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- Tasks: Lead the editorial direction for Hodderscape, managing bestselling authors and exciting new talent.
- Company: Join Hodder & Stoughton, a top UK publisher with a rich history in fiction and non-fiction.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28+ annual leave days, private medical insurance, and discounts on books.
- Why this job: Combine your passion for SFF with a chance to shape the future of publishing.
- Qualifications: Must have extensive commissioning experience and a deep love for science fiction and fantasy.
- Other info: Flexible work location with a mix of in-office and remote work.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Who we are and what we do
Hodder & Stoughton is an award-winning publisher within Hachette UK, one of the UK’s biggest publishing groups. For over 150 years, we have been one of Britain’s leading publishers of fiction and non-fiction and are renowned for passion, quality and delivering bestselling books in many different formats.
Hodderscape is our vibrant, and fast growing, science fiction, fantasy and horror imprint. Our authors include Laini Taylor, Kerri Maniscalco, Elizabeth Lim, Chloe Gong, Pierce Brown, Becky Chambers, Tad Williams and many more. We are never afraid to be out of this world, and we are looking to publish the very best commercial SFF.
What you’ll be doing
Do you love science fiction and fantasy? With a huge passion for the genre, and a wealth of experience commissioning SFF under your belt, you would be building your own list at Hodderscape, working with the Publishing Director and the Hodderscape team to bring in exciting new talent, as well as publishing ongoing Sunday Times bestselling and award-winning authors and brands. You will build and manage a list of popular and bestselling authors, taking their books from pitch to publication and beyond.
You will see titles through from acquisition to publication in all formats, working with key teams to create effective publishing strategies, successful launches and build long-term sales. You’ll develop strong agent relationships and help grow Hodderscape’s presence in the fiction market. As a senior member of the team, you will help formulate Hodderscape’s ongoing strategy, building strong relationships across departments, and develop clear publishing plans for new and ongoing authors, with a particular focus on D2C publishing.
Who we are looking for
You will be an experienced and safe pair of hands, with extensive commissioning experience, and a true passion for science fiction and fantasy in all its forms.
The successful candidate will have:
- love of science fiction and fantasy books, with a detailed knowledge of the market
- excellent understanding of the editorial process from start to finish
- commercially minded with a proven ability to recognise opportunities
- strong communication skills and a talent for organisation
- experience working on high specification special hardback editions
- experience in or contributing to structural and line edits
- the ability to negotiate financially viable and favourable contracts with external parties
- the ability to project manage effectively and deliver on time
- excellent administration skills
- familiar with the Biblio title management system
- experience with Microsoft Office
What we offer
Our staff are our greatest asset, and our benefits reflect this:
- 28 annual leave days per year, increases to 29 days after 2 years’ service and goes up to 30 days after 5 years’ (+ bank holidays)
- Private medical insurance
- Generous pension schemes
- Rent deposit loans
- 2 community days per year
- Summer hours (finishing at 1pm on Fridays during the summer months)
- Retail discounts through Hachette rewards
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Eye care vouchers
- Wide-ranging training library
- Development programmes (including mentoring)
- Up to 70% off book purchases
- A charity bookshelf
- 12 Staff-led employee networks that are voluntary, includingGender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeing and religious networks
- Season ticket loans
- And much more!
The role will be based at our London or Sheffield, with a blend of in-office (3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.
Our commitment
Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a base as broad as the world of readers we want to reach, with a wide and representative range of age, faith, disability, race, gender, sexuality and socio-economic, regional and cultural backgrounds.
If you are shortlisted and need us to make any adjustments to help you attend for interview, please let us know.
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 junior roles. For more information visit
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Editorial Director employer: Alexgrayauthor
Contact Detail:
Alexgrayauthor Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Editorial Director
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to immerse yourself in the science fiction and fantasy genres. Read widely within these categories, including both bestselling authors and emerging voices. This will not only enhance your knowledge but also help you speak passionately about potential acquisitions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with industry professionals, especially those who work in SFF publishing. Attend genre-specific events, conventions, or webinars where you can meet agents, authors, and other editors. Building these relationships can give you insights into market trends and potential talent.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarize yourself with Hodderscape's current catalog and their publishing strategies. Understanding their unique approach will allow you to tailor your vision for the list you would build, demonstrating your alignment with their goals during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with high specification special hardback editions and how you've successfully managed projects from acquisition to publication. Highlighting specific examples will showcase your expertise and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Editorial Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company: Dive deep into Hodder & Stoughton and their imprint Hodderscape. Familiarize yourself with their authors, recent publications, and overall publishing strategy to tailor your application effectively.
Showcase Your Passion: Express your love for science fiction and fantasy clearly in your application. Highlight specific books or authors that inspire you and how they relate to your vision for the role.
Detail Your Experience: Provide concrete examples of your commissioning experience and editorial process knowledge. Mention any successful projects you've managed, especially in SFF, to demonstrate your capability.
Highlight Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key for this role, include examples of how you've effectively collaborated with authors, agents, and internal teams. This will showcase your ability to build relationships and manage projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexgrayauthor
✨Show Your Passion for SFF
Make sure to express your genuine love for science fiction and fantasy during the interview. Share specific examples of books or authors that inspire you, and discuss how they influence your vision for Hodderscape.
✨Demonstrate Your Editorial Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with the editorial process in detail. Highlight your commissioning experience and any successful projects you've managed from pitch to publication, showcasing your understanding of the market.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Strong communication is key in this role. Prepare to give examples of how you've built relationships with authors and agents, and how you've effectively collaborated with different departments to achieve publishing goals.
✨Prepare for Contract Negotiations
Since negotiating contracts is part of the job, be ready to discuss your approach to securing favorable terms. Share any relevant experiences where you successfully negotiated deals that benefited both the publisher and the authors.
