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 Sandra.lim@harpercollins.co.uk with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.