Starting salaries in book publishing
Claire Philip
Editor, author and publishing trainer specialising in children's non-fiction and inclusion consultancy
Welcome to my newsletter for publishing job seekers. I’m writing to share genuine advice that will hopefully help brilliant new editors get their dream job, and to be quite honest, have some fun.?
This week’s topic: My thoughts on low starting salaries
The elephant in the room! I have known for a long while that this is a subject that needs far more discussion in public, so I wanted to address it today.
Publishing is notoriously difficult to get into despite salaries often being low, but is it worth it?
Well, that question is for you to answer. If you adore books, love language, yearn to work in a creative environment and be fulfilled by your work, the answer is… maybe.
I have an issue with publishing pay. Being told you should accept a low salary because that’s the way it’s always been or that you are lucky to have work in this cost of living crisis… sucks.
You deserve to be able to pay your way and have savings. Financial well-being is a THING. If publishing truly wants to become more accessible and inclusive, pay needs to be addressed far more openly.
Here’s a scenario for you:?
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You’ve been offered an entry-level role in London with what seems like a great publisher. The problem is the salary is in the mid-twenties, which equates to roughly ￡1,700 per month after tax and NI. I honestly don’t think that is enough to live in the city without help from your parents or a partner. Rent, bills, commuting travel and student loan repayments alone could easily be ￡1300.?
Does that mean I think you should turn it down? No, but I think you need a game plan and support, which many people don’t have.?
I believe there is a limited time and a place for taking on work like this. Early on in your career, only and if only it doesn’t leave you in debt and for a short period of time – I’m talking one year.?
You need to learn as much as you possibly can and then move on or negotiate a pay rise. IMO.?
If this was me, and I could make it work financially, I would spend that year networking online and in-person by joining communities such as BookMachine and going to as many events as possible. I would also invest in low-cost training based on my long-term career goals and I’d keep an open mind about leaving the industry, if necessary, too.
I would also track my spending very closely so that I had a grasp of what my in-goings and outgoings were. This info can help you find the confidence to negotiate for higher pay or weigh your options appropriately.
It’s really important to be fairly compensated for your creativity, especially when publishers are reporting huge profits.?
Those are my thoughts, I’d love to hear yours. Reply to [email protected].
Graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio
1 年I’m very happy you’ve brought this topic up. Even if we got to do what we love, we could end up sacrificing our financial stability by accepting a job that doesn’t adequately pay for the time and effort being put in. It’s tragic that positions in creative fields generally have this issue and I agree this problem needs to be addressed.
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1 年You shouldn't have to take a vow of poverty to work in publishing. This was the reality I faced trying to get into the publishing industry in Chicago 10+ years ago. Finally broke in as a freelance children's editor in Bangkok, but it was never a full-time income. Moved back to the States and starting salaries in publishing were not enough to support a family. So I'm in marketing and advertising. It allows me to do what I need to do financially (and hopefully help as many people as I can in the process). Thanks for starting this conversation, Claire.
Award-winning journalist, editor, broadcaster & author (adults' & children's books)
1 年Yup - totally agree. And there's a broader problem here across the 'creative' industries. Journalism - news and especially features - is the same. And try being the one writing the books.
ELT editor, writer & project manager; ??can help ELT publishers with a calm, conscientious and committed approach to any project; ??experience in house and freelance; ?? formerly EFL teacher/trainer.
1 年Very insightful article. To make any kind of reasonable money in publishing in house you have to start trying to climb the career ladder as soon as you get your first job. That was certainly my experience.
I help editors learn and succeed at ClubEdFreelancers.com. Connect with me here if you like to talk about stories. My editing site: editorjenniferlawler.com. My stories: jenniferlawler.com
1 年Even for more senior positions, it's bad. I saw an advertisement for a senior editor position in the Bay Area (big publisher) that was offering 70K. In LA (where I live, which is even less expensive than SF) that's considered low income.