Publicist ( Hybrid

Company: Harper Collins Canada

Job Title: Contract Publicist, 6 months

Department(s): Publicity

Reports to: Director, Publicity

Status: 6 month contract (September 8, 2026
- February 26, 2027)

Location: 22 Adelaide Street West, Toronto (hybrid model)

Job Vacancy Status: Vacant and actively accepting applications

The Contract Publicist will oversee the publicity and promotion of titles published by Harper Collins publishing partners in the Canadian market as assigned by the Director of Publicity.

Harper Collins Publishers has been entertaining, educating, and inspiring generations of readers for more than 200 years. From its humble beginnings as a family‑run print shop, Harper Collins is today the second‑largest consumer book publisher in the world. Headquartered in New York, it has more than 4,000 employees working across publishing operations in 15 countries and 120 branded imprints. The company publishes approximately 10,000 new books every year in 16 languages and has a print and digital catalog of more than 250,000 titles.

We seek to deliver content that presents a diversity of voices and speaks to the global community.

Harper Collins In Canada Harper Collins Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing, and publicity of Harper Collins titles from around the globe, and the proud home of many bestselling and award‑winning authors such as Kate Quinn, Esi Edugyan, Barbara Kingsolver, Ann Patchett, Lawrence Hill, Rachel Reid, Tanya Talaga, R.F. Kuang, Matt Haig, Laurie Gilmore, and Jeffery Archer, as well as international brands such as J. R. R. Tolkien,

Agatha Christie,

C. S. Lewis, and Veronica Roth.

• Plan and execute author appearances including multi‑city book tours, local appearances, school visits, and special events.
• Pitch and secure interviews and book coverage with national and regional media outlets, including broadcast, print, podcasts, and online outlets.
• Arranges all travel for assigned authors and creates tour schedules.
• Writes compelling press releases, pitch letters, and other promotional materials in service of the publicity campaign.
• Briefs authors on how to communicate key messages in media interviews/appearances.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with media including TV/radio producers, book reviewers, as well as booksellers/event coordinators.
• Escort authors as needed to various events and media interviews on tour.
• Attend festivals/conventions as needed.
• Works closely with the sales, marketing, and publicity team as well as authors, agents, editors.

• 1+ years of experience in publicity, preferably in the publishing industry. Proven ability to generate creative angles and pitches.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment under deadlines.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent communication skills, including exceptional writing skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to represent campaigns to various stakeholders such as agents, authors, media, event organizers, etc.
• Ability to travel to conferences/festivals/events as needed.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills.

• Book publishing courses or certificate an asset
• Drivers License an asset

This position is operated in a hybrid office environment with some need to travel within North America.

This position often requires periods of sitting and keyboarding.

This position has no direct reports.

Harlequin is a leading publisher of commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction. We publish more than 100 titles a month that reach audiences globally. Encompassing highly recognizable imprints that span a broad number of genres, we are home to many award‑winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling authors. Harlequin is a division of Harper Collins Publishers, the second‑largest consumer book publisher in the world.

Through Harper Collins’s global publishing program, Harlequin titles are published in 17 countries and 16 languages.

The salary range for this contract is $50,000–$55,000. We recognize that attracting the best…