How to Become an Editor for a Publishing House
Publishing houses employ editors to find errors, correct manuscripts, improve content and do the myriad tasks that come with publication. A long-term editing career in a publishing house requires more than just writing know-how. Learn the basics of the industry to have a successful career that lasts. Many years of learning and hard work pay off when you have a publishing job you adore.
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Instructions
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Study English, journalism and business in college. Make sure you have classes in all three. Many graduate schools offer degrees in publishing or digital publishing that may also help you find a job with a publishing house.
An editor at a publishing house doesn’t just read and correct -- many also acquire authors, oversee other editors and work with the marketing department. The more skills you have, the more valuable an asset you are to a publishing house.
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Apply for editing positions with your college publications, and ask a local newspaper if you can get a job or an internship doing line editing or copy editing during the school year.
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Find internships at publishing houses during your summers and right after college. Many internships are listed under "Careers" on publishing house and agency websites. Since these opportunities are often located in large cities, look for housing with company employees or at local hostels. Many hostels offer work exchange programs that allow you to live in the hostel for free in exchange for a few hours of work every week. It can help you live near your internship without having to spend thousands on an apartment.
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Develop your editing and management skills at your internship, and work on making industry contacts. People you meet may help you find jobs and will definitely serve as references. Before you leave the position, ask the person guiding you to serve as a reference so you can list him when you apply for your next position.
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Work your way up in different publishing houses and at book agencies. The two work reciprocally, and a job at one may help you segue into a job at the other. The key is to find a job in the industry -- it’s tight knit and you are better off working at a job you don’t intend to stay in as a starting point than working outside the industry while applying for your dream editing position.
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Keep an eye out for jobs on the websites of publishing houses where you wish to work. Apply for positions as they open, even if you aren’t quite qualified. Don’t neglect smaller publishing houses that may be more likely to take a chance on an underqualified applicant.
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Tips & Warnings
A publishing house includes many types of editors. There are managing editors, acquisitions editors, production editors, copy editors and other types of editing jobs available. As you move up in a publishing house, speak to other editors and your superiors to determine what type of job you’d like to do in the long run. Find a mentor and learn from her to increase your understanding of the industry. Many publishing houses offer seminars and courses to help people better understand the work; take one when it becomes available and update your résumé to reflect the course.
