Assistant Editor (London)

Severn House is the genre fiction imprint of Canongate Books, one of the UK’s leading independent publishers. We publish over 100 books a year, with a focus on crime, mystery and thrillers, although we also publish everything from historical fiction and romance to urban fantasy and horror.

We’re looking for a highly organised, quick thinking and enthusiastic Assistant Editor to support the Senior Commissioning Editor and wider editorial Severn House team. This role is based in our London office, with hybrid working available.

This role would see you working closely with the Senior Commissioning Editor, aiding her in her work with authors and agents: providing editorial and administrative support for her titles; assisting with acquisitions; and structurally editing assigned manuscripts. We are a small (and friendly!) team, and this role will also support the wider team on admin tasks as required. Proven editorial experience is a must, as well as a keen eye for detail, an excellent grasp of grammar and good organisational skills.

Key duties will include:

• Assisting the Senior Commissioning Editor with acquisitions, manuscript work and editorial admin, including: writing art briefs, AIs, and cover copy; creating and updating book records on our Biblio title management system; checking copy-edits and proofing jackets; collating sales data and assisting with costings for acquisitions; reading and reporting on submissions
• Completing structural edits under supervision on assigned manuscripts: approx. 2 a month
• Standing in for the Editorial Assistant when on leave, including: proofing AIs, manuscript formatting, NetGalley uploads and approvals, and other admin tasks

What knowledge, skills and experience we’d like you to have:

• At least 3 years in an editorial role
• Some experience of structural editing
• An excellent grasp of grammar and punctuation, and great attention to detail
• Able to respond flexibly to a busy workload and multiple deadlines
• A strong team player, who is proactive and can work independently
• You don’t necessarily need to have worked in fiction before – but you do need to be an enthusiastic reader with a demonstrable passion for genre fiction, preferably crime and mystery

Salary: £26,000+pa

This is a full-time position reporting into the Senior Commissioning Editor.

To apply, please send your CV (including contact details for two references) and a covering letter to Rachel Slatter, Senior Commissioning Editor, detailing why you feel you are suitable for this role. Email to recruitment@canongate.co.uk. The deadline for applications is 6pm, Sunday 10th July 2022.

PLEASE NOTE:

Canongate is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive we are unable to respond to everyone. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date then unfortunately you have not been shortlisted for the position. We will keep your information securely until 30th August 2022. Unless you are the successful applicant, all of your information will be deleted from our systems at that point.