Welcome to the latest instalment in our series providing an insight into life and careers in the publishing industry. This time round, we’re speaking with editorial assistant Tia Albert.
I’m in charge of…
Taking minutes for meetings; reading and considering submissions for editorial meetings; assisting commissioning editors in writing cover briefs for the design team, drafting cover copy and advance information sheets for selected titles; managing advance author copies; assisting with book fair arrangements; supporting the editorial team in chasing and raising invoices and dealing with general enquiries; and much more!
My first task of the day…
Is to scan my list of pinned emails in my inbox which I’ve pre-categorised in different colours to make sure I’m clear on what tasks I need to do, what tasks I need to keep my eye on, and information that I need to remember. I need to be able to see exactly what I’ve got to do for the day ahead. It’s such a helpful method of keeping track of all that goes on in my fast-paced job.
The thing I look forward to the most…
Our weekly editorial meeting where we discuss exciting new projects that could be a potential success for our lists. It’s a time to share our honest opinions but also our love and enthusiasm for the submissions that we receive. We look at what’s good about each submission, what needs work, what we know about the author, and if the rights are available to reach wide audiences around the world. It’s about examining all these factors to decide if a book will be commercially viable or not. I can champion the books I love and my opinion is valued. I’m always looking to discover YA fantasy and thrillers, and I care about all facets of identity being represented.
What nobody else knows about my job…
I don’t get to read submissions all day! There’s usually a lot going on each week, so I try my best to dip in and read some of them but most of the time I don’t get to finish the whole submission.
The project I’m proudest to have worked on…
I was very pleased when we acquired How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi, as it was a book I championed in an editorial meeting. My line manager had sent it to me and I read and really loved it. It’s about a gay Iranian teenager being blackmailed by his bully, and the adventure he goes on in Italy. It’s a real breath of fresh air. We need these voices.
How I got the job….
I joined Bonnier Books UK as a children’s editorial intern in September 2019 via Creative Access for an initial year-long internship. Then the pandemic happened and so I was put on furlough, but I was offered extra months to complete the year’s internship. I wanted to stay, and the team wanted to keep me, so I was eventually promoted to editorial assistant this year. I would really endorse Creative Access – they give you a lot of tools and encouragement. They help you get your CV right, do workshops before your interview, and offer masterclasses throughout your internship. It’s really useful. It’s not just ‘here’s the job, goodbye’; they really care about supporting you.
My advice for anyone breaking in…
Three letters – E.E.P. Experience, Enthusiasm and Perseverance go a long way when applying for jobs in publishing. You need experience to crack open the door so try and get that as soon as you can, but enthusiasm and perseverance is what will drive you towards your eventual publishing career. It’s so important to love what you do. I really love my job. Everyone should try and find something they really enjoy doing, or else what’s the point?
The path I might have chosen…
I could’ve been a marine biologist, only to find out the ocean is a terrifying place and I prefer dry land!
For those looking to learn more about other roles in the industry, you can take a look at last month’s interview with Alex Schmidt, an audio assistant here.
