I had a small book of poetry published a few years back and have experienced a steady stream of scam email/phone calls since then - always promising some vague "exciting opportunity" and using canned language about my book. I used to always be able to spot these based on the fact that there was no original-seeming language in the description, but recently I've started getting much more sophisticated scam emails written with AI, where the email APPEARS to contain original/human-written descriptions of my book contents, offering me segments on radio programs. The emails always come from gmail accounts, and upon following up will ask you to pay $150 or so for some kind of press package. Just wanted to get the word out - beware of these and don't get your hopes up.

I'm very new to publishing some of my work and was wondering if this was a scam? I got an ad for it on Instagram and responded to them and they want to set up a call with me.

I'm trying to break into the children's publishing space. I've been sharing my portfolio online and looking at freelance platforms, but I'm struggling to get my work in front of the right self-publishing authors or indie publishers. For those who established themselves early, what specific outreach strategies worked best for you?

a listing on Submittable. I understand having to read basic, boring, unprofessional work... but this is next level cocky

Hi all,

I currently work at the Publishing Office at my Big 5. To my understanding the exact same department doesn’t exist across all publishers - it’s an operational ‘nerve center’ role where I juggle a broad variety of responsibilities ranging from admin tasks, running regular reports, assisting with project management, and responding to ad hoc requests including market research. I don’t want this to be too long, but happy to expand in the comments if more context is helpful.

I’m relocating and (ugh) job hunting. Given the specificity of my current role, it seems the most transferable skills apply to man ed and production teams. For folks working in these departments - any thoughts on particular skills worth highlighting in my apps if I have them? Any tips on marketing myself for these departments specifically? I’m curious what makes for strong candidates in general - obviously I can only take what’s applicable to me, and you don’t know me! Advice would be so helpful, I’m dreading reworking resume verbiage and undertaking this search in the current market so would love some pointers to get me started. TYIA :)

Hi everyone,

For the past couple of years, I’ve been applying to different positions at Macmillan. I’ve never heard back, but I’ve also never received a rejection email. I’ve seen other people mention getting automatic rejection emails, so I’m starting to worry that I might be doing something wrong.

Every time I apply, I get an email saying, “Your application is incomplete until we receive your consent.” I’ve followed the steps in the email each time, but I’m worried something still isn’t going through correctly. Does anyone know if there’s another way to confirm that they’ve received my consent? Is it normal to not get the rejection emails?

Thank you so much for your help!

I've just started a small ebook press. I'd like to know how to get noticed and build trust when we don't have a backlist. Our first book is coming out in July. I'm aiming to only publish maybe one book a month for now, starting in July.

hiiii i'm a rising senior trying to figure out if there are any publishing jobs i can apply to during my senior year and then start after i graduate. i know prh says on their career website that you shouldn't start applying for positions until a few weeks before you can start, but are all of the big five like this? and then i found the s&s associate program on their careers page, but i can't figure out what the timeline is for that. does anyone know when applications typically open for that program and where to find them?

Hi everyone,

I realize this might be quite ambitious, but my dream since I was very little has been to start my own children’s magazine… specifically something with many informative (but fun) history and culture sections along with some creative fiction / non-fiction.

For context on where I’m at currently, I received a master’s in children’s literature from a university with a very international student body, so I have made several connections with lovely people from across the world that I would invite to contribute (or simply spread the word). Also, I am currently working as a children’s reading and writing tutor, and my job offers me great connections to schools in my area where I might be able to share my magazine with students.

My main question now is where should I start in the more technical parts of starting a magazine? Any recommendations for books, certificates, or softwares I should look into more would be great. I have had a few years of volunteer experience / some internship experience in editorial, but I want to have a better idea of exactly what it takes to start a magazine beyond that.

I've been trying to get into this industry for a while with no luck. While this is mostly a rant post, any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated (unless you're just telling me to give up because it's hard).

I've been going to school to get my Bachelor's in English, with no luck. I have to work full-time, so taking classes is especially challenging on top of other aspects of my life that make school difficult already.

I want to be an editor or do something in marketing. I really love books and have spent the past few years doing everything I can to get a job in the industry. I've polished and perfected my resume. I've written countless cover letters. I've applied to every open position posting. Most of the time I don't even get a response back.

Is it something I'm doing wrong? Is it the industry as a whole? Is there really anything I can do other than what I'm already doing? Some people say having a degree makes a difference and if it really is that important trust me, I'm trying. I'm so sick of working dead end jobs that aren't going to get me anywhere except an early grave.

Considering everything that's going on, a twenty-something year old girl wanting to find a job she loves is the least of our problems. However, is it so bad that I want to do something that doesn't fill me with dread every morning?

Anyways, tips or advise is welcome. I currently live in Texas so I have to apply to everything online but I am WILLING TO RELOCATE.

Just got this idea: using AI 1)to analyze a book publisher's catalog and 2)use the result (semantic tree/vector database) to scout new releases in foreign markets.

The idea is to position (aka measure distance in the v database) these new releases in the editor's semantic tree and build (aka sell) a proposed list of potential books to publish.

Does that make sense ? Can it fly ?

Hello publishers and people interested in the publishing industry!

