Developmental Editor
Description: (View Short Job Description)
The Developmental Editor works with books and nonprint projects, all at varying stages of completion, from the early stages of manuscript development until the final product is complete. The Developmental Editor reviews and develops manuscripts, guides authors in the revision process, supervises the editorial and production phases for each project, and shapes the project to meet the needs of the reader and Division and according to developmental treatment, budgets, and other parameters established by the acquisitions editor. The Developmental Editor ensures that the book’s content, organization, design, artwork, and overall impact meet HK and Division standards. He or she must communicate positively and regularly with authors, all members of the in-house publication team, and the coordinator to move products through the publication process effectively.
The Developmental Editor will complete an appropriate quantity of work, which is measured in part by the number of books he or she reviews, manages, and brings into print in a year compared to others in the department (the amount of artwork and photos managed, number of pages in a book, and the complexity of the design or content also impact the evaluation of appropriate quantity). Other responsibilities managed by a Developmental Editor, such as mentoring or taking on additional responsibilities in the department, also impact the quantity of work. Quantity of work is also gauged by whether tasks are completed within the amount of time allowed by project deadlines.
The Developmental Editor manages multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritizes tasks optimally, and takes initiative with all projects with minimal supervision from his or her coordinator. He or she develops effective and efficient systems for managing the details of each project. The Developmental Editor can solve problems creatively and can adapt established systems or procedures to fit the unique needs of each project.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Develops manuscripts to meet acquisitions objectives.
Weighting: 20%
a. Evaluates manuscripts to assess adherence to acquisition vision and identifies changes that need to be made.
b. Writes manuscript reviews with professional tone. Makes good suggestions about items to include or exclude in the manuscript, based on the level of development agreed to at launch or ETM. Accurately identifies weaknesses and problem areas; incorporates external reviewer input where appropriate; offers specific and efficient solutions and examples that help the author implement the revisions; prioritizes revisions; takes into account budget and schedule as well as the author’s abilities or special needs; and completes the review in a reasonable amount of time.
c. Works effectively with authors at the writing and revisions stages so the product’s tone and content are appropriate for the audience, and special elements are effective. According to established treatment standards for each type of project, ensures the manuscript has sound structure and effective headings.
d. Chooses good art that has an appropriate function in the text. Ensures content of photos is appropriate to the text and art/photos are placed at appropriate places in the text. Captions make the connection between graphics and text clear, and photos are compelling.
e. Ensures sample pages effectively represent book content and that the graphic design is appropriate for the intended audience. Evaluates layout of page proofs effectively. Ensures pages are correctly formatted based on the designer’s sample pages. Ensures spreads are well balanced, and that choices for placement and sequence of graphic elements are effective at first pages.
f. If appropriate, oversees the production of ancillaries that effectively support the textbook, are integrated with the text and other ancillaries in terms of content, and follow HK standards.
g. Ensures projects are properly revised, accurate, and complete before they are moved to copyediting stage. Identifies the correct copyedit level required and reviews copyediting to ensure the appropriate level of quality and consistency were achieved. Completes copyediting and proofing evaluations with helpful feedback, showing evidence that frequent spot-checks were made throughout the manuscript. Identifies consistency issues and makes good decisions about how to handle inconsistencies.
h. Ensures projects follow house style, style sheet, and CMS, or makes good decisions about when it is appropriate to not follow house style, the style sheet, or CMS.
i. Understands product vision and works so that the division is consistently pleased with final product.
j. Reviews an appropriate number of new projects, based on treatment level, budget, and other factors related to the priority of the projects assigned.
2. Manages the editorial and production processes to ensure deadlines are met.
Weighting: 20%
a. Contributes in launch or ETM meeting to discussions about target release dates, considering responsibilities of other projects or department goals, as well as the market for the book, the treatment level, the budget, and other factors related to the priority of the projects assigned.
b. Stays aware of author revision delays and makes appropriate adjustments to the schedule to allow release date to still be met.
c. Sets realistic “Review to Author,” design transmittal, project transmittal, and product release dates and meets those dates based on accurate schedule projections. Prioritizes work based on knowledge of individual project priorities and their relationship to a particular season’s list.
d. Transmits permissions within the appropriate timeline for the division.
e. Transmits art and photos at least 2 months prior to the project’s transmittal to Production.
f. Releases an appropriate number of projects as compared to others in the group.
