Today I’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Kribs, who is an Executive Managing Editor. Here’s how she handled my interrogation:

1. In one sentence, how would you describe your job?

I’m a cat-herding, problem-solving traffic cop – it’s a fast-paced, fun and forward-thinking job.

2. How long have you worked at Random House, and how did you get into publishing?

I’ve worked at M&S for ten years. After graduating with a English/Sociology degree, I flipped a coin and took some publishing courses at Ryerson.

3. What does your typical workday look like?

Doing laps around the office, writing lists, checking off lists, consulting schedules, consoling authors, playing book doctor.

4. What do you like best about your job?

Bossing people around.

5. What was your very first job?

I was a bagger at a grocery store. Was pretty good, too.

6. If you could do any other job (in or out of publishing) what would it be?

A dog walker, but only on really nice days.

7. Which genre do you read the most?

I’ll admit to reading award-winning literary non-fiction the most, but really it’s apocalyptic futuristic fantasy.

8. What was your favourite childhood book or author?

Fantastic Mr. Fox.

9. What are you reading right now?

Dave Bidini’s, On a Cold Road, The Marriage Plot, and 10,000 Baby Names (just ‘cause).

10. Which author would cause you to jump up and down with excitement upon finally getting to meet them?

Kurt Vonnegut.

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Today I’d like to introduce you to Verne Williams, who is an Assistant Manager in Publishing Operations. Here’s how she handled my interrogation:

1. In one sentence, how would you describe your job?

My job is about problem solving and prioritizing daily SAP tasks as part of the team working to get our books to the bookstores on time.

2. How long have you worked at Random House, and how did you get into publishing?

30 years, applied for a job with Doubleday in 81’ because I love reading.

3. What does your typical workday look like?

Keeping on top of the day to day task to meet deadlines.

4. What do you like best about your job?

My manager lets me set my own schedule and allow me to do my job with just the right amount of supervision .

5. What was your very first job?

Accounts receivable clerk.

6. If you could do any other job (in or out of publishing) what would it be?

Teaching because I love learning and enjoy passing the knowledge along.

7. Which genre do you read the most?

Mysteries and Thrillers.

8. What was your favourite childhood book or author?

A Basket of Flowers by Christoph von Schmid and favourite author was Enid Blyton.

9. What are you reading right now?

Through the Glass by Shannon Moroney

10. Which author would cause you to jump up and down with excitement upon finally getting to meet them?

Maya Angelou.

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Today I’d like to introduce you to Cathy Paine, who is a Special Promotions Director. Here’s how she handled my interrogation:

1. In one sentence, how would you describe your job?

I have two jobs, but both serve the same purpose – to create awareness for our books and authors.

2. How long have you worked at Random House, and how did you get into publishing?

Too many years to count. We’ll leave it at over a decade.

3. What does your typical workday look like?

Answering emails. Working with a partner(s) on the details of a promotion. Attending meetings. Brainstorming. Trouble shooting. Booking media for an author. Booking events for an author. Answering more emails.

4. What do you like best about your job?

I get to be creative and work with a wide variety of people.

5. What was your very first job?

Teaching little ones to swim.

6. If you could do any other job (in or out of publishing) what would it be?

A lounge singer.

7. Which genre do you read the most?

Fiction

8. What was your favourite childhood book or author?

Judy Blume

9. What are you reading right now?

The Power of Habit, written by Charles Duhigg.

10. Which author would cause you to jump up and down with excitement upon finally getting to meet them?

Toni Morrison.

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Today I’d like to introduce you to Janet Joy Wilson, who is an Imprint Sales Director. Here’s how she handled my interrogation:

1. In one sentence, how would you describe your job?

I am responsible for the Canadian sales and marketing of 27 client publishers which include Rizzoli, DC Comics, Shambhala, Quirk Books and NYRB.

2. How long have you worked at Random House, and how did you get into publishing?

8 1/2 years. I was a professional actor in my 20’s who had to pay the rent and thus I took a temp job at Madison Press Books answering the phone. The rest as they say is history.

3. What does your typical workday look like?

The standard response is that it’s never typical except that there are 3 seasons to sell. I’m proactive during the day thinking about how I can encourage the book lover to buy a few of my 700 titles each season. I’m reactive during said day when I find out the media is fascinated with my Italian economist or a title is long-listed for the Giller. My day feels like a smorgasbord.

4. What do you like best about your job?

The variety of books, the diversity of publishing personalities and the feeling that I’m an entrepreneur in my sales and marketing initiatives.

