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This section addresses book and magazine publishing.
Industry Overviews
Book Publishing
There are a wide range of opportunities in book publishing. Some of the typical departments you may find include the following: Editorial, Finance, Contracts, Publicity, Art & Design, Production, Information Technology, Marketing/Advertising/Promotions, Subsidiary Rights and Permissions, Sales, Internet Development, Distribution. A rapidly growing trend in the publishing arena is the expansion of electronic, audio, and new media formats. For those who are technologically savvy, opportunities abound in the industry. Publishers within all segments are looking to meet increased consumer demand and keep up with ever-changing technological advances.
Publishers tend to fall into one of two categories, large publishing houses or small independent presses. The large publishing houses have a number of imprints that fall under their umbrella (ex: Doubleday is an imprint of Random House). Regardless of their size, publishing houses may focus on one segment or be divided into multiple divisions that each specialize in a particular segment.
Five primary segments of book publishing:
- Fiction: Literature, Romance, Science Fiction, Mystery, Crime, etc.
- Non-Fiction: Cookbooks, Self-Help, Biography, Travel, etc.
- Educational: Textbooks – Elementary, Secondary, Post-Secondary
- Professional & Scholarly: Legal, Technical, Scientific, Medical, etc.
- Children’s &Young Adult
It is important to recognize the range of possibilities encompassed in the five segments and to identify which segment(s) your interests and skills best lend themselves to. This will help you as you look for publishing houses or independent presses to target in your job or internship search. Though working in any segment of the industry will provide you with valuable experience, you may find your work more enjoyable if you are in a segment that genuinely interests you.
A complimentary career and internship option outside of the publishing houses but within the publishing industry is to work at a literary agency. Literary agents, sometimes referred to as author’s representatives, connect talented authors with editors at the appropriate publishing houses, assuring that promising works do not get buried in a pile of unsolicited manuscripts. Literary agents provide authors with honest feedback on the marketability of their work, provide editorial guidance to assure the work is ready to be submitted to a publishing house for initial review, connect the author to the appropriate publishing house representatives, and assist with contract negotiation.
Magazine Publishing
There are two primary segments of the magazine industry, consumer titles and trade magazines. Consumer titles are the magazines the public is most familiar with. These magazines are the ones you will see sold in stores or through subscriptions. Consumer titles are further divided by general interest magazines (Life, Reader’s Digest) and specialization magazines (Sail, Vegetarian Times). Trade magazines, sometimes referred to as business-to-business magazines, are sold by subscription and target specific professions or particular interest areas. You will rarely find these magazines in stores.
As you begin your job or internship search, it is important to recognize that the array of magazines you may see in stores represent only a little more than half of all magazines published today. In both segments, there are a variety of career options to choose from based on interests and skills. The business side of the industry focuses on advertising, circulation, consumer marketing, promotions, public relations, business management and financial management. The creative side oversees is the editorial functions, which range from photography and graphic design to content, layout and online interactive features.
Getting Started
Book Publishing
Interning in a publishing house is recommended for anyone considering a career in the book publishing industry. Most publishing houses and small independent presses have summer internship opportunities. Many of the larger publishing houses offer paid internships; opportunities in smaller and independent presses may be paid or unpaid. The center of the publishing industry is New York City, though if you want to spend your summer elsewhere, there are opportunities scattered throughout the U.S. but recognize there are fewer opportunities outside of the New York City area, so you will need to plan ahead and may need to network to develop opportunities for yourself.
Within each department there are a variety of internship and entry level opportunities. In addition, the larger publishing houses have entry level rotational programs that give new employees the opportunity to rotate through up to eight departments over the course of the first year to better understand the role of each functional area.
Magazine Publishing
The magazine industry is very competitive, especially if you are looking for a position with a well-known consumer title. Experience is essential. Internships and positions with on-campus magazines are a great way to gain the necessary experience to make you more competitive. Additionally, networking is vital. Start developing connections early through informational interviews and attending events that may put you in contact with professionals in the industry.
Think of topic areas that interest you; the odds of there being publications on those topics are high. Start by searching for opportunities at publications that genuinely interest you. Proactively seek out opportunities; as with many other industries, openings are not always advertised. Contact the publication directly to determine of opportunities exist; if nothing is available at the time, try and get an informational interview to learn more about the publication and make a connection, as you never know where that connection may lead in the future.
Resources
Book Publishing: Industry Resources
Book Publishing: Job Search Resources
Literary Market Place (LMP) is a directory of American and Canadian book publishers, includes listings for companies, periodicals, awards, courses, and events, as well as publishers, literary agents, distributors & sales representatives, wholesalers, exporters & importers, manufacturers & printers, remainder dealers, reference books & magazines and literary associations.
**Access this resource through the Yale University Library
Book Publishing: Post-Graduate Publishing Institutes
Magazine Publishers (Not an all-inclusive list)
Magazine Publishing: Job and Internship Search Resources
Magazine Publishing: Post-Graduate Publishing Institutes
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