Introduction to Publishing provided a thorough exploration of nearly all facets of the publishing industry. It was a truly enlightening and motivational experience to gain insights into the inner workings of each department in the publishing world and to hear inspiring career stories fueled by a genuine passion for books. The course increased my knowledge of the industry incrementally, helped me detect what my CV is missing and gave me the confidence to refine my interests and skills for my future career in children's publishing.

This course was fascinating. Not only did it offer a whole host of insider industry tips, it also provided a detailed insight into the process of publishing itself and how all roles interact with one another. I definitely feel more certain now about which roles I’d love to pursue and the experience necessary to attain them!

  The Introduction to Publishing course was so helpful. It involved speakers from a range of publishers, agencies and companies. There were talks on the different roles within publishing, including sales, marketing, production, editorial, finance and rights. It was great to learn about roles outside of just editorial and also have the opportunity to ask questions. Publishing often feels like an industry that is closed off but this course opened the doors to it. I studied languages at university and had no idea I could use them in publishing but the session on Rights discussed how valuable languages are in that department. After learning more about Rights, it is definitely a publishing role I am keen to apply for jobs within. As well as information on different roles, there were a couple of talks analysing book data, the different trends including the decline of children reading. I felt like both these talks were a good reminder of why we want to work in the book industry, to ignite our passion for books and extend it to the younger generation. The final talk I found very helpful was on alternative routes into publishing. Although publishing is expanding outside of London, it is still very London-centric. As someone who lives in the north, it can feel far away and detached. This talk shared more about the indie publishing in the north and ways into publishing that isn't just applying to very competitive entry level roles. The course was expertly run and while didn't shy away from how difficult it is to get a publishing job, gave hope that it is possible, no matter your background.  I have always loved reading and storytelling so in many ways, publishing seemed the perfect avenue for me. I completed an MA in Creative Writing and learnt more about the industry but especially how hard it was to get into. This discouraged me from pursuing publishing as a career and I put it on hold and gained short term experience in another industry. However, since starting my search for a full time, permanent position, I started to apply for a range of jobs including any publishing entry level roles I could see. After getting rejected multiple times, I was starting to lose hope but then I saw sponsored places advertised. Being unemployed, I couldn't afford to do courses like this and so it seemed like a great way to just learn more about publishing and the different roles within it.

I would highly recommend the ‘Introduction to Publishing’ course to anyone who is looking to broaden their understanding of the publishing world. The course content itself was a treasure trove of knowledge. Before this course, I had a narrow view of publishing, primarily centred around editorial and authorship. This course has undoubtedly broadened my horizons within the publishing industry, and its practical approach, taught by professionals actively engaged in the industry, made the content come alive. I particularly enjoyed the publicity session which revealed the intricate process of promoting a book to the world, highlighting the critical role of publicists in building a book's presence in the market. Learning about media outreach, book tours, and digital marketing strategies underscored the importance of effective book promotion, and sparked within me an interest to pursue which I had never considered before. The real-time delivery and direct interaction with industry experts not only helped me grasp the fundamentals but also gave me the opportunity to seek clarification and guidance on my specific interests. Moreover, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the personal work journeys of the course instructors and how they found their own paths into publishing. Their insights into their own career trajectories were not only inspiring but also reassuring, as they demonstrated that there is no single right way to enter the world of publishing. This course has not only been informative but also transformational, and I eagerly look forward to the next steps in my publishing journey.

'The 'Introduction to Book Publishing' course was simply excellent. As a career changer coming from a corporate career outside of publishing, it provided me with an invaluable insight into the many facets of the industry. All the speakers were so generous with their time and incredibly enthusiastic about their specific area of publishing. I found one of the most valuable aspects of the course was being able to ask questions to the speakers and receive such great insights. There were so many nuggets of information that I was able to take away from the course that I wouldn't have received elsewhere. It left me with a clearer idea on which direction I will take next. I would highly recommend the course to anyone looking to move into publishing, whether you are a graduate or a career changer like me.'

As someone with limited access to spaces of information in regards to the publishing industry. The course was such an inspiration and opened my eyes to parts of publishing I had not heard of or thought about before. It was wonderful and insightful, listening to everyone talk about their love for their jobs and how they fell into their roles. It was also helpful in understanding how all the roles fit into a circle in the running of publishing. Without the course, I would not have realised my passion and need to go into publishing roles I had not considered before. Thank you. 

