Rachel Stark

Brooklyn, New York

Experience

SENIOR EDITOR (STARTED: EDITOR), DISNEY HYPERION

January 2020–Present

Acquire and edit a list of 8–10 middle grade & YA novels & graphic novels per year
Ideate, write proposals for, then acquire and edit, an additional 1–2 IP titles per year
Present titles at acquisitions, launch, and sales conference; advocate for authors in-house
Develop and maintain relationships with authors, agents, and Disney entertainment partners
Manage one junior-level employee

KEY TITLES AND PROJECTS INCLUDE:

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow (Newbery Honor, Schneider Honor, National Book Award Longlist, Audie Award Finalist)
Kugali Ink (new graphic novel imprint created in collaboration with African multimedia company Kugali)
Here Lies a Vengeful Bitch by Codie Crowley (debuted just shy of NYT bestseller list)
Lore by Alexandra Bracken (instant #1 NYT bestseller)

EDITOR (IN-HOUSE FREELANCER), FIRST SECOND, AN IMPRINT OF MACMILLAN

June 2018–January 2020

Manage 10–15 graphic novels at all stages of the editorial and illustration process
Maintain constant communication with authors and illustrators and provide clear, frequent feedback
Edit scripts and outlines; review thumbnails, pencils, inks, colors, and final art
Collaborate with design, production, marketing, publicity, and sales teams to ensure quality product and successful launch
Evaluate submissions and recommend titles for publication

KEY TITLES AND PROJECTS INCLUDE:

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks (Goodreads Choice Award Winner, NYT bestseller)
Stargazing by Jen Wang (Asian/Pacific-American Award for Children’s Lit, NYT bestseller)
InvestiGators by John Patrick Green (NYT bestselling series)
Mighty Jack & Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke (NYT bestseller)
Through the Moon: A Dragon Prince Graphic Novel by Peter Wartman & Xanthe Bouma (NYT bestseller)

EDITOR, SKY PONY PRESS, AN IMPRINT OF SKYHORSE PUBLISHING

November 2015–April 2018

Acquired and edited 40+ books per year, including most profitable list of any in-house editor 2016–2017
Managed intellectual properties and licenses, increasing sales by brainstorming new ideas and formats
Maintained relationships with agents and authors; negotiated and redlined contracts
Liaised with design, production, marketing, publicity, and sales teams to ensure successful launches

KEY TITLES AND PROJECTS INCLUDE:

Crossing the Line by Bibi Belford (Christopher Award)
The Unbinding of Mary Reade by Miriam McNamara (IPPY Gold Medal)
Managed unlicensed Minecraft publishing program, 30+ bestselling titles per year

ASSOCIATE MARKETING MANAGER, SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING

February 2013–November 2015

Oversaw 40–60 marketing campaigns per year, plus seasonal and backlist promotions
Collaborated with authors, editors, designers, publicists, and sales to plan and execute campaigns
Supported editorial tasks by co-editing projects and providing early reads for acquisitions

KEY AUTHORS: Jason Reynolds • Jenny Han • Cassandra Clare • Holly Black • Erin Bow • Katherine Rundell • Ylvis • Tim Federle • Emily Carroll • Doreen Cronin • Betsy Lewin • James Howe • Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

ASSISTANT MARKETING MANAGER, BLOOMSBURY CHILDREN’S BOOKS

August 2011–February 2013

Worked closely with global team to brainstorm and manage 100+ trade & digital campaigns yearly
Created strategy and content for advertisements, book trailers, digital promotions, and mailings
Reviewed manuscripts and provided feedback and suggestions at acquisitions and during revisions

KEY AUTHORS: Sarah J. Maas • Shannon Hale • Simone Elkeles • Megan Miranda

CHILDREN’S MARKETING & PUBLICITY ASSOCIATE, BANCROFT PRESS

April 2011–August 2011

Increased the company’s visibility through targeted advertising, events, and media outreach

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT, LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS

January 2010–April 2011

Assisted three editors with the acquisition, editing, marketing, and production of 17 lists of titles
Provided administrative support and tracked expenses, budgets, and profit and loss statements

Education

GOUCHER COLLEGE

B.A. in English with Honors

Baltimore, MD, May 2009

Honors:

Phi Beta Kappa,
Summa Cum Laude
3.92 GPA
Dean’s Scholarship
Dean’s List (seven semesters)

ROEHAMPTON UNIVERSITY

Semester Abroad

London, England, Spring 2008

Coursework:

Subversive Children’s Literature
The Business of Writing

Skills

Copyediting & proofreading
Chicago Manual of Style
Contracts
CoreSource, Biblio, Helix, Firebrand, & other title management software
Microsoft Office Suite
Mac & PC Platforms

Related Experience

SENIOR MENTOR, REPRESENTATION MATTERS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Educated prospective employees of color about the publishing industry and guide their job search

FREELANCE READER, WELLS ARMS LITERARY & BARRY GOLDBLATT LITERARY

Read and evaluated proposals and client manuscripts, providing detailed critiques

COMMITTEE MEMBER, CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL FORUM

Planned and promoted professional-development events focusing on trends in publishing