5. What was your very first job?

I was 12 and I taught tap dancing to a class of energetic 3 year olds at the Sharon House School of Dance in Dunnville.

6. If you could do any other job (in or out of publishing) what would it be?

I’d like to be outside, I grew up on a farm, and I’d either be a gardener or create an edutainment farm experience to educate kids about field to table.

7. Which genre do you read the most?

Literary Fiction.

8. What was your favourite childhood book or author?

I remember Grade 5 when I would read 5 books each and every week. I read all of Judy Blume’s books so I could say she was a favourite.

9. What are you reading right now?

I usually have a few on the go depending on my mood: my reading homework for spring 2012 book is The Fallback Plan by Leigh Stein. It’s a charming, smart and hilarious debut novel about the tricky period between college graduation and moving out of your parents’ house. I just finished the first chapters of a spring novel called The Thorn and The Blossom, it’s a special book like Time Traveler’s Wife but formatted as his story/her story with a beautiful treatment of the package. I’m very excited about The Art of Hearing Heartbeats that is coming in January. I’ll be shouting from the rooftops when I finish that one.

10. Which author would cause you to jump up and down with excitement upon finally getting to meet them?

UK writer Jonathan Coe. I’ve read most of his work and I think he’s brilliant!

Want to be introduced to other great employees? Be sure to check out these additional Random Staff Interrogations

Today I’d like to introduce you to Tan Light, who is a Digital Coordinator. Here’s how she handled my interrogation:

1. In one sentence, how would you describe your job?

My job is all about engaging readers of all ages: I tweet them, I Facebook them, I manage communities and write newsletters, I take them out to author events, and chat them up whenever I can.

2. How long have you worked at Random House, and how did you get into publishing?

I’ve worked at Random House of Canada for just over 4 years. Before that, I was an aspiring academic in a very obscure field. When I realized I might need a more practical plan career-wise, I asked myself what was really important to me. The answer was “Books” and the transmission of stories. I immediately enrolled at Humber College, finished their Publishing program that Summer, and landed the perfect job. I’ve never looked back.

3. What does your typical workday look like?

It’s hard to be ‘typical’ in the Digital World. I spend a good chunk of time each day on Social Media platforms, though which ones vary from day-to-day. Oh, and meetings. Meetings are a constant when you cover this many books. Everything else is a bit of a wild card. I might be covering an award ceremony, visiting the set of Canada Reads, throwing a party, or brainstorming reading challenges for the members of my teen readers community, Bookurious.com.

4. What do you like best about your job?

It’s a pretty amazing thing to spend your day talking to people who love books.

5. What was your very first job?

Very first? I had a paper route for many years, even before I started babysitting.

6. If you could do any other job (in or out of publishing) what would it be?

I’d be an author, of course. Wouldn’t we all?

7. Which genre do you read the most?

Paranormal anything. I’ve been down with the ghosts and vampires since I was tall enough to reach the circulation desk at the library. The fact that it’s so popular now thrills me to no end – innovations in the genre are everywhere. (But no, I have not read Twilight, nor do I plan to.)

8. What was your favourite childhood book or author?

One Monster After Another by Mercer Meyer. I’ve not been able to find a used copy as an adult, but I’ll keep looking!

9. What are you reading right now?

My signed, first edition of Colson Whitehead’s, Zone One. “A zombie story with brains…Readers who wouldn’t ordinarily creep into a novel festooned with putrid flesh might be lured by this certifiably hip writer who can spin gore into macabre poetry.” (Ron Charles, The Washington Post)

10. Which author would cause you to jump up and down with excitement upon finally getting to meet them?

I pretty much did just that the first time I met Kelley Armstrong in person. Since then, I’ve managed to wiggle my way onto her marketing team, so we’ve met enough times that I can contain my excitement. However, I will tell you I squealed out loud when Kelley called on my 30th Birthday!

Want to be introduced to other great employees? Be sure to check out these additional Random Staff Interrogations

Today I’d like to introduce you to Iris Walker, who is the assistant to the SVP; Director of Marketing. Here’s how she handled my interrogation:

1. In one sentence, how would you describe your job?

Busy, as there is never a dull moment, assisting with whatever needs doing, but working in a great environment with great people makes it all worthwhile.

2. How long have you worked at Random House, and how did you get into publishing?

I’ve work at Random House for a little over 4 years. I actually found this job on Workopolis and Tracey, my boss, chose me! For that, I am truly grateful.

