Thinking of Getting Into Book Publishing? Think Harder.

Like many bright-eyed English majors before me, I used to think a job in publishing would be the crown jewel of all my hard work. The thing that would make it all mean something: the childhood obsession with books, the hours spent reading (or SparkNotes-ing) novels for class, the impossibly high word count essays.

Picture me: mug in hand, frowning down at a manuscript and declaring, “Nope. Not this one.” My Porsche, maybe, parked outside. With how publishing jobs are romanticized in popular media, it’s no wonder I fell for the fantasy. Movies like After portray characters like the beautiful, sought-after Tessa waltzing into glamorous publishing jobs like it’s nothing.

So I went for it. And, on paper, I did all the right things — landed the (unpaid) editorial internship as a junior, attended Denver Publishing Institute right after graduation. And still, I found myself staring at job postings that all required years of experience I didn’t have and ended in “assistant.”

If you’re interested in working in publishing, I get it. I really do. But here are a few things you should keep in mind:

Publishing Pays Modestly

The recent HarperCollins union strike put a spotlight on entry-level pay, which hovered around $45K in New York City. Not exactly easy living. Many roles expect multiple internships before you can even compete for a full-time job.

The Industry Is Still Playing Catch-Up on Representation

Diversity has improved, but the 2023 Diversity Baseline Survey shows the workforce is still more than 70% white. Things are better than they were, but progress is slow, and many voices remain underrepresented. If you care about equity in literature, working in publishing can be as meaningful as it is frustrating.

Networking Is Your Best Friend

Here’s where I went wrong: I thought my work experience, credentials, and heart of gold would be enough. In reality, the publishing world is small, and often what sets you apart from hundreds, sometimes thousands of other applicants is who you know. This means building relationships with editors, agents, and industry professionals. If you’re introverted like me, this part may feel unnatural — but it’s necessary.

If You Still Want In… Go For It

If you’re passionate about books, don’t let the realities scare you off. You can be the change you want to see in the world and whatnot. Just be prepared to hustle, advocate for yourself, and fight for the things that make books and the industry better.

And if you decide publishing isn’t for you? That’s okay, too. With the rise of self-publishing and AI-assisted writing and editing, it’s impossible for the industry not to change drastically in the coming years. Personally, I think it will be fascinating to watch — whether you’re sitting in a publisher’s office or following along from home.