Oxford

PUBLISHING
EMMANUELLA KWENORTEY
Graduate trainee –
Harper Collins
ALUMNI PROFILES
PUBLISHING
Emmanuella studied History at
St. Catherine’s College, 2014.
WHAT: Harper Collins’ graduate trainee
scheme is rotational, meaning that
I’ve spent time in various departments
including at our literary imprints 4th
Estate, The Borough Press and also in
the Non-Fiction and Communications
department. My role varies from the
ALUMNI PROFILES
WHAT:
I work as a publicity assistant for
Princeton University Press (PUP), an
academic publishing company, whose
European office is based in Woodstock,
Oxfordshire. In publicity, we promote
roughly 120 new books a year to print,
digital and broadcast media, as well
as organising author tours, pitching
to literary festivals, and anything else
to get the word out there. As publicity
assistant, I look after the paperbacks,
some monographs and occasionally
some trade titles. I also support the
other 3 publicists in all aspects of their
work promoting the rest of the list. My
role also involves designing marketing
materials, organising the logistics
for Princeton’s European conference
attendance, and some textbook
marketing.
WHY:
Despite doing a languages degree, I
knew I didn’t necessarily want to do
something directly related. I became
drawn to publishing after attending
basic - managing the mail - to the complex
- working on corporate strategies.
WHY: This is great scheme for me because
it allows me to explore my options. For
example, when I’ve been interested in a
department or area, the HR team have
been superb in letting me spend some
time in that field. The most exciting parts
of the job depends on what type of person
you are: I’ve personally loved working on
strategies and reading new manuscripts,
whilst others will have enjoyed working
closely with authors, organising events - I
recently helped out a David Walliams event
for World Book Day - and working on
marketing campaigns
EXPERIENCE & SKILLS: I don’t know the
key to success in publishing but a few
quantifiable skills will help. Having some
knowledge of coding, an understanding
of the British Standard of proof correction,
proficiency on social media/photoshop/
inDesign will hold you in good stead. Most
career fairs and completing some work
experience placements. In fact, I completed
an internship with PUP in my final year
and really enjoyed my time there, so was
delighted to hear about an opening for a
permanent position in publicity. Being a
small office, we’re a tight-knit group, which
makes it a great environment to work in.
This also means I’m often exposed to a
wide range of tasks which allow me to
learn more about the publishing process as
a whole.
ADVICE:
Publishing doesn’t always equate to
working in editorial. Applications for jobs in
editorial heavily outweigh applications for
jobs in other areas of publishing, such as
publicity, sales, rights, and so on. Do your
research beyond editorial and you might
find another area that interests you even
more. And learning about different areas is
extremely useful for wherever you end up in
the industry.
Show your interest in publishing to future
employers through extra-curricular
of these skills aren’t necessary for an
entry-level job in publishing, and skill
requirements will depend on the role,
but these skills will help you over your
competition.
TOP TIP: If you’re applying for a job in
publishing, interviewers will assume
you enjoy books and love reading -
what else have you got to offer?
LUCY ZHOU
Publicity Assistant –
Princeton University Press
Lucy studied Modern
Languages at Merton
College, 2014.
activities. I was a student liaison for the
Oxford branch of the Society of Young
Publishers in my final year and found it
a great way to meet useful contacts.
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