UW Press Acquisitions Specialist 7 – Associate Editor
UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP
23517 (NE S 7 SEIU 925 Libraries Non Supv)
CLASS SERIES CONCEPT
Within University of Washington Press (UW Press), work with authors to acquire book-length manuscripts for publication.
BASIC FUNCTION
Acquire and transmit 15-25 new, high-quality academic and trade manuscripts annually for publication under the supervision of the Editorial Director.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Under administrative direction of the Editorial Director in UW Press Acquisitions, work creatively and independently to seek out acquisitions to complement the press’s existing editorial program, with the opportunity to build distinguished lists in other areas. Acquire promising new manuscripts. Manage multiple, deadline-drive projects simultaneously.
Collaborate with authors, series editors, faculty, agents, and others to evaluate and commission projects for the press; attend select conferences and travel regionally to scout new projects; manage peer review and present proposed books to the faculty press committee; prepare financial information on all prospective titles and negotiate relevant contracts in consultation with the editorial director and director; coordinate and participate in staff meetings around the publication process; collaborate with press grant-writing and development staff to seek underwriting as needed; and work with authors on revisions and preparing final manuscripts for copyediting.
TYPICAL WORK
Solicit and evaluate book proposals and manuscripts in assigned fields and determine their suitability for publication.
Identify and engage outside readers to provide peer review.
Participate in weekly acquisitions and bi-weekly interdepartmental editorial meetings to review proposals and manuscripts, and recommend further review, rejection, or presentation to the faculty Press Committee for formal approval. Prepare materials for presentation to the faculty press committee. Attend Press Committee meetings.
Acquire and transmit 15-25 new manuscripts per fiscal year.
Actively recruit new book proposals and manuscripts by contacting prospective authors.
Develop and sustain a strong network of press authors, prospective authors, series editors, and advisors.
Attend professional academic conferences and travel regionally to scout new projects.
Correspond with prospective authors to answer questions about the publication process.
Recommend revisions to authors of manuscripts under review; work with authors on implementing revisions.
Prepare financial information for manuscripts proposed for publication.
Negotiate contracts in consultation with director and editorial director.
Work with authors to resolve permission or illustration issues.
Provide advance book information, including descriptive copy, production estimates, and publication proposals.
Provide training in acquisitions tasks for assistant editors, editorial assistants, and interns.
Work collaboratively with other press departments to develop appropriate and effective publishing and promotional plans for titles acquired.
Identify and help secure grants and title subsidies to underwrite publishing costs in collaboration with grant-writing and development staff; and
Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 2 years of acquisitions experience with a scholarly or trade publisher
OR
Equivalent combination of education and experience.
CLASS SERVICE EXEMPTION
Graphic Arts and Publications.
CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
- New to SEIU 925 02-01-2022 per PERC Case No. 133181-E-20.
- Prior to 02-01-2023, this work in University Press corresponds to what was in professional staff job code 19827, Editor (NE S 7).