Halli Melnitsky is BookBub’s director of editorial operations. Before joining BookBub, she worked for a number of publishers and literary agents, including Penguin, Adams Media, and Zachary Shuster Harmsworth. In college, she also wrote for publications including McSweeney’s and founded her campus humor magazine. She now leads the team that curates content to be featured in BookBub’s email and on its website, furthering the company’s mission of connecting great books with readers, and bringing a flair of humor to the office everyday.
1) Describe your role at BookBub in one sentence.
I lead the team that curates content and creates promotional copy for BookBub’s email and website.
2) What’s one thing people don’t know about your job?
People might be surprised by how many of our decisions are informed by data. We certainly do a lot more math than most editorial teams I know!
3) What’s something you do every day that’s unique to your position?
My team and I often discuss the trends that our readers are looking for, and how we are shaping our categories to best fit their tastes. For example, do readers in certain genres respond particularly well to edgy content? What characterizes a fast-paced mystery vs. a twist-filled thriller?
4) What’s the most exciting thing about working for a startup?
Getting to see us grow and expand as a company. We’ve more than doubled in size since I’ve started, we work with new authors and publishers every day, and we’re constantly expanding the number of genres we target to readers.
5) Why did you join BookBub?
I grew up working in a bookstore — I love matching good books with good people. I’m very, very lucky that I get to do that in such an exciting digital landscape.
6) What’s your fondest book-related memory?
My dad read Sideways Stories from Wayside School to me when I was very young. It blew my mind — I didn’t know that books could be that weird and funny. It was a far cry from Dick and Jane!
7) What’s your favorite book?
I don’t know if it’s my favorite, but I’ve probably read The Other Boleyn Girl about 50 times. It’s a fascinating period in history, and Philippa Gregory makes it feel so relevant.
8) Pick a superpower: flying or teleportation. Why?
Teleportation, but only if I could travel through both space and time. Like the Doctor, but less angsty.
9) Where would you go if you could fly anywhere in the world right now (for free), and why?
The Galapagos Islands. It’s supposed to be one of the most amazing places in the world, but I’ve heard that it’s quite difficult and expensive to get to.
10) Why did you choose the book you’re currently reading?
I’m in the middle of Casey Hill’s Taboo, which we recently featured on BookBub. It’s part of an Irish crime novel kick I’ve been on. I’ve already bought the sequel!
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