Last week we introduced you to our new series, Beyond the Lobby: Anything and Everything You Wanted to Know About Publishing; we told you about ourselves and recounted our stories and paths that led us to where we are today. A big thank you to everyone for your kind comments and interesting questions!
This week we’ve decided to focus on the new generation of publishers. We get this question all the time and we’ve had several of you email us to ask “How do I get an internship in publishing?” We’ve gone straight to the source and asked our summer Knopf Canada editorial intern, Maeve O’regan, how she struck it lucky. Here’s what she had to say:
When I finished my English degree in the spring of 2009, I did the compulsory traveling—to Europe, South East Asia and South America. I worked a job I didn’t particularly like and that didn’t particularly challenge me, but that paid my bills and distracted me from thinking about what I actually wanted to do with my life. And I continued to read. I also continued to think about the things that I’d read. Although I was no longer required to do formal critical analyses, like I had been of Chaucer, Eliot or Woolf, I was still critically analyzing—and with startling enthusiasm.
Then a friend mentioned her interest in pursuing a career in publishing. Although her affair with the idea was brief, something stuck for me. I researched a few programs and found that Ryerson offered a huge selection of courses through their Chang School of Continuing Education. These courses, taught by industry professionals, were highly regarded in the publishing community. And I could take them online or in the evenings—whatever worked. Without much sense of where it all might lead—although I’ll admit, I hoped it might be a corner office with a view of the park—I registered.
What I discovered on my first day in my Trade Overview course was that it took a lot of people to bring a book into being, but that each of those people worked closely with one another, from editorial to sales, and that they all had the same passion for books. Despite my teachers’ apologetic warnings about the state of the industry—its lack of available jobs, the poor pay, the advances in digital publishing that would eclipse paper—I decided that this was where I wanted to be. I eagerly threw myself into my course work. I got excited about grammar, toiled over real manuscripts and scrupulously wrote non-fiction book proposals, marketing strategies, press releases and tour schedules. I built relationships with my instructors who continue to act as wonderful mentors and supporters of my career.
From the beginning, I was advised to keep my eyes peeled for upcoming internship opportunities and to apply, apply, apply. Although the prospect of three months of (essentially) unpaid work terrified me, I knew that the only way to get hired in editorial, publicity, sales or production would be to get some practical, hands-on experience. The Knopf editorial internship offered a chance to learn about publishing in a large and thriving house. I knew that the Random House family was home to many prominent authors and that they published books on myriad subjects. I was asked in for an interview and was thrilled to receive a call a few hours later telling me that I’d gotten the job.
Eight weeks in and true to what I was told in my interview, I haven’t done any coffee runs or lunch pick-ups. Each day I work closely with the editorial team, participating in meetings about our list and submissions. I proofread and copyedit book material, check indexes, maintain a database of review quotations and read. My reports are taken seriously and my opinions are sought out on proposals. I’m getting a front row seat to the book-making process and I’ve been able to meet so many amazing people while doing it. There are even parties to attend (with free wine, I might add). I’m very grateful for the chance to work with such an incredible team, and I’m keenly anticipating whatever’s next for me in the wonderful world of publishing!
Read last week’s recap here.
Do you have questions about anything publishing-related? Leave us a comment below with your question or email us at retreat@randomhouse.com. Ask us and we’ll get you some answers from the people in-the know!
Well, this just made me happy. Not only because of the information but because I just enrolled in the Chang Publishing certificate and was nervous about the first course this Fall (doing it part-time through distance ed). I’m happy to read about someone taking the same course and saying positive things about the experience. So, THANK YOU.
Also nice to have this written by someone with such a wonderful name, too. heh
What a great post! I too attended the Chang School last semester and am working on enrolling for more classes this fall. I’m really interested in becoming a children’s book editor, so your post was extremely enlightening and fun to read as well. What would you say has been your favourite part about being an editorial intern?
