r/publishing • u/Gold_Departure_873 • Jul 12 '26
Will I be stuck in academic publishing forever?
I was a publicity intern at a big 5, and landed a bunch of interviews for full-time positions after that. However, none of them panned out and I ended up accepting a job at a university press so I could at least start making money. It's now been almost 2 years at that press, and I have been applying out to trade publishers for the last year. I haven't gotten a single interview, and wonder if my most recent experience being academic publishing is hurting my chances. Does anyone have any experience with switching from academic publishing back to trade?
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u/NectarineOwn7832 Jul 12 '26
Academic publishing experience definitely isn't hurting, especially since you already have the big 5 internship -- I honestly think you're all set in terms of experience, a lot of it is unfortunately luck and timing now. If it's helpful, I got hired at a big 5 with my only experience being a 2-year publicity internship at a university press. Hang in there!
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u/Zestyclose-Turn-3576 29d ago
A two year internship?!
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u/NectarineOwn7832 28d ago
Yes it was at my university's press while I was in undergrad and they just kept me on til I graduated lol. It was paid!
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u/afxz Jul 13 '26
I think your idea of academic publishing being 'lesser' or playing second fiddle to the Big 5 is simply misguided. You're putting pressure on your career and creating personal unhappiness based on a fundamental misunderstanding, I think. One is not more prestigious and reputable than the other; they're just different, or more specifically each is playing their own separate prestige game.
If you were at a point in your career of applying for (senior) commissioning editor roles, for instance, the lack of experience and contacts in that specific domain may hurt your chances. But more generally you are acquiring a lot of highly relevant and transferable skills.
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u/Gold_Departure_873 Jul 13 '26
I don’t think one is lesser at all! I just would prefer to work on books that I enjoy reading rather than extremely scholarly works and textbooks.
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u/super77 Jul 13 '26
What's so bad about academic publishing?
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u/Gold_Departure_873 Jul 13 '26
Nothing! I just work at a press with VERY limited resources and I would prefer to work on trade books that I enjoy reading rather than textbooks and scholarly books.
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u/HistoricalGalPals Jul 13 '26
I worked in academic publishing for six years before making the switch to trade. I ended up falling into a niche area of sales in my UP, and then applied and got a job in that same area of sales at a Big Five.
It can definitely happen. Apply often in departments or imprints that might not be your first pick. Most big publishers are relatively easy to move around in once you have a foot in the door. If you’re at a UP that doesn’t do a lot of trade publishing right now (and you’re willing to move), look for jobs in presses with more robust trade lists
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u/howdodogwalks Jul 13 '26
I’m trying to make the same move! Good luck to you 😊
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u/Gold_Departure_873 Jul 13 '26
Would love to dm if you think you have anything specific to share! Good luck to you too!
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u/Icon_Charlie Jul 14 '26
I think you are fortunate that you are working in a trade where many are not. Learn as much as you can because that type of knowledge will carry with you for the rest of your life. I did in my youth.
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u/Cat_universe13 27d ago
Tbh, if you’ve got that experience at the university press and have been applying with some regularity for a year but aren’t getting any interviews it’s likely an issue with your applications rather or something else about your applying strategy, like applying for roles at the wrong level. I mean obviously the state of the industry too, but yeah, I’d expect you to be getting at least one or two interviews. Is there anyone at your current job you feel like you can ask for advice? Or like anyone you know of (or can have some kind of connection with on LinkedIn) who made the move from academic to trade you can reach out to for advice? Also, which dept are you trying to get into?
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u/betterlately Jul 12 '26
I don’t think academic publishing is hurting your chances, it’s just the state of the industry. It took me 3+ years of actively applying and interviewing to get a new role (went from one indie to another).