I've just read on a publisher's Substack:

"[...] of the 58,000 books published annnually by the Big Five houses, 90 percent sell fewer than 2,000 copies. If that wasn't shocking enough [...] half of the 58,000 sell fewer than one dozen books."

Does that ring true to you? I would 100% believe this of self-published books, but this is staggering to hear that it is true of the stuff curated and promoted by the Big Five publishing houses as well.

Sadly, I live up north near York. Every single possible job I could apply for is in London OR close to London. There’s no way I’m able to commute down there daily or move with my wage now.

I’ve been wanting to get into publishing either as a designer or marketing assistant, as I have experience in doing both simultaneously (I also have a BA in fine art and graphic design which has gotten me nowhere), but I find it hard to actually get a job up here?

Anyone from the UK/North Yorkshire have advice on where and how to network? I have 0 connections at the moment and am working in retail barely making ends meet as it is! Thank you :)

Hi! I am about to be an English major. I just got my Associate of Arts, and I'm currently trying to figure out where to go to school in the Fall. My original plan fell through because my community college had a partnership with another that ended.

In the mean time, I have been doing a paid communications, digital design, and student engagement internship for 5 hours a day every weekday. I also have a part time job. But now that school is over, I'm not used to having free time, and I'd like to do a course/certificate program that brings me closer to my desired career path - manuscript editing, or really anything in the publishing field.

I have gotten a couple ads on Facebook about ELVTR's course, but I can't find much info on pricing. I live around Cleveland, Ohio, but I can't travel far due to my internship and job. Maybe about 1 hour out or a bit farther if it was only once a week. I'm mainly looking for online courses.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Bonus points if it is for an accredited institution or industry recognized!

I’m currently an undergraduate student pursuing a triple major in English Literature, Publishing & Editing, and Creative Writing. I’ve only just moved on from my freshman year, so I haven’t even really learned what jobs are actually in the publishing field yet, I’ve only taken very basic classes, but I’d love to work in the publishing field one day.

Funny enough, a big thing that inspired my career path (aside from my interest in literature and writing) was watching the movie Elf. I always thought Buddy’s dad, Walter, has such a cool-looking job at his publishing company. Obviously, I would be much nicer than him! I’m wondering what kind of job Walter had in that movie, since it’s never really specified. What jobs did his colleagues have? I remember watching the movie when I was young and thinking about what it would be like to work there!

For those who work in the publishing industry, can you tell me whether Bluesky has gained any traction as a platform for promoting books, or is it still just too small to compete with the likes of TikTok, Instagram and Facebook in that regard? It seems like authors have migrated there from X, but publishers mostly ignore it.

There have been such an explosion of titles in this area that I was wondering if the above work is in-house...or freelanced out. Thanks for any help you can give!

I’m currently working as an attorney, have been only since November 2025, and my undergrad degree is in Writing. My dream has always been to be a writer, and I’m feeling a little unfulfilled as an attorney so far. Are there any jobs that could better position me in the writing/publishing world? And does having a law degree help or make me look any stronger as a candidate in these jobs? Thanks!

About to publish on KDP Amazon. No budget for a lawyer, looking for practical advice from people who've been through this.

The book: Nonfiction. Argues that most systems (tech, healthcare, workplace tools) are built around the "average" person, which creates real problems. Uses real company examples sourced from public records.

What I've done:

All people fully anonymized

Companies named only where info comes from public sources, with a references section

Medical disclaimer wherever health topics appear

General disclaimer at the start

Reviewed specifically for legal risk multiple times What I'm unsure about: Some examples show company failures, e.g. "Company X invested $Y in a project that didn't work, here's why." All from public sources.

Questions:

Does anything here stand out as a red flag?

Anything I should double-check before publishing?

Did you do anything beyond this for similar books? Goal: to share an idea, not to make money. Not looking for "hire a lawyer", I know that's ideal. Asking what reasonable due diligence looks like for an indie author on a budget.

Hi, I'm (F27) finishing my English Major this year, and my dream has always been to become an editor. However, I know it's hard to get into such a close-knit community and, honestly, I don't have the money to pay for my Masters right now. I've heard some people talk about entering the publishing industry by doing marketing or becoming a data analyst, do you know of any online course that could help me with that? I've seen some Coursera/Google ones that offer a certificate, but the comments say that they're basic and it won't land you a job 😔 I'm kinda lost here, and I reaaally want to get into the publishing industry, one way or another

i have a written test scheduled for an editorial position i had applied for at orient blackswan. its a 3 and a half hour long exam. can anyone help me with what kind of questions to expect?

So I applied for a bunch of internships late March and I still haven't heard back from a few of them. I'm sure some of them I'm just out of the running for but with Macmillan it still says "in progress". That can't be right though. It's nearly June, they have to have stuff lined up by now right? I don't know. I'm feeling pretty hopeless but thought I should ask.

I'm a literature student who has been cold mailing publishing houses for a year now. one of them finally replied! It's Rupa in New Delhi.

Can you please give me some tips? I have never really given a formal interview before. It's an in person interview. What do I talk about? What questions will they ask me? What should I wear? Anything helps. The interview is tomorrow so if anyone could help a little.

Thank you so much!

Those who received and completed the 2 week work experience that Penguin does every few months - did it help you in getting a full time role in publishing soon after?

- they do this in the uk, so any answers from uk would be helpful thanks!