At a Glance
- Tasks: Acquire and publish new titles, edit manuscripts, and collaborate on marketing strategies.
- Company: Join Penguin Classics, the world's largest library of classic literature.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and benefits with a creative work environment.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting classic literature with today's readers.
- Qualifications: Passion for literature, strong editing skills, and project management experience.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 49500 £ per year.
An opportunity has arisen for an Editor or Commissioning Editor to join Penguin Press on an initial 12-month fixed-term contract. This role is based at our offices in Embassy Gardens.
About the team
Penguin Classics is the world's largest and best-known library of classic literature. Ranging from the epics of the ancient past to the novels, plays, essays and poetry of the twentieth century, the list includes works by authors such as Marcus Aurelius, Jane Austen, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Shirley Jackson, Hannah Arendt, Seichō Matsumoto and John le Carré. The Penguin Classics series is published by Penguin Press, which is also home to the non-fiction imprints Allen Lane, Pelican and Particular Books, and a contemporary poetry list.
The role
In this role, you will have the opportunity to acquire and publish new titles in the Penguin Classics series, while also taking on editorial responsibility for several forthcoming titles on a colleague's list during their parental leave. The role will involve generating ideas, acquiring rights, commissioning and editing translations and other new material, and guiding manuscripts through to publication. You will work closely with Penguin Press colleagues on each book's positioning, copy, design, publicity and marketing strategy. Building strong relationships with authors, translators, agents and estates will also be essential.
What you'll bring
You will be an intellectually curious editor with a passion for discovering books from different languages and cultures, wide-ranging taste, and an ability to connect works from the past with readers today. You'll need the editorial judgement and project-management skills to develop a book from acquisition through to publication, and a strong instinct for what makes a successful Penguin Classic. You'll also have excellent editing and copywriting skills, with the ability to work confidently with complex material.
You will work across our series, but we would particularly like to hear from candidates with an interest in the Penguin Classics black-spine list, which focuses on books that are out of copyright.
Circa £35,000-£45,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.
For this role we expect that you come into the office at least three days a week, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Editor / Commissioning Editor, Penguin Classics (Penguin Press, 12-month FTC) in London employer: Apply now!
At Penguin Ventures, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that encourages creativity and collaboration. As a Senior Trade & Licensing Communications Lead, you will benefit from our commitment to employee growth through continuous learning opportunities and mentorship, all while working in a vibrant location that inspires innovation and connection within the licensing industry.
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We think this is how you could land Editor / Commissioning Editor, Penguin Classics (Penguin Press, 12-month FTC) in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Editor / Commissioning Editor, Penguin Classics (Penguin Press, 12-month FTC) in London
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