Editor - HarperVoyager (12month FTC) London, England
Job description
Team: HarperVoyager
Salary: 12 months Maternity cover, Fixed term contract
Location: London, UK - Hybrid
Closing: 12:59pm, 3rd May 2023 BST
Perks and benefits
About HarperVoyager
HarperVoyager is the Science Fiction and Fantasy imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. It publishes some of the biggest names in the genre, such as George R.R. Martin, Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Robin Hobb, Jay Kristoff, R.F. Kuang, Sue Lynn Tan and Shannon Chakraborty. Magpie Books is a new YA fiction imprint which launched in January 2023 and includes YA fantasy, science fiction, speculative romance and horror.
Overview of the Role
As Editor, you will be a key member of the HarperVoyager team. You will have ownership of your own stable of existing authors, seeing them through manuscript to publication for both physical and digital editions. You will have an extensive range of industry contacts that you can call on, and the ability to build strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. You will be commercially savvy, with a good knowledge of the science fiction and fantasy market and a passion for the books that Voyager publishes.
Key Tasks and Accountabilities
Full desk-editing responsibilities – seeing titles through from manuscript to finished copies, including digital formats, and managing freelance copy-editors and proof-readers, ensuring plant costs are in line with budget for each project
Liaising with authors over the progress of the book through production, copy approval and day-to-day editorial matters
Managing and editing a list of existing Voyager authors, maintaining communication with authors and agents
Liaising closely with the production team and pub ops director to keep books in line with critical path particularly in relation to high volume of editions on list
Ownership of metadata/AIs for individual authors, ensuring this fits with emerging trends in the market, and is completed in line with critical path, ensuring accurate and up-to-date title/list information is available internally and externally
Writing cover/catalogue/copy as required and delivering in line with critical path
Liaising with teams across the business including sales, marketing, publicity, rights and production, acting as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
Structural and detailed line-editing work to include structural edits, developmental edits, redrafts and line-edits; working with some authors directly to implement the editorial work and manage a title through various drafts
Experience Required
Experience working at assistant editor level or above
Experience of desk editing processes
Demonstrable sound market knowledge of SFF and market trends
Full knowledge of publishing processes
Experience of working directly with authors on projects
Experience working on SFF desirable
Skills Required
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Exceptional attention to detail
Takes initiative and ownership, driving completion of workload
Problem-solving approach
Quick-thinking
Creative
Extremely organised
Interpersonal, relationship-building and diplomacy skills
Computer skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Quick reader
Benefits
Hybrid working model (2+ days in the office)
28 days holiday plus bank holidays (option to buy and sell holiday days)
Enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
Private healthcare cover and life assurance
Summer Hours
Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal
Season ticket loans (from day 1 for entry level) and cycle to work scheme
Relocation Rent Support Loan
Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work and Pride at HC
Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal, management courses (up to MA level) and mentoring programmes
Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers
Gym membership discount
Onsite physiotherapy (London only)
Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days
We're a certified Carbon Neutral company
Free e-books and audiobooks, newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books
Subsidised canteen and retail discounts
Onsite prayer room
If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to our Talent Acquisition Manager at [email protected] with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.
