Marketing Associate, Independent Bookstores & Events

We are seeking a highly organized, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented Marketing Associate, Independent Bookstores & Events to join our Retail Marketing team. This role will be responsible for coordinating independent bookstore trade show logistics, managing author event logistics and travel, supporting indie preorder campaigns, and helping improve the processes that power our growing independent bookstore business.

If you thrive on managing projects, enjoy working cross-functionally, love books, and find joy in making complex events and campaigns run smoothly, we'd love to hear from you!

This is a non-exempt position at $22.50 - $24.04/hourly. This range is based on job-related factors such as relevant experience, location, training, and education. This process ensures a fair and competitive salary that aligns with both the company and the candidate’s qualifications.

This is a hybrid role based out of our Naperville, IL office, with an in-office expectation of 2–3 days per week.

What You’ll Do:
Independent Bookstore Trade Shows & Events

• Coordinate logistics for independent bookstore trade shows and industry events.
• Manage all author care related to indie-focused events and trade shows.
• Coordinate author travel arrangements, including flights, hotels, ground transportation, and schedules.
• Create detailed author and staff itineraries.
• Support on-site event execution and assist at trade shows as needed.
• Submit authors for panels, keynote opportunities, signings, and other trade show programming.
• Coordinate shipping and delivery of books and marketing materials to event locations.
• Track author event participation and maintain event records.
• Collaborate with Sales and Customer Service teams on bookstore event support and follow-up.

Independent Bookstore Preorder Campaigns

• Support the execution of indie pre-order campaigns from planning through fulfillment.
• Coordinate timelines, assets, communications, and campaign deliverables.
• Track campaign performance and maintain campaign documentation.
• Help identify opportunities to improve campaign effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ensure campaign details are communicated clearly across internal teams.

Process Improvement & Project Management

• Maintain documentation for trade show, events, and preorder campaign workflows.
• Develop and improve systems, tools, and processes that support indie marketing initiatives.
• Manage project trackers, schedules, and organizational resources.
• Help create scalable procedures that improve team efficiency and communication.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key point of coordination between Marketing, Sales, Customer Service, Publicity, and Operations teams.
• Communicate regularly with authors, agents, booksellers, and event partners.
• Provide project updates and maintain accurate records and schedules.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree preferred
• 1–3 years of experience in publishing, marketing, events, project management, bookselling, or a related field
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Comfortable working with authors, booksellers, and external partners
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive mindset
• Experience with project management platforms and Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
• Willingness to travel to industry events as needed.
• Publishing, bookselling, or event planning experience is a plus.
• Must love books and independent bookstores!

What Makes This Role Exciting
This position sits at the center of Sourcebooks' independent bookstore efforts, helping bring authors and booksellers together through events, trade shows, and creative marketing programs. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with authors, support some of the industry's most important events, and contribute directly to the growth of our independent bookstore business.
If you're energized by books, people, logistics, and making great ideas come to life, we'd love to meet you.

Why Sourcebooks ?
Sourcebooks is a thriving entrepreneurial publisher driven by our mission to change lives through books. The fifth-largest publisher in the U.S. by print units sold, we bring extraordinary authors to readers in dynamic, data-driven ways, leading to hundreds of national and international bestsellers. Our insight-driven approach has earned us recognition from Fast Company as a Most Innovative Company, a Best Workplace for Innovators, a Most Loved Workplace by Newsweek, a Best Workplace by Inc., and Publishers Weekly’s nod as “the most successful self-made publisher operating in the 21st century.”. Story by story, book by book, we have changed more than 300 million lives. Join us as we change 300 million more!

Ready to Apply:

Please submit your resume, salary requirements, and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in this role. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Show us your passion and creativity — we’re looking for someone who’s as enthusiastic about this opportunity as we are!

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care, Dependent Care, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, & generous paid time off.

Sourcebooks values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.