Hiring: Associate Editor - Romance Company: Sourcebooks Location: Naperville, IL Job Posted Time: 2026-09-10 11:21:05 Employment Type: Full-time / Remote About the job Experience: •5 years of publishing experience, with significant experience in romance editorial. Direct experience with evaluating submissions, making acquisition recommendations, and acquiring romance fiction Required Skills: •Build and develop a romance list by identifying, evaluating, and soliciting manuscripts in priority categories and areas of opportunity •Monitor the romance marketplace, reader trends, competitive titles, and industry developments to identify acquisition and positioning opportunities •Present potential acquisitions at editorial and acquisitions meetings; recommend projects, recruit authors, evaluate proposals, and participate in contract negotiations with authors and agents under Associate Editorial Director guidance •Develop acquired manuscripts for content, structure, voice, commercial appeal, and market positioning; assist senior editors with early editorial reads of key titles as assigned •Build and maintain strong relationships with author and agent partners •Collaborate closely with marketing, publicity, sales, and design to identify opportunities and ensure that each title is positioned effectively for its intended audience •Maintain accurate editorial schedules and serve as a proactive point of contact for authors, agents, and internal stakeholders to keep projects moving on time •Support senior editors with editorial preparation, launch materials, acquisitions materials, and other high-priority projects as assigned. Tasks will include conducting development first reads, assisting with list management, and completing editorial and administrative tasks as assigned Qualifications: •3–5 years of publishing experience, with significant experience in romance editorial. Direct experience with evaluating submissions, making acquisition recommendations, and acquiring romance fiction •Be a self-starter. Exhibit initiative, leadership, and a strong curiosity about what’s next in book and product development •A willingness to play well with others. Seriously, we’re a hard-working team who also happen to be pretty nice •The ability to juggle and coordinate at great speed. We want a clear communicator who is detail-oriented, organized and can keep short- and long-term projects on schedule while following through on deadlines. •Comfort speaking in front of groups and building strong relationships across teams and with external partners •A positive, collaborative spirit; we’re a “yes, AND!” kind of team •Strong editorial judgment, commercial instincts, and the ability to articulate why a project will appeal to romance readers •A voracious reading habit in adult romance, with strong familiarity with traditional and indie authors, tropes, trends, and community conversations •Please submit your resume, salary requirements, and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in this role. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Show us your passion and creativity — we’re looking for someone who’s as enthusiastic about this opportunity as we are! •Sourcebooks values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status. Compensation: •$55,000 - $65,000 / year •Flexible work environment (work from home / hybrid options) •Competitive benefits and rewards package Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!