Fiction Author Cutting Ties With Traditional Book Publishers
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 at
5:56 pm
The electronic book publishing industry brings potential for writers, but it also raises the hackles of some in the traditional book publishing industry. Can one author stand against an entire industry? Maybe. Maybe not. But author J.A. Konrath is giving it a go. And truly, he’s not alone.
Until a couple of years ago, I had been a newspaper journalist. Then in a matter of a year or two, I watched my career vanish before my eyes. The newspaper industry as a whole has been in decline for decades, but the ball has definitely been rolling downhill the last few years.
Tagged with: book publishing industry jobs
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Basically selling books through customer contact or telesales contact. You would work from a database and build up your customer information and sell them books. In this economic crisis I do not think there will be a lot of money to be made by selling books to the public because of the cut backs, you may have a better chance selling them to big stores but usually the big stores will put it out to tender, finding who is the best and the cheapest. This type of job is no different from selling double glazing or kitchen units or driveways?
Just take general academic courses in high school. A college degree in English will be helpful. You would most likely start as an “editorial assistant,” which is kind of like a glorified secretary, so be sure your office skills are good. You’re better off with a big company.
Publishing, in general, doesn’t pay very well. It is very hard to break through from being an editorial assistant to becoming an assistant or associate editor. You would usually start by working as an assistant to a book editor.
Wanting to write your own book will have little to do with working in publishing. What you will learn is how incredibly difficult it is to get published and how many people out there think they can write, but can’t
They also have production depts. where you could learn book layout, design and production. There are marketing, publicity, art and legal depts. as well.
Tremendous difference between a book editor and a copy editor. The former needs a good understanding of business and marketing, along with writing, literature, and story-telling. A double-major in college of English Literature and Business is a good lead-in, as is an internship at a publisher or newspaper.
http://www.bookjobs.com/page.php?prmID=12
you may find this link about degrees and publishing jobs interesting.
As a sales clerk without any advanced education – there is very little of any transfer of skills between stocking shelves and assessing manuscripts. Most store clerks, even in book stores, do not read all that much.
As a store manager without any advanced education – the only transfer of skills would be in management (personnel, business) and some idea of marketing as it applies to the end market (the store).
Clerks and managers can have editorial skills, either from advanced education classes for their degree (not necessarily a degree in english) or an inherent talent for the craft (knowledge of a craft is not the same as talent in a craft).
Working in a bookstore, while it doesn’t carry much weight as far as proof you have editorial skills, it is still a job credit that shows you are employable and familiar with books (even if it was only knowing where to stock them).
How do I break into the publishing industry?
I would love to work as a book editor and possibly one day become a literary agent. I currently work as a news producer. Any thoughts on how this experience could help me land a job in the publishing industry?
I want a book publishing job?
Basically, I want to edit books. What is the correct term for this career? Is there a difference between editor and copy editor in the book publishing industry?
I’m just reading Michael Korda’s book about that very thing.
If you’re presently in the news business, you might be able to edge on over into the publishing business by taking on the book reviews for whatever media you represent. And as far as being a literary agent, you can set yourself up today as an agent. But the hard part is getting to know editors and getting them to look at the manuscripts you will be submitting. Do you do any copy editing in your present job? If so, that could be a good ‘in’ into the publishing industry. At one time, publishers would farm out their slush piles to readers who were not on staff, but who had some literary qualifications. You might still be able to do that, although you would be paid peanuts, if anything at all.
You are probably one in a million – everyone else wants to know how to publish their book (in fact, there are a lot of entries on this site along the lines of “I want to write a book. What should I write about?” or “Can you give me a story line”:- sheesh! So your query is very refreshing.
If you do get into the publishing industry, let me know. I’ve got several manuscripts =)
What is the publishing industry like?
I’m fifteen years old and I’m a sophomore in high school and I feel that I should start thinking about my future. One of my many strengths is reading and writing. I’d really like to work for a publishing company, specifically a book publishing company. I’m also full of story ideas and I dream of writing and publishing my own book someday, but I think it would be a good idea to get to know the writing/publishing industry first so I’ll have experience. So here are a few questions I have about the publishing industry. Please don’t post links or anything. I’d like some first hand answers from people with firsthand experience.
What kind of people does the book publishing industry look for?
What kind of education/experience would land me a job in the book publishing industry?
What careers does it offer?
Would it be better to work for a small company or a big company?
How many years of college are recquired?
What would be the best classes for me to take now in high school?
Thanks!
What does a marketing job in the book publishing industry consist of?
How does book selling (in a retail shop) link exactly with the book publishing industry?
For instance, if you were applying for an editorial assistant job (where you proof read, assess unsolicited manuscripts, as well as admin tasks) what skills have you learnt from working in a book store (that does not include doing the tasks above) and how do you apply them to this area of work?