Assistant Editor, 4th Estate

Introduction to the role

4th Estate is one of the most innovative and eclectic imprints in the industry, with a reputation for publishing a wide variety of prize-winning, beautifully-produced and bestselling titles. We seek to champion voices from across the world and to help them spark ideas, make change and shape the cultural conversation. Our books will move, enrich, challenge and inspire. We pride ourselves on publishing the finest books for the independent reader.

From fiction to memoir, non-fiction to cookery, we are proud to publish a world class list of authors. We are the home of beloved, bestselling authors such as Hilary Mantel, Jon McGregor, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, Elizabeth Day, Monica Heisey and Nigel Slater. Our office bookshelves teem with classics from essential writers like J.G. Ballard, Joan Didion and Doris Lessing. We are proud to publish some of the most thrilling emerging voices at work today such as Jia Tolentino, Asako Yuzuki, Caleb Femi and Jonathan Escoffery.

 An exciting opportunity has arisen at 4th Estate for an enthusiastic Assistant Editor to join this close-knit imprint to support the Publisher and Publishing Director in their publishing of a global list of literary fiction, translation and agenda-setting non-fiction. Prior publishing industry experience is required making this a great opportunity for existing assistants or people in other roles in the industry wishing to develop and progress in editorial. We are looking for someone who is hungry to learn, passionate about literature and ideas, fascinated by the publishing and media landscape, who combines creative flair with an eye for detail and is excited to contribute to the future of this leading imprint.

Key tasks:

The key tasks of the role will include but are not limited to:

• Supporting the Publisher and Publishing Director to deliver best-in-class publishing and author care

• Managing their titles through the production process while keeping to the critical path

• Reading and reporting on submissions from agents

• Liaising with authors, agents and freelancers on individual projects

• Liaising with colleagues across Sales, Marketing and Publicity to help promote our titles

• Drafting cover copy and preparing Advance Information sheets

• Editorial admin, such as proof mailings, processing invoices, progressing contracts and clearing permissions

• Contributing to edits on fiction and non-fiction manuscripts

• Managing records and metadata across frontlist and backlist titles

• Providing admin support to the Publishing Director

• Engaging with current events and the literary and media landscape to contribute fresh ideas to our publishing

What you’ll bring

• Passion for a wide range of literature, voices and ideas

• Demonstrable prior publishing or editorial experience

• Exemplary organisation skills and an ability to juggle priorities and work well under pressure

• You’ll be team player with a proactive approach

• Confident and effective communication skills

• You will combine a meticulous eye for detail with creative flair

• Enthusiasm for and knowledge of the literary fiction and serious non-fiction markets

• A love of working with writers, thinkers and translators

• Have a desire to contribute to the future of the list

How to apply

If this sounds like you, please apply with a CV and cover letter, addressed to Kishani Widyaratna. In your cover letter, please tell us, in no more than 200 words, about a literary fiction or political non-fiction book you read recently that has inspired you and why.

Benefits

• Hybrid working model (3 days in the office)

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Private healthcare cover and life assurance

• Summer Hours 

• Free access to HeadSpace, employee assistance programme (24 hour helpline), mental health first aiders, and a wellbeing portal

• Relocation Rent Support Loan 

• Employee networks: HC All In (open forum), Elevate (for ethnic minority colleagues), HarperParents, Menopause at Work, Pride at HC, Social Mobility Network and Neurodiversity at Work

• Unlimited training on our Learning and Development portal

• Virtual GP and eyecare vouchers

• Gym membership discount

• Onsite physiotherapy (London only)

• Charitable donation matching and 2 volunteering days

• We're a certified Carbon Neutral company

• Free e-books and audiobooks, newspaper subscriptions and discounts on books

• Subsidised canteen and retail discounts

• Onsite prayer room 

If you wish to discuss anything regarding this position and/or your application to this role, please reach out directly to [email removed - click apply for more details] with subject heading ‘Vacancy Query’ plus the job title and we will aim to get back to you within 5 working days.

Please note, if you are interested in the role you would need to submit your application via Applied. We do not accept email applications.