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Publishing as an industry is in existence since ages. The industry deals with writing, production and sales of written works. The entire process is administered by publishers who take pieces of media content such as literature or music from creative producers and make them accessible to a wider target audience. They publish not just books but also periodicals, manuscripts, greeting cards, directories and now even e-books. Earlier, print was the only publishing media but now with the emergence of electronic and digital media, CDs are also used in publishing. Publishing as an industry has several components including editing, writing, sales, production and management.
A publisher performs a range of activities. Some of the common tasks performed by publishers are receiving and reviewing writing content from artistes, reading manuscripts and commissioning new projects. Publishers use market research methodologies to remain aware of consumer trends. They negotiate rights, contracts and fees with the concerned parties. It is their job to publish content in most suitable medias. Publishers edit and provide feedback on submissions along with liaising with the writers and marketing departments.
Talking about educational qualifications for a publisher in UK, most of them have degrees in arts or humanities. There is no formal education as such however, one must have the love for his profession. Knowledge of different media and computer based projects prove very handy in this profession.
If one wants to get into book publishing in USA, he/she must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a related field, like Communications, English Literature or Journalism. Interested candidates can also join certificate courses offered in publishing by various colleges. There is also an option of a master’s degree in publishing where students are taught editing, production, design and marketing etc.
A publisher must be a good reader and writer. He should also be familiar with some computer programs like Quark and Word etc. One can work with major publishing houses or can begin with small houses and slowly move up the ladder.
Several educational institutions in India are offering courses in publishing at degree, diploma and certificate level. The basic eligibility is a pass in 10+2 examination from a recognized board. One can pursue Bachelor of Arts (BA) in book publishing or publishing professional course content. Then, there are choices like NBT Training Course in Book Publishing or Diploma in Printing Technology or Condensed course for book publishing, or post graduate diploma in publishing/ print and electronic journalism. Quite a number of printing presses also conduct short-term training courses in publishing.
Institutes imparting courses in Publishing in India are:-
Institute of Printing Technology, Kerala
Govt Institute of Printing Technology, Bangalore
Govt. Institute of Printing Technology, Andhra Pradesh
Institute Of Book Publishing, Delhi
National Book Trust
Shankar's Academy of Art and Book Publishing
As far as job opportunities are concerned, one can find suitable jobs in private sectors as well as in government run publishing houses. One can work in marketing department of a publishing house or as an editor, sub editor, associate editor, assistant editor etc.
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