Publishing Is Everywhere

Jamie said:
The publishing industry doesn't seem to be that large in the Atlanta area. Do you know of any local companies whose main focus is publishing, or who have a serious need for editors and the like?

There is a very common perception that, to really “make it” in the publishing industry, you have to move to New York. And, depending on what you want to do in publishing, a move to New York could definitely boost your chances of finding that dream job, and may be inevitable. Almost all of the larger publishing houses are located there, especially as mergers and acquisitions continue to shrink the number of independent companies and bring them all under umbrella companies. If you want to work for one of the mainstream publishing houses, editing and publishing the next bestseller, you will fare much better up north. But that in no way means you can’t work in publishing from your current location, especially in a larger city such as Atlanta.

The truth is, if you’re willing to expand your search a little, you’ll find publishing opportunities all over Atlanta. I don’t mean lowering your standards; I just mean thinking outside the book. When thinking of publishing, many people’s minds jump straight to the dream of writing/editing/marketing the next great American novel. This is a wonderful dream (one that I share, to some extent). But it’s not the only way to find work you love in the publishing industry. Whether you’re just looking to break into the industry and gain experience, find a publishing job without crossing the Mason Dixie line, or just work in a more specialized field within publishing, you can find plenty of alternatives to the huge publishing houses.

• Independent/niche publishers: The big houses may have cornered the more general markets, but they can’t speak to all of the smaller niche markets. This is where many independent publishers step in and steal market share. Peachtree Publishers has been producing children’s’ and teens’ books in Atlanta for thirty years. Hill Street Press specializes in southern-related trade books, a market that demands a southern location. InnerLight Publishing is a female-owned local publisher that specializes in books by black, female, and/or gay and lesbian authors.


• Magazines and news media: Magazines such as Atlanta Magazine and Jezebel garner larger readerships by focusing on the local market, and need editors, writers, and graphic designers just as much as national magazines. Media outlets such as Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and the Atlanta Journal Constitution also offer opportunities for publishing-related careers in companies that may not immediately come to mind when thinking of the publishing industry.


• Newsletter and informational publishers: Local companies such as Ardmore Publishing and Strafford Publications produce informational materials such as newsletters. These might not be what you would think of as traditional publishers, but companies such as these are an excellent place to look for publishing experience in a local market. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find a local company that caters to a market that particularly interests you; Ardmore, for example, specializes in medical and legal newsletters.


• Non-profit organizations: These are companies whose primary focus may not be publishing, but who publish materials in order to meet their primary purpose. The Southern Regional Education Board, for example, primarily focuses on improving education by working with state, local, and school and teacher leaders. One of its main forms of communication is through publications such as policy reports, guides, and research briefs. Each of these publications has to be researched, well-written, edited, and designed, just like any other publication from a publishing house. The American Cancer Society is one of several large non-profit organizations located in Atlanta, all of which are worth looking into for career opportunities in publishing.

I agree with Jamie that Atlanta doesn’t seem to have a very large publishing industry, if you’re primarily interested in the typical large publishing houses that many people think of when considering publishing. But if you’re willing to expand your topic, format, or employer options, you can find a wealth of publishing opportunities in Atlanta. By looking beyond “the next great American novel,” you might find your next great Atlanta publishing career.