THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS

We have the privilege of working with a wide and wonderful range of clients and industry professionals, including:

PanMacmillan (NZ), Auckland University Press, Scholastic New Zealand, Storylines Children’s Literature Trust of New Zealand,

Calico, Eunoia, Mary Egan, YourBooks, Nationwide Books, Quentin Wilson Publishing, Awa Wahine,

Alive Foods and Rene's Kombucha.

LORRAINE STEELE

Managing Director

Lorraine Steele has been in the entertainment industry all her working life. After 10 years distributing and publicising New Zealand movies, she followed her passion for books and moved to HarperCollins Publishers NZ where she worked for 10 years as Publicity Manager.

In 2012 Lorraine started Lighthouse PR with Dr Sarah Gumbley, and now enjoys the diversity of working with large and small publishing houses, and a wide range of talented self-published authors.

Authors she has worked with include:

Jeffrey Archer, Paulo Coelho, Amy Tan, Isabelle Allende, Barbara Taylor-Bradford, Paullina Simons, Jonathan Franzen, Michael Cunningham, Donna Hay, Julie Biuso, Margaret Mahy, Tessa Duder, Joy Cowley, Tīmoti Karetu, Wharehuia Milroy, Anne Salmond and Joan Metge.

KAREN MCKENZIE

Co-Director and Senior Publicist

Karen McKenzie has worked with authors as diverse as John Grisham, Ken Follett, Stephenie Meyer, Anita Shreve, Nicholas Sparks, Mitch Albom, Jeffery Deaver, Alexander McCall Smith, Kate Mosse, Ian Rankin, Donovan Bixley, Andy Griffiths, Julia Donaldson, Suzy Cato, Nadia Lim, Karyn Hay, Sarah Wilson and Michael McIntyre.

Prior to joining Lighthouse PR in 2013, Karen was a publicist at Hachette New Zealand. She was also Sales and Marketing Manager for Anne Geddes Publishing, and she has extensive experience of working at the Frankfurt Book Fair and with international publishers.

Karen has a Diploma of Professional Writing and an Advanced Diploma of Applied Arts (Writing). She is also a published author under the name ‘Karen McMillan’ and you can find about more about her writing at www.karenm.co.nz.

Karen is passionate about book publishing and enjoys working with authors to help them realise their dreams. She also offers consultations for authors wanting to know more about the Self Publishing process.

MARGARET

SAMUELS

Senior Publicist

Margaret Samuels has been in publishing and bookselling most of her working life.

She’s worked with books and writers in schools, universities, bookshops, academic publishing companies, multi-national publishers and in book information.

Authors she’s had the privilege to plan and implement sales and marketing campaigns for include Margaret Mahy, John Grisham, Anita Shreve, Michael Parkinson, Barbara Ewing, Stephen King, Stephanie Meyer, Michael Robotham, Patricia Cornwell, Ron Palenski, Joan Metge, CK Stead and Steve Price.

Margaret also has wide experience organising book launches, lectures and tours, and manages the PR for Storylines Children's Literature Charitable Trust Awards and National Tour.

She enjoys the diversity of working with authors from small and large publishers, and those who are publishing their own books.

REBECCA SIMPSON

Senior Publicist

Rebecca Simpson has been working as a book publicist for over 15 years, she began her publicity career at Random House New Zealand and went on to become the Publicity Manager at Penguin Random House New Zealand. In 2019 Rebecca decided to spread her own wings and work freelance, since then along with book promotions she has worked with a broad range of clients that offer other products and services. This includes promotional work in the arts, health, telecommunications, technology, recreation, and educational fields. Books are her passion as they offer such a wide variety of topics.

She has worked with a wide variety of authors, including Jung Chang, Lee Child, John Boyne, Anita Desai, Jeff Kinney, Kathy Lette, Lauren Kate, Catherine Robertson, Fiona Kidman, Owen Marshall, Al Brown, Chelsea Winter, Nadia Lim, Brett McGregor, Martin Bosley, Xanthe White, Kelvin Cruickshank and many more.

With a background in Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from ELAM, Auckland University, Rebecca is very creative. She thrives on sharing others’ stories and creating meaningful connections with audiences.