Category: My Job in 5

Gabby De Matteis, Brand Editorial Manager of Doctor Who (this My Job in 5 was written in 2018) shares how she strengthens the publishing brand of BBC’s most famous Doctor.

Describe your role.

I work with the BBC’s licensees, looking after all the Doctor Who stories told in different media outside of the TV show itself. That involves things like approving books from Penguin Random House, comic books from Titan, audio dramas from Big Finish, as well as working with new partners in gaming, live events, other spaces…! I’ll look at concepts and outlines for each new story idea, then read first drafts, giving feedback at each stage. It’s my job to make sure everything feels like it ties in with the established Doctor Who brand, as well as fitting alongside the new series which starts on BBC One this month. I also oversee our editorial relationship with Doctor Who Magazine and approve bits and bobs of copy for things like toy packaging and TV listings. I spend part of my week working in London with the brand’s commercial team, and part with the production team who make the show at Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff.

What do you like best about being Brand Editorial Manager?

I’ve been a huge Doctor Who fan since I was a teenager, so working closely with the production team is honestly a dream come true. Getting to read scripts, seeing sets being built, watching filming…it never gets old! And books are my first love – I worked as an editor at Penguin Children’s before I started this role. So I feel incredibly lucky to do a job which involves
both books and my favourite TV show.

Which new projects or titles are you working on at the minute?

At the moment everyone working on Doctor Who is gearing up for
the start of Series 11, so my time is mostly taken up by all things Thirteenth Doctor related. We’ve got a lot of publishing featuring the new Doctor launching soon – a host of Thirteenth Doctor books from Penguin Random House by amazing authors like Juno Dawson and David Solomons, a new Thirteenth Doctor comic range from Titan – plus all sorts of new partnerships, like our Doctor Who escape rooms which open in December.

What skills do you need to be a Brand Editorial Manager?

Like any editorial role, it helps to be able to read fast, to have an eye for detail, to prioritise well – plus a good memory to store lots of Doctor Who knowledge…! A strong understanding of the source material is key – knowing the feel of the show, what characteristics have been at the heart of Doctor Who in the past, and what will they be going forward. My role is
sometimes like being a middle man, taking the vision of the production team and helping translate it into a different medium, whether
that’s a book or comic or the script for a game.

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

Probably the most basic advice going, but tailor every CV and
cover letter you send off – make it easy  for the recipient to see why you’re perfect for the specific role in question. And don’t be afraid to show passion in applications and interviews – I used to worry about coming across as too keen, but if you can talk about a role with genuine enthusiasm, that’s a brilliant thing. Also I think it pays to be annoyingly persistent! If you’re the one person of ten who follows up after an interview asking for feedback, it’ll set you apart and you might be kept in mind in future.

Discover editorial roles, including Brand Editorial Manager with Jobs in Books.

Bookomi founder Richard Kilgarriff takes the helm of My Job in 5 this week to explain how he and his team are successfully connecting authors to the world’s most influential clubs and companies.

• Describe your role.
  I’m the founder and editorial director of Bookomi, a community of leaders who are readers who discover and share original, memorable, insights (OMI) together. My overall role is to connect authors and their work to targeted, influential audiences in clubs and companies.

• What do you like best about being an editorial director?
  I get to work with a diverse range of brilliant minds in great company: Scientists, historians, novelists, tech pioneers, business leaders… and have produced and hosted over three hundred literary events. I want to learn for the rest of my life and Bookomi allows me to do that.

• Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?
  This June, our Most Wanted list (new non-fiction titles selected by and for our community of leaders who are readers) includes Life Lessons from a Brain Surgeon (Dr Rahul Jandial, Penguin Life) and Dressed; the Secret Life of Clothes (Shahidha Bari, Jonathan Cape) and I can’t wait to introduce the authors to our members in Annabel’s and Soho House.

• What skills do you need to be an editorial director?
  If I was hiring someone to do my job I’d be looking for someone who can make new connections between seemingly diverse subjects and people, plus bookselling, events, promotion, writing, presenting, marketing and speed-reading, that’s useful.

• What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?
  Read The Book About Books, An Anatomy of Bibliomania (Holbrook Jackson, Avenel Books) and Why Information Grows, The Evolution of Order, from Atoms to Economies (Cesar Hidalgo, Allen Lane). Then look for disruption and run towards it, fast.

Want to work in editorial? Check out Jobs in Books for editorial roles including editorial director and editorial assistant jobs and more.

Lucy Pearson tells us all about her role as a Blogger at The Literary Edit.

Describe your role

The role of a book blogger is a many and varied thing—my day-to-day tasks can vary enormously. One day, I might be reading and reviewing a book and the next I might be taking and editing photos for a social media campaign. My blog covers everything from book reviews to city guides to beautiful bookshops, as well as a desert island book feature. I’m constantly trying to come up with new ideas for creative and innovative content.

What do you like best about being a blogger?

I like that I’m my own boss—I set my working schedule and my deadlines. I also love engaging with the book-loving community, which is a huge part of my role. And, of course, I spend a lot of time reading and discovering great new books, which is one of my favourite things to do.

Which new projects are you working on at the moment?

I recently won London Book Fair’s Book Blogger of the Year award, so there are a few exciting partnerships in the pipeline, and I’m looking to incorporate more literary-themed travel into my blogs. I’m currently reading A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza. It’s the first book published by Sarah Jessica Parker for Hogarth and will definitely be a big hit this summer. I’ll also be supporting Independent Bookshop Week by featuring seven different bookshops across the week on my blog.

What skills do you need to be a blogger?

Being your own boss requires passion, drive and determination—and a lot of hard work. There are lots of technical things I’ve learned along the way, everything from coding to the importance of search engine optimisation. I am currently getting to grips with Photoshop and photography to ensure a high standard of content on The Literary Edit. Experience in website or graphic design would be an advantage for aspiring book bloggers but, as with many things, the skills can be self-taught—albeit with a lot of trial and error.

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

You need to be comfortable networking and putting yourself out there—something I’ve only recently got to grips with. You also need to build your profile and make yourself known in the industry. It’s also important to stay on top of trends and who’s reading what. But, most of all, you need a real thirst and love for books.

Start your career into the book trade industry here.

Louise Dickie tells us about her role as Penguin Random House UK Children’s publicity assistant.

Describe your role.

My role involves supporting the publicity team with general administration, providing support on large campaigns, and looking after some campaigns of my own. Part of my job is also to ensure that the office space is neat and tidy, and well stocked with all the stationary and books that publicists need.

What do you like best about your role as publicity assistant?

I love the variety of my role. My day can involve anything from mailing out books to journalists, writing a press release, or preparing for an event. I also like seeing some of the fan mail that gets sent in to us, it’s so great to see that children still enjoy taking the time to write a note to their favourite authors.

Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

I’m currently working on a fantastic picture book called The Spectacular City by Teresa Heapy and illustrated by David Litchfield. It has this gorgeous dark blue cityscape cover and is a touching story about the power of friendship.

What skills do you need to be a publicity assistant?

I think it definitely pays to be organised! The more organised I am, the easier it is to prioritise tasks and make the most of my work day. Work experience is always great of course, but it doesn’t have to be in publishing necessarily, I think any office experience gives you great transferrable skills.

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

It’s always handy to have a bit of an idea of what’s going on currently in the publishing industry. Not only is this handy for interviews, because you can talk about specific books or campaigns you have admired, it also gives you an awareness of any particular trends or brands. I’d advise either taking out a subscription to The Bookseller or even just looking at the book review coverage in most newspapers.

Discover roles in publicity with Jobs in Books.

Wayne Brookes tells us about his role as Associate publisher—Fiction at Pan Macmillan.

Describe your role.

I’m the associate publisher in the fiction department which means I manage my own list of authors but also help oversee the fiction list as a whole. The other editors in fiction now report into me which means my role is a mix of editorial and management.

What do you like best about your role?

The diversity. As associate publisher I can be editing, signing off print runs, writing copy and then getting ready to do someone’s appraisal all in the same day. Then, on the way home, I could be reading a great new manuscript. Every day is different and it seldom follows a schedule I may have made myself.

Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

At the moment, I’m getting ready to publish the mass market edition of The Wife Between Us. This is one of the most exciting thrillers I’ve ever acquired. I’m also publishing Peter James’ biggest standalone thriller to date, Absolute Proof, this autumn. I’ve been working with Peter on this project for over a year, and it’s such a thrill to see it all coming together.

What skills do you need for your role?

Not necessarily in this order, but you need diplomacy, a sense of humour, a keen eye for detail and commercial acumen. As my role is now split between editorial and management it’s not always easy to strike the right balance. I came into publishing as an acquiring editor, and that is still a huge part of my job. I love finding new authors and still get the biggest kick seeing Pan Macmillan’s books on the shelves and even better in the top ten.

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

I would say one of the best places to start is in a bookshop. That’s exactly what I did. You learn so much on the shop floor, and to this day I can still remember how certain books performed saleswise. I ended up running the fiction department before leaving to go to university. If you are coming into this business, you need to know the market, so read all you can, when you can.

