All the avid and voracious book readers have two people to thank for those priceless moments they spend curled up in their blankets with their favourite books. Any guesses? Yes, one is the author and the other is the publisher. Publishing has been a career option from many years now and will continue to be around for many years to come. Although there are fluctuations in the market and it is hard to predict the next bestseller, the need for a publisher never declines. Career as a publisher is the chosen path for all who love books in general — deciding on which genre fascinates you and sticking to it is a good idea. This will make it easier for you to spot the winner from the ordinary manuscripts easily. When the tide is high and you stumble upon a goldmine, the returns in this business are high and along with the steady source of income, you also find a creative outlet for yourself which is more important. Read the next section to find out more.
Becoming A Publisher
Requirements
Eligibility
A basic graduation in, preferably, English or Mass Communication is highly appreciated in this field. Spotting the diamond among the rocks and understanding the market will become easier if you have a basic degree. Some level of exposure to manuscripts and a general idea of what sells will do you much good in the long run.
Courses Required
Although there are no specific courses to become a publisher, following courses do give you an added advantage:
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Two week to one month intensive certificate programs in publishing.
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Master’s degrees or post graduate diploma courses in publishing offered in a few mass communication colleges
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Interning with a publishing house can help you learn the ropes from a closer perspective.
Skills Required
The following skills are mandatory for a publisher;
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Love for books
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Strong communication skills
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Ability to meet deadlines
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Computer literacy
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Good analytical skills
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Ability to judge the market and a knack of spotting talent
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Profound business acumen
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Interest in marketing
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Creativity and innovativeness
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Perfectionism and a good eye for detail
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Constant awareness of current affairs
Roles And Responsibilities
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The roles and responsibilities of a publisher begin with selecting and commissioning manuscripts. Preparing the manuscripts for printing and designing the final appearance of books, along with overseeing their printing and binding and, finally, marketing are all handled by the publishing house.
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A book publishing editor not only has to identify authors, consult specialists for their opinions on different subjects, prepare typescripts for the printer but they also deal with liaison between the authors regarding copyrights and contracts.
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A publisher arrives at an understanding of market requirements by conducting research on sales and feedbacks. They also conduct sales campaigns whereby they inform libraries, bookstores and also the general public about forthcoming books.
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Apart from a print publisher, there is also something known as the web publisher, who is involved with registering a domain and creating a website wherein unique and useful content can be published. Monetizing the website by displaying ads and employing other marketing strategies help generate revenue.
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There are different subsidiaries within publishing which include self-publishing, subsidy or vanity publishing. The first involves an independent venture where the capital investment belongs to one person. The second involves the publishing house imprinting the book by an upcoming author but the cost of publication is borne by the author. In a subsidy publishing, the publisher does not purchase the manuscript. The roles of a publisher differ in each of the cases.
Career Prospects
With rapid increase in the print media and new people joining the book lover’s club everyday, the publishing industry is on the road to prosperity. Any student who has done a book publishing course can be inducted into the publishing industry with good starting benefits. One can also find employment opportunity in the editorial, production or marketing sections of private publishing houses. Various publication divisions of government departments or universities and educational, religious or even charitable institutions publish their own literature. The famous international publishing houses such as Penguin, Harper Collins, Picador, Random House, Oxford University Press and Mac Milan have offices or branches in almost every other country. With experience, one can also set up a publishing house of one’s own. And as an owner of a reputed publishing house, one can not only earn a high income but also become well-known among the noted writers and authors of the time.
Being a publisher is not really very difficult and if you think you want to try this profession, then the above article provides all the basic help you need.
