Discover the Secret Life of Books 2023

Are you a bookseller who would like to know more about the publishing industry? If so, why not join the Pan Macmillan Publishing Mentorship Programme so you can Discover the Secret Life of Books?

'We can go anywhere in the world on the pages of the book, be anybody we want, stand in other people's shoes. Booksellers advise, promote, support, help readers to find what they're looking for. Most of all, for us authors, they get our books into the hands of readers old and new. Stories are the bridge that link us together.' – Kate Mosse

Learn how we decide which books to publish and how editors turn a manuscript into a finished book. Understand the processes behind cover design and book production. Find out how an author gets on TV or into the broadsheets, and how a book ad gets into a train station. Discover how books are sold into retailers and wholesalers, how the supply chain works, and much more!

The programme will take 1–2 hours of your time each week, and will take place remotely, attending meetings, 1:1 catch ups with your in-house buddy, and making contacts within Pan Macmillan. At the end of the mentorship, you will have an insight into the publishing process from acquisition through to delivery to bookshops and beyond.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities. We also actively encourage Black, Asian and other ethnically diverse people and disabled applicants to apply and value the positive impact that diversity has on our business. We are committed to equality and diversity within our workforce and all opportunities provided by Pan Macmillan.

Closing Date for applications: 11th April 2023

FAQs

Do I need to be a bookseller to apply?

Yes, this is an opportunity for UK & Irish booksellers to learn more about trade publishing.

Can I do it remotely?

Yes, applicants are encouraged from all over the UK & Ireland, particularly those from minority or underrepresented backgrounds.

All meetings will be virtual. If there is an opportunity for any physical meetings/event attendance, travel expenses will be covered.

What will I learn?

The aim of the programme is to open up the publishing process to booksellers. You will get an overview from a range of departments all contributing to the life cycle of a book, including:

• Editorial
• Art
• Finance
• Marketing/publicity
• Production
• Sales

The programme will be of interest to any bookseller who would like to know more about the publishing side of the book trade.

Pan Macmillan is one of the largest general book publishers in the UK so is ideally positioned to give you an insight into a wide range of trade publishing while enabling you to make contacts within the friendly teams.

When will it start?

The programme will start on 6th June 2023

How long do I commit for?

The mentorship will run for 13 weeks, until Tuesday 29th August.

How many hours each week?

The course itself will run every Tuesday morning from 9am-10am and sessions will be recorded. There will be an opportunity to attend other meetings virtually during the programme. We anticipate no more than 2 hours each week that you can fit around your bookselling commitments.

When will I find out if I've been accepted into the programme?

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a virtual interview between 24th April and 5th May. We will confirm the final cohort on 15th May.

How will it work?

In addition to the weekly 1 hour Tuesday morning sessions, you will catch up with your buddy/mentor at a regular time each week to ask questions and discuss the programme. You will also be invited to join business meetings across the departments at Pan Macmillan.

Is this the same as an internship?

No, it is a mentorship/training programme for booksellers who are curious about how publishing works.

Closing Date: 11th April 2023

We are highly committed to equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. Our full Diversity & Inclusion Pledge is available here https://www.panmacmillan.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion

All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.

Please note that all personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice available here: https://panmacmillan.com/recruitment-privacy-notice. Please read our Recruitment Privacy Notice before submitting your application