Name: Mel Winder
Role: Managing Director
Company: Hachette NZ
My role on the PANZ council is: I have responsibility for two portfolios; Book Awards which involves working very closely with the Book Awards Trust to ensure the smooth and successful running of the Ockhams, NZCYA and Poetry Day, and with PANZ working on the Book Design Awards. I also share responsibility with Claire Murdoch (Head of Publishing at Penguin Random House New Zealand) for the Training Portfolio and we are busy identifying the demand and finding the right people to share their knowledge.
My first job in publishing was: Making up reps kits at HarperCollins which involved standing for hours on end in front of pigeon holes filing covers and TI sheets.
I’m currently reading: A Mistake by Carl Shuker, it is living up to all the rave reviews.
My biggest career highlight in publishing has been: Selling millions and millions of copies of Harry Potter in Europe. And many fan girl moments with some amazing authors over the years.