Associate Editor

Deseret Book Company; United States; Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

401(k) matching

Company retirement plan

Merchandise discount

Discounted UTA Eco pass

Paid leave and holidays

Great work environment

Job summary

Deseret Book Company’s Shadow Mountain imprint seeks an experienced Associate Editor to manage 12–15 titles annually from development through final printing. This hands-on, deadline-driven role emphasizes development, line, and copy editing, with strong project-management and author-relations skills.

You’ll coordinate with freelance editors, design and production teams, and contribute editorial pitches, cover copy, and marketing materials while staying current with market trends in fiction and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, or related field.
• 3–5 years of editorial experience in trade publishing.
• 85%+ on in‑house editorial/proofreading test.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Teams, Planner, and Adobe apps.
• Strong command of The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th Edition.
• Ability to manage multiple projects under deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with authors through the editorial process.
• Familiarity with book production workflows (typesetting, prepress, print).
• Knowledge of current publishing trends and market.

Responsibilities

• Manage 12–15 titles per year through production lifecycle.
• Oversee up to 15 titles from conception to consumer.
• Edit manuscripts in Word.
• Coordinate with freelance editors for sensitivity reviews.
• Build and maintain author relationships.
• Prepare editorial pitches and marketing materials.
• Develop production schedules and track deadlines.
• Collaborate with design, typesetting, and art teams.
• Attend conferences to pitch and teach as needed.
• Provide editorial support across teams.
• Assist sales/marketing with proofreading catalogs.
• Stay current with industry trends.

Skills

Editorial management

Proofreading

Copy editing

Project management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Publishing trends

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English/related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe applications

Job description

Associate Editor

Reports to Editorial Director

Location Deseret Book Corporate Office Salt Lake City, UT

Start Date Immediately

Position Type Full Time; Hybrid

The Opportunity

About Shadow Mountain Shadow Mountain is a national trade imprint of Deseret Book Company, publishing award-winning fiction and nonfiction for adults, young adults, and middle-grade readers. Our titles regularly appear on the New York Times and national bestseller lists, and our catalog spans mystery and suspense, romance, historical fiction, cookbooks, picture books, and inspirational nonfiction.

Position Summary

Shadow Mountain is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Associate Editor to join our editorial team. This is a hands‑on role managing approximately 12–15 titles per year through every stage of the publishing process—from manuscript development through prepress and final printing. The ideal candidate is an exceptional editor at all stages (developmental, line, and copy) with strong project-management instincts, a passion for commercial fiction and nonfiction, and the ability to build lasting, trust-based relationships with authors.

Responsibilities

• Manage books through the complete production lifecycle.
• Oversee up to 15 titles per year from conception to consumer, including developmental editing, author revisions, line editing, copyediting, typesetting coordination, cover design coordination, final page corrections, indexing, and blueline approvals.
• Work with freelance editors as needed for sensitivity reviews, copy editing, or proofreading tasks.
• Edit manuscripts in Microsoft Word.
• Perform developmental reads, line editing, copy editing, and source checking to prepare both fiction and nonfiction manuscripts for publication.
• Build and maintain author relationships.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned authors, communicating clearly and often about the publishing process, and working collaboratively to develop new projects that are marketable, unique, and brand‑building.
• Prepare and present editorial pitches.
• Write pitch documents for editorial, sales, and marketing review—including tag lines, book descriptions, author bios, key selling points, and comp titles—and contribute to acquisition decisions.
• Build and manage production schedules.
• Coordinate timelines, communicate project updates and changes to the team, and ensure all assigned titles meet press deadlines.
• Collaborate with design, typesetting, and art teams.
• Work with designers on cover concepts and interior images, coordinate with typesetters on interior book design, prepare cover and interior files for Advance Reading Copies, perform prepress checks, and approve bluelines.
• Write cover copy and marketing materials.
• Develop book jacket copy for both ARC and final version, and work with the design team to produce polished, consumer‑ready materials.
• Support acquisitions and project development.
• Review and evaluate submitted manuscripts, participate in slush pile review, and attend local and national writing conferences to take pitches from authors and teach classes as needed.
• Provide editorial support across teams.
• Assist sales and marketing teams by proofreading catalogs, marketing materials, and social media posts; prepare metadata worksheets for assigned titles; secure author endorsements; and provide occasional collaborative support for other editors on the team.
• Stay current with industry trends and the competitive market.
• Monitor publishing trends, read widely in Shadow Mountain’s key categories, and bring market awareness to editorial discussions, pitch development, and author consultations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, journalism, or a related field
• 3–5 years of editorial experience in trade book publishing (or equivalent)
• Score of 85% or higher on in‑house editorial/proofreading test
• Expert‑level proficiency in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Planner, etc.) and Adobe applications
• Strong command of The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th Edition
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under deadline pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Impeccable attention to detail
• Experience working directly with authors through the editorial process
• Familiarity with book production workflows, including typesetting, prepress, and print coordination
• Knowledge of current publishing trends and the competitive trade market
• Experience developing, editing, and managing cookbooks a plus
• Strong understanding of fiction genres and tropes for adult, young adult, and middle‑grade readers
• Able to work independently as well as with various teams
• Experience with metadata systems (e.g., Firebrand) a plus
• Experience attending or presenting at writing conferences
• A portfolio or list of projects you have worked on

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and life insurance
• 401(k) savings plan with company matching funds
• Company‑funded retirement plan
• Merchandise discount
• Discounted UTA Eco pass
• Paid leave and holidays
• Great work environment

Equal Opportunity

Deseret Book is an equal opportunity employer.

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered to do meaningful work.

We strongly encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Since 1866, Deseret Book Company has been the market leader in the publishing, distribution and retailing of faith‑based books, music, DVDs, religious art and home decor, and other lifestyle products serving, in particular, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑Day Saints.

Deseret Book’s purpose is to provide quality products that build faith, strengthen homes and families, ennoble personal virtues, and offer practical advice to religious and non‑religious alike.