The document discusses careers in the publishing industry, focusing on editors. It outlines the various roles editors can have, from entry-level positions like editorial assistants to senior roles like executive editors. Editors' duties involve working with authors, editing manuscripts, managing projects, and communicating between departments. The document also discusses requirements like a college degree and strong writing skills, benefits like insurance and discounts, and desirable qualities like a love of books and good communication skills. Editors can find work at major publishing houses.

1. About
The Publishing Industry
By Hannah Onder

2. What careers are
available
• Acquisitors: select the manuscripts and write the contracts
• Planners: figure out the plan for how to get the draft to the finished book
• Editors: evaluate the manuscripts, edit with the writer, and get the content ready for the
production staff
• Designers: design the book jacket, select the book fonts, and format the overall book
• Art Directors: create the book illustrations both on the cover or in the text
• Copyeditors: fact-check the content and edit for grammar
• Production Managers: oversee the production process by deciding the book
layout, printer, and source materials
• Distributors: link the book to sellers such as bookstores, wholesalers, online stores,
warehouses
• Sellers: use promotional material to inform customers, bookstores, and libraries about
new books
• Marketers/Promoters: create promotional items, send review copies, and book tours

3. What field of publishing do you want to
work in
Trade
• Books you read for fun
• Hard to get into due to popularity
• Books need to be written well and marketable
(good writing and business/marketing skills)
• Hands-on editing and idea development to
follow trends
Academic
• Books you read in college and cite for papers
• Hard to get into because of the required
understanding of scholarly knowledge and
passion
• Books need to be innovative with original
research
• More niche readers so books don't need to be
as marketable

4. Editors

5. What are entry-level jobs and what
promotions are available
Internships: Editorial Interns
Entry-level jobs: Editorial Assistants, Proofreaders
Mid-level jobs: Copyeditors, Associate Editors
Senior-level jobs: Executive Editor
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6. What are the job requirements
• 4-year college degree (usually in English, journalism, or communications)
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Ability to handle a large volume of work independently
• Good time management, prioritization, problem-solving skills
• Ability to work with on teams with all levels of editors and management
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Microsoft Word)
• Excellent phone and computer skills (especially for remote)
• Ideally, at least one year of prior editorial experience (for entry-level jobs)

7. What are the
duties of editors
• Writes first drafts of materials such as flap copy, fact sheets, catalog copy, cover
memos, blurb requests, etc.
• Works with authors and agents
• Prepares paperwork for request contracts, profit and loss statements, production memos,
preliminary manufacturing estimates, and payments
• Communicates between different departments and is responsible for keeping up-to-date
on all deadlines
• Assists in editing manuscripts
• Manages specific titles under little supervision
• Assists with submission responses, reading and evaluating submissions, logging
submissions
• Writes reader reports, updates editorial minutes, researches author records and book
ideas
• Completes all administrative duties for titles
• Formats and transmits the final manuscript to the Production Department

8. What are some
benefits of the job
• Insurance: medical, dental, prescription
drug, vision, life, disability, accident
• Partner/family insurance plans
• 401(k)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee discount program
• Job and career training
• Social events
• Free books

9. What are some qualities of people in
the job
Love of books
Passion for
paperwork
Good record
keeping
Mastery of
spreadsheets
Knack for
diplomacy
Good time
management
Ability to
multitask
Excellent
conflict
resolution skills
Great
negotiation
skills
Thick skin for
critiques

10. Where you can
work
• Hachette Book Group
• HarperCollins Publishers
• Macmillan Publishers
• Penguin Random House
• Simon & Schuster
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