Remote Romance Editor & Acquisition Specialist

Sourcebooks; Naperville (IL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Prescription

Dental

Vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Flexible Spending Account

Health Savings Account

Job summary

Sourcebooks is seeking an Associate Editor to acquire, edit, and manage a romance list, working closely with authors and agents to shape books from submission to publication. This role is exempt and salary-based, with a strong emphasis on market insight and collaboration across departments.

The position offers a hybrid or remote setup and a competitive starting salary with comprehensive benefits. You’ll engage with a dynamic imprint to deliver commercially successful romance titles.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of publishing experience, with significant romance editorial work.
• Be a self-starter with initiative and curiosity about book development.
• Ability to collaborate well with a team and external partners.
• Juggle multiple projects with clear communication and deadlines.
• Comfort speaking to groups and building cross-team relationships.
• Positive, collaborative spirit; a can-do mentality.
• Strong editorial judgment and commercial instincts for romance.
• Voracious romance reader with familiarity of authors and trends.

Responsibilities

• Build and develop a romance list by identifying manuscripts and opportunities.
• Monitor market trends to identify acquisition and positioning opportunities.
• Present acquisitions at meetings; recruit authors and evaluate proposals.
• Develop manuscripts for content, structure, and market positioning; assist editors.
• Maintain relationships with authors and agents across projects.
• Collaborate with marketing, publicity, sales, and design for audience fit.
• Maintain editorial schedules and act as primary contact for stakeholders.
• Support senior editors with acquisitions materials, list management, and editing tasks.

Skills

Romance publishing

Editorial judgment

Relationship building

Communication

Organizational skills

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Entrepreneurial mindset

Job description

Sourcebooks is seeking an Associate Editor to acquire, edit, and manage a romance list, working closely with authors and agents to shape books from submission to publication. This role is exempt and salary-based, with a strong emphasis on market insight and collaboration across departments.

The position offers a hybrid or remote setup and a competitive starting salary with comprehensive benefits. You’ll engage with a dynamic imprint to deliver commercially successful romance titles.