Editorial Assistant

Position Summary

The Editorial Assistant is responsible for providing general editorial acquisition, development, transmittal, and publication of books and clerical support to the Editor. Assist in soliciting peer reviews, preparing book descriptions and data sheets, profit-and-loss statements, contracts, preparing manuscripts for release to editing and production, and general author correspondence.  The incumbent serves as a contact for reviewers and handles general queries for all books acquired by the editor.

Responsibilities

• Read and evaluate proposals.
• Draft and edit new idea memos.
• Prepare book launch with marketing.
• Solicit endorsements for the book jacket, draft jacket description, and author bio.
• Distribute the published book to the author, agent, peer reviewers, and blurbers.
• Track initial peer review of selected proposals and manuscripts and manage payment of honoraria.
• Manage secondary review of manuscripts under contract, assist in the final preparation of manuscripts and release of manuscripts to copyediting, secure endorsement quotes, and follow-up work with authors throughout the publication process. 
• Serve as liaison between author and manuscript editor and as go-to person for questions from marketing, production, and editorial.
• Ensure permissions, author agreements, and author payments are handled in a timely manner.
• Draft book descriptions and other book and author information on launch committee memos, publication committee memos, and release memos, and, in consultation with the editor, initiate certain correspondence with authors, reviewers, and advisers. 
• Maintain and update a separate master list and a press-wide database for all books handled by the editor.
• Preparation of profit-and-loss statements for editorial committee memos, contracts, and final price and edition memos.
• Liaison work with marketing, production, copyediting, and accounting.
• Regular conferences with the Editor to discuss projects under review and in production, and to report on progress and possible problems with particular titles.
• Hire, train, and supervise interns each semester.
• Apply for and manage publication and translation grants for individual books.
• Secure permissions for previously published text and art.
• Attend conferences in subject areas from time to time as a representative of the Press; take orders and answer questions at the Press exhibit booth.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum one year related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some office experience required.
• Publishing experience helpful.
• Knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, and FileMaker Pro.
• Basic knowledge of editorial procedure and financials.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.