Thanks for the questions, guys! I wanted to tackle the work-related topics in one post, because my answer was starting to get pretty long. I’ll start answering the others later, so if there’s something you’re wondering, feel free to keep asking!
How did you get into publishing? How did you get started working as a proofreader? Where do you work, and what did you major in in college?
I’m lumping several of these questions into one here, because I think I can just do one long explanation and cover everything. I majored in English in college, with a self-chosen emphasis on composition and linguistics (there was just one umbrella ‘English’ degree, but there was a lot of freedom to choose classes within categories, so you could have a more literary education or more technical).
By my last year of university, Rob and I were dating, and I popped into the Snowbooks office to do a few random bits of work while I was in London that August. Em and I got along well, and it turned out I wasn’t a terrible worker, so we made arrangements to get a work visa, etc, etc. So, basically, the only words of advice I can give as far as how to get into publishing are these: know the right people. I don’t doubt that I’m skilled at what I do, but I do know that I wouldn’t be where I am if I hadn’t fallen into a very coincidental situation.
Because I’ve only ever worked for an indie publisher in the UK, I don’t know in detail how the American publishing machine works, as far as starting a career. And my knowledge of the big publishing houses is anecdotal. There are benefits to working for a small publisher — you’ll get more responsibility and the opportunity to learn an array of skills — but if you’re looking for a traditional ladder to climb, with the pay raises that entails, you’re going to have to try to break into one of the big guys.
These days I’m freelance, although most of my work is for Snowbooks — technically as a contractor. Em and Rob own the company, and at heart I’m still part of Snowbooks, but on paper I work for myself. It’s the dream situation, really: the relative stability of having a core income, but the flexibility of being freelance.
I probably talk about proof reading more than anything else, because it’s the most time-consuming of all my tasks, but I wouldn’t call myself a ‘proofreader’. I also design covers, typeset books, and function as an acquisitions editor. I call myself a ‘publishing project manager’, but even that’s a bit of a lie, as the only person I manage is myself — I actually do everything it takes to turn an submitted manuscript into the files that make a book.
In the near future, I’m going to start a big push to acquire more freelance projects in my areas of skill — proofreading, cover design, typesetting, and also web and other print design. Even though I think that the quality of my work is at least a little above average, it’s scary trying to sell my services under my own name (as opposed to being behind the Snowbooks name). Like a lot of creative people, I tend to more time focusing on the outstanding work that others produce than valuing my own. But we shall see how it goes.
Thanks for answering my question! I’m glad you said that knowing the right people is essential for getting a job in publishing – I was afraid I was being overly negative instead of realistic when telling people why I don’t straight up major in English.
Originally I wanted to major in English to be an acquisitions editor, but after hearing from a few people that it’s a hard field to break into, I pushed English back to a minor (it was a good thing for me to do regardless; if I had majored in English, I would have hated it by graduation. This way it’s more of a fun break from my major classes) and decided to major in Consumer Journalism (I’m combining Journalism with Consumer Foods in light of my new food obsession/exploration). Now I think I have a wider range of job potential.
Anyways, what this bookish comment is getting at is this: do you think publishers want to see an English major or are do they just want to see some kind of writing background?
Sara — I’m not sure I can really say what employers would be looking for, aside from experience. An English major might be important, but they’re a dime a dozen in a competitive job market. Since you’re still in school, you should take any opportunities that come your way in terms of editing or peer reading. My college had a program for students to be ‘official’ peer readers and to provide critiques for any student at the school — and I think that sort of experience would look very good on a resume. Basically, anything you can point at and say, ‘See? I’ve done this sort of thing before,’ is going to score you points.
Thanks for inviting us to ask questions. I’m still working on being productive working at home so am very interested in learning how you do it. How do you organise your working time and free time. Do you follow a sort of system like the Get Things Done by David Allen. What are your tips for not being distracted (by the cats etc).
Thank you for posting this. I am a floater between categories — English major, illustrator, crafter — and I am trying to reign in some things and figure out how to make a living doing some of this stuff. There are so many different angles, opinions, and approaches to the “how to get things going” question that I often am left feeling dizzy. This at least is simple and straightforward, and while it’s not really going to open a door for me (I don’t know anyone running a successful indie publishing house,) it is helpful to learn that a simple path that is not congruent with other paths can work out just fine.
(Um. I want that to sound happy and grateful, not wistful and melancholy. I really DO like reading about people’s paths, because people don’t always open up about things like this.)
Can I mention to Lova: I spend a LOT of time at home working, and I have found that the easiest way for me to approach working time vs. free time is I try and observe “office hours”. If I have the day off from my “real” job (housecleaning,) I want to be at my desk working for two blocks of time, separated by a lunch hour. I don’t always stick to this rigorously, but it’s nice to have a goal.
MISC THINGS I FIND HELPFUL
- On a squirmy day sometimes I’ll set my oven timer to go off at 40 minute intervals and take a little 10 minute break between, just to get up, stretch and make tea or something.
- I use a bastardized version of GTD, with colored cards during particularly busy times. One card for things to do soon, one card for a rough itinerary (which makes sure I schedule time to do the things I need to do that day), one card for nebulous idea-grabbing, one card for a grocery list. I organize my different lives (picture-maker, housecleaner, activities & adventures) with Google Calenders, and also have a day planner I can doodle in.
- If I’m doing something rather easy I’ll often listen to an audiobook or a radio show. (incentive to stay at my desk and listen, as well as forcing me NOT to focus too hard, which if you are drawing can sometimes get in the way.) (For me.)
Wow I ran off with the format here, sorry about that. Back to you, Anna.