Publishing

What is it Like to Work in Publishing?

What Training Do You need to get Work?

What Do You need to Start Your Own Publishing Business?

The publishing industry has changed dramatically over recent times with the advent of electronic publishing (eg. Web sites and CD's). Yet quality writing and illustrations will always be needed by publishers irrespective of the format in which they are published.

The need for writers, editors, proof readers, illustrators, and layout artists will always be strong. The way in which these services will be provided in the future, and the way the work will be published, however, is less certain.

For a secure long term career in writing or publishing, you are advised to develop broad-based skills and a capacity to be innovative and adaptable. Your attitude and motivation must keep you at the forefront of industry, and you must remain willing to learn new things and change the way you approach your work fast, grasping the right new opportunities when they present themselves and rejecting the wrong ones.

This is an industry where formal training is a big help, but never a guarantee of employment.

People who learn to write well simply won't make a good living unless they can also write fast, meet deadlines, and are prepared to write what and how particular publishers want them to write. People who can write well won't sustain a career unless what they write meets the publisher's requirements. For most publishers, that means that the writing must also attracts money, usually through advertising or sales. 

Many of those who work in the publishing industry have never undertaken a formal course, while many who undertake a formal course do not succeed in this industry. Many people with university degrees in journalism or writing have great difficulty every getting work in this industry. Others who do very well after completing a sound short course that isn't even accredited in any way.

One reason for this is that most publishers will only take on those who are willing to work their way through the organisation to become thoroughly familiar with that publisher's way of doing things. Most publishers themselves have gotten into their positions in that way, starting as apprentices or in rather insignificant positions and proving themselves as they work their way up. They know that publishing is often very demanding work, with long hours in return for small rewards, and requiring careful attention to detail, as well as a 'feeling' for what might sell and what might not. If you want to become a publisher, be willing to do whatever it takes to gain experience.

Undertaking a course is one of several ways people break into a publishing career. But before enrolling in a course, be sure to investigate exactly what it will give you, and be realistic about what you might achieve from it.  If possible, choose a course that gives you practical publishing experience, as that can give you an edge.

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Kevin Wilton BIPP PQE Over 25 years experience in professional photography in Australia and the UK. Over 27 years experience in professional photography in Australia and the UK. Specialising in the Industrial and Commercial areas of the market, where clients were design groups, the UK Government, all aspects of the electrical generating industry, transport, steel production and coal mining. Extensive experience in the use of all film formats; from 35mm to 4x5” and 8x10”, and also capture and use of digital media, as well as Photoshop, ACR, Lightroom and Bridge for image correction and manipulation. Kevin has a wealth of lighting experience both in the studio and out on location, in factories, offices, nuclear power stations, location landscapes, industrial landscapes and the like – all of which were lit.	Karin von Behrens - M. Arts and Media, Grad Cert Communication and PR, Hons. Screen Studies and B. Creative Arts. Karin has an extensive background in Creative Arts and Media including animation, film production, radio, journalism, visual arts and creative writing. Having attended six different universities, Karin has a diverse knowledge of the arts both nationally and internationally and has spent a number of years travelling the globe. Her undergraduate degree included a year of exchange studies at the University of California Santa Cruz. Karin has worked on feature films, short films, festivals and spent four years with the City of Sydney Council doing everything from teaching creative writing to the elderly to event management and administration.	John L. Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Sup'n Cert., FIOH, FPLA, MAIH, MACHPER, MASA Mr Mason has had over 35 years experience in the fields of Education, Photography and Journalism. He has extensive experience both as a public servant, and as a small business owner. He has been editor for four magazines and written and illustrated over 40 books. John is a well respected member of many professional associations, including the Australian Society of Authors, and the Horticultural Media Association. Even today, John continues to write books for various publishers including Simon and Shuster, and Landlinks Press (CSIRO Publishing).