Category: Help wanted

In the UK, Hachette Livre UK has joined forces with Reed Graduates to launch a graduate trainee scheme, the Bookseller reports. The scheme is aimed at graduates who already have some experience in publishing, and will start with a focus on production and sales. Hachette, already deluged by a "massive response," envisages taking on two to three people initially and is likely to look for design candidates in the next wave.

I must agree with what HR director Susan Taylor said, that "it is vital for publishing to invest in the development of its talent and future leadership in this way. Over recent years some publishers have abandoned graduate schemes--I think they will regret this later."

Meanwhile, if you have 8 years experience in publishing, a "proven ability to identify, cultivate and publish new authors and build on success of current authors" and the "ability to identify best-seller potential" then Warner Books is the place for you. They're looking for a senior editor (perhaps to fill the void left when Colin Fox jumped to Simon & Schuster) to acquire titles for Warner's hardcover, trade and mass market lists, and edit and oversee the trafficking of acquired titles. Apply now while the job's still posted at Publishers Marketplace...

There aren't that many golden rules in publishing, but one I stand by is that you learn more about what's happening at certain companies by checking the want ads. Which is how news of Hachette Book Group's brand new "Young Women's Commercial Fiction Paperback Series Imprint" is leaking out, as they are looking for an assistant editor to "collaborate with authors and manage book projects" such as GOSSIP GIRL, THE A-LIST, and THE CLIQUE.

Though she couldn't be reached for comment as of this writing, considering Cindy Egan has been the editor of record for all of those titles - which were brought to what was formerly known as Little, Brown's children's division by Alloy Entertainment of CopyKaavya fame - it's pretty likely she'll be overseeing this new imprint and the assistant editor will report to her. And if anyone has some good suggestions for what the imprint should be called, send 'em our way!

Most of the amusing Craigslist posts can be found in other categories: missed connections, casual encounters, rants & raves, that sort of thing. But occasionally, the truly oddball ad shows up in the help wanted sections, and this one was just too, too good not to share in all its typo-tastic glory:

MUST be an EXPERIENCED BOOK AUTHOR.

A ghost-written autobiography of one man's shocking discover [sic] that Americans are eating their dead pets. For two years he has waged a campaign informing tens of thousands of people, but the media won't touch the story because they say it will affect their ratings/readership. Much as [sic] been spent on undercover detective work, more than one law suit has been filed, insidious retaliation by Los Angeles County has been fought, and death threats have been weathered. But this animal welfare activist won't stop fighting to get the word out. Plans are to sell an ebook, and until it is completed (resolution may take years), perhaps to sell installments. When completed, this ebook will also be publish [sic].

As for compensation? It's listed as "neg" which could either mean "negotiable" but more likely, "negligible"...