Creative writing would not have come to other’s notice if it was not published.
In this world full of stories, everybody wishes to be a storyteller. Either they wish to be an actor or a writer who authors bestselling book.
Creative writing would not have come to other’s notice if it was not published. Be it any platform – web or print – published work is what fetches you the gold. But it is a matter of chance and good writing too.
Making it easier for the writers is the world of publishers.
Printed or digital books are created via book publishing. Transforming a raw author manuscript to a marketable product requires a range of functions from creation or commissioning of content, to editorial, design and production.
It needs intervention from editors to polish the text, designers to conceptualise its presentation in the most reader-friendly and visually exciting manner, pre-press to build the pages and make them ready to print, and production to plan and supervise the making of the final product.
For people working in core editorial, design, or prepress, work usually continues on an even keel with a scheduled workflow.
The publishing industry offers a very competitive remuneration which mostly depends upon one’s capability and experience. With multinational publishing companies setting up offices in India, there has been a marked improvement in payscales across levels. On an average, a fresher can earn Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 22,000 per month.
You need to have a clear understanding of the product, its target audience and the originality of the product. You should have an eye for detail. Good communication skills always help you when you interact with your clients who are generally authors or agents. An affinity for books is a desirable fit for this kind of work as it will allow you to understand your subject better.
For being in a publishing house, first you will have to decide which part of it you want to join. Management and marketing courses will work if you want to be on the selling side. Design and production will require a course in media, mass communication and journalism or simple degree in English. Apart from this book cover and art section requires a degree in designing.
Knowledge in foreign language is a plus one as publishing houses are taking up translated work.
Apart from the IIMs and other management institutes such as Jamnalal Bajaj in Mumbai or Indian School of Business, Hyderabad you can also look at pursuing a course in journalism. Delhi University has a Common Journalism Entrance Test (CJET) to the five colleges that offer the course.
Some highly acclaimed foreign universities like Oxford (UK), Yale, and NYU and GWU (US) offer courses in publishing. Most companies have on-the-job training for freshers too.
