Editorial Assistant, Simon & Schuster Children's Books
Simon & Schuster UK is one of the leading general book publishing companies in the UK and was named Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2022 and 2023. They also won Children’s Publisher of the Year in 2023. Based in London with sister companies in the United States, Canada, Australia and India, the UK division has four imprints: Gallery, Scribner, Simon & Schuster; and Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, which publish a wide and eclectic mix of authors ranging across commercial fiction, literary fiction, general non-fiction, and children’s publications. Home to bestselling authors and award winners, Simon & Schuster UK is a publishing house of quality writing and a proud home to its authors and their exceptional work. It also runs a sales and distribution service for a number of independent and international publishers including Andrews McMeel, Black Library, Boom! Studios, Elliott & Thompson, Inner Traditions, Rebellion and VIZ Media.
Simon & Schuster International is dedicated to publishing a broad and diverse range of books for everyone, representative of the world around us. They are committed to working with and supporting writers, illustrators, and other creative partners from all walks of life, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, nationality, religion or belief, age, social or economic circumstance.
Simon & Schuster Children’s Books is one of the leading children’s publishers in the UK, dedicated to immersing children of all ages in diverse and creative reading experiences, encouraging a lifelong love of reading. Founded in 1998, it has a record of continuously strong sales, prestigious awards, and numerous high quality and bestselling titles and series. Much-loved authors and illustrators include Lauren Roberts (Powerless) A. F. Steadman (Skandar and the Unicorn Thief), Ben Miller (The Night I Met Father Christmas), Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet (Supertato), Benji Davies (The Storm Whale) and many more. Simon & Schuster Children’s Books won Children’s Publisher of the Year at the 2023 British Book Awards.
The Job Profile
The S&S Children’s Publishing team is looking for an Editorial Assistant. Reporting to the Editorial Director for Picture Books and supporting the whole Children’s editorial team, comprising the Fiction, Gallery Kids, Picture Books and Pre-school lists, this is an exciting role for someone who loves children’s books and wants to work with authors and illustrators who will reach a wide audience.
The Job Role
This role would involve close involvement in all editorial administration activities leading to publication across Children’s titles, including (but not limited to): managing divisional launch meetings and rights catalogues, running reports and checking sales data; developing and maintaining content on the databases; divisional diary management; organising author publication gifts; and organising schedules for fairs and overseas trips. There are also creative responsibilities, including: reading submissions; shadowing senior editors on select projects; reading and assessing manuscripts; copyediting; proofreading; writing illustration briefs; writing effective sales and back cover copy; maintaining best-in-class metadata; briefing and managing freelancers and liaising with authors and agents.
The Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have a can-do attitude, be able to take their own initiative and will thrive in a busy and varied role. They will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with an exceptional grasp of spelling and grammar, and a meticulous eye for detail. They’ll be a keen team player with an ability to interact at all levels, who can understand and respond to team needs, shifting priorities, and work collaboratively to meet deadlines. This role doesn’t require prior publishing experience, but someone who is passionate about children’s books, eager to learn and excited to take the first step in their publishing career.
Please apply by attaching your CV and cover letter detailing why you are interested in the role.
Simon & Schuster UK is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity and gender expression. At Simon & Schuster UK, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all.
Candidates hired for this or any other posted Simon & Schuster UK role will be employees of Simon & Schuster UK Ltd subject to all policies, including the Workplace Privacy Notice,and eligible solely for the benefits plans thereof.