Overview

Thomas Nelson Fiction, Zondervan Fiction and Harper Muse are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and highly values diverse backgrounds and insights that fuel our innovation.

Join a big-five publisher and be part of our mission to inspire the world. The Fiction team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing and HarperCollins Focus prides itself on strong author relationships, award-winning content, bestselling books, and a cohesive team environment. We are currently seeking an acquisitions editor to join our team. The Fiction team manages Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, and Harper Muse imprints and is proud to publish both Christian and general-market titles by bestselling authors including but not limited to, Patti Callahan, Charles Martin, Colleen Coble, Lauren Denton, Angela Jackson-Brown, Terri Blackstock, and Sean Dietrich, as well as numerous others.

This key role solicits, acquires, evaluates, and does the developmental edit for 12-15 new fiction titles annually. You will be joining a fast-paced team that is excited to grow our imprints into expanding markets. If you have an affinity for teamwork, collaboration, entrepreneurship, growing relationships, creativity, and inspiring those around you, we'd love to hear from you!

Responsibilities

• Actively acquires 12-15 titles per year consistent with publishing strategy and financial goals.
• Oversees editorial development of books acquired, including the delivery of expert and timely substantive/macro edits and strong author management.
• Assist the Publisher to ensure front-list product list supports year-over-year growth both in revenue and EBITDA.
• Creates pitch materials for new projects to gain support from internal stakeholders.
• Shepherds the titling, packaging, and cataloging process for acquired titles.
• Negotiates with authors and/or agents in a manner that is fair and within financial benchmarks and develops, nurtures, and grows author and agent relationships.
• Exhibits strong editorial judgment about which authors to acquire and resign.
• Provides timely communication with current and potential authors and their agents regarding the status of their proposals and/or contracted projects.
• Meets or beats deadlines to ensure that titles are published on time and on budget.
• Represents HCCP and Harper Muse Fiction persuasively within the company and the broader publishing community, including at writers' conferences and industry trade shows as needed.
• Leads, influences and informally mentors the junior editorial staff.
• Possesses expertise in cultural, entertainment, and publishing trends.
• Travel is required as needed based on the need of the business.

Qualifications

Knowledge:

• Christian and general-market knowledge strongly preferred
• Ability to work with an author through the development/substantive editing process required
• Proven leadership ability
• Proven success in acquisitions is preferred
• Proven ability to maintain strong relationships with internal and external constituencies
• Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style is preferred.

Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years' editorial experience with at least 2 years of manuscript development/substantive experience required. Acquisitions experience preferred.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in English, writing, journalism, publishing, or related field

Industry Knowledge: Working knowledge of both Christian and general-market publishing industry and marketplace strongly preferred

Skills:

• Proven editorial skills in shaping excellent written text
• Well organized and able to manage multiple tasks/priorities
• Time management skills; capable of meeting deadlines and following schedules
• Strong negotiation and public speaking capabilities
• Intrinsically motivated
• Able to work with authors to develop excellent content through the development/substantive editing stage
• Able to work with others in a team environment
• Able to manage and coach creative people and desire to see them thrive
• Good interpersonal skills
• Competent computer software skills
• Able to come up with creative ideas as well as solutions to problems, both within a manuscript and the business
• Analytical (able to judge financial viability of projects as well as focus on areas of manuscripts that aren't working)

HarperCollins Christian Publishing is an Equal Opportunity Employer.