Profile - Candice Carty-Williams
What's your job title?
Senior Marketing Executive at Vintage Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House
What does a typical work day involve?
One of the best things about working in Marketing is that no day is the same. One day I could be working on tube advertising, the next I could be working with influencers or filming author interviews. On the day that I write this, I’m writing cover copy for proofs I’m putting together, checking videos I had created before I send them on to the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton for sharing, I’m organising a competition for a cookbook, and briefing a designer on some Instagram assets I need creating. This time last week, I was in a room filming ‘is this line Shakespeare or Beyonce?’ with Malorie Blackman and Tracy Chevalier.
How did you get your current role?
Three years ago at the age of 24, I decided to finally try to make it into publishing, having dreamt about it for years but being too intimidated by the industry and genuinely believing that there would be no place for me. I interned at Melville House, a small press, then following that did another internship at 4th Estate and William Collins, who offered me an interview for a Marketing Assistant role when that came to an end. At the same time, I was in the middle of the interview process for a temporary Editorial Assistant job at Vintage. I got both jobs, completed the six week editorial assistant role and went straight to 4th Estate and William Collins. I was there for two and a half years, and then came to Vintage! *breathes out*
What's the best piece of career advice you've been given?
The old classic ‘work twice as hard to get half as much’ which is exhausting, and it’s sad that it’s true, but it’s gratifying when you get to where you want to be. If I could give a piece of advice, it would be to make meaningful connections when you intern, when you network, and at events, and to keep in touch with these people you meet along the way.
What's the one achievement you're the most proud of in your career so far?
It’s got to be the 4th Estate and Guardian BAME Short Story Prize. I came up with it when I took a week off and pitched it to my team, to the MD of 4th Estate and, most scarily (I was 25 at the time and still absolutely loathe public speaking) had to pitch it to the whole team at 4th Estate. Luckily, my hard work and my insistence paid off, and even though it was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done, it was worth it. That prize was the very first of its kind and showed other publishing houses that diversity is important. It’s now in its second year, and even though I’m not there to watch it grow, I’m still hugely proud of it.
What do you love most about your job?
Obvious answer, but the books! Especially as I’m getting involved with the acquisitions of books written by authors of colour now. I’m beginning to see the impact my knowledge and expertise has both on books written by white and now non-white authors.
Recommend a book you think everyone should read.
Citizen by Claudia Rankine. I tell everyone I meet to read it. Before I even introduce myself.