Editorial Assistant - Children's and YA
The Editorial Assistant supports the Children's Indie Program by assisting editors in managing book projects from acquisition through publication. Responsibilities include manuscript evaluation, copyediting, market research, project scheduling, and collaboration across departments to successfully bring children's and YA books to market. This hybrid role requires strong organizational, communication, and editorial skills within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial publishing environment.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, PR, Advertising & Marketing.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Position summary
This listing is for an Editorial Assistant (Children’s & YA) supporting a Confidential Client's Children’s Indie publishing program. This is a hybrid, hourly, non-exempt role based in Naperville, IL. The Confidential Client’s team focuses on discovering and developing children’s picture books, middle grade, and young adult titles. The role blends manuscript work, copywriting, metadata and market research, and project tracking.
What You’ll Do
You’ll support editorial teams across the acquisition-to-publication lifecycle for children’s and YA titles. Typical responsibilities include:
- Support senior editors in managing a dynamic list of children’s, middle grade, and YA projects.
- Read and evaluate manuscript submissions; prepare editorial notes and assist with manuscript prep.
- Draft and edit back cover copy, catalog descriptions, website copy, and metadata.
- Contribute to creative positioning: brainstorm titles, subtitles, packaging concepts, and marketing language.
- Conduct market and competitive research, sales-data reviews, and trend scouting to inform acquisitions and positioning.
- Assist with proofreading, copyediting, and quality checks for editorial materials.
- Help manage project schedules, publishing milestones, databases, and tracking systems to ensure timely cross-departmental communication.
- Collaborate with design, production, sales, marketing, and publicity to ready books for market.
- Support author and agent communications with professionalism and attention to detail.
- Prepare materials for acquisitions meetings, launches, and sales conferences.
- Perform keyword research and metadata optimization to improve discoverability of frontlist and backlist titles.
- Contribute to reporting, sales analysis, and routine editorial administration.
- Bring curiosity and fresh ideas to improve processes and title performance.
What You’ll Bring
The ideal candidate offers a mix of editorial curiosity, organization, and collaborative energy:
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience (internships, coursework, or transferable experience welcomed).
- A genuine passion for children’s and YA books and storytelling.
- Strong writing, proofreading, and communication skills; ability to craft both creative and commercial copy.
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail; comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines.
- Comfort with spreadsheets, databases, Microsoft Office, and a willingness to learn publishing systems.
- Interest in consumer trends and what makes books connect with readers.
- A collaborative, adaptable attitude and desire to support authors and internal teams.
- Resourcefulness and a readiness to handle both creative and administrative tasks.
- Motivation to develop editorial judgment and grow in an entrepreneurial publishing environment.
Location & Schedule
- Hybrid role based in Naperville, IL. Regular in-office days will be required at the Naperville location to collaborate with editorial and cross-functional teams.
- Employment type: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt.
Compensation & Benefits
- Hourly pay: $22.00 per hour (non-exempt). Starting pay is determined by job-related factors including geographic location, experience, training, and education.
- Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which may include medical, dental, vision, retirement savings, disability, life insurance, and paid time off.
About the Confidential Client
Confidential Client is an entrepreneurial, insight-driven publisher focused on bringing extraordinary authors and stories to readers. The team values innovation, commercial judgement, and creative collaboration. This role offers hands-on editorial experience and clear opportunities to grow within a high-volume, creative publishing program.
Notes on Eligibility & Process
- This is an hourly, non-exempt role based in Illinois. Employment, compensation, and benefits will comply with applicable federal and Illinois state laws.
- Careertakes and the Confidential Client are committed to reasonable accommodation in the hiring process. If you need an accommodation for the application or interview process, please let us know.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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