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Book Editing Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

The Atlantic Monthly Group

Senior Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$105K - $180K/yr

The Atlantic is seeking a senior editor to build and lead The Atlantic Book Club, our forthcoming membership-exclusive reading program. This is a rare opportunity to shape one of the most distinctive ...

The Atlantic

Senior Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$105K - $180K/yr

The Atlantic is seeking a senior editor to build and lead The Atlantic Book Club, our forthcoming membership-exclusive reading program. This is a rare opportunity to shape one of the most distinctive ...

AASHTO

Senior Technical Editor

Washington, DC

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5-7 years of technical and/or large book production ... A bachelor's degree in English or course work in any of the following: technical editing, design ...

First Books

Marketing Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

First Book is a leading nonprofit social enterprise and leader in philanthropic public-private ... Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to adapt content for different ...

Cheddar

Freelance Multimedia Journalist

Washington, DC

$75 - $100/hr

Book and conduct interviews of your own sources and on-camera guests * Utilize advanced video editing and audio production skills to create polished and visually appealing content. Proficiency in ...

Cheddar

Freelance Multimedia Journalist

Washington, DC · On-site

$75 - $100/hr

Book and conduct interviews of your own sources and on-camera guests * Utilize advanced video editing and audio production skills to create polished and visually appealing content. Proficiency in ...

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Book Editing information

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$9

$32

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How much do book editing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for book editing in Washington is $32.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.00 and $39.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is book editing?

Book editing is the process of reviewing and revising a manuscript to improve its clarity, coherence, style, and overall quality before publication. Editors work closely with authors to correct grammar and spelling, ensure consistency, and enhance the structure and flow of the content. There are different types of book editing, including developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading, each focusing on specific aspects of the manuscript. The goal of book editing is to ensure the final book is polished, professional, and ready for readers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a book editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Book Editor, you need strong language proficiency, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of grammar, style, and publishing standards, often supported by a relevant degree or editorial experience. Familiarity with editing software like Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and content management systems, as well as certifications from organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association, is common. Excellent communication, time management, and collaborative skills help editors work effectively with authors and publishing teams. These skills ensure manuscripts are polished, consistent, and ready for publication, maintaining high quality and meeting industry expectations.

What is the difference between Book Editing vs Copy Editing?

AspectBook EditingCopy Editing
Primary FocusOverall content, structure, and flow of the bookGrammar, punctuation, and style consistency
Required SkillsStrong editing, storytelling, and developmental skillsAttention to detail, grammar, and style adherence
Work EnvironmentPublishing houses, freelance, or self-publishingPublishing companies, freelance, or in-house editing
Typical TasksRevising content, improving narrative, and ensuring coherenceCorrecting language errors, consistency, and formatting

Book editing involves shaping the overall content and structure of a manuscript, focusing on narrative flow and coherence. Copy editing concentrates on refining language, grammar, and style at a sentence level. Both roles require strong editing skills, but they serve different stages of the publishing process and have distinct responsibilities.

What are some common challenges book editors face when working with authors, and how can these be managed effectively?

Book editors often encounter challenges such as balancing an author's creative vision with the need for clear, marketable content and maintaining consistent communication throughout the editing process. Navigating differing opinions about revisions requires tact, empathy, and strong negotiation skills. Effective editors build trust by providing constructive feedback, establishing clear timelines, and collaborating closely with authors to align on goals, which helps ensure a smooth editorial process and a polished final manuscript.

What are the most commonly searched types of Book Editing jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Book Editing jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Book Editing jobs in Washington?

For Book Editing jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Book Editing jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Book Editing jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Book Editing jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Book Editing job openings:

Book Editing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Book Editing job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,968 per year, or $32.2 per hour.

