How do I get work experience at a publisher?

Question

I am an English literature student trying to apply for work experience at a publishers this summer- I have managed to arrange work experience at an independent publishers but have been rejected by Harper Collins. I am about to apply to Penguin and was wondering if anyone can make any suggestions about how to make my application stand out?

It's really important that I get work experience at Penguin, as Harper Collins and Penguin are the only international publishers in my region (I'm based in Glasgow and Newcastle)- unfortunately I can't afford to stay in London to gain work experience at the other big publishing houses.

Ideally I am looking for answers from people in the publishing industry or who have previously gained work experience at larger publishers.

Thankyou!

Answer 1

Note that publishing is about business, not literature.  Your degree is relevant insofar as it gives you (at least allegedly) one useful skill set, the ability to edit.  Now, what else do you know about the publishing industry?

I'd recommend grabbing a book or three about publishing and cramming up on it, if you haven't already.  Then when you interview, make your comments all about the business.  Oh, don't hesitate to say that you simply love literature if asked, but concentrate more on things like profitability and market share.

If you are interviewed, try to answer some (not all!) questions with a "because clause"--reinforce the response by recalling a specific event in your life that demonstrates how you can apply the skills or attitudes you claim to possess, or cite a former employer or teacher who said that you possessed those skills and attitudes.  These specific bits of evidence make you more credible than a simple unsupported claim would do.