Behind the Books Bi-Weekly Update 24 November 2025

Hello! This is my bi-weekly update on publishing. I hope you haven’t missed me too much, but here I am again with another catch-up for all you wonderful people who are dying to get into the industry just as much as I am. So, without further ado, here’s another segment of the blind leading the blind!

This week was Working in Publishing Week, with many major publishing houses and publishing-focused organisations hosting events, webinars, and posts designed to help publishing hopefuls understand the industry, how to break in, what each department does, and more. As part of this, BookCareers ran Q&A sessions in partnership with HarperCollins and Penguin Random House, where two representatives from each company answered our questions.

I was also lucky enough to have a brief one-to-one chat with the speaker from PRH, which was such a lovely opportunity.

So for this week’s update, I thought I’d share everything I’ve learned, hopefully you’ll find something helpful, too!

Stephanie Jemmet – Senior Acquisitions Officer at Harper Collins

What advice would you give to someone who wants to move into publishing but has no experience?

Publishing is a strong industry to move into even without direct experience, especially at entry level. Employers don’t expect an extensive background; they look for transferable skills from areas like customer service, hospitality, retail, and events. What matters is showing how your existing experience is relevant and how you can apply those skills to the role. Direct publishing experience isn’t essential when starting out.

Do you have advice for someone with editorial experience in educational publishing trying to get into trade?

Focus on showing genuine passion for the trade area you’re applying to. It’s important to explain why that specific publisher, imprint, or list appeals to you, rather than speaking broadly about publishing as a whole. Demonstrating real interest in their books and the direction of their list will help strengthen your application.

What impact is AI having on the publishing landscape, and what challenges does the industry face?

AI is reshaping day-to-day workflows by taking on tasks that don’t require a strong human or personal touch. It can help with administrative or repetitive processes, freeing teams to spend more time on creative, thoughtful, and time-intensive work. Many publishers are using AI to streamline areas such as recruitment, candidate tracking, and scoring, roles where efficiency matters more than creative judgement. At the same time, there are clear policies in place to ensure AI isn’t used to replace or erase human creativity. The focus is on using AI responsibly for non-creative tasks while protecting the integrity of human-led work.

What can you tell us about Interviews?

A strong understanding of the specific role and the imprint you’re applying to is crucial. This means knowing why the imprint was launched, the kinds of books it has acquired, and the authors it publishes. Focusing on the imprint rather than the overall publishing house is important, as the house itself is too broad. It helps to understand the imprint’s vision and where it sits within the market. Adding thoughtful details can make you stand out, for example, if you’re interested in commercial fiction, you don’t need to only mention books from that publisher; instead, show a solid understanding of commercial fiction as a whole. Re-read the job description carefully, align your examples to what they’re asking for, and present yourself as someone who genuinely wants this specific role.

What are you looking for in answers?

Strong answers are creative, clear, and supported by specific examples. It’s important to stay concise rather than trying to fill the word count, every sentence should add something new. Read your response back and check whether it genuinely answers the question being asked. Clarity and relevance matter more than length, so focus on making each point purposeful and well-considered.

Can I come into the industry even if I don’t have publishing experience but experience from another sector?

It’s absolutely possible to enter publishing from a different industry. Marketing is often a particularly accessible route in, and some children’s teams specifically look for people with backgrounds in areas like TV or radio. Creating content for parents, who are the actual buyers of children’s books, is a highly transferable experience. Bringing skills from other industries can add fresh perspectives to a team. It helps to show that you’ve paid attention to book marketing campaigns, talk about which ones you admired and why, and even what you felt didn’t work. Coming from outside the industry can allow you to offer unique insights during interviews.

How do I smash an interview or prepare?

Thorough preparation is key. Practice by role-playing different scenarios to get into the right mindset and anticipate questions. Research the position carefully, but also keep an open mind about the role and how your skills could fit. Being well-prepared helps you answer confidently and adapt to the flow of the interview.

As for work before entering the industry, what do you suggest?

Working in retail, particularly as a bookseller, is an excellent way to gain relevant experience while waiting to enter publishing. You encounter a wide range of situations and customers, which helps develop transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. In reality, any experience that builds these kinds of skills can be valuable when moving into the publishing industry.

