Fiction Editor

DC Thomson Ltd.; London, City of Edinburgh, Aberdeen City, Glasgow, Dundee; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Fiction Editor to lead and innovate within their fiction publishing team. This role involves overseeing all fiction content, building relationships with authors, and ensuring high-quality material for both print and digital platforms. The ideal candidate will possess strong storytelling skills, excellent communication abilities, and a knack for managing multiple priorities. This exciting opportunity offers a blend of home and office working, along with a generous benefits package, making it a perfect fit for those passionate about storytelling and community engagement.

Benefits

34 days holiday

Health cash plan

Gym discount

Excellent pension

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in fiction publishing and strong storytelling skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills tailored for audience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all fiction content across My Weekly brand.
• Build relationships with authors and manage fiction material supply.

Skills

Storytelling Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Resource Management

SEO Awareness

Job description

Job Description

ABOUT DC THOMSON

At DC Thomson we are a business with a purpose—to make a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Deeply rooted in our communities, we are investing in data, technology and talent to unlock a new level of understanding about what really matters to our customers. This is how we are shaping the future of media.

We’ve changed the way we work to create a flexible, collaborative, learning-led culture that draws on expertise from across the organisation to create award-winning content and cultural moments that engage audiences to be part of our communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Job Title: Fiction Editor
• Reports to: Editor – My Weekly
• Ways of Working: Hybrid (This role is predominantly home-based. Your contractual office will be the DC Thomson office closest to your home address. Occasional office attendance may be required for team gatherings, collaboration, key meetings, and company events.)

How you’ll play a part:

Reporting to the Editor – My Weekly, the Fiction Editor will primarily oversee all fiction and book content across the My Weekly brand. As part of this role, you will commission quality fiction for publication through continual development of relationships with our existing authors and work with publishers of commercial fiction to source exclusive stories from both high-profile authors and debut authors.

You will be expected to contribute feature ideas and write general features for My Weekly magazine, brand extensions and bookazines.

What you’ll deliver:

• Prioritising all brand fiction needs across our print titles and digital platforms
• Building and maintaining positive working relationships with editorial and design teams and with external contributors
• Ensuring regular and appropriate supply of all fiction material within required deadlines and schedules
• Creating a detailed plan for fiction across print and digital publications, ensuring all content is of the required standards and that a balanced content range is achieved for each issue
• Ensuring required contractual rights are secured for all published fiction
• Managing resources and working to budgets agreed with the Editor
• Leading discussions with third parties interested in licensing and syndication opportunities around the brand
• Producing, maintaining and communicating fiction guidelines to ensure all contributions meet and reflect brand values for our titles
• Investigating alternative fiction buying opportunities which fit with brand values
• Reviewing publishing trends and keeping up to date with latest brand research, responding where appropriate
• Identifying opportunities and contributing ideas to grow the brands through new products and innovations

REQUIREMENTS

What you’ll bring:

• Experience: Demonstrable experience of previous fiction related publishing experience, strong storytelling skills and knowledge of copyright law is desirable
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to adapt style for audience and stakeholders
• Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with other team members, as well as building relationships with fiction contributors
• Resource management: Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and managing budgets with high level or organisation
• Social media: Has acquired SEO and social media experience and awareness

To apply for this role, please follow our online application process and submit a CV and cover letter.

This is a full-time, permanent position, working 35 hours per week. We offer a blend of home and office working. We are flexible on the DC Thomson office base/location for this role. We offer a generous package including 34 days holiday, health cash plan, gym discount, excellent pension, a competitive salary, and many more staff discounts and benefits.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and encourage applications from everyone and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or any other protected characteristics.

If you have any issues with your application, please email [e-mail]

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early once we have received suitable applications. Therefore, please ensure you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

DC Thomson offers an amazing opportunity to support and work across a variety of companies, in a range of diverse roles and areas of interest. Group Services support the entire DC Thomson Group and form a number of core business functions, which enable the smooth and effective running of our businesses.