Production Editor, Yale Press

Overview

Handles scholarly and general-interest books from manuscript to finished book: Hires and supervises freelance editors, proofreaders, and indexers for specific projects. Ensures high editorial and composition quality and adherence to the publishing plan and to permission terms. Meets deadlines. Works with authors to address editing and composition issues. Works cooperatively with intra- and interdepartmental colleagues, particularly acquisitions editors, designers, production controllers, and manuscript/production editors. Edits jacket, cover, and catalogue copy, late-arriving materials, and other short pieces. Proofreads jacket and cover mechanicals and catalogue proof.

Cover letters are preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Excellent project management skills. Ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and handle details with minimal supervision.
2. Demonstrated editing ability.
3. Excellent organizational and communication skills. Cooperative and collegial working style.
4. High level of proficiency in Microsoft Word (particularly Track Changes and Word Styles) and with Adobe Acrobat markup tools.

Preferred Education and Experience

Knowledge of The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th or 18th ed. Experience with academic documentation and other forms of scholarly apparatus. Familiarity with quantitative fields such as physics, math, or economics. Technical aptitude, including experience with such publishing applications and file formats as Excel, Adobe Creative Suite, HTML, XML, LaTeX, and ePub. Foreign language.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Working closely with freelance editors, oversees editing and prepares manuscripts for composition. Assigned projects may be books intended for a wide audience that need heavy editing; complex, heavily illustrated books; reference works; foreign-language textbooks; books on rush schedules (such as exhibition catalogues); multi-author volumes; or books with other known complications or problems.
2. For some assigned projects, edits manuscripts.
3. Establishes and maintains, with author and freelance editor, schedules for editing and review of manuscript and, if necessary, for preparation of illustrative materials.
4. Works with author or authors--using care, tact, and sensitivity, and developing best possible relationship with author--throughout editing and production to bound books and sometimes thereafter. May act as liaison between author and various Press departments.
5. Proofs and performs quality control through all stages of production to finished books, working with author, proofreader, indexer, designer, and production controller. Edits and proofreads index. Resolves complex problems resulting from poor composition, author revisions in proof, etc.
6. Works with Acquisitions and Design & Production Departments to ensure that editing and production conform to the book’s publishing plan and that books stay on schedule.
7. Edits and proofreads copy for jacket, catalogue, and ancillary material.
8. Evaluates draft manuscripts and writes "condition check" reports to help authors prepare a final manuscript that meets the Press’s requirements for organization, formatting, and style. Provides follow-up consultation.
9. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and five years of book publishing experience (most or all in a manuscript editing department) or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Salary Range

$55,000.00 - $85,000.00