Any other advice?

Stay aware of social media platforms and engage with the wider book world. Visit bookshops, talk to booksellers, and pay attention to what’s trending and selling well. Sign up for newsletters and follow relevant updates, but let this learning be organic, you don’t need to know everything. A general awareness of trends and influences across different platforms is more than enough to demonstrate engagement and interest in the industry.

What would recruiters look for when hiring?

They look for strong relationship-building skills, the ability to follow up effectively, and clear, professional communication. People skills are crucial, as the role often involves connecting with others to promote and sell books. A good candidate also demonstrates awareness of the wider world and can communicate appropriately with different audiences.

How are applications reviewed, and what makes a strong one?

All applications are reviewed at least twice, so each one is always seen, meticulousness is essential. Because the volume of applications is high, it’s important to avoid mistakes or inconsistencies. Strong applications are detailed yet concise, written in your authentic voice, and free from unnecessary filler. Don’t rely on AI-generated answers; originality and genuine expression matter. ​​AI can be a concern in applications because it often produces repetitive answers with the same themes, words, and structures across many submissions. This makes responses less authentic and can be easily spotted by reviewers, so relying on AI-generated answers is discouraged.

What kind of news is worth following up on when it comes to editorial?

It’s important to stay aware of current trends and what people are talking about, as well as emerging topics throughout the year. Understanding these patterns helps you anticipate what will resonate with audiences. Being generally aware of the wider world and cultural developments is also valuable for editorial insight.

How should you approach answering editorial questions?

When answering, focus on the impact of the item, not just a description of what it is. Explain what it means and why it matters, whether you’re discussing an article, film, book, TV show, or other media. Framing your answer in terms of relevance and significance demonstrates insight and critical thinking.

What are the systems used at HarperCollins?

HC uses Plan G as their primary system. For those who don’t use Plan G directly, Horizon is used instead. Data from Plan G feeds into Horizon, which is then used to generate international sales reports.

How does BeApplied work?

Each answer is scored on a scale of 1–5, and an average is calculated. The process is anonymous and randomised, so they don’t know the identity of the applicant until the interview stage.

Do courses or training help you get into publishing?

Formal courses or training don’t directly lead to a job offer in publishing. Gaining real experience and developing practical skills and competencies through hands-on work is far more valuable.

What’s the best way to connect with industry professionals?

Most people are open to connection requests, which can lead to opportunities for coffee chats or informal conversations. Use LinkedIn to gauge interest, send connection requests, and engage with posts by liking or commenting to build rapport and stay visible within the industry.

Elizabeth Simpson, Recruitment Programmes & Outreach Advisor – Penguin Random House 

How do you support junior staff to gain relevant skills in the company?

The company supports junior staff through a combination of internal learning and development programmes and external training opportunities. Summer internships and traineeships provide early insight into the business. Juniors and above can access training through initiatives like the Penguin Academy, which offers introductions to book markets, trends, and more, as well as professional development courses ranging from half-day sessions to full-day programmes. There are also longer-term programmes, such as the Editorial Development Programme. Staff are encouraged to seek external training when needed, and internal mentoring provides further support and guidance for career development.

What helps an applicant to stand out in an interview

Applicants stand out by clearly demonstrating the skills essential to the role, even if they don’t have prior publishing experience. Explain which skills you have and provide strong examples of how you’ve applied them, these examples don’t need to come from professional or publishing contexts. Showing initiative in your application and the way you present yourself also makes a difference. Conducting research as part of your application demonstrates understanding of the team and their work; for example, if applying to an imprint, explain why you like the books they publish. While this research shouldn’t dominate your application, showing awareness of the wider publishing industry highlights that you are informed and knowledgeable about the field.

What opportunities are at Penguin that let you get a feel for publishing

Penguin offers a two-week paid work experience programme, allowing individuals to explore the company without committing to a long-term role. It’s open to students, those with full-time jobs elsewhere, or even retirees wanting to try something new. The application process is simple, and participants are randomly selected through a lottery system. Around 200 people are accepted each year across five application windows. This programme can provide insight into which department you might want to work in, help develop skills to highlight in future applications, and in some cases, lead directly to job opportunities. Hiring managers often remember those who have completed work experience, making it a valuable way to get your foot in the door.

