Editorial:
- Compiled scan and readers’ reports
- Developed detailed book idea proposals for trade and textbooks with detailed table of contents and competitive features and benefits
- Developed style sheets
- Performed developmental line editing and copy-editing on a variety of manuscripts
- Proofread manuscripts
- Developed an understanding of basic copyright law, fair-use provisions and how to register copyrights and secure permissions
- Studied and compared publishing, marketing and financial procedures, as used in five different companies
- Prepared a profit statement for a new book
- Learned the use of the Chicago Manual of Style to handle complex problems of the parts of a book, hyphenation, grammar, abbreviations and documentation systems
- Learned the key principles of readability, readability formulas and the design principles affecting legibility
- Learned the principles of modern descriptive usage and how to avoid bias in language and illustrations
- Learned how to work with authors and how to negotiate with agents
Marketing:
- Designed an overall marketing strategy for books including schedules and budgets
- Designed book jackets, wrote blurbs for flap copy
- Wrote catalog copy and prepared press kits and publicity releases
- Designed and wrote a one-page book ad for the NY Times Book Review
- Prepared a concise presentation of books for a field sales force
- Studied the role of book reviewing in the marketing of books
- Prepared sales brochures and learned the basics of direct marketing: list development, timing, offers, effective copy, return rates
- Studied design, production and the use of outside suppliers in preparing promotional materials
Design and Manufacturing:
- Studied the basic design principles for type, illustrations, and page layout
- Learned the elements of book contracts and the handling of subsidiary rights and the basic laws affecting libel and plagiarism
- Studied estimating, scheduling and printing processes
- Learned the basics of color, half-tones and screens
General:
- Learned to use InDesign, desktop publishing software, for design, editorial and marketing
- Studied the impact of electronic of electronics on the development and marketing of books, and on the creation of new media
- Studied the structure of the publishing industry and the organization of publishing firms
- Studied the impact of internationalization of the book publishing industry, the handling of import and export sales and the role of the Frankfurt Book Fair
- Learned the importance of efficient order processing, warehousing and customer service to a successful firm
- Studied the history of the book and of book publishing as a basis for discerning the future of publishing
