Publisher - Career Advice - Information, Media and Telecommunications

Publishing Manager

Publishers manage the creation and production of a wide range of print-based media, including books, magazines, newspapers, software and online content. Decline

They select, assess and critique the content of the work they publish and oversee and authorise design and budgetary decisions. They also organise the scheduling and timelines for printing, reprinting or manufacturing and marketing published content.

They liaise with

Publishers also licence their content to overseas publishing companies, and organise and attend the launches of their published products.

ANZSCO ID & Description: 212499: Publishers manage the creation and production of a wide range of print-based media, including books, magazines, newspapers, software and web-based and online content.

Alternative names: Publishing Editor

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A publisher needs:

strong oral communication skills and a great command of written language
the ability to work to tight deadlines
decision making skills
the ability to remain calm under pressure
project management and organisational skills
leadership skills and strategic vision

Book Publisher
(Source: BooknByte)

Duties and tasks

Publishers set the editorial and commercial direction for companies that publish books, newspapers, magazines and digital content. They make decisions about the markets their companies will serve and the type of content they will offer their audience. Publishers work with teams of editors, designers, writers and freelance contributors who create the content and manage its production.

Book publishers set the criteria for the types of books they will commission. In a small publishing house, publishers may concentrate on general fiction or non-fiction. In larger companies, they may focus on more specific categories, such as business textbooks or science fiction. Magazine publishers develop publications that will appeal to both readers and advertisers. A fashion magazine publisher, for example, may decide to focus on high-end fashion aimed at wealthy readers who represent an attractive target market for advertisers of luxury goods. Magazine publisher jobs, for example, obtain revenue from retail sales, subscriptions and advertising. Selling magazines by subscription provides a regular flow of guaranteed income, while revenue from advertising and retail sales may vary with each edition. Book publishers aim to build sales through bookstores and online retailers, libraries, schools and colleges, and book clubs. They may also sell publishing rights to foreign companies who translate books and market them in their own territories.

The publisher definition may also include dealing directly with contributors or oversee editors who liaise with writers, authors, photographers and illustrators. They develop editorial policies that provide editors and contributors with guidance on the style and tone of content they require. A publisher of a sports magazine, for example, may decide to offer readers in-depth analysis of the sport, while a competitor may decide to focus content on popular sports personalities.

To pay contributors for their work, publishers negotiate contracts that set out the financial arrangement. Magazine publishers pay contributors a fee, either when they accept the work or when they publish it. Book publishers offer authors terms that might include an advance on royalties before publication, royalties at different rates depending on volume of sales, and a share of any additional publishing rights. Publishers also negotiate discounts and commercial terms with retailers and other outlets.

Publishers have overall responsibility for content development and production. They may manage teams of editors and designers who review contributions, edit manuscripts and prepare layouts for printed or digital production, according to The Book Stewards. Publishers ensure that the team meets production schedules and releases work to the market on time.

Cost control is an important responsibility for publishers. They must balance revenue with production, distribution and staff costs so that publications or books are profitable. They set budgets for different departments and monitor financial performance to identify opportunities for improving profit by increasing revenue or reducing costs.

Working conditions

Publishers work in offices. They usually work regular hours, but are usually expected to work longer hours when working to deadlines. They may be required to travel nationally or internationally to attend launches, book fairs or conferences, or to meet authors, editors or other publishers. They generally work in cities and large towns.

Tools and technologies

Publishers use computers and specialist software to carry out word processing and document editing and formatting. Depending on their specific role within their organisation, they may also be required to use accounting or budgeting software.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You may be able to work as a publisher without any formal qualifications and get training on the job. However, you are more likely to improve your employment prospects if you have completed a university degree in communications, media, journalism or a related area.

Most universities in Australia offer relevant courses. Postgraduate qualifications specialising in publishing are also offered by a number of universities.

Did You Know?

Directory of Publishers in Australia

There are 441 Publishers in Australia - most are in the media. There are 48 Book Publishers!

A publishing manager is an editorial professional who oversees the preparation and release of new books. A publishing manager is a top-level professional who oversees the publication of new books while working with editorial teams, authors, distributors and supervising multiple projects at once.

Many publishing managers supervise all publications at a company, which can involve overseeing the publishing project for multiple books or periodicals at a time. This role typically involves frequent collaboration, as publishing managers often communicate with editorial teams, authors and distributors to address all aspects of a book's release. Some publishing managers also take part in training new employees at a publishing company, which can involve developing instructional materials, like style guides and training manuals, and leading training or information sessions in the office.

ANZSCO ID: N/A May 2025

Alternative names: Publishing Supervisor, Publishing Coordinator, Publishing Director,

Specialisations

Publication Specialist: A broad role that encompasses various aspects of publishing, including editing, formatting, and ensuring content meets quality standards.
Editorial Production Manager: Manages the entire production process from manuscript submission to final print, coordinating with various departments.
Digital Publishing Manager: Oversees the creation, distribution, and marketing of digital content.
Technical Publications Manager: Focuses on producing technical documents and manuals.

Penny Sanderson Publishing Manager NGA
Penny Sanderson, Publishing Manage, National Gallery of Australia
LinkedIn

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Here are a few essential skills for a publishing manager:

Knowledge of books: Having a strong knowledge of books can help a publishing manager identify books that might be successful in the market. It can also guide their design and editorial feedback.
Communication skills: Communication is often a key part of a publishing manager's job. This means they typically need strong communication skills to meet effectively with clients, coworkers and supervisors.
Attention to detail: Publishing managers often give final approval on new books before they release them for publication. This can call for great attention to detail to ensure they identify any spelling, grammar or design errors that might need fixing.
Organizational skills: The process of publishing a book usually involves several steps, including content editing, cover design and line editing. Due to this, publishing managers often need exceptional organizational skills so they can supervise all publishing stages.

School Library
(Source: Australia Reads)

Duties and Tasks

The role of a publishing manager includes tasks like negotiating contracts, managing book publicity, leading editorial and design teams and reviewing content during each stage of editing to ensure readiness for publication.

A Publishing Manager oversees all aspects of a publishing house's publications, from manuscript submission to final print, managing the entire production process, and ensuring the successful launch of books or other publications. Their duties encompass managing editorial, design, and production schedules, collaborating with various teams, and handling contracts and permissions.

Overseeing the publications at a publishing house
Negotiating contracts and licensing agreements with authors, distributors and vendors
Managing copyright and permissions issues
Ensuring compliance with legal and ethical requirements
Taking care of a book's publicity by securing interviews and media coverage
Leading teams of editors and designers in preparing a book for publication
Reviewing content during each stage of editing to ensure material is ready for publication
Approving copy for promotional materials before publication
Financial Management: managing budgets and overseeing financial aspects of publishing projects.
Completing book reviews for new books from other publishers
Editing print material when it needs adjusting
Explore integrating digital experiences with print media
Reporting directly to the publishing director to share progress
Industry Knowledge: staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.
Conducting market research to identify opportunities
Representing the publishing house at industry events and conferences.

Working conditions

Publishing Manager working conditions can be demanding, often involving long hours and significant responsibility for ensuring successful publication of projects. While some work regular hours, they frequently face pressure to meet deadlines and may need to work extra hours. Additionally, travel to meetings, book fairs, and conferences, both nationally and internationally, is common.

Long Hours and Deadlines: the publishing industry is known for demanding deadlines, which can lead to long hours and increased stress.
Travel: Publishing Managers frequently travel to attend events, meet with authors and editors, and negotiate deals.
High Responsibility: they are accountable for the success of projects, including content quality, design, and budget management.
Negotiation and Collaboration: Publishing Managers often need to negotiate with authors, distributors, and other stakeholders, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills.
Stress and Burnout: the high-pressure environment can contribute to stress and burnout, with a significant percentage of publishing professionals reporting experiencing stress and burnout.

Australian Publishing Houses
(Source: Publish Drive)

Tools and technologies

Publishing managers should be familiar with a variety of software including XML and content management software.

They may be responsible for the selection or design of the technology used to publish books, magazines, posters, postcards or other printed material. Knowledge of the printing process and methodologies are also important.

Education and training/entrance requirements

The path to becoming a publishing manager involves obtaining a bachelor's and potentially a master's degree, gaining industry experience and then applying for publishing manager roles in publishing houses or similar companies.

The first step in becoming a publishing manager is to earn a bachelor's degree, as this is usually the minimum education requirement for most publishing jobs. As these professionals primarily work with books, most candidates major in subjects like English literature, creative writing or communications. These programs typically focus on developing research and analytical skills and familiarizing yourself with literary themes, tropes and devices. You can also choose a closely related subject, such as journalism or business, as long as you still take coursework that involves analysing literature. Most bachelor's degrees in these subjects take around four years to complete.

As this [having an advanced degree] is because publishing managers typically hold a high level of authority on a publishing team, so completing a master's degree can help prepare them to lead other publishers and allow them to develop strong expertise about books and the publishing world.

Employment Opportunities

The Publishing Manager role is crucial for efficient operations in the publishing industry, particularly in Australia. For professionals with 0-3 years of experience, here are four alternative roles to consider:

Editorial Assistant: A position that involves supporting the editorial team in content creation, manuscript review, and proofreading.
Marketing Coordinator: A role focused on developing and implementing marketing campaigns, managing social media platforms, and coordinating promotional activities.
Sales Representative: A position responsible for generating sales leads, building relationships with clients, and negotiating contracts with authors and distributors.
Content Writer: A role that involves creating engaging and informative content for various publications, including articles, blog posts, and marketing materials.