Book publishing careers: types of graduate jobs

Editorial

This is the best-known area of book publishing and, as a result, most publishers receive huge numbers of applications for editorial roles. The role of an editor can be both creative and commercial. Usually, editors are involved in every aspect of publishing a book: from coming up with an idea, commissioning an author to write it, liaising with other departments to come up with design and marketing ideas, and even writing the copy on the book jacket. They may also work closely with the sales team. Junior members of the editorial team often carry out administrative tasks.

Skills needed
Creative flair is crucial for roles in editorial but must be combined with strong commercial awareness – like any other business, the main aim of a publishing company is to make money. A good eye for detail is essential, as is the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with authors and colleagues in other parts of the business. At a senior level, it’s important to be comfortable handling budgets and to understand the financial aspect of publishing.

Find out more about...

• The role of a commissioning editor and what this job involves on a day-to-day basis
• Entry-level editorial roles in book publishing

Design

Designers are responsible for how a book looks and feels.  Some publishing companies have in-house design teams, but many now use freelance designers. Working closely with the production department, designers usually work on every aspect of a book, from the cover design to the size and typeface. Depending on the publisher, there may be specialist roles for picture researchers and text designers.

Skills needed
Obviously, the work requires technical and creative skills – so most people working in book design have qualifications in graphic design or typography. Good communication and time management skills are important for liaising with colleagues (eg editors and the production team) and potentially also with the author.

Production

The production department takes the manuscript and design elements... and transforms them into a finished book. Production teams take on project management roles and can get involved with anything from ordering paper to getting quotes and negotiating prices on typesetting, printing and binding. Bookshops will be expecting the book to be available at a certain time, so it’s crucial that the production runs to schedule.

Skills needed
Book production requires strong project management skills. It’s important to be highly organised, able to negotiate and communicate with everyone else working on the project, and willing to take responsibility for the quality of the finished product.

Contracts

In some publishing companies (particularly smaller ones) editors are responsible for drawing up contracts. However, in larger organisations this is often the responsibility of a dedicated contracts department. People working in the contracts department will make sure that the contract documents are correct and in keeping with the original agreement with the author. Later, they will liaise with rights departments to ensure that the correct royalties are paid.

Skills needed
A sharp eye for detail is essential and a legal background can be useful.

Rights

After a book has been commissioned and the contract has been signed, the publishing house generally owns certain rights, which can be sold. These rights include translation, serialisation, film/TV rights and merchandising rights. Rights departments are responsible for selling these rights to people who are interested in buying them – for instance, an Asian company might want to translate a book into Japanese and sell it in that market.

Merchandising rights (the right to produce merchandise related to the book or character, such as toys or clothing) are an increasingly important source of revenue for publishing companies, especially in the case of children’s publishing and ‘character books’ – you can imagine how many companies are keen to buy merchandising rights for the Harry Potter books!

Skills needed
Negotiating skills are crucial to making sure that you can get a good deal and it’s also useful to have a sharp eye for detail. People who are well-organised and able to prioritise will do well in the busy rights environment where you need to keep track of multiple projects on the go at the same time.

Marketing and publicity

Long before a book comes out, the marketing team will have planned a campaign (including advertising in the press) and produced promotional material and catalogues to showcase it. The publicity team will concentrate on getting press coverage and setting up promotional events. For instance, they might arrange book launches or set up author signings.

Sales

Salespeople persuade booksellers to stock a publisher’s titles – both new titles and those on the backlist. Working in sales may also involve visiting schools or universities to discuss forthcoming publications and find out whether there are any gaps in the market.

Skills needed
The best sales people are enthusiastic and good at building relationships. It’s also important to be articulate and have a good understanding of how the book trade works.

Distribution

Many publishers distribute their own books, although some use a third party to do the job for them. A large warehouse may have up to 20,000 titles and must send books across the world. You can imagine some of the challenges involved in stocking and distributing books: some will have a quick turn over, while others may sell more slowly but in regular quantities. Highly sophisticated stock management systems have been developed in order to deal with this efficiently. Increasingly there are also mechanised processes to pick books and pack them up.

Support functions

Like all businesses, publishing companies also need to employ people in support functions such as finance, IT and HR. The skills required to work in these areas in a publishing company are much the same as those in other companies – but you’ll be at an advantage if you can show an interest in, and an understanding of, the publishing process. The publishing industry is increasingly aware of the value (and potential) of IT and technology. IT departments often work on software development as well as offering technical support.