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Commissioning Editor

A commissioning editor is responsible for building up a publisher's book list. They may specialise in consumer books; fiction or non-fiction; or in a particular genre such as children's books or science fiction. In academic publishing they may deal with a number of subjects, and through a variety of levels and markets.

A commissioning editor finds suitable authors for new books and for new editions of existing titles. They negotiate a contract with the author or the author's agent and monitor progress of the book from commissioning to publication, working with other editorial/production staff.

In magazine publishing, they commission writers to produce articles and features.

Typical work activities

Commissioning editors need to keep abreast of market trends in their area of publishing. They do considerable research, which involves:

consulting colleagues in publisher's marketing departments;
looking at surveys;
attending book fairs and conferences;
monitoring other publishers' lists.

They may produce an annual publishing plan and must justify each title on their list and demonstrate its profitability. The scale of work varies; in a large publishing house an editor might deal with 15–30 titles a year.

In commissioning a new title, editors use their knowledge of the market to decide if it is likely to be successful. In some areas of publishing, for example educational or academic, the commissioning editor conceives the broad idea for the book and then finds an appropriate author to write it.

In a small publishing house, commissioning editors normally do their own copy-editing, whereas in a large publishing house this role would be the responsibility of a desk editor.

Typical work activities include:

researching market trends;
reading and evaluating manuscripts offered by authors and agents;
negotiating with authors and agents to initiate and progress projects;
issuing contracts to authors or their agents;
commissioning writers for articles and features (magazines);
dealing with administration - sending out manuscripts and proposals;
organising readers for unsolicited material;
overseeing the work of editorial staff;
liaising with sales, marketing, design and production departments about deadlines, budgets and new projects.

Range of typical starting salaries: £18,000 - £25,000 (salary data collected Dec 03). Range of typical salaries at age 40: £25,000 - £38,000 (salary data collected Dec 03).

Benefits can include a car, health insurance and pension, though these are dependent on the size and type of publisher and previous experience.
Working hours typically include regular extra hours. Weekends are not normally worked, except when travelling or attending meetings/conferences.
Work is mainly office based with some outside visits to authors and to conferences/book fairs etc.
Self-employment/freelance work is sometimes possible for those with contacts in publishing houses. The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) provides support and advice in this field.
Most opportunities arise in London but some positions are available in Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and occasionally in other large cities.
The majority of commissioning editors are female.
The work is often stressful with the pressures of managing a team, dealing with financial budgets and working within tight deadlines.
There is close liaison with editorial, marketing and design colleagues and literary agents.
Travel within a working day and absence from home at night are occasional.
Whilst uncommon for most editors, overseas work or travel may be required by some publishers

Information taken from Prospects www.prospects.ac.uk for more information

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