Work in this sector encompasses a large range of professions. Possible work areas include:
- Content writing
- Media relations
- Advertising and marketing
- Research and teaching
- Distribution and sales
- Copyediting and copywriting
- Proofreading
- Medical and technical writing
- Freelance writing
- Editorial assistance
- Publishing assistance
- Translation and interpretation
Typical Employers
Typical employers in traditional publishing can be categorized into the following areas:
- Trade and professional publications. Papers and books for the general reading market. General topics include but not limited to, advertising, marketing, architecture, automotive, aviation, business, computers, education, electronics, energy, environmental science, farming, food, health, media, music, photography, science, travel, transportation and more.
- Consumer magazines. General topics for consumer magazines include but not limited to, arts & culture, business, entertainment, lifestyle, home & hobby, special interest, sports & outdoors, travel & tourism, women, youth, children, news & opinion, etc.
- Alternative media. This type of employers focus on e-books (Kindle, iPad, other e-readers), audiobooks, or other types of digital publishing opportunities.
- Literary agents. Literary agents represent your work directly to editors or publishers. They also look after negotiations with contract details.
Industry Profiles
- Ontario - Book & Magazine Publishing (Ontario Media Development Corporation)
An overview of book publishing industry in Ontario. - Canada - Research & Reports (Booknet Canada)
Reports on Canadian market - Digital publishing, Audiobook, Book buyer, etc.
Career Profiles
To learn more about different career options in this sector, visit the following web sites:
- Careers in Writing and Publishing (Cultural Human Resources Council)
- So you want to be an editor (Editors Canada)
- Job roles in creative industries (Creative Skillset)
Career Books & Magazines
Recommended books (available at CaPS):
- A career in language translation: Insightful information to guide you in your journey as a professional translator
- Career opportunities in journalism
- Career opportunities in writing
- Career opportunities in the publishing industry
- Career Books (Available in the McGill Library)
Articles of Interest
- Freelance contracts: what to look for (Story Board)
- The key book publishing paths (Jane Friedman)
- Career Advice (American Journalism Review)
- Careers in publishing (ACP)
Job Resources
The following links provide a list of job boards, internships and volunteering opportunities.
Note: To find internships, you can also use keywords like "internship" in some of the job boards to find opportunities.
Writing Associations
- Canadian Authors
- Editors' Association of Canada
- Quebec Writers' Federation
- More associations: Association of Canadian Publishers Links
- More writing-related: The Writers' Union of Canada Links
- Resources for publishers and writers: Useful links
Translation Associations
Book Publishers, Magazine and Newspapers
The following links provide a list of publishers. Some sites are searchable by locations and categories.
- Canada - Book Publishers (ACP)
- Canada - Newspapers Canada (News Media Canada)
- Quebec - Book Publishers (aelaq)
- Ontario - Book Publishers (OBPO)
- USA - Book Publishers (bookjobs.com)
- International - Publishers Directory (Publishers global)
Literary Agents
Literary agents represent authors to publishers. They are selective about who they will represent. In general, they only accept a few clients in each year.
- Literary Agents (Association of Canadian Publishers)
- Canadian Literary Agents (The Writers' Union of Canada)
Translation
The following links provide a list of translation agencies.
- Quebec - Translation Directory (OTTIAQ)
- FIT Translation Agency Directory (International Federation of Translators)
- Translation Agency Search (TranslatorsCafé.com)