A Publisher company or person that prepares and issues books, journals, or music for sale.
What exactly does a publisher do?
Publishers set the editorial and commercial direction for companies that publish books, newspapers, magazines and digital content. Publishers work with teams of editors, designers, writers and freelance contributors who create the content and manage its production.
What is the example of publisher?
An example of publishing is creating copies of books for a mass audience. The business or profession of editing, producing, and marketing books, newspapers, magazines, printed music, and, now also, audiobooks, software, etc.
Do publishers edit your book?
Publishers are not meant to edit your book. Their job is to choose a work that is worthy of being represented by their reputable company. If editing isn’t your strong suit, Scribendi offers many services for writers who have finished their manuscript but are not quite ready to submit it to a publisher.
Publisher Career Education Requirements
Degree Level | Bachelor’s degree |
Degree Name | English, journalism, communications or a related field |
Experience | Experience at a lower-level position is often required |
Key Skills | Strong analytical, business, marketing and critical thinking skills |
Median Salary (2021) | R 662113.92per year (for desktop publishers) |
Where to study publishing in South Africa
1: University of the North West
School of Languages, Vaal Triangle Campus
Who
Melanie Law, Programme Leader: Language Practice
Melanie.Law@nwu.ac.za, 016-910-3508
www.nwu.ac.za
What
We offer several Honours modules as part of our Honours curriculum in language practice. The modules can be taken individually for non-degree purposes.
Course | Level (NQF) | Admission requirement |
Applications in Language Practice: translation | 8 | Preferably one language to third year level and possible entrance exam |
Applications in Language Practice: text editing | 8 | Preferably one language to third year level and possible entrance exam |
Journalism and publishing studies | 8 | Preferably one language to third year level and possible entrance exam |
Media translation | 8 | Preferably one language to third year level and possible entrance exam |
2: University of Pretoria
Department of Information Science, School of Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering, the Building Environment and Information Technology
Who
Dr Beth le Roux, Publishing Studies coordinator
beth.leroux@up.ac.za, 012-420-2426
www.up.ac.za
What
Degree courses
Three-year Bachelor of Information Science (BIS) and
BIS Honours specialising in Publishing.
There is also a research-based MIS degree and PhD degree specialising in Publishing.
Admission requirements: Matric with university exemption for the BIS degree; BIS degree for the Honours.
Course are done mostly as a full degree. We do allow external students to ‘catch up’ with the Publishing subjects in order to qualify to do the Honours, and we do sometimes allow people with a degree in another field to do the Honours if they have worked in the publishing industry. The individual Honours modules can be done for non-degree purposes.
Short course – Editing: Principles and Practice
Who
Department of English
Mrs I Noomé, Course coordinator, idette.noome@up.ac.za, 012-420-3379, 012-420-2421
www.up.ac.za
What
Course is on detailed English language editing, including electronic editing. The editing course is largely practical in nature.
Admission requires a Bachelor’s degree and is strictly at the discretion of the course co-ordinator. Only a limited number of students can be accepted per year. The course normally runs from the end of January to the end of June.
Below are steps to Become A Publisher In South Africa
Step 1: Enroll in a Bachelor’s Degree Program
First, what degree do you need to be a publisher? While there is no universal standard for breaking into the publishing industry, a bachelor’s degree in English, communications or journalism may provide the skills necessary for entry-level work.
These programs feature numerous classes involving reading and writing. In addition to novels and journalism, students are usually exposed to short stories, poetry and other types of writing.
Step 2: Find Employment
Becoming a publisher often involves starting out in a lower-level position, such as an editor or assistant, within a publishing office. Advancement to a publisher position may come with advanced knowledge and a track record of performing effectively in the publishing environment.
Employment may be found with publishing houses of various sizes that deal with a specific medium, such as books, magazines or websites, or a specific writing genre.
Step 3: Consider Earning a Master’s Degree
A master’s degree in publishing educates students on all aspects of the publishing industry, including sales, design, marketing, communications and organization.
These programs may also offer classes on specific types of publishing, like magazines and books. Knowledge specific to the publishing industry gained through these programs may allow an individual to bypass typical entry-level positions.
What qualifications do you need to be a publisher?
Get qualified
You’ll usually need a degree (in any field) to become a Publisher – although studying subjects such as English literature, journalism, and art may improve your chances of breaking into the industry.
How do you become a publisher in South Africa?
These are the steps to take when starting a publishing company or for that matter any company:
Reserve a company name with the registrar of companies.
Lodge formation documentation with Cipro – register the business entity of choice.
Open a business bank account.
Register with the local receiver of revenue.
Where can I study publishing in South Africa?
Training related to publishing in South Africa – University degrees and short courses.
1: University of the North West.
2: University of Pretoria.
3: University of Stellenbosch.
4: University of Witwatersrand.
Do you need a license to be a publisher?
No special permit or license is required to become a book publisher.
How much it costs to publish a book in South Africa?
Total production costs for Steps 3 to 8 on an average text-based self-help book or novel could range from R45 000 to R85 000 depending on the amount of editing required, the length of the book, and whether the interior of the book requires special formatting or not.
How much does an author make on a first book in South Africa?
According to PublishSA an author receives around “10 – 12% of net receipts (the amount the publisher sells to the bookseller for, i.e. retail price less VAT less discount)”, so even if the book retails for R200 they will only see a tiny percentage of that money.
How long does it take to publish a book in South Africa?
You should assume 9 to 15 months from the time your manuscript is received until the month of publication, depending on the genre and whether your book is illustrated or not. 36. If my manuscript is accepted for publication, will I need to pay Penguin Books South Africa to print it?
How do I become a book editor in South Africa?
Many employers prefer to hire editors with a university degree, combined with an internship or appropriate experience in the publishing industry. A National Senior Certificate that meets the requirements for a diploma or degree course is a prerequisite for this option.
How much do book writers make in South Africa?
According to PublishSA an author receives around “10 – 12% of net receipts (the amount the publisher sells to the bookseller for, i.e. retail price less VAT less discount)”, so even if the book retails for R200 they will only see a tiny percentage of that money.