Description
Plan, coordinate, revise, and edit book manuscripts from acquisition through production. Evaluate proposals for publication, guide authors through revisions, and ensure editorial quality, accuracy, and timely, on-budget release.
- • Proofread and approve galleys and final pages prior to publication.
- • Acquire and evaluate book proposals and manuscripts for market fit and list strategy.
- • Provide developmental edits to strengthen concept, structure, pacing, and argument.
- • Line edit for clarity, voice, consistency, and adherence to house style.
- • Verify facts, dates, quotations, and references; ensure legal and ethical compliance.
- • Confer with authors and agents on content, style, organization, and revisions.
- • Plan title lineups and editorial calendars; manage schedules and deadlines.
- • Coordinate layout, typesetting, and cover design with design and production teams.
- • Allocate page counts and placement for text, images, tables, and front/back matter.
- • Commission or source illustrations and photos; arrange permissions and credits.
- • Prepare jacket, catalog, and online metadata copy.
- • Present projects at acquisitions meetings; prepare P&Ls and positioning briefs.
- • Negotiate offers, contracts, delivery terms, and royalties with authors and agents.
- • Hire, brief, and supervise freelance copy editors, proofreaders, and indexers.
- • Oversee indexing or review indexes for completeness and accuracy.
- • Maintain and apply editorial standards and style guides across titles.
- • Collaborate with marketing, publicity, and sales on launch plans and excerpts.
- • Track rights, permissions, ISBNs, and deliverables across the list.
- • Ensure quality and accessibility of print and digital formats, including ebooks.
- • Monitor genre and market trends to inform acquisitions and development.
- • Resolve production issues and keep projects on budget.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
