Skillset | National Occupational Standards for Publishing

The following SkillSet resource - http://www.skillset.org/standards/standards/publishing/ - is useful if you wish to understand the different, generic tasks and responsibilities of publishers at key stages.

It is also ideal for identifying gaps within your knowledge/skill base that mentoring might well address. If you are considering undertaking mentoring in 2011 and wish to make your goal more specific / measurable / achievable / realistic / timely, this link is recommended reading.

Recruitment processes in 2010

The following report, commissioned by Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies, may be of interest to mentors/students when thinking of strategies of applying for industry vacancies:

http://ah.brookes.ac.uk/resources/Recruitment-Research-finalReport2010.pdf

One quoted figure that stuck out for me: 69 people on average are applying for each position. I am involved in recruitment and selection, and for externally-advertised development editor/editorial assistant roles have never received such a high number of applicants as this (often in the 15 to 30 category). This can be discouraging for applicants, but it is worth remembering that the interview itself is good experience, and strong candidates are kept on file and in mind for future vacancies.

The increasing number of paid internships being offered by publishing companies is encouraging, and beneficial for both parties.

Meet the mentor | Richard Hart

Richard Hart established his own publishing company, Hart Publishing in Oxford, after a successful career as commissioning editor with OUP. Richard, Managing Director, has been mentoring a student whose aim is to establish their own publishing house providing academic and general interest books about Islam to the English-speaking Muslim community, as well as to the general interested reader. Richard has been advising the student on business start-up and establishing their publishing programme.

Richard has been of great support to the SYP in recent years: presenting a talk (on independent publishers competing with multinationals) at his offices; contributing to the annual careers conference; and now acting as a mentor. I have nothing but gratitude for his selfless contribution to publishing fellowship.

What makes a great publisher | Gordon Graham interview

Gordon Graham, to whom the SYP Mentoring Scheme is dedicated, has recently been interviewed on the subject of his career and what makes a great publisher.

http://thebibliofile.ca/legendary-gordon-graham-talks-about-his-career-and-what-makes-a-great-publisher

Happy New Year!

A belated Happy New Year to all SYP Mentors and Students.

As the 2010 Mentoring Scheme is now officially at an end, I will shortly be in touch with everybody involved to collect your feedback from the SYP Mentoring Scheme. Thank you all for your sterling input into the initiative.

Meet the mentor | Geoff Duffield

Geoff Duffield is a valued sales and marketing mentor who, along with Iain MacGregor, has contributed significantly to the SYP mentoring scheme over the past two years. Geoff, Group Sales and Marketing Director at Pan Macmillan, has been mentoring an entrepeneurial student whose goal is to establish their own independent publishing company (academic, although with the main emphasis on trade) which acts as a platform to facilitate self-publishing authors to print-on-demand and ebook services.

Geoff has provided the student with mentoring guidance, advice and encouragement face-to-face on two occasions, as well as communicating by phone and email.

I have nothing other than tremendous gratitude and appreciation for Geoff's sterling input.

How to get into publishing

The following presentation was provided by Suzanne Kavanagh of skillset who spoke at the same event as me at the London Book Fair in April: http://www.slideshare.net/sashers/suzanne-kavanagh-skillset-lbf10-syp-how-to-get-into-publishing

This presentation may be helpful from a mentoring perspective: for the information of current or potential mentoring students aiming to get in to publishing; or for mentors to look at exactly which generic skills are required by publishing employers (useful for working with students on their specific goals).