How to break into publishing without a degree
Publishing hopefuls, this is one for you. If you dream of seeing your name in the acknowledgements of the next bestseller but lack the ‘degree’ on your CV, there’s no need to panic.
Firstly, very few - if any publishing houses - make it a requirement to have a degree anymore, however, you will see that a lot of the staff in publishing do have degrees. It’s not the topics they’ve studied that counted towards getting their job, it’s usually because they used the time they were learning to get the experience and/or contacts to break into the industry.
If you don’t have a degree or don’t plan on taking 1-5 years studying for one, here are my top tips for breaking into the publishing industry.
Network like a pro
Publishing is not as nepotistic or focused on the ‘who you know, not what you know’ mentality, but having connections and making good impressions can count for a lot. A lot of students at university - particularly those completing publishing master’s degrees - will often rub shoulders with the publishing community and therefore have the opportunity to put their face to their name when it comes to future applications.
My top tip is to try and get some networking into your schedule before and during applying for jobs. Attend book launches and speak to their authors and their entourages (usually their agents or publicists will attend), join writing workshops, and attend talks and panels at literary festivals. Join online communities like Publishing Hopeful’s Facebook Group and The Publishing Post, and engage with publishing professionals through LinkedIn or Instagram.
Your goal is to meet people who can introduce you to opportunities, offer advice, and maybe even become mentors down the line. And cold-emailing is never a bad shout either - just don’t chase or be rude to anyone, as bad impressions stick as long (if not longer) than good ones.
Build your experience
When I was hiring for interns, assistants and executives I would be inundated with applicants - we’re talking 300+. If you want to stick out and be in the Top 10 we take for an interview, you need to build your experience.
Sure, getting work placements, internships and apprenticeships is hard when you’ve got to work, potentially support your family or loved ones, or simply have too much on your plate. But you can build your experience in other ways, such as: starting a Bookstagram or BookTok channel to share your love of books, photography skills and/or videographer skills. Contribute to literary magazines, journals or trade press i.e. The Bookseller with freelance pitches, short stories or even volunteering. Create a podcast about books, volunteer at a literary festival or a library, become a part-time bookseller at Christmas or do some freelance work with an indie author.
There are a lot of ways to build your experience to make it applicable to the world of publishing, but it will take time and commitment. But if you want to stand out, it’s a small price to pay for the dream job.
Internships and work placements
Several publishing houses offer internships, work experience and apprenticeship schemes, however, they are extremely competitive and usually not well paid. They’re worthwhile if you have independent means to support yourself and are happy doing short-term placements to build up your experience - which is why a lot of students at university can fill these positions - but if you’re paying rent, raising a family, or looking for a full-time role immediately then these may not be the best route for you into publishing.
Get familiar with industry tools and jargon
To tick off many recruiters’ desire for an applicant who can ‘hit the ground running, it’s helpful to have some understanding of the publishing industry before you start applying for jobs.
For example, learning how to use tools like Canva or Photoshop, or having an understanding of NetGalley (reader review platform) or the BookTok community, can be beneficial. Similarly knowing what books have been bestsellers - check the Amazon charts and Sunday Times - or Waterstones Book of the Month (go into any local store to find out) can be helpful to show you’re up to date on the latest trends.
Societies and businesses like the Society of Young Publishers, BookMachine and my own business, Market Your Marketing, tend to run events throughout the year specifically to help entry-level applicants learn more about the industry, and these are well worth attending online and in-person for knowledge and networking.
Remember the three ‘P’s’: Patience, Perseverance and Passion
Finally, my favourite rule of thumb is to remember Patience, Perseverance and Passion.
Breaking into publishing can take time so you need to stay determined, keep applying for positions, and don't get discouraged by rejections - we’ve all had them! You need to persevere, build your skills and develop your network, proving your passion and feeding it by reading books and keeping an eye on the trends and bestsellers.
Eventually, the right role that suits you and your needs will come along, and you’ll get there. But it will take time.