Sector Guides: Publishing: Publishing

Roles in publishing

Publishing is a very diverse sector with roles available in production, marketing, administration, IT, intellectual property, foreign rights, contracts, research and finance.

Editorial assistant
Entry-level role providing editorial support to a publication throughout the production process
Production assistant
Entry-level role focusing on administrative support throughout the production process
Copy-editor
Editing and proofreading text to ensure that it is factually accurate and contains no spelling and grammatical errors
Rights manager
Managing the publishing rights for books, including sales in foreign languages or other territories
Commissioning editor
Commissioning new publications for a publishing house
Lexicographer
Compiling words for dictionaries
Technical author
Writing about specialist or technical information so that it is accessible to users or a general readership
Writer
Writing for publications as an employee or freelancer
Graphic designer
Designing layouts and products, such as magazines, marketing materials, websites etc

Schemes to increase diversity in this sector

Various schemes exist to help increase diversity in the publishing sector

Creative Access
A social enterprise providing career-long access, opportunities, support and training for people from under-represented groups looking to get into the creative industries
HarperCollins graduate traineeship
Traineeship for BAME graduates

Professional associations

Work in Publishing week

Series of free online events hosted by The Publishers Association over one week every November. Showcases careers in publishing, an online Q&A session and more

Work in Publishing Week

Sectors related to publishing

The following sectors may also be of interest: