Wikipedia

Lisa Sharkey

Lisa Sharkey (born 1969) is an American media executive, publisher, and author known for her contributions to book publishing and television production.[1] Since 2014, She is the Senior Vice President and Director of Creative Development at HarperCollins Publishers, and currently serves as the publisher of Harper Influence, a new imprint at HarperCollins, roles that underscore her leadership in the publishing industry.[2]

Lisa Sharkey
Born
Lisa Sharkey

1969 (age 54–55)
New York
NationalityAmerican
Alma materWashington University in St. Louis
Occupation(s)Executive, Publisher, and Author
EmployerHarperCollins
Notable workDreaming Green: Eco-Fabulous Homes Designed to Inspire
TitleSVP, Publisher of Harper Influence at HarperCollins

Prior to joining HarperCollins, Lisa had a 27-year career in television production and media. Since 1987, she worked for WPIX-TV, CBS, Fox, and Inside Edition. Between 2000 and 2005, she served as a senior producer at Good Morning America and was as executive producer for the documentary Profiles in Courage: Kennedy Legacy.[3] She has received numerous accolades, including Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a DuPont Award.[4] In addition to her media work, she has been active in publishing and environmental advocacy. She authored Dreaming Green: Eco-Fabulous Homes Designed to Inspire and regularly participates as a lecturer and keynote speaker at various writers' conferences.[5][6]

Early Life and Education

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Sharkey was born in New York and is the biological sister of Tina Sharkey. She attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Comparative Arts.[7]

Career

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Career in Television

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Sharkey's career in television began at KETC-TV in St. Louis during her time at Washington University. She subsequently rose through various positions at major networks, including WPIX-TV, CBS, Fox, and Inside Edition. As Senior Producer at Good Morning America (GMA) from 2000–2005, she managed high-profile news segments, broke significant stories such as the Laci Peterson case, and worked closely with prominent journalists Diane Sawyer, Charles Gibson, and Robin Roberts. Sharkey was recognized for her storytelling and earned Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and a DuPont Award during this period.[7][1]

HarperCollins

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In 2014, Sharkey transitioned from television to book publishing, taking on the role of Senior Vice President and Director of Creative Development at HarperCollins Publishers. In her new role, she oversees the acquisition and publication of high-profile nonfiction books.[8] She leads the acquisition of celebrity-driven and personality-focused nonfiction books, collaborating with high-profile authors like Tim Tebow, Lauren Conrad, and Jenna Miscavige Hill.[9] Sharkey also leads HarperCollins’ video initiatives, including social media engagement through platforms like Book Studio 16.[7][10] Her professional endeavors have included working with influential figures such as King Charles III, whose book Harmony: A New Way of Looking at the World she published in 2009.[11]

Sharkey has published more than 75 New York Times bestsellers including the 40 New York Times bestsellers acquired as of 2023. Sharkey's acquisitions have included works such as Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall, Beyond Belief by Jenna Miscavige Hill, Out of Captivity by Keith Stansell, Mark Gonsalves, and Thomas Howes, and Etched in Sand by Regina Calcaterra. In 2024, she was appointed publisher of Harper Influence, a nonfiction imprint dedicated to publishing a diverse range of titles on popular culture, lifestyle, survival stories, and more.[12]

Additional career

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Between 2005 and 2007, Sharkey was the president of Al Roker Productions, where she oversaw the creation of reality television, cooking shows, and documentaries such as Profiles in Courage: A Kennedy Legacy. Sharkey mentor's military veterans through American Corporate Partners, assisting with their transition to civilian careers.[13] She has also hosted international students and serves on the advisory board of Washington University in St. Louis. Additionally, she collaborates with Library for All organization to support global literacy initiatives. [14]

Social Impact

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In 2023, Sharkey co-acquired the rights to Amy Winehouse: In Her Words, a book featuring never-before-seen writings and personal reflections by the late musician, Amy Winehouse.[15] Demonstrating her commitment to social justice, she also campaigned for the discontinuation of production for navy-and-white striped pajamas at Nordstrom, a clothing resembling The Holocaust-era clothing, highlighting her dedication to historical awareness.[16]

Authorship

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Sharkey co-authored Dreaming Green: Eco-Fabulous Homes Designed to Inspire with her husband, architect Paul Gleicher.[17] She frequently lectures at writers' conferences, including the Kauai Writers Conference and Aspen Words' Summer Words Program. In 2016–2017, Sharkey was named the David J. Pecker Distinguished Professor at Pace University, lecturing and mentoring within its M.S. in Publishing Program.[14]

Recognitions

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Q&A with Lisa Sharkey, Senior Producer of "Good Morning America"".
  2. ^ Stewart |, Sophia. "Harper Group Launches Nonfiction Imprint, Harper Influence". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  3. ^ "HarperCollins Books Lisa Sharkey". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  4. ^ Estelle (2024-06-13). "#91 Book Publisher Lisa Sharkey On Hot Topics, and Her Harper (Collins) Influence". Estelle Erasmus. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  5. ^ "Dreaming Green: Eco-Fabulous Homes Designed to Inspire - Sharkey, Lisa: 9780307395481 - AbeBooks". www.abebooks.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  6. ^ "Lisa Sharkey on Changing Careers | MS in Publishing". mspublishing.blogs.pace.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  7. ^ a b c "Finding the Next Bestseller–Our April Alum of the Month | IES Abroad". www.iesabroad.org. 2024-10-04. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  8. ^ "Lisa Sharkey on "Book Publishing with Celebrity Authors" | MS in Publishing". mspublishing.blogs.pace.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  9. ^ Rovell, Darren (2012-01-09). "Tim Tebow's Autobiography 'Through My Eyes': The Best Selling Sports Book Of 2011". CNBC. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  10. ^ "The Shark of Book Publishing: Lisa Sharkey". Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  11. ^ "A Day in the Life: Lisa Sharkey, SVP and Executive Director of Creative Development at HarperCollins | The Hub by The London Book Fair | Publishing News". hub.londonbookfair.co.uk. 2023-11-16. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  12. ^ Stewart |, Sophia. "Harper Group Launches Nonfiction Imprint, Harper Influence". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  13. ^ admin (2018-04-07). "Mark Green's Story Of Resilience And Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of Military Service". Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  14. ^ a b "Announcing the 2016-17 Visiting David Pecker Professor, Lisa Sharkey | MS in Publishing". mspublishing.blogs.pace.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  15. ^ "HarperCollins scoops 'intimate tribute' to Amy Winehouse". The Bookseller. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  16. ^ Mackey, Maureen (2021-12-11). "NYC woman whose relatives were killed in Holocaust gets striped pajamas pulled from shelves". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  17. ^ Sharkey, Lisa; Gleicher, Paul (2008). Dreaming Green: Eco-fabulous Homes Designed to Inspire. Clarkson Potter/Publishers. ISBN 978-0-307-39548-1.
  18. ^ "New '21 Leaders for the 21st Century' Honorees Announced, as the 2021 Event Goes Virtual". Women's eNews. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  19. ^ Sciences, Arts & (2024-03-04). "2024 Distinguished Alumni". Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
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