If you love books, then you’ve probably thought about how you can build a career around them. Publishing is an obvious choice, as it’s all about bringing a book from idea to reality. Many people want to work in publishing but are worried that the industry is declining.
The good news is that this isn’t true! Publishing is a $119 billion market worldwide, and there are lots of opportunities for driven book-lovers to succeed. With that said, the industry is evolving and the emphasis is shifting thanks to trends in the market. If you want to get a job in publishing, you need to be prepared for this. Here are some of the different career options you can choose from, along with some tips for breaking into the industry.
Career Paths Within the Publishing Industry
You have several different career options if you want to work in the publishing industry. Taking a book to market involves a lot of people and steps, and you need to decide which step in the process suits your abilities and interests.
Acquisitions
The first step in the publishing process is acquisitions. A publisher buys the rights to a book, which allows them to publish it and take in profits according to the contract. Most publishing houses acquire titles after they’ve already been written, at least in the world of fiction.
People involved in acquisitions include:
- Literary agent—represents the author in acquisition negotiations and pitches manuscripts to editors
- Acquisitions editor—decides which titles to purchase and negotiates terms.
Editing
Once the book has been acquired by a publisher, it goes through the editing process. Editors are tasked with making the book as interesting, readable, and error-free as possible. This is a collaborative effort with the author. The goal is to create a book that people will want to buy.
- Book editor—provides developmental editing advice and collaborates with the author to improve the existing manuscript or to develop the book from an outline.
- Copy editor—if the book editor does not provide line edits, a copy editor will go over the manuscript and tighten it up.
- Proofreader—reviews the book for small errors, typically spelling and grammar only.
Design
After the finalized manuscript is ready, the design process takes place. An appealing cover and layout are important for marketing and selling the book, whether it will be sold as a print book, eBook, or audiobook, as they will attract potential readers’ attention.
- Book designer—creates cover design and chooses art or images. Also creates the layout and chooses font, spacing, and other design elements for the intended format.
Production
This step in the process is only for print books. It involves printing advance reader copies or “galleys” to check for any final changes or errors. Once approved, the book is printed.
- Book publisher—oversees the publishing process, ensures cataloging information is in order, and keeps the project on schedule.
Distribution and Sales
Once the book is ready to be released, it’s only the beginning. The publishing house has to get the book into readers’ hands. This process involves many different people:
- Book buyer—these professionals work with bookstores and distributors to choose titles for them to sell. They must understand current trends in the market and make informed recommendations.
- Marketer—digital marketers are heavily involved in modern publishing. They advertise online, help authors build an online presence, and create buzz for events. They might also work with influencers to help increase interest and sales.
- Publicist—publicists help to set up events and other promotional campaigns for new books.
Getting Started in Publishing
Depending on your interests and skills, you probably already know which careers will suit you. Getting into the industry can be tough as the competition for open positions is high. You need to be proactive and persistent if you want to land one of these coveted roles.
Start With a Degree
You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related field to work in the publishing industry. You’ll want to choose a degree that will set you up for your desired career, whether that’s editing/publishing, journalism, or English. Marketing communication and public relations is another common degree in the field. While in school, you can start to build your portfolio.
Get an Internship
These days, you won’t be able to break into the industry without experience. Getting an internship during or shortly after you graduate will give you key hands-on experience. Many successful publishing professionals started with an internship at a major publishing house.
Network!
It’s all about who you know. To get into the competitive world of publishing, you need strong connections. Join online groups and network in-person as much as you can. That way, you’ll learn about new opportunities, keep up with trends, and grow real friendships. Have patience and remember why you’re putting in the effort: to build a fulfilling career you love!