Hi Angel, thanks so much for your question! I asked Maeve to answer it for you and here’s what she wrote:
I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Angel! Have you taken the course on editing books for children and teens yet? I think working for a press like Annick or Kids Can would be fantastic. I also know that Kids Can offers internship opportunities…
To answer your question, my favourite part of the internship thus far has been the actual editorial work! I love the reading, the critiquing and the discussion that happens afterwards. Like I mentioned in the post, the editors here really take your opinions seriously and always welcome your suggestions, so talking about what you’ve read in meetings and one-on-one sessions is always a positive experience!
Yes, it all sounds grand…but what does one live on when working as an unpaid intern? Not everyone has parents who are willing to provide room, board and spending cash to an adult child.
Also…is there any guarantee of a PAID position when the internship is over?
When I graduated from university in 1976 there were no unpaid internships. Unpaid jobs were called “volunteer” positions. I was paid
for any work I did even though it was a pittance.
It seems to me that only people with prosperous parents can afford to take unpaid internships while the rest must toil at McJobs.
That’s a good point, Marisa. Although many internships in publishing are paid, but as you say, it is a pittance. One does an internship for the experience, I think, rather than for the money. There are some publishing internships that offer reasonable pay for the work interns put in.
Additionally, if you consider an internship as part of your education, which mine was, you may be able to use your student loan or perhaps the small savings you earned while working and going to school to cover the 3-or-so months that you would be getting paid less that a full-time position.
An internship is definitely not for everyone but I found it very helpful in figuring out which area of publishing I wanted to get into. Editing, publicity, marketing, sales, design, etc are all very different and then comes the decision to work in book/magazine/newspaper or online publishing. It’s helpful to have a real-world sense of the positions and types of work available.
Hope that answers some of your questions!
Hi Marisa,
Maeve, the Editorial intern who wrote the post, noticed your comment and wanted to send you a quick message as well. Here’s what Maeve had to say on the idea of ‘unpaid’ internships:
Kat is right. You do an “unpaid” internship entirely for the experience. It looks great on a resumé, and although it doesn’t guarantee a job with the company you intern for (because there aren’t always paid jobs available), it does teach you valuable skills you can’t learn in a classroom—skills that employers really look for.
I’m actually working two part-time jobs while I do this in order to—and I know it sounds dramatic—survive. I won’t lie, it’s been a busy two and a half months, but I don’t at all regret my decision to accept the internship. I’ve learned a lot and definitely have a better sense of where I want to end up in the industry!
Thank you so much for this post! I’ve recently graduated with a 2:1 in English Lit from Lancaster university, and my passion for books just keeps growing. Like you say, I’m critically analysing books I’m reading for pleasure! I also picture myself in a nice office with a picturesque view reading manuscripts all day, but would love to get stuck in to the other aspects.
I unfortunately don’t have any publishing work experience,and I’m just trying to get my foot in the door and find my feet. Like you say, travel seems to be the more favourable option to constant rejections! But I’m still plugging away. Due to the high volume of applicants for work experience at places such as Random House, would you have any suggestions on how to make yourself stand out from the others?
There is also the question of a Masters in publishing, which I am seriously considering, but would rather just go straight into it obviously. Would you say it’s crucial realistically?
Thanks again!
Lauren
@Heelerzzz
Hi Lauren,
It can be difficult to get an internship at a large publishing house. I would say, in order to give yourself an advantage, seek out the people who work at the publishing houses in the areas you’d like to intern/work in. And then try to meet them somewhere, they may be speaking at a conference or perhaps at a local college. This can be difficult but it’s always the personal connections that will help you.
In my case, I was lucky enough to have someone in Online Marketing at a large publishing house come and speak at my school. I showed interest and was lucky enough to meet her at the O’Reilly Tools of Change conference which is where she agreed to take me on as an intern.
In terms of your question about the Masters, I was lucky enough to make the connection I mention above, because of my Masters program. It can be expensive and time-consuming to do additional school but not only will it give you a competitive edge when you apply for your first job and also for years to come, it will also give you the opportunity to meet any influential people in the industry and make those connections. Often, a good program will include an internship as part of your curriculum which is also very helpful!
I hope that helps!
Thanks for your comment and good luck!