A Day in the Life of a … Commissioning Editor

Posted on August 29, 2008 in Uncategorized

What is an average working day for you?

As Commissioning Editor at JKP, responsible largely for our books on autism and associated therapies, a large proportion of my authors are international – generally American or Australian – so a big part of my day is spent in email correspondence: negotiating contract terms, making suggestions to reshape book proposals and manuscripts, as well as making contact with potential new authors and arranging meetings at forthcoming conferences.

Once a contracted manuscript has been delivered to me, I read through to check the author has written what I was expecting him to write – and once I’m happy it’s all as it should be, I hand this over to our production department to continue the editorial, page layout and print process. We receive a large number of unsolicited book proposals every week, so I try to spend at least an hour per day reading through new proposals and assessing their suitability for publication in our list.

I meet twice weekly with the Managing Director and the other Commissioning Editors to discuss all the new proposals and decide between us which ones to offer contracts on and which are to be rejected. My job also involves occasional travel to conferences – mostly in the UK, but occasionally overseas – during which I’ll be meeting with my existing authors, attending lectures and workshops, talking to other delegates who are often potential new authors as well as customers, and holding book launches and signings for new titles.

What is your favourite part of the job?

There’s nothing better than having a book arrive on your desk ‘in the flesh’ after months of guiding it through the commissioning and production process. A former manager of mine, Dr Helen Clark, once said she thought that being an editor was a bit like being a midwife and I can see her point – presenting a freshly-bound book to its proud author is a tremendously rewarding experience. It makes any blood, sweat and tears shed in the process all worthwhile! I especially love working with first-time authors who generally tend to be far more willing, grateful even, to collaborate with you in the shaping of a really perfect book.

What could you quite happily live without?

Papercuts!

You used to work in one of the biggest Publishing Companies in the world, what do you miss about working for such a well-renowned company? What are the perks that you no longer get at a small independent company?

My previous job was Commissioning Editor in the educational division of HarperCollins, and yes there were indeed some perks to working at such a big, glossy publishers – swanky office, plenty of parties, bumping into the odd celebrity at reception etc., it was great fun! Working at a smaller independent company means to some extent a trade off of those things in return for more responsibility within an organisation and the increased sense of pride and achievement that comes from greater input involvement in all aspects of the business. Having said which, last month I spent nearly a week holding author meetings by the pool at a gorgeous resort in Florida where an Autism conference was being held, so I wouldn’t say there aren’t any perks in niche publishing!

Where were you 5 years ago?

I was Commissioning Editor at Letts Educational, working on their revision guides. When my role there was made redundant, I went freelance – carrying out consultancy, commissioning and development work, as well as writing, copyediting, proofreading, picture research, website development – the works! This was fantastic experience as, largely thanks to all the brilliant contacts I’d made at Letts who’d also moved on, I got work from pretty much every major educational publisher in the UK, which allowed me to ‘suss out’ which ones might be nice places to work in the future. Having worked freelance myself I think has also made me more considerate to the freelancers I’ve employed since – and I certainly know how valuable it can be to keep friendly with all of your reliable contacts in the industry.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

To be quite honest, I’d be happy if I were still doing what I’m doing today, just with more knowledge and experience. That might make me sound not very ambitious, but I really do enjoy my work and it suits me. I’ve no desire at the moment to take on the extra pressure that a more senior position would involve.

If you weren’t working in the publishing industry, what would you be doing?

Probably working for an animal charity. During the time I was working freelance from home I also ran a cat rescue. Having 20-odd kittens in the house while I was trying to read a set of proofs on the living room floor was certainly challenging!

Have you always worked in editorial?

Yes, although my first job after university was at a very small independent publishers (Elliot Right Way Books – six people at the time but now part of Constable Robinson), so as well as being 50% of the editorial department I was also the Publicity, Marketing and Web departments! This gave me a great feel early on in my career for how all the different stages contribute to the success of a book. The editors often take all the glory when a book does well, but even the best of books aren’t going to just sell themselves – it’s a team effort.

What made you choose a career in the publishing industry?

I studied English Literature at university, and I had naive aspirations that a career in book publishing would involve lots of glamour and parties and reading lots of fascinating books on a chaise lounge with a Martini, or something. I hadn’t quite considered how much of the work of an editor involves hard work, financial planning, and gaining first rate market knowledge and commercial nous – fortunately, I enjoy this part of it just as much as the Martinis!

Interview with Cassie Birmingham, Commissioning Editor at Jessica Kingsley Publishers.