Sara Rodgers is a 2020 graduate of our Publishing – Book, Magazine and Electronic post-graduate program and has recently taken on an exciting new role as an Associate Editor at Graydon House Books – an imprint of Harlequin’s trade publishing program. “I haven't been at Graydon House long, but so far, it's been a blast! The people are lovely, the office is stunning, and the perks have been a welcome surprise for this former starving artist,” she shares.
In her role, Sara explains, “I acquire and edit manuscripts, liaise with authors and agents, pitch projects to sales and marketing, and read, read, read. It's a job that requires a fair amount of people skills, as well as a good head for stories and a firm grasp of the written word. It's time-consuming, but it's challenging in the best way.”
Sara’s journey into publishing has a unique start, as she obtained a degree in Studio Art and worked in retail and medical manufacturing before moving towards the publishing industry. The push that got her into publishing? She stumbled across an ad about the Publishing program at Centennial after realizing she wanted a career change.
“Up until that point, I hadn't really thought about publishing as an industry one could actually work in Canada. I did my research, dipped into an editorial internship to see if I even liked it, and applied to a few programs. Centennial's stood out as one of the most well-regarded in Canada, so it was at the top of my list,” she shares.
Looking back at the program, Sara says she enjoyed learning about the different career paths and options available to graduates. “I got to try a little bit of everything, from design and coding to editing and writing. I also had a lot of fun working on our issue of On The Danforth. It taught me a lot about collaboration, delegating, and the roles each team plays in creating a great finished product,” she adds.
As for the key lessons from the program that still stand out to Sara and that she uses in her career today, she says, “Learning a variety of skills all at once and applying them to projects prepared me for my career, which has involved a lot of changing roles and adapting to new ideas as I go. Publishing doesn't ease you into roles--you're pretty much thrown into the deep end and expected to learn on the job. Being able to think on your feet can make a real difference.”
If Sara could give advice to someone looking to enrol in the Publishing program, she says, “Do yourself a favour if you get in – go to every class, get to know your classmates and make the most of the experience. Building your network starts here. Show people that you are dependable and trustworthy, and it can go a long way. You never know what opportunities will come your way because of the people you meet, so try to make the most of your time with them.”
In terms of someone entering the publishing program itself, she highlights the importance of being sure. “Make sure that this is what you want to do with your life. Anyone who works in publishing will tell you that it's a tough industry to break into, and an even tougher one to make a decent living in, especially in Toronto. I tried on the career before committing to anything by taking on an editorial internship (on top of a full-time job) and liked it too much to stop. There are definitely easier paths out there, but there's nothing quite like this one – even with all the bumps in the road,” she explains.
And as an additional tip, Sara shares, “Using Excel is a life skill you'll want to have in every publishing role that isn't necessarily taught--teach yourself the basics, and thank me later!”
Congratulations, Sara, on this exciting opportunity! Your passion for this industry is evident, and we are thrilled to follow your journey in publishing.
Article by: Alexandra Few
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