Publishing Assistant (Remote Working Role)

Job Outline

We are looking for a new addition to the Relay Publishing team to manage the publishing of our e-books and paperback to various publishing sites. This will include uploading e-book files to distributors, inputting sales info and metadata, and quality-checking formatted books before publication.

They will be working with the Marketing team to assist in organizing campaigns and developing marketing strategies.  This work will be a critical factor for the smooth operation of the Marketing department and the attainment of its goals, as well as for the long-term growth of the company.

This role will be approx. 10 hrs / week and is fully remote (no office work required).

About Relay Publishing

Relay Publishing is a multi-genre fiction publishing company running since 2013. We have a catalogue of over 1,000 books in multiple languages including English, German and French, with our focus being on romance, young adult fantasy, science fiction, thrillers and post-apocalyptic fiction.

After many years working with publishing freelancers, we like to think we know what makes a creative, fun, and collaborative online environment. If you check out Relay’s Testimonials you’ll see we have a reputation for clear instructions, paying fairly and on time, and helping creatives develop their craft.

We have a small team of people running the company, handling the coordination of projects, marketing, finance, human resources and administration. We also work with over a hundred creatives to bring our books to life. If you love stories, you’ll be among great company!

What We Do

We are a book publishing and packaging company. We develop great story ideas and collaborate with talented writers and editors to bring them to life. Story ideas and concepts are created by our in-house team, which are then fleshed out into detailed character profiles and outlines. The outlines are then given to our manuscript team – comprised of a ghostwriter and editor. The focus throughout is on exceptional storytelling, and the writer works closely with an editor to ensure the reader will be blown away by both the story and the prose. Depending on word count, the process from concept creation through to finished novel can range from four to twelve months.

Then the book enters the marketing phase where the cover and blurb are optimized to sell, and various advertisements are set up to promote the book. Every book is made with the target of hitting the bestseller list.

Job Duties May Include:

• Uploading e-books and paperbacks  to various distributors to fixed deadlines
• Creating pre-order ebooks on publishing sites i.e. KDP.
• Checking the formatting of ebooks /paperbacks to ensure final crosscheck of quality
• Making corrections to Vellum files as needed
• Liaising with designers regarding the creation of paperbacks
• Researching distributors and noting the publishing requirements
• Collating and updating distribution lists

Necessary Skills & Experience

• Experience working within the publishing industry (specific experience using KDP/ Amazon preferred)
• Organized
• Trustworthy
• Detail-oriented
• Quick learner
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent time management and prioritisation
• Organisational expertise

Technological Proficiencies Required

• Mac User
• Excellent online search skills
• Minimum typing speed of 45WPM (will be tested!)
• Previous experience utilising project management software
• Google Suite
• Microsoft Office especially Word and Excel (basic formula knowledge)
• Vellum (preferred but can be taught)

About You

You will be an organised, proactive, positive individual that enjoys a challenge and uses your problem solving skills to adapt to the many changes that arise throughout the book publishing process. You are detail-oriented, and always looking for ways to best help the marketing team achieve their goals whilst ensuring the publishing schedule is kept. You are a conscientious team-player who loves to work in an excellent workplace environment and understand the nuances of doing so in a virtual office. You are responsible, motivated and trustworthy.

Working online means we need the best people to ensure the success of the company and we’re always looking for ways to better improve the processes. Your ideas are always welcome.  You will need to be able to work autonomously and be an excellent researcher to try and solve problems on your own where possible.

What’s in it for You?

An amazing freelance, online, remote working environment with a real collaborative virtual office that fosters teamwork, development and open communication. We are passionate about creating an online workplace that really works! We use an online project management software that helps us keep an open, collaborative approach to all our projects.  Just because we work remote, doesn’t mean we have to be remote! We want to nurture our team and work with a consistent group of professionals to be part of the company as it continues to grow. We use an online project management system to run our projects which integrate seamlessly with your emails.

We thoroughly believe in long-term collaborative relationships and that is reflected in our approach to all our projects. We offer competitive rates, clear briefs & expectations, and friendly and fun communication throughout. Flexibility is one of our core work principles: as long as the work gets done, you can do it whenever it suits you. Unlike a traditional office we don’t require you to be at your desk 9-5—you pick your own schedule.

We are always open to ideas. We like to have brainstorming sessions and offer incentives for participation. Whether that’s a new book or business venture, a change to processes and workflow. No matter what your role, you are part of the team and your voice counts.

We have grown dramatically over the last couple years and we plan on growing more, come along for the ride!