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Fiction Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Associate Editor

Manhattan, NY · On-site +1

$60K - $65K/yr

Experience with line and developmental editing, project managing frontlist fiction, and working closely with authors/agents with an eye to author care * Background knowledge of the publishing ...

New

Associate Editor

Austin, TX · On-site +1

$60K - $65K/yr

Experience with line and developmental editing, project managing frontlist fiction, and working closely with authors/agents with an eye to author care * Background knowledge of the publishing ...

New

This editor will be assigned to the Books desk, and will focus on assigning a variety of idea ... An obsession with literature, and a keen interest in the ideas driving both fiction and nonfiction

... editors in the selection process. Only applications submitted to our google form will be considered: Responsibilities: * Read and evaluate assigned submissions in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction.

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Fiction Editor information

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$11K

$59.6K

$65K

How much do fiction editor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for fiction 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 editor do?

A fiction editor is responsible for reviewing and improving works of fiction, such as novels and short stories, before they are published. Their tasks include assessing plot structure, character development, pacing, and overall storytelling to ensure the manuscript is engaging and cohesive. Fiction editors also check for grammar, style, and consistency, and may provide feedback to authors to help refine their work. They play a crucial role in shaping a story to meet both the author’s vision and the expectations of readers.

What are some common challenges a Fiction Editor faces when working with authors on manuscript revisions?

A Fiction Editor often navigates the delicate balance between preserving an author's unique voice and ensuring the manuscript meets industry standards for storytelling, pacing, and character development. One common challenge is providing constructive feedback that encourages authors while addressing areas needing improvement. Additionally, editors may need to manage tight deadlines and coordinate with multiple stakeholders, including authors, agents, and publishing teams, to keep projects on track. Strong communication and empathy are essential for fostering productive partnerships and bringing out the best in each manuscript.

What Does a Fiction Editor Do?

As a fiction editor, you may work in-house at a publishing company or on a freelance basis. Your duties include reading and evaluating a manuscript for possible publication. You edit work, which may include correcting grammar and spelling, and give feedback to authors. Your responsibilities may include creating an original cover copy for titles and working directly with the marketing department before publishing a fiction work. Depending on your employer, you may research information and make recommendations to senior staff members. Your job tasks are often dependent on your experience as an editor or the size of the company in which you work.

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

To thrive as a Fiction Editor, you need a strong command of grammar, narrative structure, and literary analysis, often supported by a degree in English, literature, or a related field. Familiarity with editing software like Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and platforms such as Track Changes or editorial management systems is typically required. Exceptional communication, attention to detail, and the ability to give constructive feedback set standout editors apart. These skills ensure manuscripts are polished, coherent, and engaging, facilitating successful publication and author-editor collaboration.

What is the difference between Fiction Editor vs Copy Editor?

AspectFiction EditorCopy Editor
Primary FocusDeveloping and shaping fiction manuscripts, improving story structure, character development, and styleCorrecting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and ensuring clarity and consistency in the text
Required SkillsStrong storytelling, literary analysis, editing for narrative flowAttention to detail, grammar expertise, style guides knowledge
Work EnvironmentPublishing houses, literary agencies, freelancePublishing, media, corporate editing
Common UsageAssessing creative content, manuscript developmentPolishing final drafts, ensuring technical accuracy

Fiction Editors focus on shaping and improving the storytelling aspects of manuscripts, working closely with authors to develop compelling narratives. Copy Editors concentrate on correcting language errors and ensuring clarity. Both roles require editing skills but serve different stages of the publishing process.

What cities are hiring for Fiction Editor jobs? Cities with the most Fiction Editor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Fiction Editor jobs? The most popular types of Fiction Editor jobs are:
What states have the most Fiction Editor jobs? States with the most job openings for Fiction Editor jobs include:
Associate Editor

Associate Editor

Macmillan Learning

Manhattan, NY • On-site, Remote

$60K - $65K/yr

Other

Posted yesterday


Job description

Description

Tor Publishing Group is seeking an associate editor to join the Bramble team. Working closely with a Senior Editor, this role will acquire or co-acquire and edit primarily romance titles for the Bramble list. Key responsibilities include acquisitions, editorial development of manuscripts, maintaining strong relationships with authors and agents, and working with production, design, marketing, publicity, and other departments to shepherd titles to publication.

What You'll Do:

  • Build and maintain relationships with literary agents to solicit submissions, read and evaluate manuscripts, and meet with prospective authors to discuss editorial and strategic vision
  • Present books for potential acquisition to editorial directors and acquisition board, along with analysis of competitive or comparable titles, projected sales figures, and profit and loss statements
  • Negotiate major terms for potential acquisitions with agents and rights contacts, including advance, delivery dates, payout schedule, territories, subsidiary rights, and option language
  • Develop a successful and profitable list of titles, with primary responsibility for about 5-8 titles per year
  • Assist Senior Editor with select acquired or co-acquired titles, taking responsibility for editorial feedback and coordinating transmittal and production process; oversee certain backlist titles, reissues, and reprints
  • Write copy for tip and launch sheets, catalog, online retail feeds, and book jackets/covers that effectively positions each title for internal sales, marketing, and publicity teams as well as consumers
  • Present titles at internal meetings such as launch three times a year
  • Prepare cover memos and discuss cover strategy with art department and editorial leadership; communicate jacket directions to author and agent and negotiate feedback between author/agent and art/publisher teams
  • Solicit advance quotes from other authors, booksellers, and tastemakers to help position books and enhance sales potential
  • Respond in timely fashion to author and agent queries and help facilitate communication and collaboration between author and internal teams

What You'll Bring:

  • Strong communication skills and ability to handle external-facing professional relationships with tact and diplomacy
  • Ability to work with other publishing departments-including sales, marketing, publicity, rights teams, finance, production, and art-and an understanding of what they need to do their jobs effectively
  • Strong writing skills for internal- and external-facing materials and copy to help position and convey the selling points of a given book
  • Effective presentation skills for both smaller team meetings and large seasonal meetings
  • Independent time management and organizational acumen
  • Ability to scout and evaluate competitive books in the marketplace, market awareness within romance genre spaces, and strategic sensibility for making acquisitions and positioning decisions to help each book reach its sales potential
  • 3+ years of experience in editorial, including some acquisition experience
  • Experience with line and developmental editing, project managing frontlist fiction, and working closely with authors/agents with an eye to author care
  • Background knowledge of the publishing industry, including an understanding of the timelines and deliverables needed to publish books successfully
  • Bachelor's degree in any area OR equivalent work experience in a relevant field

The salary range for this role is $60,000 - $65,000.

This position is classified as remote but is tied to our New York, NY office located at 120 Broadway. Employment is subject to New York State tax withholding under applicable regulations.

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.

Macmillan is proud to be an equal opportunity employer consistently striving to foster a culture where everyone belongs. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities. Qualified applicants are evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, physical ability, neurodiversity, genetic information, protected veteran status, family and economic status and background or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We prohibit discrimination of any kind and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.


Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.