The ‘An Introduction to Publishing’ course is an amazing opportunity to broaden one’s view of the industry and gain direct insight into a variety of potential career journeys. The speakers offered their experiences and expertise to provide a thorough overview of the industry, which has helped to narrow down my areas of interest considerably. The transparency and passion foregrounded by every speaker was inspiring, and allowed each area of the industry to be well-represented. It was truly motivational to see how much those in publishing enjoy their jobs and what they bring to the lifecycle of a book. I now feel that I better know how to market my experience and skills to appeal to recruiters, enhanced by a newfound awareness of publishing as a diverse ecosystem. It was an enriching experience which I would recommend to anyone with an interest in this sector. 

Transferable Skills for Publishing is a fantastic course - it was interesting and well-presented. It provided me with all the information I need to get my foot in the door of the publishing world, and more. I can't thank Heather and her team enough for the wealth of knowledge they were able to share. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the world of publishing

I really enjoyed ‘An Introduction to Book Publishing’ four-day course, which provided me with comprehensive knowledge of various sectors in the Publishing industry. With entry-level roles in Publishing being very competitive, I wanted to learn the different routes to get into publishing, and how to network within the industry. I particularly enjoyed the insightful talk given by Anna Davidson Editorial Manager at Faber and Faber; it was great to hear the behind-the-scenes process of getting a book published from an editorial perspective. I can’t thank Heather and the Bookseller enough for this fantastic opportunity, I will adopt the knowledge and skills I have learnt when applying for my next role in publishing.

I cannot recommend the "Introduction to Publishing" course enough to anyone looking to start a career in publishing. Over the four days, a wide range of people from the industry have spoken to us about different aspects of the industry which was very insightful and meant that I now have a much better idea of what sector of publishing I want to go into. There was a lot of time for questions to the speakers and all of them were happy to answer them. Thank you to Heather for organising it. 

The ‘An Introduction to Publishing’ course is a fantastic opportunity for direct engagement with active participants in the many fields of publishing. There’s every chance that, whilst attending this course, you are introduced to a speaker with whom you relate, at which point you begin to realise that you are taking those exciting first steps to finding where you fit within the industry. You’ll cross paths with speakers of infectious enthusiasm, you’ll gain first-hand knowledge covering ground from all along the publishing spectrum, and you’ll be supported by Heather, one of the most comprehensive networkers in the industry - publishing is her playground, and in this course, she brings all of the slides, swings, and roundabouts.

Attending the ‘Introduction to Publishing course’ with Get Into Book Publishing gave me the information and tools I believe I need to succeed within the publishing industry. Hearing from various speakers across many areas of the business tell us about their career journey and their day-to-day lives was incredibly invaluable and gave me a broad overview of everything the publishing industry has to offer. The speakers helped enrich my knowledge of this industry, whilst also giving me new knowledge of departments I didn’t know much about and would like to later develop a career in. Now having a good understanding of each aspect of publishing, I am confident that I have the knowledge I need to step into my first role within publishing as I now know more about what is on offer and what I need to do to get there.

The ‘Introduction to Publishing’ course provided a concise yet thorough overview of the publishing industry, was effectively organised and executed, and prepared attendees for their next steps. Without a doubt, I would highly recommend this enjoyable, inspirational, and eye-opening experience. The course offered an insight into each department and stage of publishing, from rights to marketing, in an efficient way. I found interest in areas such as audio and design, which I had not previously considered as much as other departments. Additionally, the speakers didn’t just inform, but also shared advice. I have learnt how to put my BA degree to practice; although holding a degree isn’t always important, students and graduates can benefit from knowing how to transfer their academic skills to the working environment. I was most fascinated by the vast number of departments and processes involved in publishing, and how closely intertwined they are; not to mention the incredibly passionate, driven, and friendly people behind them. Heather and the speakers welcomed and encouraged inquisition from attendees and made sure to include everybody. They were transparent, open, and keen to discuss their journeys as well as their roles and responsibilities. I now have a better understanding of publishing, which has come from listening to those within it – an opportunity offered by this course. For me, the possibility of a career in publishing has become more tangible.

