Working Partners
We are a packager creating original fiction for publishers. Our series range from young chapter books, to graphic novels, to complex fantasy series for middle grade readers.
Working Partners aims to have the best fiction editorial team in the world. We hope to achieve this by recruiting the best talent and by developing that talent to its full potential. Development occurs through an in-house, structured approach to learning.
We want our editors to develop conventional editorial skills to the highest level, and also to develop other skills unique to the company’s activity: creativity and writing.
Commissioning Editor
The Commissioning Editor will be both support and leader on the creative team, working with colleagues to spark and develop new ideas, assisting editorially on commissioned projects, and leading teams in developing and editing fiction. They will work full-time or part-time, largely from home, on a schedule to be mutually determined by the Commissioning Editor and Working Partners.
The Commissioning Editor should:
have 5+ years of editorial experience
already possess strong editorial skills
have an understanding of the children’s book market
have creative vision, and the ability to take an idea (with help from a support team) from initial spark to detailed proposal and outline
As this is a remote position, they should be comfortable with video meetings, and be able to manage time effectively without direct supervision.
This is a salaried position and includes health insurance and a matched 401k, as well as bonuses and a generous vacation policy.
The core skills of the role are:
Editorial
Creative
Writing
Administrative
The Commissioning Editor will lead the team that edits and produces books sold to publishers, and is responsible for the quality and efficiency of that work.
Projects in development
The Commissioning Editor will be expected to:
Generate original pitches for young reader and middle grade books and series, as well as graphic novels and the occasional tv/film project;
Attend brainstorm meetings (many via Zoom) to refine and develop these ideas as a team
Distill and shape the team’s ideas into extended outlines that will be given to writers to direct them in writing the full manuscript
Work with colleagues on a team to review and edit writers’ samples to prepare them for sale to publishers
Commissioned projects
The Commissioning Editor will:
Liaise with the publisher and create schedules for the project
Work with the project team to ensure the quality of editorial work. This will include writing, reading and commenting on storylines, and editing manuscripts
Interact with the acquiring editor to agree on edits and revisions, and ensure that the publisher’s expectations are being met
Interact with writers, addressing their needs and maintaining an enouraging, supportive tone that helps them develop their craft
Lead the editorial team in meeting publishers’ requests and answering any queries in a timely manner
Administration
Administrative tasks will include reading publisher proofs; attending schedule meetings; supplying our sister company and translation rights agency, Rights People, with materials; maintaining correspondence with writers, and keeping filing up to date on the editorial drive.
Representing Working Partners
To the outside world, the Freelance Editor will represent the company in a manner fitting to the service WP provides: polite, tactful and helpful, and ready to find solutions to any issues that arise.