Amy Martin

I attribute my success to my great support system—from publishing mentors and peers at previous jobs and internships and at the Young Publishers Association, to my family and friends. Their guidance helped me take the necessary steps in building my career and focus on my goals, thus strengthening my determination to become a key voice in book publishing. 

The best career advice I've ever received is to embrace your fears. For me, I needed to venture outside of my comfort zone. I grew up being a quiet kid in class, so that caused me to shy away from a lot of opportunities growing up. The idea of immediately putting myself out there was daunting, but taking small steps and celebrating small victories was a great start, especially in this field.

My advice for young women joining the industry is to have a set career plan, though it’s also important to keep an open mind for the different areas of publishing. Editorial is the most competitive area to be hired into, and I advise those just starting out to research other departments too. You never know—you may be a better fit for a role in Marketing & Publicity, especially if you love spreading the word about books.

Book publishing is a tough field to break into, and the job search can be very discouraging. It’s important for applicants to know that they’re not alone in this. Joining groups and meeting people in the field, like the Young Publishers Association, can help with these struggles and may even open some doors. 

I heavily value work-life balance. Work can be very fast-paced and overwhelming at times, and it’s tempting to work extra hours and sacrifice personal time to catch up. But it’s also essential to maintain good boundaries between these two worlds. This goes both ways—bringing personal matters to work can hinder your productivity and performance. It’s much easier said than done, but it’s worth it in the long run when you can feel fully present in both areas of your life.