The Imprint

Specialising in literary-commercial fiction, The Borough Press operates like a boutique imprint within the HarperFiction division. Combining quality publishing with commercial success, Borough has a stellar record in launching fiction superstars such as Joanna Cannon (The Trouble with Goats and Sheep), Susie Steiner (Missing, Presumed) and most recently Bridget Collins (The Binding), along with an array of outstanding bestsellers including Tracy Chevalier, Lionel Shriver and Neal Stephenson.

The Role

As Editorial Assistant, you will facilitate the smooth running of the department and provide administrative and editorial support to the publishing director and three editors. There will be regular opportunities for the successful candidate to develop their editorial skills, working on edits alongside the editors, assisting with creative briefs for books, and writing cover copy and AI sheets. This role requires regular liaison with authors, agents and other departments, so a cheerful disposition, good time management and a can-do attitude are essential.

Key tasks and responsibilities

Administration

• Arranging author and agent meetings and presentations, and preparing documents

• Raising purchase orders

• Processing invoices

• Tracking materials to/from designers & editors

• Providing advance/sample materials for other departments e.g. sales, marketing, rights

• Writing rejection letters and dealing with general enquiries

• Diary Management

• Liaison on Publishing Director’s behalf with authors, agents, other departments etc.

• Organising photocopying

• Organising meeting, travel schedules

• Other general office admin/systems

• Set up and monitor purchase orders and invoices

• Dealing with correspondence/phone calls from general  public

• Monitoring system for raising new contracts

• Submissions: logging and monitoring

• Looking up Book Track figures

• Organizing catering for meetings, as required

Editorial

• Copy-writing and checking sales & marketing material e.g. catalogues, rights sheets, presenters

• Monitoring and amending metadata

• Monitoring Amazon to ensure copy and jackets are up to date

• Helping to manage reprints: responsibilities include organising the re-branding of covers, updating prelims

• Sending cover proofs/finished copies to authors/agents

• Creating Advance Information sheets as requested, monitoring and updating them

• Checking and collating some proofs

• Writing cover/catalogue copy as required

• Proof-reading jacket copy, catalogue copy, AIs

• Preparing prelims and putting books through the production process

• Preparing ed-to-prod reports

• E-book editorial checks

• Preparing and circulating cover briefs

• Creating and monitoring timelines for key publications

• Organizing and creating back ads

• Creating content for Twitter, Instagram and website

• Creating content for Amazon and other online sites

• Attending literary festivals as required

• Working closely with Sales and Marketing to help promote titles across the list

Skills and Experience:

• Previous work experience in publishing environment would be advantageous.

• Solid administrative & organisation experience or knowledge with a high level of computer literacy

• Have the ability to use own initiative

• Be an effective multi-tasker

• Possess excellent time management skills

• Be an effective communicator at all levels

• Be familiar with Advanced MS Word; Intermediate Excel; Intermediate to advanced Outlook

• Have a high level of accuracy and attention to detail

• A passion for literary and commercial fiction

The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to people looking to enter the book trade but who may struggle to afford the costs of attending interviews and undertaking internships. For more information visit www.booktradeentrysupport.org