Publishing Career Profiles:
Production Editor
What is it?Just like any other product that gets created, books have to make it down a production line before reaching the hands of consumers. Just like at a manufacturing plant or a construction site, there has to be someone who oversees the process and makes sure that all parts are in place. In the book publishing world, this person—whose title may vary from company to company—is most often called a production editor. Career Opportunities in the Publishing Industry by Fred and Jan Yager offers this snapshot: “This detail-oriented position requires the ability to follow a book from manuscript to bound book, coordinating the copyediting and proofreading of the book, as well as maintaining schedules and entering corrections from a multiplicity of sources, including the editor, author, copyeditor, and proofreader.” What background is necessary?The position of production editor is often an entry-level position. Melanie Zanoza started out as a production editor at Publications International after graduating with a degree in journalism. Abby Collier, who works as a production editor at Harvard Common Press, says that where she works “almost everyone has a background in English, writing or communications, or design.” What personality type fits?It’s all in the details! Production editors are often the last pair of eyes on a book before it becomes a finished product. Abby once saw part of a book’s title disappear in the final proof stage due to an oversight at the printer. She says the position is “ideal for people who want to do hands-on work or be directly involved with books. It also requires great attention to detail and the ability to manage several projects at one time.” Melanie also cites time management and the ability to deal with stress as good skills to have. Since production editors often have to delegate tasks, they should be “comfortable with setting and meeting realistic deadlines” (Yager). What would a workday involve?As the central hub of activity at a book publisher, Abby states that “the production department is constantly interacting with other departments.” When listing some of the tasks she completes on a regular basis, Abby says, “I manage our reprints, interacting with printers and handling estimates, purchase orders, corrections, scheduling, and invoices; I conduct illustration and photo research for our new cover and interior designs; I manage our freelance proofreaders, indexers, and illustrators; I review and mark up page proofs and covers and jackets of new books and resolve outstanding issues with editors, authors, and freelancers; I traffic and evaluate incoming proposals.” She says that both the dictionary and the Chicago Manual of Style are indispensable for her job. What’s the career path?Because of their intricate understanding of the overall publishing process, production editors can move on to virtually any other department of their choice. Melanie now works as an associate editor at the same company. In discussing potential career paths, Abby says, “On the editorial side, production editors might eventually work in acquisitions, as development editors, or as managing editors. On the production side—if you’re interested in print production and art and design—it’s possible to work as a project manager or a production manager.” Are there specific challenges?Production editing entails a lot of responsibility and Melanie says that it took her a while to feel comfortable. She says that after six months she finally began to get a good feel of the demands of the position. The production department also gets the brunt of book publishing’s irregular schedule. Abby says that “it’s not unusual to go from a steady pace to a hectic pace in a matter of days when multiple projects arrive at the same time with close deadlines.” Production editors also have to learn to release their perfectionist tendencies. “When you’re striving to make a book the best it can be, you also need to know when to let certain things go,” Abby states. What are the best aspects?Perhaps you are enthralled with book publishing in general and aren’t quite sure which department you would like to work in. Production editing gives a taste of what each department does. Abby says that production editing “enables you to wear many hats around the office, and to learn about and participate in many aspects of the publishing process, from start to finish.” For her, the best part is “to see a project progress from its inception as a manuscript to its completion as a published book, and to know that I had a hand in the finished product.” Melanie says that production editing is “the best way to get involved in publishing. I feel like I really understand how a book is made.” Look for more profiles to come! Tamara Matthews is a freelance writer who has been with CWIP for two years and frequently covers events for the Web site. Citation for the book mentioned in the article: Yager, Fred and Jan Yager. Career Opportunities in the Publishing Industry. New York: Checkmark Books, 2005. |