This blog post is one of a series of Q&As with staff working at Liverpool University Press. We hope through these blog posts that prospective employees and those interested in joining the publishing industry can find out more about LUP and the career paths our staff have taken along the way.
Here we speak with Sarah Warren, Books Production Manager at Liverpool University Press.
What did you do before this job and how did you get your current role at LUP?
Before publishing, I spent many years working in customer-facing roles, mostly in coffee shops. I come from a working-class background where university wasn’t the norm, so after A-levels, I went straight into work. Eventually, I grew restless and wanted something more fulfilling. I’d always loved English Literature, so I applied to study it at Edge Hill University as a mature student. I didn’t have the typical qualifications, but I wrote a strong personal statement and was offered an unconditional place. I graduated with a First and went on to complete an MRes.
After university, I felt stuck. Unless you wanted to teach, career options seemed limited. For a while, I put myself forward for all sorts of jobs with no success and was convinced I’d end up back in the service industry. In fact, I applied at Starbucks the same week I spotted a listing for a Production Editor at Carnegie Book Production. I had no direct experience, so I didn’t expect anything, but I wrote an honest, passionate cover letter about my skills and eagerness to learn. To my surprise, I was offered an interview and then the job.
I immersed myself in the work at Carnegie, learning everything I could, and was eventually promoted to Senior Production Editor. I was already working closely with Liverpool University Press, handling some of their production output and building strong relationships with the team. So, when a position opened at LUP, it felt like a natural next step. Thanks to the existing collaboration and trust I’d built, I felt confident applying, and I think the familiarity on both sides helped ease the way.
What career or job did you imagine for yourself when you were at school?
I never had a strong sense of direction, and I certainly didn’t imagine a career in publishing! There weren’t many role models in my life with what you’d call ‘traditional professional careers’, and university didn’t feel like an obvious or accessible path.
As a child, I was fascinated by ancient history and dreamed of becoming an archaeologist. At college, I studied forensics and psychology – subjects completely unrelated to English or publishing. I’ve always been curious about human behaviour and what drives people, and at the time, I had unrealistic ambitions of going into criminal psychology or even joining the police. Alongside that, I craved something creative. I’ve dabbled in writing and have always felt drawn to storytelling in some form.
It’s funny to look back now and realise that, even though I didn’t follow any of those paths directly, I’ve probably worked on books covering all those subjects through my career in publishing – so things sort of came full circle, just not in the way I expected!
What does your job entail? What does a typical day look like?
As a Books Production Manager, I oversee the production process of academic books from the point the manuscripts are handed over by the Commissioning Editor to final publication. This means coordinating typesetters, proof-readers, indexers, authors, and printers; managing schedules to keep everything on track; and ensuring the work stays within budget. Costings and supplier quotes are a key part of the job. A typical day involves plenty of problem-solving and communication with both internal and external colleagues. It’s busy, deadline-driven work, but hugely satisfying when everything comes together.
What skills did you bring to the job? Where did you learn these?
I bring a strong work ethic – something instilled in me from a young age by my family, who taught me the value of being dependable and taking pride in whatever I do. Years in customer-facing roles provided me with vital interpersonal and communication skills. I can quickly assess people and situations, manage conversations, and adjust my approach depending on the context or individual; I also know how to stay calm under pressure, and how to juggle competing priorities – all of which are crucial in project and people management. My university studies gave me a strong academic background, analytical thinking, attention to detail, and an even greater love for literature. But perhaps most importantly, my unconventional trajectory brings resilience, adaptability, and a deep belief in self-advocacy. I’ve had to make people see what I’m capable of, even when I wasn’t the obvious choice, and I think that determination has carried me through.
What is your favourite part of your job?
It’s particularly meaningful when I work with first-time authors or those feeling a bit anxious about the process. Being able to guide them through it, help them feel more comfortable and confident, and eventually see their work published is a real privilege. I also really enjoy the relationship-building side of the role: understanding what different people need, how they work, and how best to support them. That kind of emotional intelligence isn’t always talked about, but for me, it’s a big part of being effective in Production.
What advice or tips would you give for anyone interested in joining the publishing world?
Don’t count yourself out. You don’t need to have followed a traditional path to succeed in publishing. What matters most is your ability to learn, adapt, and communicate well. Advocate for yourself: tell your story honestly. Your background, even if it seems unrelated, might have given you some of the most useful skills. It’s never too late to start over, and there’s no one ‘right’ way into this industry. If you can show people why you’re worth taking a chance on, they just might.
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