Publishing Hopefuls?

How to deal with rejection? Manage your expectations.

This is exactly what I’ve kept reading for the past few weeks. It’s been a year since I graduated with my Publishing Master’s and I haven’t managed to get an interview, but let’s rewind.

I have always tried to follow my heart, as cringey and cliché as that sounds, but I have never had very clear ideas; so, I always made choices based on my intuition and what felt right. That is how I ended up majoring in English Studies. I was interested in English, I loved history and literature so it was perfect for me. During my studies, I became aware of the publishing industry and how I could become part of the books and authors I loved reading. So, my next goal in life was to get my place in the industry. As a Spanish person, I believed that the best course of action was to get a Master’s in Publishing in the UK. This way I would be practicing my English, expanding my network, and understanding the British market. But then, the pandemic came. I did move to Edinburgh, and I finished my Master’s but I hadn’t managed to find a place in the industry, so it was time to go back home.

Being back in Spain, I fell back into my old teaching role – which I love but it isn’t where I’m meant to be. This year, I have been able to attend several literary fairs and signing events with authors, and I can’t even begin to describe the way it felt. Entering those places, hearing those authors, looking at everyone involved in the event… it felt right and I felt like I belonged there. Yet again, it’s been a year since I have been applying for jobs in publishing or publishing related, and I got zero interviews. And I keep asking myself, what else can I do? What am I missing? I did everything by the book – at least, the one I was told over and over again -, to be proficient in English, get a Master’s in Publishing, and get experience with some publishers; but alas, something isn’t clicking.

For the moment, I’m going back to study another Master’s, this time in Marketing. I actually can’t wait to be a student again, and hopefully this will open other doors for me.