ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Literary Editor Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

The Atlantic Monthly Group

Senior Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$105K - $180K/yr

This editor will work with a small team responsible for making regular selections of books, under ... Represent The Atlantic in the broader literary community-at festivals, book fairs, and industry ...

The Atlantic

Senior Editor

Washington, DC

$105K - $180K/yr

This editor will work with a small team responsible for making regular selections of books, under ... Represent The Atlantic in the broader literary community-at festivals, book fairs, and industry ...

Nalley Consulting

Content Editor - Mid

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Content Editor Location: JBAB, Washington, DC LCAT: Mid Required clearance and polygraph: Active TS ... Bachelor's degree in English, Literature, Area Studies, or Communications. ABOUT NALLEY CONSULTING ...

Nalley Consulting

Content Editor - Mid

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Content Editor Location: JBAB, Washington, DC LCAT: Mid Required clearance and polygraph: Active TS ... Bachelor's degree in English, Literature, Area Studies, or Communications. ABOUT NALLEY CONSULTING ...

Castalia Systems

Content Editor-Mid

Washington, DC · On-site

$68K - $72K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have strong editing skills, we have an opportunity to use those skills to protect our ... Bachelor's degree in English, Literature, Area Studies, or Communications * TS/SCI clearance with a ...

Castalia Systems

Content Editor-Mid

Washington, DC · On-site

$68K - $72K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have strong editing skills, we have an opportunity to use those skills to protect our ... Bachelor's degree in English, Literature, Area Studies, or Communications * TS/SCI clearance with a ...

E&M Technologies, Inc.

Content Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Content Editor WORK LOCATION: JBAB, DC JOB CATEGORY: Intelligence JOB TYPE: Full-Time REQUISITION ... Bachelor's degree in English, Literature, Area Studies, or Communications To Apply for this ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Technical Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$62K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Technical Editor The Opportunity: Analyze and evaluate products through technical editorial support ... Bachelor's degree in English, Literature, Area Studies, or Communications Clearance: Applicants ...

TRI Challenge Convention

Medical Writer

Bethesda, MD · Hybrid

Performs literature searches and/or prepares summaries of results. Prepares meeting reports and ... Superior writing skills that require moderate to minimal editing. Knowledge of regulatory ...

Axle

Management Analyst

Rockville, MD

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Conduct research using background literature and source material sufficient to accomplish the ... Work with NIH editors and subject matter experts to identify interviewees. * Identify and pitch ...

New

Axle

Management Analyst

Rockville, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Conduct research using background literature and source material sufficient to accomplish the ... Work with NIH editors and subject matter experts to identify interviewees. * Identify and pitch ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsLiterary Editor JobsLiterary Editor Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Literary Editor information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$5

$34

$61

How much do literary editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for literary editor in Silver Spring, MD is $34.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.07 and $41.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a literary editor do?

A Literary Editor reviews, revises, and refines written content to improve clarity, coherence, and style. They work with authors to enhance storytelling, correct grammatical errors, and ensure consistency in tone and structure. Literary Editors may also provide feedback on plot development, character arcs, and overall narrative flow. Their goal is to help create polished, compelling works that align with the author’s vision while meeting publishing standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a literary editor?

To thrive as a Literary Editor, you need strong language proficiency, a deep understanding of literary techniques, and a background in English, literature, or a related field. Familiarity with editing software such as Adobe InCopy, Microsoft Word Track Changes, and citation management tools is often required, along with experience using style guides like the Chicago Manual of Style. Attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to give constructive feedback are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the effective refinement of manuscripts and foster productive collaboration with authors and publishing teams.

What are the common challenges faced by literary editors in their daily work?

Literary Editors often face the challenge of balancing an author's creative vision with the commercial needs and standards of publishers. Navigating tight deadlines, providing sensitive yet honest feedback, and managing multiple projects simultaneously are common aspects of the role. Additionally, keeping up with changes in literary trends and publication standards can require continuous learning. However, overcoming these challenges offers the rewarding opportunity to shape compelling manuscripts and help authors refine their voice and storytelling.

How do you become a literary editor?

To become a literary editor, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, or a related field, along with strong editing, writing, and communication skills. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level editing positions and developing a good understanding of literary styles and publishing processes are also important steps.

How much money do literary editors make?

Literary editors typically earn a median annual salary of around $60,000 to $70,000, with experienced editors in larger publishing houses earning over $80,000. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and the size of the publisher, and many editors work full-time with deadlines and editing software tools.

What is the job of a literary editor?

A literary editor reviews and revises manuscripts to improve clarity, coherence, and style, ensuring the work meets publishing standards. They work closely with authors, providing feedback and editing for grammar, structure, and tone, often using editing software and adhering to deadlines.

What are popular job titles related to Literary Editor jobs in Silver Spring, MD?

For Literary Editor jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Literary Editor jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Literary Editor jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:

Literary Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Literary Editor job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 74% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,415 per year, or $34.3 per hour.

Senior Editor

The Atlantic Monthly Group

Washington, DC • On-site

$105K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 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.

Apply