At a Glance
- Tasks: Commission and edit exciting digital fiction titles while spotting market trends.
- Company: Join HQ Digital, a leader in innovative digital publishing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team atmosphere with a focus on creativity and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital fiction and work with bestselling authors.
- Qualifications: Experience in commissioning and a passion for digital fiction.
The predicted salary is between 35500 - 36500 £ per year.
HQ Digital is the digital‑first list of HQ, specialising in innovative digital publishing across the commercial fiction market, from contemporary fiction, romance, historical fiction to crime and thrillers. Combining rapid growth with commercial success, we’re proud to have launched stellar careers for a host of digital bestselling authors both in the UK and internationally, including Rebecca Raisin, Portia Macintosh, Faith Martin and Neil Lancaster.
This commissioning role requires a clear understanding of the digital fiction market, the ability to spot trends and publishing opportunities, and the chance to work with a growing, ambitious team. You will be curating your own list of fiction authors and working with the Publishing Director to help grow our thriving digital list. You’ll be responsible for your own titles from acquisition to publication in every format, and work with key teams within HarperCollins to create effective digital publishing strategies, successful launches and build long‑term sales. You’ll develop strong author and agent relationships and have a keen appetite for commercial fiction and the ability to spot emerging trends in the market. This role will suit candidates who have both initiative and energy, and who are excited to think creatively about digital publishing.
Key Responsibilities
- Commission, edit, desk‑edit and publish titles successfully and profitably for the HQ Digital list
- Read and respond to submissions
- Foster strong relationships with authors, providing regular updates on publishing strategy and sales
- Build relationships with agents, with a view to bringing in the best talent to HQ Digital
- Project manage titles from acquisition through to publication, including production work
- Liaise with in‑house digital teams on digital promotions
- Brief covers and liaise with designers
- Copywriting and checking sales/marketing material
- Raise and check contracts as required
- Reading widely across the commercial fiction market, ensuring strong market knowledge and market‑focused publishing strategies
Digital:
- Oversee metadata/AIs for your authors/titles, working to ensure these are best in class and ready in line with critical path.
- Liaise with the pricing/analytics team to get the best out of the titles that are working across the division – whether adjusting BISAC codes, subtitles, keywords, or even looking at new covers or copy.
- Regularly check Amazon feeds to see if there are any glitches/problems and flag them as necessary.
- Work on backlist reissues as required and agree on strategy in conjunction with the digital team and Publishing Director.
- Support Marketing to create innovative digital campaigns which aim to get titles to the top of the charts.
- Attend weekly pricing and metadata sessions, cultivate close links with the pricing/analytics team, and work closely with them on new projects as they come up.
- Highlight key titles to the team that need a focus in digital
Sales:
- Ensure a strong awareness of what digital retailers require in terms of packaging and positioning
- Create content for customer presentations and other presentations where necessary
- Ensure that Sales, International Sales, Audio, Digital Sales and Rights teams have all the advance sales information that they require
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Previous commissioning experience is required
- Strong knowledge of the digital fiction market and emerging trends
- A creative, energetic team player who enjoys collaborating with wider teams to deliver bestseller success
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to express technical and creative vision clearly
- Excellent organisational skills and experience of working to deadlines
- Advanced MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint
The role may contain other duties not specified here.
Commissioning Editor, HQ Digital employer: HarperCollins UK
At HQ Digital, we pride ourselves on being an innovative leader in digital publishing, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our London headquarters provides a dynamic environment where you can grow your career as a Commissioning Editor, with opportunities to develop strong relationships with bestselling authors and agents while shaping the future of commercial fiction. With competitive compensation and a commitment to employee development, HQ Digital is an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the publishing industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioning Editor, HQ Digital
✨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 HarperCollins UK.
✨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 HarperCollins UK. 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 Commissioning Editor, HQ Digital
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 HarperCollins UK. 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 HarperCollins UK.
How to prepare for a job interview at HarperCollins UK
✨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 HarperCollins UK. 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 HarperCollins UK. Let your enthusiasm shine through; they want to know you're genuinely interested in contributing to their narratives!