Senior Editor

The Atlantic Monthly Group

Washington, DC • On-site

$105K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

The Atlantic is seeking a senior editor to build and lead The Atlantic Book Club, our forthcoming membership-exclusive reading program. This is a rare opportunity to shape one of the most distinctive editorial products we offer: a curated, opinionated, lively engagement with literature and people who, like you, love reading.
This editor will work with a small team responsible for making regular selections of books, under the direction of our Books leadership, announcing those selections to our community of subscribers, and guiding subscribers through Book Club offerings across a variety of platforms-including but not limited to written articles, interviews with writers or other scholars, and occasional live (and virtual) events.
The ideal candidate will be expert at cultivating relationships with authors, publishers, and the broader literary world. This role sits at the intersection of editorial judgment, community building, and reader engagement.
The right candidate is a voracious reader, an exacting editor, a thoughtful correspondent, and someone who understands that the best book coverage doesn't stop with a review but also argues, contextualizes, and invites conversation.
The role will at times include night, early-morning, and weekend work.
What You'll Do
  • Select and champion each Book Club title, making and defending choices that reflect The Atlantic's intellectual rigor and editorial ambitions, with a capacious and highly creative view of which books should be read (or reread) in a given moment
  • Commission and edit essays, interviews, and contextual pieces tied to Book Club selections, working closely with The Atlantic's books editors, as well as with Atlantic staff writers and outside contributors.
  • Write a monthly (or bimonthly) editor's note or introduction to accompany each selection
  • Lead live and virtual author conversations and reader events, including Q&As, moderated discussions, and subscriber-only engagements.
  • Develop and maintain a pipeline of book prospects, staying close to publishing schedules and building trusted relationships with editors, agents, and publicists.
  • Collaborate closely with the Growth, Product, and Audience teams to shape how the Book Club is presented, packaged, and promoted to subscribers.
  • Represent The Atlantic in the broader literary community-at festivals, book fairs, and industry gatherings-as a credible and independent voice.
  • Contribute ideas and editorial energy to The Atlantic's broader books and culture coverage.

You should have
  • At least five years of editing and writing experience and a deep familiarity with magazine writing, and what makes it distinct
  • A well-developed point of view about literature-fiction and nonfiction alike-a willingness to argue for it, and an enthusiastic openness to a wide range of views
  • A deep, well-informed curiosity about what readers are passionately debating, and an instinct to know what they'll want to be debating months from now
  • A track record of having conceived of, built, shipped, and improved upon ambitious projects or products
  • Familiarity with the breadth of publishing and a keen interest in how literary and technological trends affect how and what people are reading
  • Impeccable editorial judgment
  • An obsession with the written word, including having developed your own stylish writerly voice
  • A desire to connect with people-in-person, online, through literature-and the judgment and energy required to represent The Atlantic across a number of platforms
  • Great taste, and the capacity to select books that are worthy of serious attention without tipping into inaccessibility, insularity, or superficiality.
  • A desire to seek out big-name authors as well as hugely talented emerging writers of must-read books before they are widely recognized
  • Energized by the demanding pace of a real-time news organization, with all of the flexibility that requires-as well as the discipline needed to meet recurring deadlines without sacrificing quality.

This position is based in Washington, D.C. or New York City. We will consider remote candidates but have a strong preference for in-person collaboration.
Salary minimum: $105,000 ; Salary maximum: $180,000
About The Atlantic:
The Atlantic has, for more than 160 years, advanced ideas that matter and sparked global conversation on the most important issues of our time. We aim to bring clarity and original thinking to questions of consequence, on topics ranging from politics, the economy, and global affairs to technology, science, and culture. As the third-longest-running magazine in America, we find ourselves at a remarkable moment: one of both continuation and transformation, of upholding our legacy while continuously reinventing ourselves for the future.
The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC ("The Atlantic") is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Atlantic is committed to diversity and encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, LGBTQ people, people of color, and people with disabilities. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Job offers to work at The Atlantic are contingent upon the candidate's successful completion of reference checks and compliance with The Atlantic's COVID-19 vaccination policy. The Atlantic requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, including subsequent boosters, and submit proof of vaccination status. Employees who cannot receive the vaccine because of a disability/medical contraindication or sincerely-held religious belief may request an accommodation (e.g., an exemption) to this requirement.

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