By Grace Edwards, Tom Hankin, Misha Manani and Lydia Marshall
Congratulations on your first role in the publishing industry! Whether you’re working for a publisher or an agency, this is an exciting milestone. You’ll be meeting lots of new people, using various systems, adapting to a new and different environment and taking on responsibilities. While it can feel overwhelming at first, this is a great chance for you to learn, develop and have fun.
In this article, we’ll share our advice for making the best of your new role, where to turn for additional support, and how to hit the ground running in your publishing career journey.
The First Six Months
Organisation and planners are your best friends: Publishing can be a fluid and verging-on hectic industry. As a newbie, this is likely to feel even more so. With potentially multiple ongoing projects, it’s essential to stay organised, as priorities can change quickly. Online planners/tools like Trello or Monday are widely used, but a physical diary or to-do list works just as well!
Get to grips with publishing programmes: During your first weeks, you will encounter a variety of different programmes and apps. These might include Biblio to manage metadata, PageProof or something similar to check covers, Percolate for social media posts, or other internal systems. Make sure to keep a list of passwords and shortcuts handy as you navigate these new technologies.
Make a good impression: You’ll have numerous new names, systems, projects, processes and goals. Unless you have a photographic memory, it’s impossible to remember everything. Taking detailed notes not only gives you a point of reference but also gives you something to refer back to and demonstrates your focus and willingness to learn.
Use internal opportunities: Take advantage of in-house training sessions and resources. Whether they’re live workshops or recorded sessions, these will help you gain a broader understanding of the company and the publishing ecosystem. Don’t forget to read through company policies and benefits, so you understand your rights as well. There might even be a buddy system you can sign up to – it’s a great way to build connections early on.
Resources to Support Your Role
The Publishing Training Centre: This organisation offers high-quality courses led by industry professionals. Options include self-study and virtual courses on skills like proofreading, copywriting and grammar. These are perfect for boosting your knowledge and advancing your career.
Bookjobs.com: This platform is ideal for those new to publishing. Its “success stories” section highlights experiences of professionals across various roles, offering an insight when entering the industry and working in certain departments. You’ll also find resources on common publishing terms and a calendar of upcoming events.
Publishing industry events: Attending events is an excellent way to build your network and knowledge. Notable events include The London Book Fair. Other organisations like, The Bookseller, Independent Publishers Guild and The Society of Young Publishers also host valuable networking opportunities.
Publishers Association: This organisation provides a wealth of resources for career development. It includes upskilling and progressing in your job role; containing information on Bookcareers Professionals, which addresses current industry challenges like burnout. It offers a combination of coaching, information, guidance and practical tips. Explore BookMachine and BookMachine CAMPUS for networking opportunities and courses to help you upskill.
Top Tips for Making the Most of It
Seek out cross-departmental opportunities: Volunteering for projects – such as assisting at an author event – can deepen your understanding of the publishing workflow and expand your network. Building relationships with colleagues in other departments can make your job easier in the future because you will have more people to turn to for answers and advice.
Network with external peers: Establish connections with mentors, peers and colleagues from other publishing houses. This helps you to stay up to date on industry trends, competitive titles and emerging voices. Platforms like LinkedIn and X as well as publishing events such as book fairs or conferences are great places to network.
Look for learning opportunities outside of your job description: Publishing professionals often take on different roles or transition between departments. If you’re in marketing but interested in editorial work, consider volunteering for editorial projects or seeking mentorship and shadowing opportunities.
Be curious: Don’t hesitate to ask questions, especially when you’re learning new systems or processes. Publishing professionals are passionate about their work and happy to help newcomers. Understanding why tasks are done in a particular way will give you a deeper appreciation and grasp of the logic behind processes and help you make informed decisions. If you’re given a task or a project, it is better to clarify questions early on rather feeling lost halfway through.
Thank you for reading this issue! Join us in the next one, where we will cover Upskilling Tips for Your Next Publishing Role.