26/06/2023

Meet 2023 George Robertson Award recipient Jane Kembrey, the Sales & Marketing Manager at UNSW Press and NewSouth Books. She shares how she first got started in the publishing industry in 1976, and how much has changed over the years. 

'A fountain of knowledge', 'Fabulous to work with', 'A unique blend of talent, knowledge and calm efficiency' – 2023 George Robertson Award recipient Jane Kembrey has booksellers, publishers and authors from around the globe singing her praises, and seeking her advice. 

For over 46 years Jane has put books into the hands of millions of readers, and made an invaluable contribution to the publishing industry as Sales & Marketing Manager at UNSW Press and NewSouth Books. 

She first began her career in 1976, as a trainee manager and non-fiction book buyer at WHSmith in the United Kingdom. Just two years later, Jane moved to BBC Books as an account manager at a momentous time where the BBC was rapidly growing with titles like Delia Smith’s cookery series, Agatha Christie and Robert Hughes’ Shock of the New topping bestsellers lists.

'In 1976, the Net Book Agreement was in place, there were no online stores, e-books were unheard of. In the 1990s chain bookshops dominated the high streets, the net book agreement was torn up. Since then, the move to online shopping and ability to reach further readers through a multitude of social media platforms has grown. Reading recommendations on BookTok has gone from being a novelty to becoming a dominant driver of fiction sales.' 

In 1990,  Jane moved to Australia, working for Open University Australia and in 1997 started her career working on a commission basis for Unireps, the academic distribution business of UNSW Press. Moving her way from NSW and ACT account manager to nationals sales manager, by 2009 Jane was instrumental in the relaunch of the distribution arm, NewSouth Books, and new trade imprint, NewSouth. 

Promoted to sales and marketing manager in 2019, Jane’s sales record was exemplary and under her leadership, everyone from booksellers to authors and publishers sought Jane’s advice. Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jane’s attention to detail and genuine consideration for her team was extraordinary. 

In the face of challenges Jane says a love of reading, books, and above all the wonderful people in the international publishing industry has kept her going. While it’s hard to pick just one memorable experience, she reflects that:

'I’ve had immeasurable support from colleagues and the opportunity to work with so many wonderful publishers and booksellers. There’s also the thrill of introducing new authors to readers and working on a title from its conception to seeing it on the shelves.' 

To current and future industry professionals Jane says not to presume anything, be 'passionate and resilient', and especially:

'Enjoy what you’re doing and grow and challenge yourself. Publishing is such an exciting and rewarding industry to be involved in.' 

Learn more about other George Robertson Award recipients here.