Entry

Entry into the industry is usually direct as an assistant in one of the functional departments. Selection for a position is on the basis of a simple written test and a personal interview, to gauge the candidate's awareness of and aptitude for their chosen area. 

New entrants are hired depending on the existing vacancies at any given time. Production and marketing departments sometimes prefer candidates with previous work experience. Probationary periods vary between six months and one year. 

In general publishing, a BA degree in any discipline is usually the minimum requirement for entry. In specialist publishing as for art, technical or educational books, the minimum entry requirement is a university degree in the relevant subject.

Career Levels

Though designation titles, grades and degrees of responsibility might vary slightly a career in publishing would generally involve working in the following positions:

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

Editorial Assistant / Copy Editor

Responsible for copy preparation. This includes checking facts, references, spelling and punctuation. Assistants are also required to rewrite portions of manuscripts, and to proof read typeset copy, Promotion to the next level is after approximately two years.

Editor

May handle books on a single subject or range topics. Editors initiate books, select authors and see the project through to completion. The number of books an editor handles and degree of contact with authors depends on the organization and the individual's seniority of position.

Editorial Director/Chief Editor

Is usually in charge of the entire operations.

PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT

The production department decides in consultation with the editor, on the appearance the book, on the shape, typeface, paper, illustrations etc., and it deals with printers, paper merchants, binders etc.

MARKETING AND SALES DEPARTMENT

The marketing and sales department is responsible for planning, researching, sales campaigns and for the representatives who call on bookshops schools, libraries, etc, to give information on forthcoming books and to collect orders. They also carry out feasibility studies, mainly researching the market so as to decision whether or not to go ahead and get the book commissioned

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

In general creative ability; some writing skill; ability accept responsibility and make decisions; patience; critical judgment; interest in social, economic and literary trends common sense; resilience; ability to see books as a marketable commodity; good memory.

Production Jobs

Facility for layout and design; some idea of typography, graphics, illustration, knowledge
current printing technologies. 

Marketing Jobs

Ability to get on with people; good business sense; awareness of reading trends.