Editorial
Editors are involved in all stages of the publishing process, from acquiring and commissioning authors to editing and publishing books. They also liaise with other departments to come up with design and marketing ideas.
Newspaper and magazine editors are responsible for checking article facts and ensuring that the articles match their paper’s voice, style, tone and ethical standards. They may also decide which articles get assigned or published based on their placement within the layout of the publication.
Sales
The sales role of a publisher is to persuade wholesalers, bookstores, schools and libraries to buy the books they publish. This is a fairly broad and varied role depending on the size of the publishing house.
The main sales activities are usually carried out from the head office, or by a team of sales representatives that the publisher hires and pays commission to. Each member of the team calls on their assigned accounts, either by phone or face to face, and makes sales pitches over the telephone, via email or in person.
Marketing
In publishing, the marketing role involves generating interest in a publication and ensuring its target audience knows it exists. This includes advertising, sending sample copies out to key contacts and carrying out market research to gauge demand.
Book publishers set the criteria for the types of books they will commission, while magazine publishers develop publications that will appeal both to readers and advertisers. Some publishers focus on general fiction or non-fiction, while others specialize in specific categories, such as business textbooks or science fiction.
Production
A publisher sets the editorial and commercial direction for companies that publish newspapers, magazines, books and digital content. They make decisions on which markets their firms will serve and the type of content they will offer their audiences.
A publisher also takes responsibility for the production of books, which can involve the use of specialist printers and paper suppliers. They can also oversee the layout of a book and make sure it is printed in accordance with ISBN standards.
