Harriet - MA Publishing

Work Experience at Bloomsbury

“My work experience placement at Bloomsbury took place from 16 June - 1 July 2011. The placement allowed me a unique and thoroughly interesting insight into the work of a editorial department of a major London-based trade publishing house, which I had learnt about particularly on the Creativity and Content module (semester one) of the MA publishing course. It was extremely valuable to me to see theory I had learnt in practice.

My key tasks whilst at Bloomsbury included photocopying and printing draft manuscripts for editorial meetings, reading extracts of unsuccessful submissions and drafting rejection letters, drafting blurb copy for paperback novels. I was also allowed the opportunity to attend some general sales and editorial meetings, which again enhanced my understanding of trade publishing house business procedures that I had learnt about on the MA course. In the office, I was seated around a circular arrangement of desks facing inwards with five editorial assistants who gave me tasks to assist them in their work, and it was my responsibility to work to deadlines set by them and to prioritise my work accordingly.

Overall, the placement went well and I enjoyed my time there. It was apparent that staff at Bloomsbury are accustomed to hosting work experience students and are very friendly and willing to help. I was delighted that one of the editorial assistants arranged for me to hold a recorded interview with the marketing manager, who seemed happy to take time out of her busy day to help me with my dissertation research. I was given a 'work experience pack' on my first day which had a lot of useful information on being a Bloomsbury intern. I very much enjoyed the opportunity of working with the editorial assistants in their environment.

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