How does Penguin view the use of AI in applications?

Penguin doesn’t use tools to automatically flag AI-generated content, though they may suspect it if a cover letter lacks a personal voice, specific details, or clear articulation of experiences. Attention to detail is key. Using AI to polish text, improve flow, or check grammar is acceptable, but applicants should always represent their own skills, knowledge, and experiences.

Is Penguin using AI to select candidates?

No, Penguin does not use AI to select candidates. Applications are reviewed and long-listed by people, and interviews are conducted by humans. While this could change in the future, for now it’s entirely human-led. Given the high volume of applications, sometimes colleagues read up to 1,000 in a week, it’s important to make your application stand out.

What are the key pillars of Penguin’s employer brand?

Penguin’s employer brand is built around four pillars, expressed as pairs of contrasting terms that reflect their values. They emphasise balancing a long-standing 90-year legacy with innovation and forward-thinking (enduring and advancing), working at both large scale and in smaller teams on individual and shared projects (large and small), and combining business success with meaningful impact (profit and purpose). 

I forgot to include the fourth point and I can’t find it anywhere, sorry!

Is it worth submitting an application closer to the open date?

For most applications, it’s not necessary to submit right when the role opens. Applications are typically only reviewed after the deadline, so submitting earlier or later generally doesn’t affect your chances of being seen or selected. Occasionally, a role may close early if there is an unusually high volume of applications, but this is rare.

Are there any computer skills you need to know when applying?

Penguin uses systems like Biblio and BookScan, but applicants are not expected to have prior experience with them.

Typical blunders in applications

Common mistakes include leaving AI prompts in your submission and not carefully following the instructions in the job advert. Entry-level roles often ask you to complete a specific task as part of your cover letter, so failing to address these requirements can prevent your application from progressing. CVs and cover letters should be tailored to the role you’re applying for, including the specific team if relevant. It’s also important to mention the books and lists associated with the role to show genuine interest and understanding.

Avoid submitting vague or overly broad applications that aren’t tailored to the specific role. General cover letters are not effective. Always read the instructions carefully, including the required length and what information should be included.

What application materials does Penguin ask for, and what’s most important?

For traditional roles, Penguin requests a CV and cover letter. At entry level, the cover letter is particularly important, as applicants may have limited work experience. It’s your opportunity to explain why you’re the right person for the role. For the CV, make it clear and well-structured, using headers and listing the most recent or relevant experience first. Include specific projects and outcomes to demonstrate your skills and achievements.

How does career mobility work at Penguin, and how can you make the most of it?

Once you start, there are opportunities to move around within the industry. Communicating your long-term goals, for example, where you see yourself in 5–10 years, allows your manager to support your development and help create opportunities to advance your career.

How should you handle additional questions in a cover letter application?

Keep your cover letter to one side of A4. If the job advert instructs you to incorporate answers into the cover letter, do so; if it says “in addition,” provide them separately. This tests your ability to read and follow instructions carefully.

1-1 Questions 

How helpful are connections in the publishing industry, and what’s the best way to reach out?

Connections can be useful for gathering information and guidance, but they won’t automatically get you into the industry. References aren’t typically a deciding factor for entry-level roles; their value comes later once you’re already working in publishing. Connections are most helpful for accessing insights or advice that aren’t publicly available.

The best way to reach out is through LinkedIn, send a polite message with a clear question. Don’t expect a meeting or a lengthy chat, as people are busy, but they may respond to answer your query. The worst that can happen is they don’t reply, so it’s always worth trying. Reaching out thoughtfully never looks bad and can provide useful guidance.

Is breaking into publishing sometimes just a waiting game, or a matter of luck?

Getting noticed can involve both preparation and a bit of luck. It helps to get your cover letter in front of as many relevant people as possible to revise it and check things you couldn’t see. But once it’s written, you can only submit it and move forward, you can’t endlessly revise it. Part of the process is being eligible for roles and having the right combination of skills and interests. Focus on positions where you not only have the skills but also a genuine connection to the type of work or books the team produces. Over time, consistent effort combined with aligning your applications to the right opportunities increases your chances of being noticed.

And to all my lost bookworms,

Stay Steadfast x