The Publishing Training Centre talks to a Rising Star

In June The Bookseller ran an article showcasing the next generation of Rising Stars in the publishing industry. They highlighted the talents of 37 stars who have what it takes to meet the challenges facing the industry, and help lead it to a prosperous future. They were selected from six functional areas within the industry.

At The Publishing Training Centre (PTC) we wanted to see what impact training has on career success, and looking at our records we were delighted to see that more than a third had attended courses at the PTC.

We contacted one of the Rising Stars to ask him about his career and training. Ronu Miah, Digital Supply Chain Manager at HarperCollins, shared some insights with us.

What does your job entail and what makes it exciting?

Ronu: I manage a team of three and together we are responsible for archiving our digital assets and supplying files for BookBrowse (online preview of our books), Print-On-Demand, supplying digital assets for e-book production (including to HC India) and ensuring that all of our titles are on sale at all retailers.

It is an exciting field because the digital world is constantly evolving with new technology, which opens new areas to explore using our digital content.

What is your background and what made you decide to get into publishing?

Ronu: I studied Multimedia Technology and Applications at London Metropolitan University, where I learnt a variety of software packages and skills, such as, graphic design, desktop publishing, 3D modelling and animation, programming and developing websites and applications, video production, and software engineering.

In terms of my career, from the age of 12 I voluntarily worked at IT and Business conferences for a company called APEX. From 2004, until joining HarperCollins, I freelanced at EMAP Nursing Times. I have worked on developing websites, graphic designing and video production outside work on a voluntary basis and as a hobby.

From a very young age I designed characters and concepts for scripts, so I always had an interest in literature. At EMAP Nursing Times I worked for the editorial team, which is what first got me into publishing.

How has your career benefitted from training – particularly, of course, any training done at the PTC?

Ronu: Thanks to my university studies, I am able to understand the mechanics behind programming and developing digital products. This has helped me with problem-solving technical issues, plus to keep a fluid workflow and improve the quality of e-Books.

The course I did at PTC was on Digital Printing and also covered Print-On-Demand. It gave me an insight to how printing worked before digital. The course was recommended to me by my Director in order to further my knowledge of printing, as I mainly deal with digital products.

How do you see your career developing in the future?

Ronu: My role has continually changed and I see that it will continue to do so as dictated by the changes in the industry. Currently, there is a lot of focus around e-Books. In time, I believe enhanced e-Books, applications and other forms of digital products will become the main focus.

Do you have any advice for others wishing to get into publishing and to those interested in the field you work in?

Ronu: The best advice I can give is to keep your head down, focus and just keep giving your best. Your hard work and contribution will be noticed. The digital world is evolving rapidly, so do not just look at how the industry is today, but think about how it will be in the years to come. It sounds like a simple concept but you’ll be surprised how easily it can be forgotten.

We wish Ronu every success for the future and hope that his star will continue rising. If you are looking for career-enhancing training, call us on 020 8874 2718 for a chat or have a look through our course offering on this site.