Assistant Editor (FT)

$50,000 - $60,000/Yr

Seven Stories Press - New York, NY

Full-time - Entry Level

New York, NY

Publishing Industries

About the position

Seven Stories Press is seeking a full-time Assistant Editor to join our dynamic editorial team. This role is essential in providing both editorial and administrative support across a diverse range of publications, including political nonfiction, literary fiction, literature in translation, and children's books. The Assistant Editor will work closely with the Editorial Director and the Managing Editor, contributing to the overall success of our publishing efforts. In this position, the Assistant Editor will be responsible for reading and evaluating submissions, writing detailed reader's reports, and line-editing manuscripts with some supervision. The role also involves reviewing the work of freelance copy editors and proofreaders, ensuring that all editorial standards are met. The Assistant Editor will conduct blurb outreach for approximately 15 titles each year and will be tasked with writing engaging cover copy for around 30 books annually. Additionally, proofreading manuscripts, cover mechanicals, catalogs, and promotional materials will be a key part of the job. The Assistant Editor will liaise with authors, agents, and translators, facilitating communication and ensuring that all parties are informed throughout the publishing process. This role also includes submitting books for awards, logging submissions, and maintaining an updated list of awards. Administrative duties such as mailing books, ordering office supplies, maintaining a contact database, and tracking contracts will also be part of the responsibilities. The Assistant Editor will participate in weekly staff meetings and quarterly editorial meetings, contributing to the collaborative environment at Seven Stories Press.

Responsibilities

• Reading and evaluating submissions and writing reader's reports
• Line-editing manuscripts independently, with some supervision and guidance from Managing Editor and Editorial Director as needed
• Reviewing work of freelance copy editors and proofreaders, with supervision and guidance from Managing Editor and Editorial Director as needed
• Conducting blurb outreach for approximately 15 titles a year
• Writing cover copy for approximately 30 books a year
• Proofreading manuscripts, cover mechanicals, catalogs, and promotional materials
• Liaising with authors, agents, and translators
• Submitting books to awards, logging award submissions, and maintaining an updated list of awards
• Performing administrative duties: mailing books to authors and agents, ordering office supplies, maintaining contact database, tracking contracts, etc.
• Attending weekly staff meetings and quarterly editorial meetings

Requirements

• Significant writing and/or editing experience, either in book publishing or a related field
• Interest in social justice publishing and/or world literature
• Commitment to uplifting traditionally marginalized voices
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task
• Must be a self-starter and able to work independently
• Experience with The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition
• Internships in book publishing, or one to two years' experience in an editorial role at a publishing house strongly preferred but not required
• Ability to come into our Tribeca office two days a week strongly preferred but not required
• Proficiency in more than one language a plus but not required

Nice-to-haves

• Internships in book publishing
• Proficiency in more than one language