Behind the Books Bi-Weekly Update 1 September 2025

Hello! This is my bi-weekly update on publishing. Don’t worry, this one isn’t going to be heavy. It’s just the introduction, and I want it to feel like a welcome rather than a big scary sign screaming: PUBLISHING IS TERRIFYING! PREPARE YOURSELF FOR REJECTION AND STRUGGLE… BUT ALSO HOPE AND RESOLVE!

So, I’m going to take it down a notch. Honestly, this is mostly for me, to track my own journey, see where I’m at, and have a sort of physical reminder of how I’m developing. That way, whenever I feel low, I can look back and realise I am getting somewhere… slowly, but surely.

I guess I just need to see it to believe it, and be reminded of it. And who knows? Maybe it’ll help someone else too!

Publishing, ah, what a tough nut to crack, and wow, is it testing me. There’s no doubt this is something I want to do, because if anything else was this hard to get into, I wouldn’t stick around for longer than five seconds. But for some reason, I just can’t be deterred.

Lots has happened… and also not much at all when it comes to progress in publishing. You feel so close, yet so far. Up until about four months ago, the industry was really struggling, one position per thousands of applicants, people being let go, whole departments shutting down because of lack of demand.

It’s been a tough time for everyone, both those on the inside and especially those of us on the outside looking in. But thankfully, things seem to be shifting. There’s been a little step up, a little more hope for everyone trying to break in.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s still hard. But compared to the last year? That was borderline impossible.

There are ways, of course, to get your foot in the door. The most important one? Work experience. That could mean admin roles, working in a bookshop, helping out on independent or volunteer-run magazines, contributing to newsletters, any form of editing or journalism, really. Maybe even starting a Bookstagram, blog, or website. Anything that gets you working with the written word is ideal.

But honestly? I don’t know what they prize above all else. Sometimes, I think it’s all of the above… plus a bit of luck. I can’t say for sure which matters most, probably a mix of everything.

What I have heard (and learned) is that an admin role is a great starting point. It makes sense, because your first job in publishing will likely involve a lot of administrative tasks. As an assistant, you need to be proficient in all things admin, because that’s where you begin.

So from what I’ve gathered so far: admin, admin, admin.

But honestly, if you’re reading this, you probably know that already. So, think of this as me just reaffirming what you were already thinking.

Of course, to start, I’d recommend before (or alongside) signing up for opportunities with the Big Five (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster), trying to get some experience with smaller businesses first. I’ve found you’re more likely to hear back from them (even if it’s just a polite “thanks but no thanks”), because they usually get fewer emails and calls and are often more open to extra help.

The downside? Because they’re smaller, payment is unlikely, and they usually can’t cover things like travel costs or even compensate you for your time, unlike bigger companies that often have the funds to do so. But the experience itself is incredibly helpful, and perfect for your CV.

I’d like to think it also shows dedication. You’re not doing this for any reason other than the enjoyment and the commitment to the industry itself.

Plus, when you apply for internships or other opportunities with the Big Five, having that prior experience might boost your chances. It shows you’re already contributing to and educating yourself about publishing in some capacity.

But hey, this isn’t me telling you what to do. After all, I’m still trying my luck like everyone else!

Anyway, to conclude – and not be a huge Debbie Downer – some honesty: it's hard. You’ll get overwhelmed, you’ll burn out, and you’ll need to take a break after applying and applying and applying. But as long as you get back to it, that’s something to be proud of.