At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Head of International Rights with administrative tasks and client communication.
- Company: A vibrant literary agency passionate about children's and young adult literature.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working after probation, and a collaborative team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow into rights agenting and work closely with books you love.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and dive into the exciting world of publishing rights.
- Qualifications: Experience in publishing or strong administrative skills; passion for reading is a must.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working closely alongside the Head of International Rights, we are looking for someone who is confident, communicative, methodical and unfazed by all aspects of administrative support. You’ll be an essential member of our growing team, so we need someone who is proactive, adaptable, reliable and eager to learn. This role would suit someone with experience in publishing, preferably in rights, contracts or royalties, who is ready for a fast-paced, dynamic role at a busy and growing specialist literary agency. We are open to people without publishing experience but they must have significant administrative experience to quickly get up to speed. And to be clear, there is a lot of reading of Children’s/Young Adult/New Adult books so passion in this area of the industry is essential.
We are a highly collaborative, vibrant and dynamic close-knit team who sit in the same room four days a week, so there’s lots of discussions and meetings daily in the office. We all pitch in with general office duties and would expect the new member of the team to handle some of these exclusively to support the team in busy periods. Once the administrative support aspects of the job are mastered, the role would ideally expand into rights agenting as soon as possible.
Key Responsibilities- Drafting sales emails for submission.
- Assisting in maintaining the rights and contacts database.
- Drafting and reviewing contracts and handling the signature process.
- Invoicing and managing payments.
- Handling the double tax exemption certificates.
- Co-ordinating and preparing rights guides.
- Liaising with clients, international publishers and co-agents.
- Scheduling and coordinating book fairs (Bologna, Frankfurt, London etc).
- Processing royalty statements.
- Reading the clients’ books quickly, offering feedback when required, and reading widely in the relevant age groups/genres.
- Researching potential partnerships.
- Providing general office support for the wider team.
- Some publishing experience, ideally in rights/contracts/royalties, or significant administrative experience.
- Strong organisational skills and outstanding attention to detail.
- Excellent English-language skills, including a high level of written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong numeracy skills to process royalty statements.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word).
- Ability to take initiative and work well both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
- A genuine passion for reading and children’s books, particularly in the YA and middle-grade sectors.
- A strong work ethic and dedication to completing tasks in a timely manner.
- Experience of rights management databases.
- Additional language skills.
This is a full-time role (five days/37.5 hours a week) with an initial probation period. The ideal start date is August 2026 – though notice periods will be considered. We pay, as a minimum, the London Living Wage. This will primarily be an office-based role at our premises in Parsons Green (SW6) with two days hybrid-working to be introduced after the settling in period.
Rights Assistant (Book Agency) employer: Creative Lives in Progress
Join a vibrant and dynamic literary agency located in the heart of Parsons Green, where collaboration and creativity thrive. As a Rights Assistant, you'll benefit from a supportive work culture that values proactive learning and offers opportunities for growth into rights agenting. With a focus on children's literature and a commitment to employee development, this role provides a unique chance to immerse yourself in the publishing industry while enjoying the perks of a close-knit team environment.
Contact Details:
Creative Lives in Progress Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Rights Assistant (Book Agency)
✨Dive Into the Publishing Community
Get involved with local or online publishing communities. Join forums, attend literary festivals, or participate in panel discussions. This can be a goldmine for meeting industry professionals and hearing about opportunities that aren't advertised yet.
✨Stay Updated with Industry Trends
Follow leading publishing media channels on social media, like Twitter and Instagram. See what tactics and content formats are currently trending. This knowledge can help you tailor your discussions when you're networking or at interviews with companies like Creative Lives in Progress.
✨Make Your Passion Visible
If you have a blog or a social media presence focused on books or publishing, use it! Share your thoughts on recent publications, trends in the industry, or interviews with authors. This can showcase your passion and knowledge, making you stand out as a candidate.
✨Hunt for Opportunities on Company Websites
While job boards are useful, don’t forget to go directly to company websites, like Creative Lives in Progress. They often post openings there first. Plus, you might find job descriptions that give insight into what skills they really value, which can help you ace that interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Rights Assistant (Book Agency)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Style:In the publishing-media world, your writing style is your signature. Make sure your CV highlights relevant writing experiences, whether that's published articles, blog posts, or even social media content. Give us a glimpse of your voice and flair for storytelling right from the start!
Include Relevant Projects:Don’t just list your roles; include specific projects you've worked on that demonstrate your skills in editing, research, or content creation. If you've contributed to a magazine or worked on a publication, make that front and centre! It shows you've got hands-on experience in the industry, which we absolutely love.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Let’s be honest: a generic cover letter is a missed opportunity. Take the time to craft a letter that speaks to why you’re passionate about this role at Creative Lives in Progress. Mention what excites you about the publishing-media industry and how your skills align with the job description. We want to see that enthusiasm!
Format Matters!:In the publishing-media sector, presentation is key. Ensure your CV and cover letter are well-organised and visually appealing. Use headings, bullet points, and a clean layout. This isn't just about aesthetics — it shows your attention to detail and professionalism, which we really appreciate at Creative Lives in Progress.
How to prepare for a job interview at Creative Lives in Progress
✨Know Your Stuff: Be Ready on Industry Trends
Get yourself clued up on the latest trends in the publishing-media world. Think about how digital transformation is impacting the industry, and be ready to chat about relevant examples. This shows you're not just passionate but also informed!
✨Showcase Your Creativity with a Portfolio
Bring along a portfolio that showcases your writing, editing, or design work. Since it’s a full-time role, they’ll want to see how your style fits their brand at Creative Lives in Progress. Tailor your presentation to their projects for maximum impact.
✨Brush Up on Editing Techniques
Expect some technical questions about editing styles, proofing techniques, and style guides. They might ask you to solve a practical problem or provide feedback on a piece—know the tools and software commonly used in the industry, and be prepared to discuss them!
✨Express Your Passion for Storytelling
In the publishing-media field, storytelling is key. Be ready to discuss what stories inspire you and why you want to join the team at Creative Lives in Progress. Let your enthusiasm shine through; they want to know you're genuinely interested in contributing to their narratives!