Preparing for the publishing industry

October 22, 2006 12:55 PM

How to prepare myself for a position in publishing?

I work in the small marketing department of an independent bookstore with a national reputation. Ideally, I'd like to stay with the company until I retire. However since there's at least 25-30 years before that will happen, I'd like to be in the best position if I ever need to find a new job. Aside from networking, what other steps can I take to prepare myself for the jump to a publishing company?

posted by dial-tone to work & money (9 comments total)

One suggestion: attend the Denver Publishing Institute.
posted by mattbucher at 1:04 PM on October 22, 2006

Do you mean specifically marketing at a publishing company, or are you thinking more broadly (e.g., editing, subsidiary rights, production) within publishing?
posted by scody at 1:19 PM on October 22, 2006

Scody: More broadly as my current position includes everything from writing copy to graphic design and event promotion.
posted by dial-tone at 1:33 PM on October 22, 2006

In that case, I'd recommend expanding on the copywriting skills, maybe by taking a class and aiming to take on some freelance work (or by taking on more and more responsibility at your current position). This would help build your resume from a marketing/promotions side. You might also want to look into proofreading and/or copy editing classes as well to boost your chances if you're possibly interested in the editorial side of things, or just to augment your copywriting skills.

As for the graphics side of things, book design is a pretty specialized skill; in my experience as an art book editor, truly good book designers are pretty rare. More marketing oriented design is probably an easier skill to develop, and so (not to sound like a broken record) you could boost your resume with some classes and freelancing.

As for the production side of things: the state of book production is in a sort of technological flux right now, especially when it comes to photographic reproduction (color transparencies are being phased out in favor of digital imagery; currently we produce books with a mixture of CTs and digital files, which is a huge headache), so I'm not sure what to advise you on that score.
posted by scody at 2:11 PM on October 22, 2006

First, I would suggest taking an internship in publishing to see if you like it. It's a completely different world than book selling (publishing has less to do with reading or even liking books).

One of the best ways to both network and prepare yourself for publishing is to do some freelance work (copy-editing, proof-reading, even marketing for some of the smaller presses). It won't be much work to begin with, but several publishers have tests online and farm out most of their work. It's a great way to start in publishing especially as it can be done in conjunction with another job.

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me via e-mail (I made the leap seven years ago.)
posted by rodz at 2:22 PM on October 22, 2006

I fell into editorial work (a caveat: the largest publisher I ever worked for was Lonely Planet); I was working at a bookstore that also published a book review magazine. They needed an assistant editor; I applied...and 15 years later, I'm still doing editorial work, both in-house, full-time work and freelance.

Take classes. Volunteer to edit/do the layout for nonprofits that publish member newsletters. Talk to the publishers' and distributors' sales reps that come to your store - they all know people in big and small publishing houses. Does your store send people to the American Booksellers Assoc. convention (or whatever it's called now)? Go, and talk to editors at the booths. Go to your regional ABA conventions. Read Publisher's Weekly religiously - all of it, including the want ads in the back.

When I got my first editorial job, my experience was nearly zero: I read a lot; I'd worked on a newspaper and various journals in college ( I was about three years out when I got the job). Classes in design or cpoyediting can give you a sheen of competence, but only the work will teach you what you need to know - and networking will be 80% of getting you the work.

Good luck!
posted by rtha at 8:38 PM on October 22, 2006

It's unclear from your post, but if you're involved in design projects (either ads, flyers, web stuff, or product development), it's a good idea to keep a portfolio of stuff that you've done before. You can show them in interviews to impress.

Also, knowing as much as possible about the industry standard programs like Quark, InDesign, Photoshop, and all about PDFs will be extremely valuable. I came into publishing fresh off a English degree and found my photoshop and layout expertise put me ahead of senior management even though I'd learned most of it on the job. Excellent job security when you're the one they turn to for arcane problems.
posted by cowbellemoo at 12:20 AM on October 23, 2006

...and remember: always have someone else proof your stuff!
posted by rtha at 5:45 AM on October 23, 2006

actually, I think your experience at an indie with a national rep bodes extremely well for moving into a sales, marketing, or publicity position at a publisher.

I am not a fan of the expensive publishing programs, and I think you'll get more benefits from just keeping your eyes and ears open at your current postion. Look at what is selling, look at how the floor is laid out, talk to the buyers and ask them quesitons, talk to reps who sell to the buyers.

Building your knowledge on the retail level can be invaluable whenever you need to jump to the publisher side of things.

Oh, and a copyediting course or two never hurts. It's a great skill to have even if you're not anywhere near editorial or the production side of things.
posted by kumquatmay at 8:42 AM on October 23, 2006