Blackwell Publishing

Do I want to work in books or journals?

Although fundamentally the publishing process is the same whether you are working with books or journals there are some key differences in the type of person that we look for in each area.

Books

Books' publishing is a much longer term process where successful publication of a book is based largely on your ability to build a strong working relationship with the author. This doesn't mean to say that it is any less pressurised working in books' publishing but it certainly is a different work environment.

Journals

Journals are published at regular intervals such as on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis. The ability to manage this process successfully and deliver the high standards expected by our clients is essential. If you work in journals publishing, you will find yourself having to deliver in a highly client focused, fast-paced environment, liaising directly with societies and editors on a daily basis.

Career Opportunities

People who are starting a career in publishing with us work in a wide range of positions, although they typically join us in one of the following positions:

Remember, we recruit people into real jobs from day one. All the positions listed above will give someone who is new to the publishing industry a real insight into the industry and a good knowledge of how publishing works.

Editorial Assistant (Editorial)

Job descriptions for actual positions will vary but essentially the overall purpose of the post of Editorial Assistant is to assist editorial staff in the administration of the commissioning, planning and production of books or journals. It essentially involves the co-ordination of the creation of a book or journal through from commissioning through to handover of the finished manuscript or articles to production. Much of the work is routine, though essential to the publishing process and includes duties such as:

  • Co-ordinating the review process of potential book outlines and eventual manuscripts
  • Arranging payments of authors, editors and contributors
  • Preparing draft accounts and budgets to assist in bids for new journals
  • Liaising with, monitoring, chasing internal and external partners to ensure the process runs smoothly and to target
  • Maintaining the database
  • General research using the internet
  • General administration duties including arranging meetings and taking minutes.    

Duties will vary depending on whether you work in books or journals although the essential nature of the job remains the same.

Publishing Co-ordinator (Editorial)

Publishing Co-ordinators work on our books titles. Job descriptions for actual positions will vary but essentially the overall purpose of the post of Publishing Co-ordinator is to provide the Editor and publishing teams with administrative support; to ensure the accurate and timely transmission of information between authors, editors, departments and customers; to maintain accurate files and records and to respond to internal and external customer requests promptly and professionally.

Journal Publishing Assistant (Editorial)

Job descriptions for actual positions will vary but essentially the overall purpose of the role of Journal Publishing Assistant is to provide administrative support to Journal Publishing Manager(s) and to help them to manage a list of journals. Duties are very similar to the other positions except the posts specifically deal with journals. Typical duties might include: corresponding with editors, authors and colleagues by e-mail, letter and by phone; dealing with a variety of queries, producing publisher's reports for journal meetings; assisting Journal Publishing Managers with commissioning work, in starting brand new journals or takeovers of existing journals.

Production Assistant

Production Assistants are based mainly at our Edinburgh site although some posts do arise in Oxford. Production Assistants work on books or journals. Job descriptions for actual positions will vary but essentially the overall purpose of the post of Production Assistant is to provide production and administrative support to a team of production editors and managers. It is about successfully co-ordinating the production of a book or journal all the way through from receipt of the articles or manuscript from editorial through to the production and despatch of the finished journal or book. Typical duties might include checking revised proofs, assisting in the preparation of copy for editing and of material for despatch to suppliers/freelancers.

Marketing Controller/Executive

Job descriptions for actual positions will vary but essentially the overall purpose of the role of Marketing Controller/Executive is to support the Marketing Manager in the publicity for books and/or journals. This may include duties such as sending out books for review, updating the database, creating promotional posters and flyers, communicating with designers regarding leaflets, promotional postcards, mailing letters and posters and a lot of copy writing.