How I Work Behind the book deal: How a book goes from pitch to print, with Penguin Random House's Izzy Yates
13 snips
Jul 1, 2026 
Izzy Yates, Head of Penguin Publishing Lab at Penguin Random House Australia, specialises in commercial nonfiction acquisitions. She unpacks how a proposal becomes a printed book. They cover what makes a proposal stand out. They explain editorial evolution from draft to proofread. They discuss titles, covers, pre-orders, retailer pitching, and whether authors need big platforms.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Follow The Three Core Editorial Rounds
- After delivery there are two main editorial rounds: a structural edit (big-picture cuts and reorganising) then a copy edit (line-by-line refinement), followed by proofreading and typesetting.
- Structural edits often cut tens of thousands of words or add chapters; copy editors verify accuracy and polish every sentence.
Clive's Obsessive Copy Edits Save Claims
- Amantha praises copy editor Clive for obsessive line edits and verifying academic claims in her books.
- Clive flags repeated adjectives, removes distracting jokes, and cross-checks journal papers for accuracy.
Design Title And Cover For Retail Visibility
- Treat title and cover as sales tools: aim for a punchy title plus explanatory subtitle and test cover thumbnails for online and shelf visibility.
- Penguin briefs professional designers, iterates with authors, and reviews designs with sales and marketing to maximise retail impact.
