News Editor, Reactor

Macmillan Publishers; New York (NY); Remote; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled News Editor to lead the editorial direction of an award-winning online magazine focused on sci-fi and fantasy. In this remote role, you will oversee daily news coverage, coordinate freelance writers, and ensure high-quality content that resonates with a dedicated audience. Ideal candidates will possess a strong understanding of genre literature, exceptional writing skills, and the ability to navigate complex fandom dynamics. Join a dynamic team committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that captures the essence of sci-fi and fantasy culture.

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience in entertainment news is preferred.
• Experience with editorial calendars and managing submissions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee editorial direction of news content on Reactor Magazine.
• Organize and delegate assignments to freelance news writers.
• Track and analyze audience response to refine coverage.

Skills

Copywriting

Communication Skills

Knowledge of Sci-Fi/Fantasy Literature

Organizational Skills

Research Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Work Experience

Job description

Reactor is an award-winning online magazine specializing in sci-fi/fantasy literature and related pop culture and media.

Reactor is looking for an experienced News Editor to oversee our online magazine’s coverage of sci-fi/fantasy and genre entertainment news, genre book industry news, and the commentary and culture associated with them.

The News Editor will oversee production of multiple news articles per day, seek out and coordinate freelance news writers, and fine-tune articles for greater discoverability. On any given day, news coverage may include anything from movie trailers and pop culture items of interest to more serious pieces such as obituaries or summations of current controversies within the industry. Candidates will need to have detailed knowledge of sci-fi/fantasy literature and visual media, great copy writing and communication skills, and awareness of how to navigate fandom interests and larger social trends. Previous experience in a news editing role is preferred. This position is remote.

What you'll do:

• Oversee and determine editorial direction of the news content on Reactor Magazine.
• Organize and delegate assignments to existing freelance news writers and bring on additional voices where necessary.
• Edit images and finalize and edit copy for publication through the site’s CMS.
• Track and analyze audience response (internal analytics, social media, anecdotal/word of mouth) to news items on a regular basis in order to further refine coverage.
• Regularly and actively track reviews, deep dives, analyses, videos, and other non-Reactor commentary worth highlighting to our audience.
• Write news coverage when necessary.

What you'll bring:

• Clean writing skills and strong voice.
• A working knowledge of image usage rights and best practices.
• Working knowledge of best practices regarding libel laws, proper accrediting, media embargos, etc.
• Detailed knowledge of sci-fi/fantasy literature and visual media.
• Experience in researching and distilling complex sci-fi/fantasy franchises in order to find what appeals to its existing audience.
• Experience with creating editorial calendars, assigning stories, and managing submissions.
• Practiced organizational and scheduling skills.

Ideal Experience:

• 2+ years experience in entertainment news.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

This role will have an annual salary of $70,000 - $80,000.

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.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are actively seeking job applicants who reflect a broad representation of differences, including race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, physical ability, neurodiversity, age, family status, economic background and status, geographical background and status, and perspective. We believe that the best companies reflect the incredible diversity in viewpoints, backgrounds, and identities of the world in their staffs, and are committed to inclusive hiring across departments and levels. The successful candidate for this position will be an employee of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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