Associate Editor, Fablelistik

Fablelistik Editions is a specialized, direct-to-consumer brand within Macmillan dedicated to reimagining literary classics, genre favorites, and modern masterpieces as collectible, bespoke objects. Bridging the gap between commercial hardcovers and fine press books, our mission is to create the definitive edition of every title we touch. From commissioned artwork and custom typography to deluxe bindings and limited print runs, we serve a passionate community of collectors and bibliophiles.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and creative Associate Editor to support the curation and production of our bespoke editions. Unlike a traditional editorial role focused on developmental text work, this is a cross-functional position, heavily weighted towards project management, title curation, and product design. You will act as the hub between Managing and Production Editorial, Production, Design, and Marketing, ensuring that every book meets our exacting standards of craftsmanship. You will manage the lifecycle of the editions as they are transformed into collectible artifacts, overseeing the workflow from concept through launch and publication.

What You'll Do:

Editorial & Content Management

• Project Management: Oversee the schedule for 10–15 titles annually, tracking milestones from initial concept to final file delivery.
• Supplementary Content: Research and commission new introductions, afterwords, or essays from notable authors and critics to add value to existing texts.
• Copyediting & Proofreading: Perform light copyediting and rigorous proofreading of ancillary materials and marketing copy. Ensure the "cleanliness" of the main text (often scanning and OCR-ing older texts) is perfect.
• Rights & Permissions: Assist in clearing rights for texts, images, and archival materials.

Art & Design Collaboration

• Art Commissioning: Work closely with the Art Director to research, scout, and commission illustrators for interior art, endpapers, and covers. Manage artist contracts and schedules.
• Design Specs: Collaborate with Production to track edition specific special features (e.g., ribbon markers, head/tail bands, slipcases, foil stamping, edge gilding, and paper quality).
• Visual QA: Review manuscript passes, color proofs, plotters, and physical dummies with an obsessive eye for detail, ensuring the physical object matches the creative vision.

DTC & Marketing Support

• Copywriting: Write compelling product descriptions for the website, focusing on the material specifications (binding, paper weight, print technique) that appeal to the title and genre specific collectors.
• Community Engagement: Assist the marketing team with newsletter content, behind-the-scenes blog posts, or social media assets that highlight the "making of" process.
• Customer Service Liaison: Assist the customer support team with specific inquiries regarding edition details, shipping updates, limitation numbers, or production delays.

What You'll Bring:

• 2+ years of editorial or production editorial experience in trade publishing. Experience with illustrated books, art books, or special editions is highly desired.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage complex schedules and multiple vendors (authors, artists, designers) simultaneously.
• Excellent written communication skills, capable of writing diplomatic emails to high-profile authors and estates as well as engaging copy for consumers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat. Familiarity with InDesign and project management software (e.g. Airtable) is a plus.
• Experience with direct-to-consumer business model is a plus

This salary range for this role is $60,000 - $75,000.

This position is classified as remote but is tied to our New York, NY office located at 120 Broadway. Employment is subject to New York State tax withholding under applicable regulations. 

Macmillan Publishers is the U.S. trade company that is part of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a large family-owned group of media companies headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Holtzbrinck Publishing Group's publishing companies include prominent imprints around the world that publish a broad range of award-winning books for children and adults in all categories and formats.

U.S. publishers include Celadon Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Flatiron Books, Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, The St. Martin's Publishing Group, and Tor Publishing Group. In the UK, Australia, India, and South Africa, companies in the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group publish under the Pan Macmillan name. The German publishing company, Holtzbrinck Deutsche Buchverlage, includes among its imprints S. Fischer, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Rowohlt, and Droemer Knaur.

Macmillan is proud to be an equal opportunity employer consistently striving to foster a culture where everyone belongs. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities. Qualified applicants are evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, physical ability, neurodiversity, genetic information, protected veteran status, family and economic status and background or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We prohibit discrimination of any kind and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.