PUBLICITY & EVENT PLANNING
Sara has managed publicity and events for numerous authors and organizations. Author clients have included Newbery Honor Medalist Kirby Larson and New York Times best-selling authors Bonny Becker and R.A. Salvatore, for whom she orchestrated book tours for nearly a decade. She has led marketing, publicity, and events for Fortune 500 companies that include publisher Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro, State Farm, GE Healthcare, and T-Mobile. Sara also supports the Neufeld Institute by directing its annual conference of 700+ parents, educators, and therapists. See below for pictures and more information about some of the campaigns and events Sara has directed.
CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS
R.A. Salvatore Book Launch: Archmage
Supported the launch of New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore's Archmage. Publicity campaign included an 18-city book tour, media pitching, online tour, social media outreach, D&D podcast, Reddit live event, and participation in Salt Lake City Comic-Con.
R.A. Salvatore Book Launch: Vengeance of the Iron Dwarf
Smaller campaign focused around strategic bookstore events, review solicitation, and online interviews.
R.A. Salvatore Book Launch: Rise of the King
Publicity initiatives for this book by New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore included an ARC campaign, bookseller direct mail, media pitching, radio interviews, two-week book tour, and convention appearances.
R.A. Salvatore Book Launch: Gauntlgrym
Publicity campaign for R.A. Salvatore's Gauntlgrym that included a 12-city book tour, one-week blog tour, production of a book trailer, print campaign, and social media outreach.
R.A. Salvatore Book Launch: The Ghost King
For the launch of R.A. Salvatore's The Ghost King, managed the publicity campaign that included ARC distribution, retail displays, an online tour, social media outreach, and a two-week/11-stop book tour that included Portland's Wordstock and international appearances.
R.A. Salvatore Book Launch: The Pirate King
Supported the launch of The Pirate King with a publicity campaign that included a two-week/nine-city book tour, ARC distribution, media pitching, and bookstore retail displays.
R.A. Salvatore Book Launch: The Orc King
Publicity campaign for this R.A. Salvatore book that became a New York Times bestseller. Initiatives included a two-week book tour, ARC campaign, media pitching, bookseller direct mail, and retail displays.
Plot for Tots
Initiated this literary and musical extravaganza for the very young, benefiting Page Ahead Children's Literacy Program to put new books into the hands of at-risk children. Line-up included Caspar Babypants, Kate Endle, Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park, Wendy Wahman, Samantha Vamos, Lorie Ann Grover, and Arthur A. Levine.
Kirby Larson Book Launch: Hattie Big Sky
Publicity campaign for the launch of Kirby Larson's Hattie Big Sky, which received a Newbery Honor. Included production of a podcast, website design, Constant Contact newsletter, direct marketing campaign, and bookstore event support.
SCBWI American Library Association Midwinter Meeting
As Co-Regional Advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators of Western Washington, created an exhibiting template program for SCBWI International to participate in the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting tradeshow. This inaugural SCBWI booth hosted 35 local authors and illustrators for visibility to librarians, editors, and publishers. Recognized as SCBWI Member of the Year for this initiative.
SCBWI Western Washington 17th Annual Conference
Working as Co-Regional Advisor for the Western Washington chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, produced this first-ever two-day conference for 450 people. Included a line-up of Mo Willems; Newbery Medalists Susan Patron, Kirby Larson, and Cynthia Lord; Chris Crutcher; Arthur A. Levine; Elizabeth Bird; and 20 additional presenters—agents, editors, authors, and illustrators.
SCBWI Western Washington 16th Annual Conference
Responsible for event strategy, publicity, and logistics as Co-Regional Advisor for the Western Washington chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. Line-up for this professional conference for 400+ people included Bruce Coville, Paul O. Zelinsky, and 19 more publishing professionals—agents, editors, authors, illustrators, and educators.
Eleventh Annual Vancouver Neufeld Conference
Conference director for this two-day Neufeld Institute event for 700+ parents, teachers, and professionals, overseeing marketing, publicity, and event/venue logistics. Dr. Gordon Neufeld presented two keynotes on the theme of Press Pause and Play, and was joined by 19 Neufeld Faculty members and senior facilitators, who together offered 29 workshop and panel sessions.
Tenth Annual Vancouver Neufeld Conference
Conference director for this two-day Neufeld Institute event for 680 parents, teachers, and professionals, responsible for marketing, publicity, and event/venue logistics. Dr. Neufeld presented two keynotes on the theme of Making Sense of Kids and was joined by 23 Neufeld Faculty members and senior facilitators, who together offered 33 workshop and panel sessions.
Ninth Annual Vancouver Neufeld Conference
Conference director for this two-day Neufeld Institute event for nearly 550 parents, teachers, and professionals, overseeing marketing, publicity, and event/venue logistics. Dr. Gordon Neufeld presented two keynotes on the theme of Raising Resilient Children and was joined by 21 Neufeld Faculty members and senior facilitators, who together offered 32 workshop and panel sessions.
eighth Annual Vancouver Neufeld Conference
Conference director for this two-day Neufeld Institute event for 500 parents, teachers, and professionals, overseeing marketing, publicity, and event/venue logistics. Dr. Gordon Neufeld presented two keynotes on the theme of Developmental Science in Practice, and was joined by 21 Neufeld Faculty members and senior facilitators, who together offered 33 workshop and panel sessions.
Elementary school auction: We are family
Co-chaired this Seattle-based elementary school fundraiser that consisted of a silent and live auction, reception, and seated dinner. This PTA event not only brought the community together, but also grossed nearly $150,000 in support of critical programs that included funding the school guidance counselor.
Elementary School Auction: Celebrating Superheroes
Co-chaired this Seattle-based elementary school fundraiser that consisted of two silent auctions, a live auction, reception, and seated dinner. A rewarding community event hosted by the PTA that grossed more than $128,000 in support of critical programs, including funding the school guidance counselor.
T-Mobile Booth at NBA Jam Session: New Orelans
Working as an extension of the Hornall Anderson creative team to support the T-Mobile booth at this tradeshow event during NBA All-Star Week, overseeing event strategy, logistics, and staffing.
T-Mobile booth at NBA Jam Session: Las Vegas
Working as an extension of the Hornall Anderson creative team to support the T-Mobile booth at this tradeshow event during NBA All-Star Week, overseeing event strategy, logistics, and staffing.