JOB OPPORTUNITY - Book Publishing Events & PR Coordinator at Fly on the Wall Press

Isabelle Kenyon
10 hours ago
4 min read

Fly on the Wall Press

Location

Remote UK-based role.
Occasional travel required for events, festivals and author appearances.

Working Pattern

21 hours across three days (or flexible equivalent).
Evening and weekend attendance required at selected events.
Ideal start date - Late July/Start of August

About the Publishing House

Fly on the Wall Press is an award-winning independent publisher based in Manchester, committed to curating bold political fiction, powerful poetry, and innovative anthologies that engage with pressing global issues. Founded with a mission to amplify underrepresented voices and challenge conventional narratives, we've built a reputation for publishing books that spark conversation and inspire empathy.

As a small but mighty team, we punch above our weight in the literary world. Our books are stocked in independent bookshops across the UK and internationally, featured in major review publications, and championed by influential literary voices. We're passionate about building authentic connections between authors and readers, whether through intimate bookshop events, dynamic online discussions, or innovative social media campaigns.

Role Summary

Fly on the Wall Press is seeking an organised, proactive and relationship-driven Events & PR Coordinator to manage and grow our programme of author events, book launches, tours, festival appearances and publicity opportunities.

With eight books a year, our coordinator will be juggling three phases simultaneously: pitching the next book (3-4 months out), managing the launch and tour of the current book, and sustaining momentum for the previous book.

The successful candidate will work closely with authors, bookshops, libraries, festivals, media outlets and industry partners to increase the visibility of our books and authors. This role combines event management, relationship building, publicity, marketing and content creation, requiring excellent communication skills and strong attention to detail.

This is a part-time role of 21 hours per week. Because events frequently take place on evenings and weekends, we offer flexible working hours and a clear TOIL policy where the event requires your attendance.

Salary: £25K - £30K pro-rata, depending on experience.

(Please note, this is not an entry-level position and requires past experience in events and/or PR)

Key Responsibilities

Events & Author Tour Management

Plan, schedule and coordinate author events, book launches, signings and book tours.
Identify and secure suitable bookshops, libraries, festivals and literary venues.
Liaise with authors, venues and event partners to coordinate logistics and schedules.
Manage event calendars, ensuring all deadlines and commitments are tracked effectively.
Organise event hosts, interviewers and moderators where required.
Prepare event briefing documents and author schedules.
Attend and support events, including hosting or facilitating author discussions when appropriate.
Coordinate inventory and book stock requirements for events with bookshops, community venues or author-led book selling.
Follow up with venues and authors after events to gather feedback and maintain relationships.

Publicity & Relationship Management

Build and maintain relationships with bookshops, libraries, literary festivals and industry partners.
Research and secure opportunities for author appearances, readings, interviews and collaborations.
Identify relevant podcasts, influencers, media outlets and organisations for promotional partnerships.
Source endorsement opportunities and connect with potential endorsers and reviewers.
Maintain awareness of literary prizes, submission deadlines and industry opportunities.

Marketing & Promotion

Promote events through social media, email campaigns and other marketing channels.
Create event-related copy, promotional materials and social media content.
Capture photos and content at events for marketing and publicity purposes.
Repurpose event content to support ongoing promotion of books, authors and the press.
Support wider publicity campaigns around book launches and key publishing milestones.

Administration & Commercial Support

Negotiate event fees and partnership arrangements where appropriate.
Collect invoices and assist with payment processing.
Maintain accurate event records and reporting.
Support book sales opportunities through event partnerships and bookseller relationships.

Data and Reporting

Monitor event attendance, ticket sales, media coverage, social engagement and campaign performance.
Produce post-campaign reports and recommendations to inform future marketing and publicity activity.

Skills & Experience

Essential

Excellent organisational and project management skills.
Strong communication and relationship-building abilities.
Confidence liaising with authors, booksellers, venues and media contacts.
Excellent time management and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong written communication and copywriting skills.
Experience coordinating events or managing projects.
Proficiency with social media platforms and content creation.
Attention to detail and strong administrative skills.

Desirable

Experience within publishing, bookselling, literary events or arts organisations.
Knowledge of the UK publishing industry.
Understanding of book marketing, publicity and sales.
Experience hosting events, interviews or panel discussions.
Social media content creation experience.

Personal Attributes

Passionate about books, literature and independent publishing.
Proactive and resourceful problem-solver.
Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of projects.
Confident networker and relationship builder.
Professional, adaptable and personable.
Enthusiastic about championing diverse voices and independent authors.
Familiarity with the Fly on the Wall Press catalogue and publishing ethos, or willingness to develop a strong understanding quickly.