In the ever-evolving literary landscape, a powerful voice can often get lost amidst the roar of countless stories. The significance of a skilled book marketer, who can expertly navigate the complex world of publishing and promotions, has never been more pronounced. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a budding novelist in the UK, having a professional book marketer by your side can be a game-changer. They can illuminate your path, amplifying your voice so it reaches the ears and hearts of your intended audience.

In this article, we’ve curated a list of the top 8 book marketers in the UK, each of whom has demonstrated a unique knack for catapulting authors to new heights of success.

1. Kate Neilan

Kate Neilan is an award-winning book, brand, and product marketer with a wide breadth of experience across bestselling fiction and non-fiction titles​​. Offering services in marketing strategy, email marketing, advertising, and metadata & blurb optimization, she caters to a diverse range of genres, including contemporary fiction, literary fiction, mystery, crime, thriller, suspense, and various non-fiction categories​.

Her marketing prowess has been recognized with several awards, such as the Marketing Strategy of the Year at the British Book Awards 2021, and the Best Adult Fiction Campaign at the Book Marketing Society in 2020​. She is also a member of The Chartered Institute of Marketing​. Kate’s experience spans roles at Penguin Random House UK, First News, and her own podcast Adventures With Words, where she expanded her marketing skills to audio content, gaining a substantial international audience​.

Notably, she has successfully managed marketing campaigns for bestselling cookery author Rukmini Iyer, proving her ability to effectively build brand recognition and drive sales​. Her innovative approach to marketing is evident in her effective use of Advance Reading Copy designs and her ability to increase visibility in physical bookshops​. With her unique blend of creativity, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking, Kate Neilan is equipped to help authors and publishers maximize their book’s potential.

2. Julia Piddock

With 14 years of experience in UK publishing, Julia Pidduck has developed a keen eye for connecting authors with their readers. She has worked with major publishing houses like Random House and Hachette, honing her skills in both fiction and non-fiction genres. Julia offers personalized marketing strategies, tailoring her approach to each author’s unique needs. She’s adept at everything from social media navigation and email marketing strategy, to website optimization and Amazon product description enhancement.

Julia is also recognized for her work, having been commended by the Book Marketing Society and shortlisted for a FutureBook Award. She’s worked on notable projects such as Roald Dahl Day 2017, showcasing her ability to deliver successful marketing campaigns. Her experience spans various genres including Biographies & Memoirs, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, as well as Fiction genres like Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime, and Romance​.

3. Rachel Khoo

Rachel Khoo is a UK-based freelance marketing professional with a rich background in the publishing industry, having worked at Penguin Random House and Hodder & Stoughton​. She excels at crafting campaigns that foster meaningful engagement with books, driving both brand recognition and sales​. Her services encompass marketing strategy, email marketing, advertising, and metadata & blurb optimization. Rachel has a certification in copywriting from the Institute of Copywriting​. Her successful campaigns have resulted in sustained high sales, bestsellers, and significant retail engagement, showcasing her impressive marketing prowess​.

4. Em Burton

Em Burton, a strategic and creative marketer with over eight years of experience, primarily in the UK market, offers an impressive array of services for authors seeking to increase their online visibility and sales. A data aficionado, she delivers customised marketing campaigns that efficiently convert browsers into buyers. She provides consultations for improving discoverability, creates tailored digital advertising campaigns, and helps to build strong online brands. Her services have been instrumental in launching numerous best-selling fiction and non-fiction titles, including those by authors such as Paula Hawkins and Sarah Pearse. Burton’s award-winning work includes serving as the Head of Marketing and Digital at Penguin Random House, where she led high-profile campaigns and managed key brands.

5. Katie Sadler

Katie Sadler is an award-winning book marketer with over 14 years of experience, having worked with prestigious publishing houses like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Hachette. Offering expertise in marketing strategy, email marketing, and metadata & blurb optimization, Katie crafts tailored marketing plans to help authors find their readers and sell their books​. She handles titles across all genres, with particular experience in fiction like mystery, crime, romance, and women’s fiction, as well as non-fiction genres such as parenting, families, self-help, and self-improvement​​. Her accolades include the Book Marketing Society’s Guerilla Marketing Award in 2020​. Katie offers a range of services, from creating marketing plans to providing ongoing accountability and conducting clarity audits for existing platforms. She works with authors globally, extending her services to authors who are already published or have a confirmed publishing date​.

6. Eliana S.

Meet Eliana S, a seasoned Brand Marketing Manager with over 7 years of experience at Penguin Random House. Specializing in digital marketing and social media strategy, Eliana has spearheaded impactful campaigns across beloved brands like Star Wars, Minecraft, Stranger Things, and Game of Thrones, resulting in significant growth for managed channels​. A proven influencer marketer, Eliana’s efforts with the Reese Witherspoon Book Club resulted in a #1 New York Times Bestseller​​. Her portfolio boasts creative projects such as the Star Wars Books monthly newsletter and rebranding of the @crownpublishing Instagram, achieving a 66% growth within a year​. Eliana can drive integrated marketing campaigns, develop social media strategies, and consult on website redesigns to enhance user experience and lead generation​​.

7. Helen Jackson

Meet Helen Jackson, a seasoned book marketer with a flair for crafting compelling copy for fiction and non-fiction books alike. Boasting over 10 years of marketing expertise, Helen’s work encompasses commercial publishing at Headline Publishing and academic publishing at Macmillan International Higher Education and Bloomsbury. Her services extend to various genres, including Historical Fiction, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, and Food & Wine, among others. Helen is committed to producing quality copy that appeals to your audience, with an impressive portfolio featuring works like ‘Sacred Treason’ and ‘Hard Girls’. For £250, she offers her expertise to create a captivating blurb and ad copy that truly speak to your audience​.

8. Rachel Quin

Rachel Quin is an award-winning marketer with extensive experience in digital strategy and social media. As a freelance marketer, she has worked with major UK publishers across various genres, developing winning digital marketing strategies and creative campaigns. She offers services in marketing strategy and advertising​​. Her accolades include multiple awards from the Book Marketing Society and the Nielsen Data Prize for Excellence​.

Rachel has a strong track record in marketing roles, including her current position as a Marketing Manager at HarperCollins UK, where she manages high-profile brands and debut authors​​. Her previous roles include Digital Marketing Executive at ExCeL London and Content Writer at Audiense, where she excelled in creating and managing digital content and strategies​. With a passion for books and a wide range of marketing skills, Rachel Quin offers a comprehensive package for authors seeking to promote their work effectively.

As we draw the curtain on our journey through the top book marketers in the UK, remember that choosing the right marketer is a crucial step towards your literary success. These professionals, with their unique approaches and proven track records, are poised to bring your story to the world, helping you leave an indelible imprint in the hearts of readers across the globe.

Searching for a writing partner instead? Check out our list of ghostwriters in the UK.