It was such a useful and inspiring course. A lot of time and consideration has gone into the planning of the course.  It was an excellent way to fully submerge myself for a week in the Publishing world. As someone from the outside, I left feeling I had acquired imperative knowledge on how the industry works. Heather is a very warm and engaging host, who makes everyone feel at ease. I would highly recommend this course.

The ‘Intro to Publishing Course’ has been an insightful introduction to the publishing world - covering every part of the industry in a lot of depth. I came into the course being specifically interested in editorial and marketing work but this course has expanded my horizons and I now find myself wanting to dabble in other sectors of the publishing world such as design and publicity. All the speakers were kind and eager to discuss their departments in detail and answered all questions without hesitation. It was an incredibly enriching course that I enjoyed deeply and would recommend to others who want to understand or work in the publishing industry.

Taking part in the ‘An Introduction to Publishing’ course was such an enlightening and exciting experience! I started it with preconceptions about what areas of publishing I wanted to pursue but, after learning about them all in more detail, my aspirations have expanded. I loved hearing from the speakers; everyone was engaging, transparent, and passionate about their invaluable role within the publishing ecosystem. After completing the course, I feel a lot more confident about securing an entry-level role in publishing and would encourage others that are interested in doing the same to participate.

The Introduction to Publishing Course offered an invaluable insight into the publishing industry. The speakers were engaging and gave us a thorough yet realistic overview of the numerous divisions that comprise the industry. Going forward, I now have a better understanding of all the different aspects and departments involved in publishing a book, many of which I had not previously considered trying to enter into. I cannot recommend this course enough.

I cannot recommend this course enough to those trying to forge a path in publishing. As a publishing hopeful, the Introduction to Book Publishing course was an incredibly useful starter to help me figure out what I would like to do specifically in publishing. There were presentations from highly experienced people in the industry, and we had the opportunity to ask them questions too, which was extremely insightful. It was eye-opening to explore many of the different roles in publishing and how they come together. Before starting this course, I thought I wanted to go into editorial. However, after the knowledge the course provided me, I now want to go into rights sales. I would highly recommend this course for anyone looking to find a career in publishing but doesn’t necessarily know where to begin.   All of the speakers, as well as Heather, who runs the course, were enthusiastic, happy to be there and eager to answer any of our questions, which I found helpful. It was lovely to know that people in the industry love their job and what they do so much, so much so that they are willing to share industry expertise. There was also a talk on getting a job in publishing which was very useful – another bonus is that you can put the course on your CV!

The ‘Introduction Into Publishing’ course was a fantastic chance to hear about the processes and day-to-days of those in the industry today, as well as the skills required for those looking to enter the industry themselves. The course is structured so that each day and session reveals a new process of the industry that only enhances the one just heard about, as you see how each industry role informs on the others. I feel I better know how to market my skills and experiences to stand out against other applicants, with a new familiarity of the lifecycle of a book to speak confidently on them. Whether your just beginning your dive into publishing, or clarifying your understanding, you have the opportunity to engage with others and make this course your own, so I would definitely recommend it.

I'm a junior law student who decided to spend her late nights taking this course from Japan. But you know what? IT WAS SO WORTH IT. The Introduction to Publishing Course did much more than explain what I didn't know about the publishing industry; it inspired me to go after my dream of working with books. I want to thank Heather for organizing an event where participants from all over the world were welcome and for demystifying an industry that I initially found to be out of reach. I also want to thank the speakers for sharing their expertise through not only their successes but failures. Although it was a virtual course, it was clear that everyone who joined the program was eager to network and level up their knowledge about the publishing industry. It didn't matter whether we were in a room together or not − our shared passion for books was enough for us to bond throughout the discussions.

I enjoyed the exercises we did, as it was excellent practice using the skills we had learnt and applying them to real-life publishing scenarios. The exercises also gave the opportunity for us to receive feedback tailored to us as individuals. The highlight of the course was the section on CVs, cover letters and interviews. The speakers were so open to questions and gave such insightful answers to all of our niche queries, which was so useful as we rarely receive feedback on our job applications when we are unsuccessful. The course overall was truly invaluable and it was lovely spending the weekend chatting with like-minded book lovers!