Get booked for life

There is the idea of a book in everyone, it is said, and it is the ingenuity of a publisher to bring it out. So, those who love books and reading can turn their interest into a worthwhile career, writes
Usha Albuquerque

The large turnout of politicians and celebrities at the recent launch of Vikram Seth’s new book ‘Two Lives’, is an indication of the increasing popularity of publishing. Every week you read about a book launch or book reading. Vikram Seth, Arundhati Roy, and Amitav Ghosh are today mobbed by fans as much as any film star. New books and Indian authors are the flavour of the day, as India takes its place in the international publishing world. In fact, India has rapidly turned into the prime source of academic literature on South Asia. India today exports books, periodicals and journals worth crores.

There is the idea of a book in everyone, it is said, and it is the ingenuity of a publisher to bring it out. So, those who love books and reading can turn their interest into a worthwhile career.

Publishers have to organise the production, distribution and promotion of an author’s manuscript. For a publisher to be successful, therefore, business acumen, interest in marketing as well as literary and creative efforts are required.

Publishing integrates the following activities:

Selection and commissioning of manuscripts, preparation of manuscripts for printing, designing the final appearance of the books, their printing, binding and finally, their marketing. Variations are many but mainly, the process is divided into editorial, production and marketing.

The editorial department is concerned with identifying authors, consulting specialists for their opinions, preparing typescripts for the printer and liaising with authors with regard to copyrights, contracts, etc. You will therefore need to be in constant touch with the author, whether V.S. Naipaul or William Dalrymple. You can work as an editorial assistant/ copy editor who checks facts, references, spelling and may even be required to rewrite portions of the manuscript as well as proof-read. Editors and chief editors direct the policy of the publication, manage the staff and coordinate all the work. They also maintain contacts with the author and see a project through from start to finish.

Production involves finalising details of the appearance of the books — the shape, illustrations, typeface, paper, etc, in consultation with the editors. The design department does the art work for the book. Sometimes freelance artists are commissioned to undertake the illustrations, cover design, photographs and other visual elements of the book. Production personnel are expected to know technicalities of the printing process, artworks, graphics/designers, and coordinate the printing and binding of the book.

The marketing and sales department is responsible for the marketing and distribution of the books. They need to understand the market, plan and oversee the sales campaigns. They also give out information on forthcoming books to bookshops, schools and libraries through representatives. Those working in this department may be researching and conduct studies based on feedback to decide on the commissioning of new manuscripts.

Besides these three areas, translators, illustrators and writers are constantly required with freelancers often being given assignments.

There are also different kinds of books and publishers can be private or government-run enterprises, specialising in textbooks, paperbacks, technical literature, fiction, art books and children’s books.

Many publishers handle magazines, oversee the commercial side of the business, advertising, etc. with the editor responsible for the features, layout and production. Here, knowledge of journalism is required.

More recently, computers have made it possible to edit design, do the layout and typeset copy. Several organizations produce brochures and in-house newsletters as well as books with small orders by this means since there is a substantial cost advantage.

Qualifications needed

A graduate degree (BA/B.Sc) in any discipline is usually sufficient for entry. For editorial work you need to have a background in the subject being published. For fiction, a background in literature generally helps. A postgraduation in journalism and good writing ability is an asset for editorial work, while computing skills required for word processing is almost compulsory.

Graduates of art or design, can join the art department, while a diploma in printing is required for the production work.

To join the marketing/sales department, a B.Com./M.Com./ C.A./MBA degree is usually preferred. Entry to the other departments is usually direct through an assistantship. The aptitude of a candidate is usually assessed through a written test and interview.

With the exception of production posts, special qualifications are not mandatory. Training is acquired on the job but candidates may prefer to improve their prospects by enrolling for professional courses.

Most courses in this field are postgraduate ones, which require a basic degree in any discipline. There are short courses in publishing that introduce you to the publishing business and equip you with skills in editing and proof-reading, and sometimes even marketing and retailing of books.

To be a good publisher, you need:

• A love of books and reading

• Creative ability,

• Some writing skill,

• Critical judgement,

• Perception,

• An eye for detail,

• An interest in social, economic and literary trends.

Placement prospects

Positions can be sought in editorial, production or marketing sections of private publishing houses, publications division of a government department, university or educational/charitable/religious institution which publishes its own literature.

This is not the most lucrative of careers but entrants could begin at Rs 5,000-Rs 8,000 per month. Although, in big publishing houses, starting salaries in the editorial department are higher, and increase substantially with seniority. However, much depends on your own interest and initiative to bring out more books, work with authors in generating new titles and providing the editorial support to writers of all kinds. Today, even cookery books and do-it-yourself titles are in big demand, and it is up to the publishers to initiate and create a demand for books and reading.

Oprah Winfrey has put reading back into the forefront of leisure activities with her programmes on books watched worlwide, In India too, in several cities book clubs have sprung up where the latest titles are read out aloud, dramatised and discussed. As a result, the circulation of books has increased and with it the growth of the publishing industry. So, if you are the bookworm always waiting for a chance to curl up with a good book, this is the time to look at a career where you get paid for pursuing your favourite hobby.