How to Get a Job in Publishing: A Really Practical Guide to Careers in Books and Magazines

by Alison Baverstock, Susannah Bowen, Steve Carey

Careers in the media have always been popular, but publishing is particularly competitive, with thousands of graduates trying to get a foot in the door. This targeted, practical guide is ideal for anyone who wants to work in publishing, whether on traditional books and magazines or online publications. It will help readers to get that all-important first job and Working out if publishing really is for you Overviews of different types of publishing Explanations of different roles and departments (editorial, production, sales, marketing and so on) Top tips on how to make it in the industry Advice from leading industry figures

Genres: Nonfiction

278 pages, Paperback

First published April 16, 2008

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This week’s headline? creativity harnessed, distributed

Why this book? relevant right now

Which book format? "the basic codex"

Primary reading environment? bed, bath, beach

Any preconceived notions? boundarylessness and disintermediation

Identify most with? arrogance vs boldness

Three little words? "absolutely insatiable curiosity"

Goes well with? "bread and butter"

Recommend this to? "You absolute legend."

One of the friends I made last time I was here in Ireland was a pastry chef who gave me some career advice that I've followed for most of my twenties: work somewhere for a year, learn what you can, and move on. That has, with a few notable exceptions, been my pattern since undergrad.

It seems fitting that, at 30, I'm back in Ireland for grad school, and the first book I choose off the reading list - a guide to obtaining a job in publishing that I hope comes in handy any day now - gives the advice "change jobs every 3 to 5 years without fail." If I do that for the next decade, I'll only have another three jobs before I find my forever career.

There's also brief mention in this book of how students are now more consumers than mere absorbers of their education, which is really pertinent as I wait on my loan money to come through. I've been finding ways to squeeze every (Euro) penny's worth out of this year of grad school.

This book was very helpful, though it was written in 2008, right on the cusp of the digital change. The writers acknowledge this, and it was almost like I was waiting for them to drop the word "Kindle." So while the advice isn't so much outdated as incomplete, it still gives a very thorough overview of the business as it existed four years ago.

This book also forced me to answer some questions about myself and where I want to work, as well as address some personal blind spots I've been ignoring. The chapters on crafting a CV weren't very insightful, but I'd like to think that's because I've just had so much practice writing resumes that there wasn't much they could tell me.

Other cultural accompaniments: the other books on my course reading list

Grade: A-

I leave you with this: "...experience and contacts (and guts or lifestyle requirements)..."

[Rachael McDiarmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no way I can be unbiased. A friend co-wrote it, I know one of the other co-authors, and there's four --- yes four --- quotes from me in the book (must say, interesting choice Susannah!!! one's almost an essay!!!!!!). Glad to know my 20 year career in the book industry came in handy for something.... :)



You want a job in publishing, read this. It will get you a foot in the door...

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A readable mix of some very good advice, some very basic if you have even the slightest experience in publishing, and some, as it happens, already out-of-date - but all in all not a waste of your time as a young professional or soon-to-be that.

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, and really useful to understand the dynamics that move the Publishing sector.
I found it interesting, I hope it will seriously help me in the future.

[Titan3lla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I noticed on the bookshelf in the library when I started university. It has been sitting on my own bookshelf (after purchasing a copy) for more than 4 years, untouched.
After calling it "my Bible" for one and a half month reading it back and forth and my hard work had finally paid off. Even though it has been published more than 10 years ago, all the advice about getting a job in publishing is still relevant today (maybe mailing letters not so much). If you think you want to work in publishing, don't hesitate, get this book and get yourself a job in publishing!

Thank you, authors and everybody who shared their wisdom in this book!

[Sylwia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Says it covers international publishing realities, but really speaks only about UK and Australia - and what happens there is not the truth for all places, especially the non-English speaking ones. Really, the whole thing quite turned me off from wanting to work in publishing, it ended up sounding very clique-y and unfriendly for those not fitting a certain 'type.'
It doesn't help that by now the book is also a little outdated.

+ The font in the book bothered me a lot right from the start, not sure why, but that comes down to personal preference, I suppose.

[Is Jem · Rating 3 out of 5]

DISCLAIMER: I finished reading this a few weeks ago so my memories of it are kind of blurry. It's probably slightly better than this bare-bones review would suggest.

What it promises: 'A really practical guide to careers in books and magazines.'

What it delivers: That, more or less? It feels more like an overview than anything else.

Inescapable limitations: Hmm. It only really deals with the UK & Australian markets, I think.

Pitfalls 🕳️: A realllly dry tone.

Bright shining 🌟 moments: Nothing sticks out, tbh.

Diverse?: Not in the sense I meant it, no. It is diverse for a publishing book IMO in the sense that it covers Australia and magazines.

Monetary value 💸: ICR what I paid for this one, tbh, but I don't know that I'd pay full price for it.

Recommend: I think I'd recc this primarily to people who were interested in magazine publishing. I think it's a decent book for book publishing, but not insanely good.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the information and advice is obviously a bit outdated since it was published in 2008, but I found it helpful to hear the advice and experience of those in the industry, and it has given me ideas moving forward.

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found a lot of the information in this book useful but it was clearly written with a younger, might never had a job in their lives, audience than myself.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and clear guide to beginning a career in publishing. Provides descriptions of the different job roles in publishing and the personality type each would suit. Contains helpful, practical advice on writing your CV, networking, interviews, and work experience. Excellent for absolute beginners - may be a bit too basic if you already have some experience/knowledge about publishing careers.

[M-L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found if very insightful and interesting. It's written in a much chattier and easy style which makes it far easier to retain the information. As an undergraduate aspiring to a career in the publishing industry I found this book to be very helpful. I especially found the 'glossary of terms' to be great for picking up knowledge quickly. I know I will use this book frequently throughout my degree and recommend it to anyone in a similar position to me.

[Jovita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book informative and also interesting to read. I also smiled a lot while reading it, as authors explained things in informal writing. I guess some things could have been explained more, but overall I read this book with pleasure :)

[Exportswede · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book by my former lecturer, so I had to buy it