Associate Editor - Romance

Sourcebooks•Naperville, IL

7d•$55,000 - $65,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Sourcebooks is revolutionizing romance publishing and is looking for an Associate Editor to help take their authors and stories to the next level. As one of the fastest-growing publishers in the industry, Sourcebooks has built a market-leading, author-first approach that delivers unforgettable stories to devoted readers. This is an incredible opportunity for a passionate, hands-on editor with experience in shaping commercially successful fiction who loves romance, to work closely with bestselling and breakout authors to craft books that readers can’t put down. In this role, you will acquire, edit, and manage your own list of adult romance authors while providing essential editorial and publishing support to senior staff. This is a hands-on role for a self-sufficient, commercially minded editor who is ready to build a list, champion authors, and help shape the future of a dynamic imprint. The ideal candidate has a deep, current understanding of the romance market as well as a strong sense of what readers are excited to discover next. You’ll evaluate submissions, develop projects from acquisition through publication, collaborate across departments, and build lasting relationships with authors and agents. You’ll also support senior editors with precision, initiative, and good judgment, helping keep a fast-moving list on track. If you’re a deeply engaged, perceptive romance reader, an entrepreneurial editor, and someone eager to make a meaningful mark on the genre, Sourcebooks would love to hear from you.

Requirements

3–5 years of publishing experience, with significant experience in romance editorial.
Direct experience with evaluating submissions, making acquisition recommendations, and acquiring romance fiction.
Be a self-starter. Exhibit initiative, leadership, and a strong curiosity about what’s next in book and product development.
A willingness to play well with others.
The ability to juggle and coordinate at great speed. A clear communicator who is detail-oriented, organized and can keep short- and long-term projects on schedule while following through on deadlines.
Comfort speaking in front of groups and building strong relationships across teams and with external partners.
A positive, collaborative spirit.
Strong editorial judgment, commercial instincts, and the ability to articulate why a project will appeal to romance readers.
A voracious reading habit in adult romance, with strong familiarity with traditional and indie authors, tropes, trends, and community conversations.

Responsibilities

Build and develop a romance list by identifying, evaluating, and soliciting manuscripts in priority categories and areas of opportunity.
Monitor the romance marketplace, reader trends, competitive titles, and industry developments to identify acquisition and positioning opportunities.
Present potential acquisitions at editorial and acquisitions meetings; recommend projects, recruit authors, evaluate proposals, and participate in contract negotiations with authors and agents under Associate Editorial Director guidance.
Develop acquired manuscripts for content, structure, voice, commercial appeal, and market positioning; assist senior editors with early editorial reads of key titles as assigned.
Build and maintain strong relationships with author and agent partners.
Collaborate closely with marketing, publicity, sales, and design to identify opportunities and ensure that each title is positioned effectively for its intended audience.
Maintain accurate editorial schedules and serve as a proactive point of contact for authors, agents, and internal stakeholders to keep projects moving on time.
Support senior editors with editorial preparation, launch materials, acquisitions materials, and other high-priority projects as assigned. Tasks will include conducting development first reads, assisting with list management, and completing editorial and administrative tasks as assigned.
Manage general editorial and administrative responsibilities as needed, including correspondence, shipping, copyediting and proofreading corrections, and other tasks necessary to support a successful publishing program.