Fast Facts

Seeking a dedicated Editorial Assistant/Assistant Editor for Odd Dot at Macmillan Children's Publishing, responsible for project acquisitions, administrative support, and editorial collaboration within a vibrant children's imprint.

Responsibilities: Develop and acquire 5-8 new book projects annually, support the publisher with administrative tasks, provide editorial feedback, and liaise with various departments to ensure project success.

Skills: Exceptional writing and editing skills, strong project management abilities, proficiency in Google Applications and Microsoft Office Suite, and familiarity with publishing databases.

Qualifications: 3+ years of experience in children's book publishing and a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field is preferred.

Location: Based in New York, New York, United States, this position does not specify remote work.

Compensation: $50000 - $60000 / Annually

Join the innovative boutique imprint, Odd Dot, at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group as an Editorial Assistant/Assistant Editor! This is an exceptional opportunity for a highly motivated, creative, and skilled individual to play a key role in shaping Odd Dot's list. You will be responsible for acquiring and/or developing 5-8 new book projects annually, while also providing crucial administrative support to the Publisher and fostering strong collaborations across internal teams. This role offers a unique blend of editorial vision, project management, writing, and relationship building within a dynamic children’s imprint.

What you'll do:

• Acquisitions & Project Development:
• Develop and acquire (or co-acquire) 5-8 new book projects annually, from initial concept to publication.
• Commission projects based on self-generated ideas, demonstrating a strong understanding of the market and Odd Dot's unique direction and needs.
• Thoroughly assess the potential value of submissions, conduct competitive title research, and develop preliminary Profit & Loss statements.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with authors, agents, and publishers, engaging in developmental work to nurture promising talent and projects.
• Conceive and develop initial book ideas and concepts, and help to further develop existing intellectual property and licenses into viable publishing projects.
• Monitor submissions and proactively discover new leads and potential projects.
• Administration & Research:
• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Publisher, including supporting the Publisher with all front list titles from manuscript through final files to press
• Efficiently process forms related to all parts of the publishing process, such as acquisition memos, transmittal forms, tip sheets, and contract requests.
• Maintain and update various backend systems and reports with accuracy and efficiency, including Biblio and other relevant platforms.
• Conduct miscellaneous research to support acquisitions and editorial initiatives, staying informed about market trends and competitive titles.
• Liaise with reprints department and comanage errata and corrections approval process
• Editorial & Production:
• Work closely with authors on drafts, outlines, and revisions of manuscripts, providing insightful structural and line edits to ensure high-quality content.
• Demonstrate strong writing skills, develop author’s briefs and/or short narratives for licensees, and write clear and compelling manuscripts and copy as needed
• Collaborate effectively with the art, production, and managing editorial departments on project schedules, design concepts, and packaging to create visually compelling and commercial books.
• Read and evaluate works-in-progress, foreign publisher catalogs, and unsolicited submissions, offering thoughtful editorial feedback and identifying potential acquisitions.
• Identify and recruit freelance writers, editors, and other specialists as needed to bring book projects to life.
• Cross-Functional Communication & Collaboration:
• Liaise effectively with internal departments including Managing Editorial, Design, Publicity, Operations, Marketing, Subrights, and Sales to ensure seamless communication and successful execution of publishing strategies.
• Collaborate with the publicity, marketing, and sales teams to strategically position titles in the marketplace and develop compelling promotional and sales materials.
• Prepare detailed title information sheets and craft engaging and accurate copy for various internal and external communications.

What you'll bring:

• Exceptional writing skills with the ability to craft engaging content for various formats, including board books.
• Strong editorial judgment and a keen eye for identifying commercially viable and innovative projects.
• Outstanding project management skills, including ability to meet deadlines while juggling multiple ongoing projects
• Communicate in professional and timely manner with key stakeholders on scheduling, prioritization, and project status
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including excellent knowledge of grammar, strong editing and proofreading abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with authors, agents, and internal teams.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines. 
• Proficiency in Google Applications, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat Reader Tools, and familiarity with publishing databases and project management software (e.g., Biblio, Asana). 
• A passion for children's literature and a deep understanding of the current market.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced environment.

Ideal Experience:

• 3+ years of proven experience (for Assistant Editor level) in children's book publishing, with demonstrable experience in acquisitions and/or editorial development.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.

This role will have an annual salary of $50,000-$60,000, depending on experience level.

Macmillan Publishers is the U.S. trade company that is part of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a large family-owned group of media companies headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Holtzbrinck Publishing Group's publishing companies include prominent imprints around the world that publish a broad range of award-winning books for children and adults in all categories and formats.

U.S. publishers include Celadon Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Flatiron Books, Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, The St. Martin's Publishing Group, and Tor Publishing Group. In the UK, Australia, India, and South Africa, companies in the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group publish under the Pan Macmillan name. The German publishing company, Holtzbrinck Deutsche Buchverlage, includes among its imprints S. Fischer, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Rowohlt, and Droemer Knaur.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are actively seeking job applicants who reflect a broad representation of differences, including race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, physical ability, neurodiversity, age, family status, economic background and status, geographical background and status, and perspective. We believe that the best companies reflect the incredible diversity in viewpoints, backgrounds, and identities of the world in their staffs, and are committed to inclusive hiring across departments and levels. The successful candidate for this position will be an employee of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC.