Publishing Careers

There are many types of publishers: trade, independent, professional and scholarly, educational, and university presses.

Like any business, publishers offer a wide variety of job opportunities. In addition to editorial positions, there are opportunities in production, marketing and publicity, advertising and promotion, design, digital, and subsidiary rights.

Publishing jobs tend to be centered around commerce hubs and big cities. The “Big 5” trade publishing companies — Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, Simon and Schuster — are all headquartered in New York City.

There are short-term training programs — notably, NYU and Columbia — designed to introduce you to publishing and to help you find work in the field. These programs might help you find opportunities in publishing, but they are not necessary for gainful employment. What is required is that you network and get hands-on experience.

Hiring timelines in publishing are variable although some publishers have set internship deadlines.

Information Gathering

If you are interested in publishing (or any career field), you should follow that industry closely. Read trade magazines, like Publishers Weekly, newsletters, and popular publishing websites, like the Association of American Publishers. Join relevant email lists. Follow social handles for publishing houses and imprints. Research the types of positions that are available in those fields. The website Bookjobs provides detailed descriptions on the various departments you will find in the industry. Jane Fried, editor of The Hot Sheet, regularly updates this informational chart about key book publishing paths. Company websites, O*NET, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook are equally helpful resources.

Select Resources and Associations

Pro-tip from One Little Library: “The best part of this book [the Writer’s Market] is that it has a VERY extensive list of publishers and the genres they publish. If a few interest you, find their websites and their employment or careers page.”

  • Association of American Publishers — One of the largest professional associations for the publishing field. Their website contains links to member organizations and internship postings among other items of interest to publishers.
  • Association of University Presses — AUPresses is a community of publishing professionals and institutions. They maintain a jobs list and a directory of university presses.
  • Bookjobs — Bookjobs provides a centralized place for job seekers to research available positions throughout the publishing industry and to learn basic information about the book publishing industry as a whole.
  • Considering a Career in Publishing — Comprehensive introduction to the industry by Penguin Random House.
  • The Directory of Literary Agents — The Directory of Literary Agents is the most comprehensive directory of literary agencies in print or online.
  • Latinx in Publishing — Latinx in Publishing is a network of book professionals committed to supporting and increasing the number of Latine/x in the publishing industry, as well as promoting literature by, for, and about Latine/x people.
  • Publishers Lunch — The definitive source for jobs in publishing. For job seekers we offer a free search for the most, best, and most recently posted publishing jobs in the industry. 
  • Publishers Weekly — Trade publication for the publishing industry. Maintains a job board.
  • We Need Diverse Books — We Need Diverse Books is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that advocates essential changes in the publishing industry to produce and promote literature that reflects and honors the lives of all young people. WNDB also manages an internship grant program that awards supplemental grants to applicants from diverse backgrounds to help further their goals of pursuing a career in children’s and adult publishing.

Making Connections

Attend employer information sessions, industry events — on and off-campus — and connect with the local chapter of popular professional organizations. Professional associations host a variety of professional development, educational and networking events. If the cost of membership is prohibitive, contact leadership and ask if there are sliding scale prices for students. Volunteering for a conference, educational, or social event is another great way to connect with leaders in the industry.

Develop a LinkedIn profile that communicates your personal and professional brand. Joining groups related to your industry is a great way to meet new people, find mentors, contacts, and ask questions. Reach out to alumni through Hoya Gateway and the alumni section of Georgetown’s LinkedIn page. The Cawley website provides helpful guidelines on networking and informational interviewing.

Making Connections at Georgetown

Georgetown offers a number of opportunities for Hoyas to get involved. Check out Georgetown Entertainment and Media Alliance (GEMA) and GEMA’s senior year externship to New York or Los Angeles.

Joining a school club or working an on-campus job is another good way to learn more about the industry, develop your skills, and get hands-on experience. Work at Georgetown University Press; become a tutor at the Writing Center or join one of the many campus newspapers or journals: The Hoya, The Voice, The Anthem. While at Georgetown, you can also participate in a group based on a personal interest and develop your professional skills. For example, if you are interested in theatre, but you eventually want a marketing job in the publishing industry, you could join Mask and Bauble and work on the publicity or graphic design team. 

Off-campus jobs can also help build skills valued by employers. Working at a bookstore is an excellent way to build industry knowledge and demonstrate your interest in books. Washington DC is home to a number of independent booksellers including Politics & Prose, Solid State Books, Mahogany Books, Kramers, and East City Bookshop.

Preparing Your Application Materials

To better understand what skills to highlight on your resume, check out internships, fellowships, and entry-level positions in publishing. Book Jobs, Publishers Lunch, and employer websites are great places to research industry opportunities.

Read How to Get Into Publishing by Penguin Random House and check out these other cover letter and application tips from recruiters at the “Big Five” publishing houses:

Applying

Internships enable you to gain valuable professional experience prior to graduation.

If you are having a difficult time finding a full-time job after graduation you may want to consider a post-graduation internship or fellowship, which is common in publishing, and often leads to full-time employment.

Select Employers and Internships

“Big Five” Publishers

Independent & Smaller Publishers

Academic Publishers

Literary Agencies