Meet Sonya

Describe your educational background. Where did you study, what degrees did you receive?
I graduated Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania with a B.A. in History of Art and Russian.

Describe your career history. What have been your professional experiences prior to your current position? 
I had an internship every summer throughout college as well internships during semesters and winter breaks. I worked at a bunch of places (law firms, art museums, publishing houses—in various departments). I was lucky to get a job at Knopf right after college as an Associate with Random House’s rotational program. When my current job opened up, I knew immediately that I wanted it. After I interviewed for it, I stalked my current boss on a daily basis hoping to get a second interview. It worked!

What are your current roles and responsibilities? 
I work in Knopf publicity--it’s a tough job but well worth the experience. I’ve learned to juggle numerous responsibilities and pay attention to every little detail.

Describe a typical day at your job: 
I start the morning with a coffee and daydream about what it would be like to still be in bed. But then the phone starts ringing and the e-mails are pouring in, and I’m off running. By the time 3PM rolls around, it feels like 11AM.

What attracted you to your company and position? What is your favorite thing about your job? 
The amazing list of titles! Correcting people who pronounce Knopf without the K. Working in a fast paced environment with intelligent and fun people.

What has been your most memorable moment (so far) in your job?
My first day at Knopf publicity, I sat in a room with John Updike for 45 minutes while he signed copies of Due Considerations. He’s the sweetest, most brilliant author and we talked about his travels to Russia (where I was born) and our mutual love for the Red Sox. I like to think we bonded that day…but I’m probably imagining things.

If you could meet anyone from history, living or dead, who would it be? 
Tough question. It wouldn’t be anyone still alive…it would be so much more interesting to meet someone from centuries ago. Probably Queen Elizabeth I, because she’s the woman, or someone from the Elizabethan era.
Or any Czar or Czarina. Maybe Princess Anastacia right before she disappears? Or one of my ancestors…that could be interesting. Probably a peasant. A smart, hardworking Russian serf.

If I were a cartoon character, I would be… 
Penny from Inspector Gadget. Well, I want to be Penny. She’s the one who usually solves the cases and she has an awesome Computer Book.

What qualities do you feel are necessary to be a successful employee at your company? 
In publicity, you have to be very organized: when you’re setting up and executing an author tour, you’re responsible for every single detail down to the wire. You have to be a people person: you’re dealing with the media, all sorts of requests, and your authors on a daily basis so having a bad day and taking it out on others won’t fly. You need to be able to think outside the box, especially at a time when innovation and new ideas are critical for adapting to a new media age.

Have you had the opportunity to travel as part of your job? 
Just around New York for author tours. I’m all about taking that trip to visit our warehouse in Westminster, MD, but it seems there’s always an author in town that day.

Do you feel you have a good understanding of Bertelsmann and its corporate culture? 
After a year, I’m definitely starting to see the bigger picture. I’ve learned a lot, but there’s so much more to know.

My favorite book, movie and artist are…
Favorite book: The Time Traveler’s Wife, The Fountainhead, and Memoirs of a Geisha. I’m on a Steig Larsson kick at the moment, and Richard Yates (I’m reading Revolutionary Road right now—and I’m excited to see the movie: Kate and Leo back together! Epic.)
Favorite movie: Synechdoce, New York. I just saw it last week and it’s amazing. Any British comedy (especially mokumentaries, like Confetti) and John Hughs films (Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off).
Favorite artist: A lot of Russians: painters Vrubel and Kandinsky, writer and director Andrei Tarkovsky. Also Czech new wave filmmakers.

Finally, please write a paragraph or two about yourself, your interests, hobbies, goals, meaningful life experiences, role models, memories, etc.: 
I like options and have a hard time deciding on just one thing. I love theater: musicals, plays, going to the movies (not a fan of watching DVD’s, it’s gotta be on the big screen). Big cities and traveling. I’m (trying) to learn how to play the guitar. I’ve got some blisters forming on my fingers…attractive, I know.