Get started in publishing: Which First Edition work placement is right for me?
Are you interested in a career in publishing? Whether you’re looking to add skills to your CV or just want to see behind the scenes and get a feel for different roles, a First Edition paid work placement is a good first step. Our placements are 5 days long, offer a bursary of £500, and are open to anyone aged 18-25 living in Newcastle, North Tyneside or Northumberland.
The book industry is wide and varied, with roles that suit different skills and personalities. It can be tricky to know where to start! Keep reading to find out more about some of the industry areas you could work in, and which of our placements is a good fit for you.
Which areas of the book industry could I work in?
Publishing
Most people know about editing, but there are many other roles in publishing that help get a book from manuscript to finished product. These include design, marketing and publicity, production, rights, audio, sales, distribution, and more. In a large publisher, this will involve a lot of people. But with smaller publishers, all of these jobs may be done by just a few people! While big publishers publish a vast range of books, indie presses often specialise in one genre or type, such as translations or poetry. Read more about what happens at a publishing house.
Agenting
Agents work directly with authors to represent them to publishers and production companies and help them get the best deal. They help authors manage negotiations and offer advice and support. Sometimes, they may offer editorial advice as well. For writers, getting an agent is usually the first step in the journey to publication. Read more about the role of a literary agent.
Scouting
Scouts keep publishers informed about the latest exciting manuscripts and books. They don’t work directly with authors, but they have to read constantly and talk to lots of people to keep their industry knowledge up to date. They also need to have some awareness of the foreign market. Some scouts specialise, while others cover all genres. Read more about the work of literary scouts.
Bookselling
Booksellers connect the world of publishing with the world of readers. They must have a passion for talking about books – not only about the ones they love, but even the ones they haven’t read! But bookselling involves other things as well, like general customer service, managing stock, handling orders, and organising events.
Book prizes
Book prizes serve an important role, offering writers valuable recognition and support and encouraging people to read. But what’s it like to work behind the scenes on a book prize? While the experience can vary depending on the type of prize, it often involves managing submissions, selecting sifters and judges, coordinating judging meetings, marketing important moments of the prize like the longlist and shortlist announcements, and planning an event and publicity to announce the winner.
Creative agencies
Creative agencies offer branding, design, marketing, advertising, PR and other digital marketing services to businesses. They bring ideas to life by telling a story about what a business does through images and words. Although creative agencies can work with publishers, they usually also work outside the book industry. They are a good career option for creative people who like writing or design.
So which First Edition work placement is right for me?
There are 14 placement options for 2025. So how do you choose? Here are some things to consider.
Remote or in-person?
Some placements will take place onsite, while others may be remote. Think about the dates that the placement will take place. Will you be able to go in person, or would a remote option work better with your busy schedule?
What are your skills and interests?
Are you interested in writing? Look at an opportunity which involves marketing, press or content creation. Or maybe you’re an organised person and you’d like to learn how to plan an event – consider a book prize or bookselling. Think about which opportunities will give you skills you want for your CV, but also may give you insight into a career path you hadn’t considered before.
Think about size
Would you rather work for a large publisher or an indie press? While at a large publisher you may get insight into a wide range of roles and opportunities, at a smaller organisation you may have the chance to get stuck into something specific that is more directly suited to you.
Still don’t know?
That’s completely fine! It’s good to be open to different possibilities. When you fill out your application, you’ll have the chance to select any places you’d like to work – and you can select all of them! So if you don’t know where to begin, that’s fine, this is all about first steps.
How can I apply?
Fill out the application form on this page before 6 January 2025. The form will ask you to fill in one application and then rank your preferred places. You’ll be able to select all the placements you’re available for, and then indicate what your first, second and third choice would be. This allows you to express interest in multiple placements without filling in multiple forms, and ensures we are giving opportunity to as many people as we can.
If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. We’re excited to read your application!