Publishing integrates a number of separate activities. These are:

· Selection and commissioning of manuscripts.
· Preparation of manuscripts for printing.
· Designing the final appearance of the books.
· Having them printed and bound.
· Marketing the finished books.

NATURE OF WORK

Designations and responsibilities of individuals vary in accordance with the size and organization of the publishing house. The process in general is, however, usually divided into three main functions-editorial, production and marketing.

MAIN AREAS

Each department performs a separate and well-defined but works in co-ordination with the others.

Editorial

This department's main duties include identifying authors and commissioning manuscripts; consulting specialists different fields for their opinions; preparing typescripts disks of manuscripts for the printer; liaising with authors and dealing with contracts; copyright and subsidiary rights

Editorial staff also takes care of new editions of existing books.

Production

The production department, in consultation with the editor decides on the appearance of a book, in terms of its shape size, cover, number of pages-and chooses the paper and style of typeface and illustrations that will be used. 

It also coordinates with suppliers like printers, paper merchants and bookbinders. Production staff is required to keep abreast of new developments in printing and production technology. Besides this, they must have an understanding of the costing and marketing of the various kinds of graphics illustrations and typography that might be used.

Marketing

Responsibilities in this sphere extend to planning researching for review lists and sales campaigns; and writing up of `blurbs'. The marketing department sends representatives to schools, universities, bookshops, libraries and other potential customers, to provide them with information on forthcoming publications and to collect orders. 

In some cases, marketing personnel, in consultation with the editorial department, conduct possibility studies based on feedback from distributors and retailers to decide on the commissioning of a new manuscript.