.