It has been a little over a month since I started my internship as an editorial intern at Hachette Book Group! As an English major, it is a dream to be surrounded by shelves upon shelves of books. Reading interesting submissions from talented authors offers endless opportunities to learn and be inspired. Assisting the editorial team with a variety of tasks, from reader’s reports to crafting book descriptions and selling points, provides valuable hands-on experience.

I have been fascinated to see all the different factors considered when publishing a book and the number of people involved in the process. I am working with a team on books that will be published within the next few years! I was amazed at the various roles in publishing and the lengthy process a book runs through to finally hit the shelves. In this blog I will share more about the different roles I have seen. I hope they will inspire you to consider a career in publishing.

Editorial

As an English major, pursuing a role in editorial may seem like the most obvious path in publishing, making it one of the most competitive departments to break into. Additionally, while you may love reading, turning it into a full-time job by reviewing countless manuscripts can limit your personal reading time and, for some, even diminish the joy of reading. Fortunately, publishing houses offer a wide variety of other roles that allow you to contribute to the world of books, from marketing and sales to design and operations. Exploring these options can lead to a fulfilling career in the industry.

Marketing and Communications

Every publishing house has a marketing and publicity department dedicated to promoting books effectively to stores, media outlets, reviewers, and critics. They play a key role in organizing book tours, release day events, and author appearances. This department often works closely with the social side of publishing, building connections and generating buzz to ensure a book’s success. Social media plays a crucial role in promoting and selling books. Often part of the marketing branch, the social media department focuses on showcasing books across various platforms. Their responsibilities include sending out promotional packages and advanced reader copies to influencers, identifying trends in communities like BookTok and BookTube, and creating engaging content. Additionally, they enhance the publishing house’s visibility through trendy videos and posts, building excitement and driving sales. 

Sales and Finance

If you have a knack for numbers, the Sales team could be a great fit. Their primary role is to ensure the financial viability of each title an editor acquires. They refine profit and loss calculations, analyze comparative titles, and project how well a book might sell. Additionally, they strategize how to position and pitch books to maximize their marketability and reach the right audience. 

Graphic Art and Design

If you have a passion for art and graphic design, the publishing industry offers exciting opportunities in cover design. Creating a book cover is a far more complex process than it may seem. I had the chance to view several portfolios during the cover design process, and it was clear that it involves extensive research and constant collaboration with the author to capture the essence of the book. While some covers are designed in-house, others are crafted by external artists to ensure the perfect visual representation. 

Operations

In addition to editorial, marketing, and design roles, publishing houses offer opportunities in departments like Human Resources, IT, and Account Management. While these positions may not be directly involved with the books themselves, they play a crucial role in keeping the company operating efficiently. Every role contributes to the success of bringing stories to readers, making these departments essential parts of the publishing process. 

Whether you are an English major or not, publishing houses have the space for anyone interested in working in the industry and helping push important stories out to reach as many people as possible. I hope you are inspired to consider working at a publishing company.