Sonali Fry
About Sonali Fry
Sonali Fry is the Vice President and Publisher of Crown Books for Young Readers, Little Golden Books, and Sesame Street at Penguin Random House in New York.
Current Role at Penguin Random House
Sonali Fry is currently Vice President, Publisher of Crown Books for Young Readers, Little Golden Books, and Sesame Street at Penguin Random House in New York, United States. She oversees the publication of notable tie-in books for popular preschool licenses, including Dora the Explorer, Blue's Clues, and Go, Diego, Go!. Her role involves leading editorial meetings, reviewing financials, contracts, and catalog copy, and participating in industry events such as sales conferences and acquisitions meetings.
Previous Roles in Publishing
Before her current position, Sonali Fry worked at Little Bee Books, BuzzPop, and Yellow Jacket, divisions of Bonnier Publishing USA, as Publisher from 2016 to 2019. Prior to that, she served as Editorial Director at Little Bee Books from 2014 to 2016. Her earlier roles include Editor-in-Chief at Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, Inc. from 2002 to 2014, Editor at Cartwheel Books/Scholastic from 2000 to 2002, and Associate Managing Editor at Grosset & Dunlap and Price Stern Sloan/Penguin Group USA from 1996 to 2000.
Educational Background
Sonali Fry completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Asian Studies and Marketing from 1991 to 1995. She also attended The Taft School from 1987 to 1991. Her educational background laid a strong foundation for her career in publishing, equipping her with critical skills in both cultural studies and marketing.
Expertise in Children's Literature
Sonali Fry has an extensive background in managing and developing book series for preschool and middle grade/YA audiences. She is known for overseeing original and licensed book lists, blending market trends with creative editorial practices to build competitive and robust book collections. Her current and past roles have emphasized her expertise in children's literature and her skill in nurturing successful book series.
Industry Participation and Leadership
Sonali Fry actively participates in key industry events including sales conferences, launch meetings, and acquisitions meetings. Her leadership in these forums reflects her deep engagement with market dynamics and industry trends. By staying current with these developments, she ensures that the book lists under her purview remain relevant and competitive. Additionally, her responsibilities include leading editorial meetings and handling financial reviews and contract negotiations.