3. What does your typical workday look like?

Depending on the day, I have specific things to do. But, everyday, I start by going through my emails, dealing with them, then moving on to whatever needs to be done. There is ALWAYS something that needs to be done.

4. What do you like best about your job?

The people that I work with. I’m surrounded by knowledgeable professional, whom I’ve learned much from. And, they make me laugh, an added bonus.

5. What was your very first job?

My very first job was a Candy Striper at North York Branson Hospital. It paid nothing, but I got to meet some interesting people.

6. If you could do any other job (in or out of publishing) what would it be?

Dream job: I would love to be an author, although I probably wouldn’t be very good. So, realistically, an event planner.

7. Which genre do you read the most?

Historical Fiction and Fantasy.

8. What was your favourite childhood book or author?

Growing up, I devoured The Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys books by Edward Stratemeyer. Along with The Dark Tower series by Stephen King and Sweet Valley High books by Francine Pascal.

9. What are you reading right now?

Right now, I’m reading Ghosted by Shaughnessy Bishop-Stall. I’ve never read him before and I find his writing intriguing. Before that, I read the ARC of Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel. It’s about Zombies…enough said.

10. Which author would cause you to jump up and down with excitement upon finally getting to meet them?

It’s a tie between Jane Johnson and Roberta Rich. When I was told that I would actually meet then, I’m sure I floated down the hall…I was SO excited!

Want to be introduced to other great employees? Be sure to check out these additional Random Staff Interrogations

Today I’d like to introduce you to Sean Tai, who is a Senior Typesetter. Here’s how he handled my interrogation:

1. In one sentence, how would you describe your job?

Tens of thousands of unruly electric words arrive on my desk and then I line them up and force them to march into neat evenly spaced straight lines so people can read them in a printed book.

2. How long have you worked at Random House, and how did you get into publishing?

Four years, but 14 including my ten years at McClelland and Stewart. I got into publishing after taking the Ryerson publishing program after university.

3. What does your typical workday look like?

See 1., but including lunch breaks.

4. What do you like best about your job?

I quietly accomplish a lot but no one notices me or knows what I do.

5. What was your very first job?

My very first job was working as a human scarecrow to keep birds out of the fields at the Agriculture Canada Experimental Farm in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Hours 4 to 8 a.m. Thanks Dad!

6. If you could do any other job (in or out of publishing) what would it be?

Interesting question. I would love to work as an archeologist on ancient digs in any part of the world.

7. Which genre do you read the most?

Lately I read mostly history and some historical fiction.

8. What was your favourite childhood book or author?

So many! What age? My favourite childhood book at (random choice) age eleven was Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh.

9. What are you reading right now?

Too many! Though I am slowly working on Suite Francaise by Irene Neimrovsky.

10. Which author would cause you to jump up and down with excitement upon finally getting to meet them?

Great question. Does that count authors we have already met? I try to contain the jumping when I see Naomi Klein, which would be really embarrassing. As for the unmet , Elizabeth Smart, which would be very exciting if only as decisive proof of the existence of the afterlife. And the still living and unmet, hmm, let’s see. Margaret Atwood, I met her. Michael Ondaatje, in the men’s washroom at M&S, no less. Who else is jumpworthy? Gabriel Garcia Marquez? Is he still alive?

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Today I’d like to introduce you to Ellen Nodwell, who is a Contracts Manager. Here’s how she handled my interrogation:

1. In one sentence, how would you describe your job?

Contracts Manager for McClelland & Stewart, Tundra Books and the new hockey imprint FENN/M&S.

2. How long have you worked at Random House, and how did you get into publishing?

I have worked full time for M&S since March 1, 2011 but was on contract several times before that. I started my publishing career working in magazines for sixteen years and then did an about face to trade publishing after my magazine went under.

3. What does your typical workday look like?

Mornings at home I have down to a fine science so I can sleep in as late as possible, alarm goes off to CBC, escort cat to food bowl (it’s a thing he likes me to do) and give him scritches, shower, make sure hoodlums are up, build lunches or find cash depending on the day, eat cereal and read a magazine or book at the same time, get dressed, fend cat off from escaping out of doors for the day, jump into car, drive sons to school, turn around and then head south to go down town, park in near to last spot in garage next door (hoping that George Brown students don’t have exams in which case there will be no spots), find spectacles, turn on computer, quickly look into Rights inbox and distribute emails from there, then try to quickly scan my own emails (not usually successful because with contracts, nothing is ever simple or fast to answer – one email can take all morning), water plant then get first mug of tea, dive into a project, emerge around 11:30am for second mug of tea, at 1pm – eat lunch ( I had to set a meeting reminder to remind me to eat lunch otherwise I will work through lunch hour), usually eat and work through lunch, dive into next project, emerge @ 4pm unless there is a meeting, emerge around 5:10pm realizing it’s time to go home and that really I could stay for a couple of more hours except I know my work will never be done and I have to go home and ensure the hoodlums get out to their evening activities and are fed.

