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Is there still a market in the publishing industry?

It's well known the publishing industry is extremely monopolized, that a gateway into the industry is difficult to manage-- my question is, is there even a market for employment? Every english major I know dreams of doing something in publishing (commonly, editing) but is this even possible now days?

Asked By: Quinn - 3/4/2008
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
It's true that publishing is a very competitive business to enter. But it is possible, especially if you start on the ground floor (or perhaps the basement). An English degree is not enough (nor must you be an English major; If you want to get into academic publishing or publishing in a specific field, then some other major might actually be better).

Everyone applying for editorial assistant jobs will have had at least one internship and probably experience working with their school's literary magazine. Some will have been volunteer readers for a literary agency. Some will have advanced degrees of some kind in publishing. There are several colleges that have some kind of publishing program, from a certificate to a master's degree.

Some publishers have what's sometimes called a "rotational associate" program, in which a newbie will do a stint in several different departments until they figure out where their talents lie and a permanent position opens up.

But the publishing industry is always fluid: editors are constantly moving to different presses, being fired, going off to start their own press or agency, etc. This leaves holes. Existing editorials assistants are promoted, and new people come in.

So yes, it's possible. Difficult, but possible. Get as much experience and technical know-how as you can. If you can pick up one or two of the big page layout programs (Quark, InDesign, etc.), all the better. Think about going into the production or managing editorial side rather than the acquisitions side. Be prepared for low pay and far less glamour than most people imagine must be involved.

There's no industry I'd rather be working in and nothing I'd rather be doing than editing (except maybe writing).

Good luck!
Answered By: Elissa - 3/4/2008
Additional Answers ()
No, but seven-eleven is hiring.

Kidding.

OF course, but the secret is not education--though that doesn't hurt--it's who you know. Start networking!
Answered By: Alobar - 3/4/2008
One niche in the "publishing" world that people don't even think of is technical writing. This can be anything from the instructions on the back of a seed package, to the instructions for a new VCR, to complex technical documentation with a high-technology company.

I started out as a nuclear reactor operator on a submarine in the navy. When I left, I got a job as a microwave technician for a cable company. Eventually, I moved up to a position as a technical training specialist. I then started working on a degree.

At first, I thought I would get an EE degree. But, I soon found that this was kind of boring. I then looked into a certificate program at a local junior college in instructional design. I found that a technical writing curriculum was available. I was always really good at English. So, I completed the curriculum and eventually got an associate's degree in technical writing.

For the last 12 years, I've been working at a technology company writing engineering manuals for the design of microchips. Last year I topped $100K. Our company, plus many others in San Diego, are always on the lookout for technical writers. The people here have a variety of backgrounds (English majors, former engineers, people who have been technical writers for decades), and there is a variety of positions available in the industry (writers, web developers, script programmers, editors, desktop publishers, configuration management analysts, etc.).

I also publish an annual magazine for a civic group in my spare time. So, I can say that I'm "published". And, if I chose to do so, I could probably get into the conventional publishing industry with my experience. But, I love the technology world and don't plan on leaving until I retire (at which time I could easily get steady work as a consultant or freelance writer).

There's a networking group for technical writers called the Society of Technical Communicators (STC). That would be a good place to start getting to know people in the industry and working on contacts that lead to good jobs in technical writing.
Answered By: Paul in San Diego - 3/4/2008
Do you know how many magazines, journals, ezines, and newspapers are published in the US alone? If you expand your views on publishing beyond the book industry you will find ample opportunities. There are certainly places for editors in all those media!

The place to start is with an internship. Ask your university about any possibilities and keep your eyes open online. Everyone has to start at the bottom.
Answered By: Obi_San - 3/4/2008
Sure, there's a market. You just have to know where to look. I didn't even mean to get into publishing. I was an assistant in the production department, fresh out of college, only to e********y for law school.

That was more than ten years ago and I don't regret it one bit. I rue every single day I'm at work, only because, well, it's work, but I love my job and I love being a managing editor. It all depends on what you'd like to do in the field. You can do an internship at a publishing house, or you can explore an associates program. Our company has an associates program that allows college students to come and work in each department for several months throughout the academic year, which allows them to see what each department is like. This will give you a feel for the industry and to help you determine which area you'd like to go into.

If you know definitively that you'd like to be in a specific area, such as editing, you can do an internship. You don't get to travel from department to department, but the work is more focused. You get to stay in one field and really learn how things work. It helps you to get a foot in the door, as well as establish contacts. As a matter of fact, one person in my department is a full hire after have been an associate, and I know several other people who were associates with us and have eventually moved themselves to full-time positions at other houses.

In the end, it all boils down to doing what you love and loving what you do. I'd rather get paid the pittance that I am but work on the children's picture books and novels that I do than waste away my day at a job I hate, building up a bank account to live a life I can live because I'm too busy making money.
Source(s):
Publishing professional; managing editor at large
Answered By: skokiesam - 3/4/2008
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