Penguin Group Reviews

Pros

If you're really gung-ho to be in publishing, this is a good place to learn the ropes and establish contacts - especially if you happen to have a good mentor. Pleasant working environment unless you happen to work for one of the few tyrants. Okay pay but good benefits.

Cons

Very entrenched bureaucracy that is slow to move. There's a factory, tunnel-vision corporate mentality at management level that ensures there is a splashy, flash-in-the-pan best seller out ever season. Editors are basically allowed, occasionally, to work on innovative, quality books of long lasting value on the side. There is very high turnover, at least in my experience, and people seem to be happier with their jobs elsewhere than they were at Penguin..

Pros

Penguin has a good reputation and a lot of talented editors, so there are opportunities to work on interesting/high profile projects and the quality of work is high. Editorial staff here learn a lot and make important contacts. Depending on your immediate supervisor the atmosphere is relaxed and the benefits are good.

Cons

Many of Penguin's practices are antiquated - even for the generally old-fashioned publishing industry - and instead of helping productivity end up creating busy work. Promotions are slow in coming and happen haphazardly. Many editors are frustrated by publisher and management decisions, but there is no way to communicate dissatisfaction or problems within departments to higher level supervisors. There is constant pressure to publish "commercial" projects and to steer away from "literary" titles, and you can expect to work late or on the weekends a few times a month.

Pros

Excellent working environment. My department is completely lacking in the intrigue and in-fighting that frequently plagues a group of people who have worked together for many years. Management is flexible and open to suggestions and ideas.

Cons

The fact that so few editors have left during my time here is a positive indicator of job satisfaction. However, it makes opportunities for advancement difficult. As with most editing, the compensation is pretty poor and there is little distinction between the work you do in the office on the clock and what you do at home on your own time. Interdepartmental dissemination of information can be abysmal.

Pros

Penguin Group is a congenial, creative, and fun place to work. With over 75 years in the business and offices located all over the world, they obviously know how to run a great business and keep their employees happy. Penguin is owned by Pearson Education, the largest educational publisher in the world, so there is plenty of opportunity to explore different facets of trade, educational, and online publishing if you find yourself stagnated in one particular area.

Cons

Compensation is very, very low. You may need to take on freelance work to make ends meet (I do). Bonuses are not offered to employees.

Pros

Management avoided layoffs during 2008 depression. Management is addressing new-media challenges, and being smart about it. Opportunity to work on fine books with first-rate authors and editors. Highly intelligent, experienced, and talented, and friendly colleagues. Civilized and respectful environment with very little backbiting or sniping. Good health benefits, generous personal and sick-day allowance for salaried employees, a lot of employee discount/membership perks. Able to purchase company stock at 15% discount. New employees are automatically enrolled in 401k; company matches 4.5% of contributions. Free books everywhere!!

Cons

Industry salaries are uniformly low, but entry-level salaries are SO low that we lose talent. Raises generally do not match the cost of living. No bonuses that I know of, except for upper management, and occasional discretionary corporate-wide bonuses ($500-600). Young staff hasn't a clue about how to manage their 401k investments. Management frequently rolls out new software and workflow procedures that can make working more, not less, difficult. At the same time, important, industry-wide software is often outdated. When software is finally updated, staff is expected to train themselves online while still maintaining workloads and deadlines. In editorial/production, unrelenting increases in workloads, with higher percentages of books on brutally tight deadlines. New imprints, but no new staff hires in years. Not too fond of the open-floor cubicle-pens and bright overhead lighting: no privacy at all, voices carry. No place to take a private phone call, such as a callback from a physician.