Desk Editor (Maternity Cover)

Desk Editor (Maternity Cover)

Reporting to: Publishing Manager
Job Terms: Full Time, Maternity Cover (approximately 12 months from June 2020)

Introduction to the Role

You will work as a key team member of the Publishing Services Department to ensure that the high Walker editorial standards are met.

To ensure that all written printed and digital material, primarily new books, sales materials (Advance Information sheets), publicity, promotion and website text originating at Walker Books is copyedited and proofread accurately and conforms to House Style. To manage the eBook and reprint programmes, and to support Editors working on long-extent and fiction titles with the copyediting and proofreading schedules.

Key Responsibilities

Copyediting and Proofreading
- A final copyediting check of all picture book interiors, jackets and covers for all imprints of Walker Books.
- Copyediting and/or proofreading books at earlier stages at the request of Editors.
- Where time allows, copyediting and proofreading longer extent illustrated titles and fiction.
- Providing a general copyediting helpdesk across the editorial and design teams.
- Proofreading all sales, publicity and promotional material such as seasonal catalogues, order forms, author biographies, teachers' notes…

Reprints
- Retrieve file copies for the allocated reprints, organise corrections and updates.
- Update the reprint corrections database.
- Maintain the Reprint spreadsheet and File Copy Room.
- General administration relating to reprints.

Ebooks - metadata
- Manage the set-up and confirmation of ePub and PDF editions
- Fill in metadata for each ePub and PDF and manage the workflow.

eBooks - files
- Liaise with Production controller regarding which titles have been sent to print and ready to be converted.
- When ePub files are returned, proofread each title and check for formatting/text errors.
- Arrange with Typesetter to correct the physical book files.
- Send corrections to Production and check the file until correct.
- Confirm to Production when files are ready for upload.
- Check final ePDF files.

Key Performance Indicators

- The accuracy of finished books and other material.
- Meeting deadlines.
- Good communication, providing timely and accurate information.
- Awareness of Walker editorial standards.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Editorial skills:
- Excellent written language skills.
- Superlative spelling and grammatical knowledge.
- Meticulous attention to detail.
- In-depth knowledge of proofreading marks.
- A sensitive editorial approach. 

Computer skills:
- Knowledge of Biblio would be advantageous.
- The ability to understand and interact with new programmes, particularly databases