A reflection from a publishing hopeful

‘It’s just a job’. It struck me as taboo.

Finding myself overwhelmed on my first day at London Book Fair, I was comforted to spot the Trailblazer Award and SYP panel on the seminar programme. I recognised a number of the award winners as people I already followed on Twitter and had been watching their progression into the publishing industry for a couple of years.

The seminar room was full. There were hoards of people anticipating the award giving and cameramen waiting to get the perfect shot. I shuffled in towards the back with a coursemate, overly self-conscious of the lanyard around my neck labelling me ‘student’. Despite knowing the panel event was aimed at publishing hopefuls, I was convinced everyone else in that room — maybe even at the whole fair — was more professional and worthy of a spot in the room than me.

The awards were presented, and these figures I’d been following with curiosity appeared as real people. Trailblazers being congratulated by a full room, but also obviously a little nervous…and human. It was a strange experience seeing people who I had watched from afar and digitally in the flesh.

After the prizes were awarded, the 2023 trailblazers settled into a panel discussion led by SYP UK Co-Chair, Michaela O’Callaghan. What followed was a refreshing and insightful conversation about the publishing industry, what challenging the status quo looks like and the realities of being a publishing hopeful.

What stood out to me the most was in a conversation around work-life boundaries both in the industry and as a hopeful, multiple panel members pointed out that their publishing jobs were just that. Jobs.

‘Two years ago I was sat just where you are…a hopeful looking in from the outside’.
Panellist, The London Book Fair’s Trailblazers Awards followed by SYP Panel: How to Get into Publishing with the 2023 Trailblazers

Important, trailblazing, fulfilling jobs—sure, but they were still just jobs. It sounded dissonant to my publishing hopeful ears. I’d spent years watching the industry from the outside, longing for a chance to work with books and people. To connect with readers and improve an industry I cared so much about. I’d watched the careers’ of the people on the panel in front of me with fascination and a sliver of envy.

As the panel’s conversation continued another trailblazer pointed out that her current role was not what she set out for and was a role she previously wouldn’t have considered. But she highlighted that she loved where she had landed and was now being recognised as a trailblazer for her work.

Another panellist pointed out that although she loved her job, she enforced strict boundaries to ensure she was only working 9-5 Monday to Friday so she could continue to enjoy the rest of her life too. She pointed out that no job is worth sacrificing other priorities in her life. Others pointed out that previous jobs outside of the publishing industry had been invaluable to side-step into publishing and find their current roles.

The real kicker for me came at the end of the seminar. With one panellist saying ‘two years ago I was sat just where you are…a hopeful looking in from the outside’.

This comment, and the panel as a whole, restored my view that anyone can get into and be valuable to publishing—even the shy, self-conscious student at the back of the room. More than that, it highlighted to me that publishing jobs are still that…jobs. It encouraged me to be creative when thinking about gaining skills applicable to the industry. It reaffirmed that while there are complex and tangible barriers in gaining roles in the over-glamorised publishing industry, it is possible.

More than anything, it boosted my confidence in pursuing a role in publishing. It empowered me to believe it was just a job—not just something I had put on an unachievable pedestal.