Is becoming a publisher right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
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How to become a Publisher
As per the information below, there is more than one educational pathway to becoming a publisher.
High School Diploma
The best early preparation for a student who plans to work in publishing is to read, read, and read some more. Read novels. Read non-fiction. Read newspapers. Read magazines. Spend time in bookstores and libraries, and attend events like author readings.
In other words, get as much exposure to the publisher’s ‘products’ – publications – as possible. Working at a school newspaper is also a useful experience for prospective publishers.
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor’s degrees in publishing are fairly rare. Aspiring publishers, therefore, often complete four years of undergraduate study in a related discipline, such as English, journalism, creative writing, or communications.
Master’s Degree
Comprehensive information on graduate-level education in publishing can be found here. It is important to note that an extensive internship in the publishing industry, typically at a publishing house, is a key component of the best programs. Many internships last often up to four months.
Because the responsibilities of a publisher are so varied, it is not uncommon for people to enter the field with a master’s in an area such as marketing, business administration, or finance. However, those who enter the publishing industry with a degree other than publishing, require – not surprisingly – more on-the-job training.
Certifications
There are no certifications or licenses required to work in publishing. However, professional membership and continuing education opportunities are offered by organizations such as the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the International Publishers Association (IPA).