Peggy Samedi
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Peggy Samedi, and I am a Director of Production at Penguin Random House and President of the New York Book Forum. I work in the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. The group publishes literary and commercial fiction, nonfiction, and Graphics. I am a native New Yorker and first generation American. I love to read and travel. My favorite destination so far has been Morocco.
How did you become involved with NYBF?
I previously chaired the New York Book Show committee for the Book Industry Guild of New York and joined the NYBF Board during the Pandemic to help build something new.
What does your role at NYBF entail?
As President, I have fingers in all the pies. I am currently working on our Publishing Bootcamp programming. I also try to help with our programs as well as other initiatives where I can. Since we are a young organization and compromised of volunteers, we all do what we can to ensure the success of our organization.
How long have you been working in the book world?
Like so many people in publishing, I started out wanting to be an editor. I worked at a small independent press as an editorial assistant and attended the City College of New York Publishing Certificate program as a post doc student to learn the ins and outs of the business. In one of my classes, Andy Hughes, then Production Director for Alfred A. Knopf, came in to lead the Production talk. So began my love affair with making books. It took a while to get a Production role, but 23 years later I have no regrets.
What makes you personally passionate about literacy?
As a young child from an immigrant family, the public library was my sanctuary. It was the one place I could go and get anything I wanted without worrying about the money. Reading not only took me to places and introduced me to people that were outside of what I knew in my day to day, but also let me imagine what was possible and gave me the tools to create my future. I want to make sure that children and adults have the opportunity to see what is possible and envision a way forward.
Anything else you’d like to share about NYBF?
Being part of an industry organization is a wonderful way to grow your career, create lasting friendships and try new things. And with NYBF specifically, it’s a wonderful way to be a part of an organization whose goal is to educate and promote literacy, something I am proud to be a part of.
What is your favorite karaoke song?
Can’t choose between “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor and “Since You Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson.
And if you were stuck on an island and could only have 1 book with you, what book would it be?
This question kills me. I have narrowed it down to Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin or Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.