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Fiction Book Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Associate Editor

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Associate Editor Reports to Editorial Director Location Deseret Book Corporate Office Salt Lake ... Book Company, publishing award-winning fiction and nonfiction for adults, young adults, and middle ...

Editor, Del Rey (Open to Remote)

Manhattan, NY · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... fiction with a speculative edge. The Editor will be responsible for articulating and executing a handcrafted vision for each title, from acquisition and creative development of the book to close ...

Editor, Del Rey (Open to Remote)

Manhattan, NY · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... fiction with a speculative edge. The Editor will be responsible for articulating and executing a handcrafted vision for each title, from acquisition and creative development of the book to close ...

Editor - Romance

Naperville, IL · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Editor, Bloom Books and Bloom YA will acquire, edit, and manage both adult fiction and young ... Exhibiting initiative, leadership, and a strong desire to grow in book and product development.

Editor - Romance

Naperville, IL · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Editor, Bloom Books and Bloom YA will acquire, edit, and manage both adult fiction and young ... Exhibiting initiative, leadership, and a strong desire to grow in book and product development.

Senior Editor

New York, NY · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Long nonfiction, fiction, short nonfiction, paired texts, plays, debates, and poems. This should be ... As the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books through school-based book ...

Senior Editor

New York, NY · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Long nonfiction, fiction, short nonfiction, paired texts, plays, debates, and poems. This should be ... As the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books through school-based book ...

The Atlantic is seeking a senior editor to build and lead The Atlantic Book Club, our forthcoming ... A well-developed point of view about literature-fiction and nonfiction alike-a willingness to argue ...

Editor, Basic Venture

New York, NY · On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Basic Books Group is a division of Hachette Book Group dedicated to making the world smarter by publishing works of serious non-fiction by expert authors. We are seeking an Editor to acquire ...

Editor, Basic Venture

New York, NY · On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Basic Books Group is a division of Hachette Book Group dedicated to making the world smarter by publishing works of serious non-fiction by expert authors. We are seeking an Editor to acquire ...

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 ... A well-developed point of view about literature-fiction and nonfiction alike-a willingness to argue ...

Editor, Basic Venture

New York, NY · On-site

$65K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Basic Books Group is a division of Hachette Book Group dedicated to making the world smarter by publishing works of serious non-fiction by expert authors. We are seeking an Editor to acquire ...

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 ... A well-developed point of view about literature-fiction and nonfiction alike-a willingness to argue ...

Editor, Books Desk

New York, NY · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

You will define and execute the editorial strategy of the prestigious New York Times Book Review ... fiction works. * Oversee the selection of books to be reviewed, ensuring the Times remains the ...

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Showing results 1-20

Fiction Book Editor information

See salary details

$11K

$59.6K

$65K

How much do fiction book editor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for fiction book editor in the United States is $59,622.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $60,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a fiction book editor do?

A Fiction Book Editor reviews and refines manuscripts to improve readability, consistency, and overall storytelling. They help authors with plot development, character arcs, pacing, and language while ensuring grammatical accuracy and adherence to style guides. Editors may also provide structural feedback, suggest revisions, and collaborate with writers to enhance the book’s marketability. Their goal is to polish the manuscript for publication while preserving the author's unique voice.

What are some typical challenges faced by fiction book editors, and how can they be managed?

Fiction Book Editors often encounter challenges such as balancing an author's creative vision with market expectations and editorial standards. Managing tight deadlines, handling multiple projects simultaneously, and providing tactful yet honest feedback are also common aspects of the role. Successful editors develop strong organizational skills, build positive author-editor relationships, and stay informed about industry trends to navigate these challenges effectively. Ultimately, adaptability and clear communication are key to overcoming obstacles and producing compelling works of fiction.

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

To thrive as a Fiction Book Editor, a strong command of language, keen attention to detail, and a background in English, literature, or publishing are essential. Familiarity with editing software such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and sometimes specialized tools like Track Changes, along with an understanding of publishing platforms and style guides, is typically required. Excellent communication, time management, and the ability to provide constructive feedback are valuable soft skills. These competencies enable editors to collaborate effectively with authors, enhance manuscripts, and ensure the publication of high-quality fiction.

What are the most commonly searched types of Fiction Book Editor jobs?

The most popular types of Fiction Book Editor jobs are:

What states have the most Fiction Book Editor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Fiction Book Editor jobs include:

Infographic showing various Fiction Book Editor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 10% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,622 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Associate Editor

Deseret Book Company

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Deseret Book rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 11 rated book shops


Job description

Our company is committed to being trusted voices of light and truth reaching hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
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 include
  • 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.

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