If you’re an editor with a passion for contemporary and historical romance with highly commercial editorial instincts, a broad range of author management experience and strong packaging skills, this could be an opportunity for you!

Job Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an Editor within the Global Series Acquisition, Mills & Boon/Harlequin UK team. This position will report to the Senior Editor of Harlequin/Mills & Boon Medical and Romance/True Love.  The successful candidate will be responsible for editing, developing and retaining authors for all the UK acquired series (Modern, Historical, Romance and Medical) within the Global Series Acquisition division, with a particular focus on acquiring and developing new authors, as well as supporting the packaging strategies of the imprints. This is an 18 month Fixed Term Contract.

Key Accountabilities

This role is primarily focused on author management, managing an authorbase of 15-25 authors for the UK acquired series and providing additional editorial services for the team members, including first reads, line-edits, packaging support.

Editing:

• Manage and develop an author base across all UK-acquired global series for Harlequin/Mills & Boon and elicit the highest quality of writing.

• Perform editorial work on manuscripts including reading and evaluating proposals, providing revisions to authors; line editing; preparation of ancillary book matter including back cover copy; may include ad hoc structural and line-edits for other manuscripts as required.

• Ensure the ongoing and timely supply of high quality, saleable titles.

• Maintain positive relationships with literary agents.

• Acquire new authors for Harlequin UK-acquired global series, along with thinking outside the box for ways to discover new authors for the program.

• Collaborate with Creative Vision Team on product packaging.

• Other related tasks would include reading submissions; responding to author/agents/ monitoring payments to authors.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Provide strong creative support to the series teams, working on creating strong appealing back cover copy and titles for the series.

• Develop and implement the company’s acquisition and build strategies and contribute innovative ideas in this process.

• Proactively recognize needs, opportunities and trends that will benefit the Harlequin series imprint.

• Work closely with the Managing Editor to ensure timely and seamless delivery of book components to meet aggressive schedule escalation needs in 2022/3.

• Regular liaison with the production department, art department, marketing department, public relations; Direct-To-Consumer; Digital.

• Represents the program/company at both internal and external conferences and on social media.

• Stays aware of the competitive marketplace, both in print and digital.

Requirements:

• Demonstrable editorial experience in book publishing.

• Strong communication, organization and editorial skills, including project management, planning and organizing, teamwork and collaboration, negotiation skills and a drive for results. 

• Demonstrated experience finding, editing and cultivating commercial romance fiction authors.

• Strong editorial skills, from manuscript revision to line editing to copy writing.

• A solid understanding of the print and digital markets.

• A high level of creativity/innovation, functional/technical knowledge, ability to take initiative.

• Strong social media skills.

• A passion for romance fiction.

• Capacity to build trust/teamwork/collaboration.

For Further information about the series please visit www.MillsandBoon.co.uk and WriteForHarlequin.com

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to our Senior Recruitment Manager at Kally.simmonds@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.