Discover more publishing roles on Jobs in Books.

Frontiers In Publishing Journal Development Manager takes over this week’s My Job in 5. She tells us what it’s like to develop a portfolio of journals for one of the world’s most prolific online Journal producers!

1. Describe your role
   The Journal Manager role at Frontiers is versatile and diverse, and no day is the same! It offers numerous activities, including analysing and researching the subject area to find new and exciting opportunities for exploration, attending international conferences, developing a portfolio of journals and participating in Editorial Board strategy meetings. As the point of contact for top researchers in the academic community, you will work with a great internal team to support the advancement of cutting-edge science.

2. What do you like best about your role?
   The people! Working with a diverse and skilled team from a range of backgrounds provides many opportunities for professional growth through cross-departmental projects and innovations. We have a very international and hybrid working environment and encourage input from everyone, regardless of your role or department. Working at Frontiers – a pioneer of Open Access publishing – you will have a tangible impact on the accessibility and reach of scientific knowledge, education and research.

3. Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?
   In collaboration with the team, we have recently developed and launched the first Open Access journal on Blockchain research from a mainstream scientific publisher. We were given ownership of the project to drive it forward from an initial idea to a new and unique outlet for research. From its conception, Frontiers has encouraged and facilitated creativity and innovation from its team members.

4. What skills do you need for your role?
   The Journal Development Manager role requires strong communication and analytical skills, as well as motivation to empower a team and to work independently. Time management, fostering relationships and providing a clear vision and strategy are important skills to develop projects to fruition and inspire your team.

5. What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry
   Do not be afraid to reach out and network with industry members to ask questions and find ways to gain experience. There are many societies and organisations which provide useful information on the academic (and wider) publishing community.

Sue Mayer tells us all about her role as project editor at Imagine That.

Describe your role

I’m project editor at Willow Tree, an imprint of [Woodbridge-based independent] Imagine That. I’m responsible for developing our picture story books and chapter fiction which means I’m always on the lookout for new writing and illustrating talent, as well as new design and illustration trends. I commission, edit and proofread, working alongside our in-house designers, freelance designers and agencies to complete each book from concept to the production of bound copies.

What do you like best about being a project editor?

I’m lucky to be working across a range of children’s fiction. The challenge of creating “again, again” illustrated picture story books for the very young, through to chapter fiction that may launch a child’s first ever solo-reading adventure, is exciting. I’m passionate about children’s literacy. I love working with established authors and finding new voices, too. I get a real buzz from creative teamwork—making something completely new and engaging together.

Which new titles are you working on at the moment?

The new title in our pulse-pounding animal fantasy series, Survivors, is on my desk. Aimed at children aged eight and up, Darkness Falls is the next canine-themed instalment about dog packs that learn to survive and thrive in a world without human masters. Willow Tree is a new imprint which launched this year to coincide with the company’s 20th anniversary, so it’s exciting to be publishing these books by New York Times bestselling author Erin Hunter.

What skills do you need to be a project editor?

As project editor, I need to be a creative thinker who is able to help turn a good idea into a great book. I also need to be flexible because, in true creative fashion, ideas and plans always develop along the way. Excellent teamwork is must, and an eye for detail is essential for the nitty-gritty of editing and proofreading.

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

If you’re looking to get into children’s publishing, immerse yourself in children’s books no matter what role you’re looking for. There’s nothing like living and breathing the product you’re going to be involved in making. If you’re hoping to work in a creative department, practise your creative skills every day: writing and drawing will be at the heart of your professional life.

Discover your next role in publishing with Jobs in Books here.

Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks tells us all about her role as senior commissioning editor at Avon, HarperCollins.

Describe your role

I am one of the commissioning editors at Avon, so it’s my job to acquire and publish books that make up Avon’s frontlist. We publish a broad range of commercial fiction, so I’m fortunate to work on a range of genres, including women’s fiction, crime and thriller. Yes, it involves a lot of reading, but the role is largely project management, and I spend a lot of time working with designers and marketeers, as well as editing and strategically planning how best to publish each book.

What do you like best about your role?

I know it’s a cliché, but it really is the people: my colleagues and authors, and the agents we work with. Editorial is by no means an easy job. It requires a lot of time and dedication, and I often take work—particularly reading submissions—home with me. But working within the teams behind each book always inspires creativity and we have a lot of fun.

Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

At the start of the year I acquired a book by T J Stimson called Picture of Innocence. It follows the stories of two women: a mother-of-three whose world falls apart when her youngest child dies in tragic circumstances, and a young girl growing up in a violent home, who commits a terrible act she does not understand. We’re publishing next spring, so it’s great to have time to build momentum around such a good book. I’m excited to get people reading proofs later this summer.

What skills do you need to be a senior commissioning editor?

Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need to be a fast reader. I am an incredibly slow reader. But you do need to be passionate about books and the commercial market, which is constantly changing. More than anything, you need to be a good project manager, because at any one time you could be working on anything from five to 15 different projects, all at different stages, and it’s the editor’s job to know exactly what’s going on at all times.

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

Keep an open mind. Lots of people assume you need to take a traditional route to become a commissioning editor, but that’s not true. Lots of people come from other publishing roles, and even from other industries. And you may be surprised, once working in the business, to find that your passion lies where you didn’t expect it—perhaps in another genre or even in another role entirely.

Find editor roles within publishing with Jobs in Books.

Priscila Heathcote tells us all about her role as Head of Global Operations at Maths – No Problem!.

Describe your role.

I head the operations and customer service teams both in the UK and Canada, where we have offices. The focus of my role is to ensure that the everyday business activities run smoothly. I spend my time reviewing and evaluating business procedures, ranging from printing and warehousing to HR and recruitment.

What do you enjoy about your role?

I love the variety that my role brings and how there are new challenges each week. I am never bored! One day I can be working with our head of IT on an online portal for parents and homeschoolers so they can check answers to maths questions. The next day I can be training my customer service representatives on the new customers sign-up process.

What are you working on at the moment?

We are investing heavily in technology, both internally and externally. It is crucial to have intelligent systems that work for our company. It helps us to be more efficient, productive and scalable.

What skills do you need to be head of global operations?

You need to be very organised and very good at problem-solving. Things go wrong all the time, especially when couriers are involved, so having a plan B, C or D is crucial. The ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders is essential, as well as a can-do approach to every challenge and hurdle that comes my way.

What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

I worked in retail for most of my career and found the switch to publishing refreshing. There is a lot of experience out there, and people are willing to help, so don’t be afraid to ask. For example, I had no idea what the difference was between saddle-stitched and perfect bound when I first started.

Find your role in the book trade with Jobs in Books here.

Jennifer Conroy is the Library Director at Rock Hill Public Library, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA and is under our spotlight for this week’s My Job in 5.

1) Describe your role

As director, I am responsible for ensuring access to information for all patrons who use the library. Living in a municipality of 5,000 residents, I oversee all aspects of a public library: I am HR, Employee Management, Payroll, Collection Development, Facilities Management, Financial Administrator and Employee Management. That said, it is my job to hire the best people possible—those with excellent customer service skills, an understanding of the public library’s important influence in our society and a belief that we’re capable of furthering positive societal change, and of course a great work ethic.

2) What do you like best about being a library director?

I’m providing an open space for all. The idea that with the right knowledge and tools, I can offer this community a way to empower themselves and thrive in different ways. Collection Development has been a favorite throughout my career as a librarian, and now since I deal with things like plumbing and repaving parking lots, I consider it a wonderful respite during those times.

In my previous role of Youth Services Librarian—I can safely say that storytime with the little ones was my favorite aspect of the job. The public library’s role in early literacy is a very special part of what we offer within a community. Thankfully I am technically still a part of this as I direct staff to include these programs in this newer director role.

3) Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

As the grant writer, I’m currently seeking funding for six new public computers, and additional money for the restoration and digitization of the hundreds of Rock Hill photos we have and would like to both display as well as keep a reference database of Rock Hill memorabilia—fulfilling many patrons’ wishes.

4) What skills do you need to be a library director?

First and foremost, a deep understanding of library ethics and the library’s evolving role within our communities. Important skills also include good communication, the art of delegation, and the ability to connect with and motivate staff to create a welcome and open environment for all patrons.

Listening, observing, statistical analysis, and directly surveying patrons allows you to meet your library community’s specific needs, which is important to support the library’s mission. And although this position requires that I be in my office 75% of my time here, I still aspire to maintain my good customer service skills.

5) What advice would you give those looking to work in the industry?

Before paying for a secondary degree in Masters in Library Science, and depending on what route you want to take in the library world (public, university, specialty), consider whether you need it or if your on-the-job learned skills, coupled with an undergraduate degree is enough to get a good job in the field. Remember that a public library is constantly evolving and there are endless possibilities of the services we can provide. As a librarian, you get to create a space open to all, and you have the opportunity, the responsibility, to provide access to information.

Find library roles and more with Jobs in Books.