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Assistant Editor/Editor

Department: Editorial

Contract Type: Full time, permanent

Reporting To: Publishing Director

Closing Date: 4th December 2022

Role Summary

As an Assistant Editor, you will be providing Senior Editorial staff with general personal assistance, and junior editorial and administrative support.

​If you are applying for this role at Editor level, you will be managing new titles through all aspects of the editorial process, from point of commission to finished book, supported by the Commissioner. You will also be managing your own titles within ongoing series, intercompany titles and from established authors from young illustrated to older fiction and non-fiction titles.

Key Responsibilities

Editorial Roles:

  • Checking proofs and PDF files to support editorial workflow.
  • Consolidate editorial experience and understanding of the publishing process.
  • Proofreading new titles independently.
  • Copyediting new titles independently.
  • Anglicising Candlewick titles in liaison with Editors.
  • Handling and approving Americanisations in liaison with Editors.
  • Preparing materials for Acquisitions and Candlewick Decide meetings.
  • Supporting Editors and Designers in maintaining existing author, illustrator and agent relations.
  • Assorted writing tasks with support - e.g. marketing copy, straplines, advance information sheets, cover copy.
  • Checking permissions, project research, fact-checking.
  • Maintaining systems and databases, e.g. Biblio, CRFs, preliminary costings and updating metadata.
  • Presenting titles at in house meetings and conferences.
  • Managing some paperbacks, reissues and intercompany projects independently. 
  • When requested, giving editorial feedback on submissions.
  • When requested, routing and keeping track of the flow of materials through the department, informing Editors/Designers of book schedules, updating work-in-progress reports.

Personal Assistant/Administrative Roles:

  • Taking and typing up minutes in meetings.
  • Diary management, arranging book fair appointments.
  • Department meetings: booking rooms, collating information and materials and checking agenda in advance.
  • Taking phone messages and managing visitors.
  • Booking travel and filing expenses.
  • Photocopying, sending out materials to authors/illustrators.
  • Preparing PowerPoint slides for Sales Conference/Launch, and administering running orders.
  • Sending out licenced copies to authors, illustrators and agents.

If applying at Editor level, you will be:

  • Completing editorial tasks relating to own titles, and supporting colleagues as required, including: writing AI copy, cover copy and briefs; copy-editing, line editing and some structural editing.
  • Providing general editorial support and input within the team as required.
  • Reading and reporting on submissions and manuscripts for the team.
  • Promoting own titles internally, including presenting at Sales Conferences, liaising with Sales and Marketing and forming a point of contact.
  • Maintaining Biblio on own projects.

Skills and Experience Required

  • A passion for children's publishing.
  • Strong English skills.
  • Highly organised and an enthusiastic self-starter.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Meeting deadlines while providing timely and accurate information.
  • Accuracy of proofreading and an eye for detail.
  • Ability to work as part of a large team.
  • Prior publishing experience and/or degree desirable.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salary
  • 22 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
  • Hybrid working (post probation)
  • Health insurance
  • Enhanced pension contributions
  • Life assurance

We are an equal opportunities employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to this principle and providing a safe and supportive work environment. 

Assistant Editor/Editor

Walker Books, London
Full-time, Permanent
Publisher
Administration, Editor, Publishing, Communications, Business Development, Editorial, Admin & PA
Reference: 
Assistant Editor/Editor
Salary description: 
Competitive

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Meeting deadlines while providing timely and accurate information. Accuracy of proofreading and an eye for detail. Ability to work as part of a large team. Prior publishing experience and/or degree desirable.