4. What do you like best about your job?

I am never bored and it is always challenging and the people are lovely and sometimes I get to meet and speak with some pretty nice authors too. (Also, the Random House warehouse sale.)

5. What was your very first job?

My first real job was as a filing clerk for a brokerage firm when I was 17. My most unusual job was as a Passenger Porter on a Great Lakes freighter.

6. If you could do any other job (in or out of publishing) what would it be?

Artist.

7. Which genre do you read the most?

Fiction.

8. What was your favourite childhood book or author?

My first favourite book that I can remember was Ant and Bee: An Alphabetical Story for Tiny Tots by Angela Banner. Then there was all of the Richard Scarry books and The Little Girl and the Tiny Doll by Edward Ardizzone and Rumour Godden’s The Dolls House and Tove Janssen’s Moomintroll series…and and and…

9. What are you reading right now?

Season of Darkness by Maureen Jennings

10. Which author would cause you to jump up and down with excitement upon finally getting to meet them?

Ooo so many…Tove Janssen would have been great but as she is no more, I’ll have to say P.D. James as she’s a master, but really, there are so many. I would have said Michael Ondaatje but he does wander into our offices occasionally so he doesn’t count anymore.

Want to be introduced to other great employees? Be sure to check out these additional Random Staff Interrogations

Today I’d like to introduce you to Paul Dotey, who is a Typesetting and Design Associate. Here’s how he handled my interrogation:

1. In one sentence, how would you describe your job?

Book Designer and typesetter.

2. How long have you worked at Random House, and how did you get into publishing?

2.5 years. Planning on taking a computer night-school class at Centennial College, saw the ‘Book and Magazine Publishing’ diploma in the catalogue, and decided to make that my career.

3. What does your typical workday look like?

Converting hardcover files to paperback files, designing covers for new books, and typesetting books that have been designed by myself or by others.

4. What do you like best about your job?

Applying creativity to challenges: timelines, budgets, opposition…

5. What was your very first job?

‘Gold Picture Frame’ shop in Scarborough; cleaning, vacuuming, and cutting panels of 5×7 glass on Saturday afternoons. What fresh hell was that?

6. If you could do any other job (in or out of publishing) what would it be?

Archaeologist.

7. Which genre do you read the most?

Literary fiction, humor

8. What was your favourite childhood book or author?

Henry the Explorer by Mark Taylor (getting a little misty now…)

9. What are you reading right now?

At Home – Bill Bryson

10. Which author would cause you to jump up and down with excitement upon finally getting to meet them?

Michael Cunningham, or Oscar Wilde

Want to be introduced to other great employees? Be sure to check out these additional Random Staff Interrogations

Today I’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Herman, who is the National Accounts Marketing Manager. Here’s how she handled my interrogation:

1. In one sentence, how would you describe your job?

I am surrounded by fabulous people who are passionate about sharing ideas and stories every single day!

2. How long have you worked at Random House, and how did you get into publishing?

I have worked at RHC for five years after having been with Indigo for eight years having held various positions.

3. What does your typical workday look like?

There is no such thing as a typical day which is why I love this industry and this job. There are meetings and events and travel and presentations and juggling. Lots of juggling.

4. What do you like best about your job?

Making a person fall in love with a book they would have never picked up on their own.

5. What was your very first job?

Babysitting.

6. If you could do any other job (in or out of publishing) what would it be?

Hmmm talk show host or yoga teacher.

7. Which genre do you read the most?

Fiction with YA a close second.

8. What was your favourite childhood book or author?

Roald Dahl

9. What are you reading right now?

MWF seeking BFF by Rachel Bertsche

10. Which author would cause you to jump up and down with excitement upon finally getting to meet them?

I’ve been fortunate to have met almost everyone on my wish list. I guess the only hole so far would be Dean Koontz. And I do deeply regret never having met the late great Mordecai Richler.

Want to be introduced to other great employees? Be sure to check out these additional Random Staff Interrogations