3. Monitors costs associated with projects to ensure budgets are met.
Weighting: 20%
a. Lets AcqEd and coordinator know when doubts exist about resources being adequate to meet development objectives. Makes good suggestions that follow established policy and systems about how to modify work to meet budgets or modify budgets to meet objectives.
b. Works with Acquisitions Editor and publication team at the appropriate time to set realistic budgets on the earliest version of the cost/sales that represents the complete manuscript.
c. When budgets look to be concern, proactively problem-solves with team to come up with ways to meet or address the budget concerns before the budget is overrun.
d. Meets DE budget set on the earliest cost/sales developed after complete manuscript is in hand. Manages project well so that other team members meet their budgets.
e. Estimates final printed page count on Production or Pricing cost/sales accurately and resolves page count issues before production transmittal. Projects meet page counts at first pages.
f. Few page-stage and art corrections are needed, so that money spend on corrections is minimal.
g. Works productively, as measured by having an appropriate level of miscellaneous time compared to others in the group. Uses nonpeak times of the year to focus on training initiatives or other issues related to the improvement of departmental functions.
4. Communicates effectively with internal and external associates (coworkers, authors, vendors, freelancers) throughout the publication process.
Weighting: 20%
a. Clarifies project expectations and treatment level at ETM/launch meeting and effectively shares appropriate conclusions with the author and in-house colleagues.
b. Accurately updates publication schedules each week and allows for team input. Communicates weekly with team about project status, priorities, and workload. Consistently participates with GA in planning deadlines for rounds of pages.
c. Responds quickly and professionally to author requests for guidance. Contacts authors biweekly about project status and HK’s expectations of the authors’ involvement. Works with authors to plan when to send reviews, copyedit, and art proofs so that author knows when to expect them. Authors respond on post-publication questionnaires that they were always aware of project status.
d. Updates the Projects Database and Acquisitions Editors each month by the deadline appropriate for each division.
e. Updates the proofer, copyeditor, and indexer schedules regularly.
f. Contacts Marketing Manager or Marketing Associate as necessary to ensure copy package is ready at the appropriate time so the ad, author copy, and back cover copy can be transmitted to the appropriate Production staff.
g. Keeps colleagues informed about changes that are likely to affect other departments, such as title changes, copyright date changes, and other items listed on the ed change form.
h. Participates actively in the planning meeting. Updates project specs accurately for attendees and works with teammates to set realistic target dates for the various TMs and release.
i. For projects with multiple components or ancillaries, acts as liaison for staff in all departments who are involved with the project. Communicates—through discussion with the team—what needs to happen, who’s responsible for it, and when it needs to happen in order to keep everything on-track for the project overall.
j. Works constructively with copyeditors, proofreaders, indexers, graphic artists, production managers, graphic designers, art and photo office staff, permissions staff, authors, acquisition editors, assistant editors, and publication development coordinators to effectively solve problems that come up during the process.
k. Adapts to unexpected events with appropriate guidance from coordinator, acquisitions editors, and other advisors. Involves acquisitions editor at appropriate time to push authors for manuscripts, revisions, art/photo manuscripts, permissions, or other missing project pieces.
5. Prepares project materials accurately for internal and external associates (coworkers, authors, vendors, freelancers).
Weighting: 20%
a. Thoroughly reviews all project materials in preparation for the ETM/launch meeting. Is prepared to ask questions at the meeting as needed to clarify the project’s vision.
b. Provides project pieces for AEs in an organized manner throughout the publication process. Gives clear direction about tasks that need to be accomplished so that AEs can perform their roles efficiently.
c. Prepares thorough and clear CE, PR, and indexing transmittal materials that effectively communicate the specific needs of the project.
d. Prepares design TM materials according to procedures. Identifies all design elements and sees that typemarks are handled well. Organizes design materials thoroughly so that graphic artists don’t find unaddressed design issues during layout.
e. When preparing art or photo manuscripts for Production, gives good instructions to art/photo office and artists/photographers. Provides clear examples. Gives specific instructions regarding size, style, gender, ethnicity, equipment, etc. so that art is finalized in few rounds and the photos that are obtained meet the needs of the project.
f. Participates actively in the production transmittal meeting. Has all materials complete and is aware of all issues that might affect the production process. Gives thorough information about missing pieces and their status, including accurate information about when missing pieces will be available.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Monitors work of authors and publication team members to ensure that projects are completed accurately and according to HK and Division standards, budget and design requirements are met, and all project parts are completed in a timely manner or by a predetermined deadline.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Conditions
This is a typical office environment in a temperature-controlled work space.
Equipment
The Developmental Editor will use a computer and basic office equipment.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Education
Undergraduate or advanced degree, preferably in language-related field or in one of the sport sciences
Preferred: 2+ years of publishing experience, both editorial and production
Qualifications
Excellent writing and editing skills
Excellent analytical and organizational abilities
Demonstrates proficiency in manuscript development on HK’s diagnostic DE test by writing an appropriately worded and formatted review that highlights and provides suggestions for correcting the most significant problems with the test chapter
Superior interpersonal skills
Proficiency with word processing programs
