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- Tasks: Acquire and develop bestselling romance and saga fiction while collaborating with authors and agents.
- Company: Join Canelo, a dynamic publisher recently acquired by DK, focused on quality fiction.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, remote work options, discounts, and a tree planted for every new hire.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting journey to elevate Canelo's publishing impact in a creative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in commissioning talent and managing multiple projects is essential.
- Other info: Flexible working policy with a minimum of 3 days in the office each week.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
We are seeking a passionate and commercially driven Commissioning Editor to join our team. You will play a key role in acquiring and developing high-quality romance and saga fiction with strong bestseller potential. In this role, you will actively seek out and acquire talent, working closely with literary agents and authors. You should have a deep knowledge of the romance and saga fiction market, including current trends and reader demographics, as you will identify and evaluate manuscripts with strong commercial potential.
We are looking for an individual who is confident in bringing in new projects and pitching them to the wider team. You will also have an opportunity for hands-on editing, as you will provide editorial support and guidance to authors throughout the publishing process, from conception to completion. This role is perfect for an individual who enjoys cross-collaboration, as you will work closely with in-house teams to ensure the highest quality presentation of our books.
Other responsibilities include:
- Negotiating deals and contracts with agents and authors
- Briefing and commissioning market-leading cover designs for print and ebook, and writing compelling copy
- Desk editing and managing editorial processes including working with skilled freelancers
- Being the first point of contact for external stakeholders, fielding and responding to ad-hoc queries
Our ideal candidate will have proven experience commissioning talent, with a strong track record of acquiring and developing successful commercial fiction. This role is perfect for someone who thrives independently and is able to juggle multiple projects simultaneously, which is why time management and organisational skills are essential.
If you would like to drive Canelo forward, and be a part of the team that takes it to the next level, please apply. Please submit your most recent CV and cover letter by 4 April.
We have a range of benefits to reflect our commitment to our people, some of which are:
- 25 days paid holiday entitlement in year one, plus bank holidays
- Generous pension scheme
- Volunteering policy and charity matching
- Employee assistance programme
- 60% discount on company books
- Cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership
- Flex Fridays (1pm Finish*)
- Shopping discounts
- Up to 30 days remote working from abroad
- And we plant a tree for every new employee to our business.
DK is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the varied communities that read our books across the world. We encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of age, religion, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or social background. DK is proud to announce that we have adopted The Halo Code. DK is a member of the disability confident scheme. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. DK supports flexible working and has introduced a new ‘smart-working’ policy with a hybrid approach of working weekly from home and in DK’s office. Please note that this role will require 3 days a week in the office minimum.
Canelo - Commissioning Editor employer: Penguin Random House
Contact Detail:
Penguin Random House Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Canelo - Commissioning Editor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in romance and saga fiction. Read bestselling titles and follow industry news to understand what makes a manuscript commercially viable. This knowledge will help you engage confidently in conversations with authors and agents.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with literary agents and authors in the romance genre. Attend book fairs, literary events, or online webinars to build relationships. These connections can lead to exclusive opportunities and insights into upcoming talent.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your editorial skills by participating in writing workshops or critique groups. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your editing abilities but also demonstrate your commitment to nurturing new talent when you pitch yourself for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your project management skills during the interview. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully juggled multiple projects, as this is crucial for the role. Highlight any tools or methods you use to stay organised and efficient.
We think you need these skills to ace Canelo - Commissioning Editor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Commissioning Editor at Canelo. Familiarise yourself with the romance and saga fiction market, current trends, and what makes a manuscript commercially viable.
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the genre and your experience in commissioning talent. Highlight specific examples of successful projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role at Canelo.
Showcase Your Experience: In your CV, emphasise your proven experience in acquiring and developing commercial fiction. Include metrics or achievements that demonstrate your success in previous roles, such as bestselling titles or successful author collaborations.
Highlight Collaboration Skills: Since the role involves cross-collaboration with various teams, mention any relevant experiences where you've successfully worked with others. This could include working with authors, agents, or design teams to bring projects to fruition.
How to prepare for a job interview at Penguin Random House
✨Know Your Market
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in romance and saga fiction. Be prepared to discuss recent bestsellers and what makes them successful, as this will demonstrate your deep knowledge of the market.
✨Showcase Your Editorial Skills
Be ready to provide examples of your hands-on editing experience. Discuss how you've supported authors through the publishing process and any specific projects where your editorial guidance made a difference.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Since negotiating deals is a key part of the role, think about past experiences where you successfully negotiated contracts or agreements. Be prepared to discuss your approach and any challenges you faced.
✨Demonstrate Time Management Abilities
Given the need to juggle multiple projects, come equipped with examples of how you've effectively managed your time in previous roles. Highlight any tools or strategies you use to stay organised and meet deadlines.
