Work Environment
Commissioning Editors typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos on the Web
- Commissioning Editor- from: Youtube Search
- Editor - from: icould [UK] Video
- Managing Editor - from: icould [UK] Video
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
The Work
Commissioning editorsdeal with the business side of editing as their job is to secure profitable material for the publisher.
They receive book proposals from authors and literary agents, and after reviewing and evaluating their manuscripts they make a recommendation and advise senior management on which books to publish and which book titles or ideas to commission.
Commissioning editors then work with literary agents and authors to negotiating contracts and they do the costing of projects to determine if they are financially viable.
In addition to recognising a good and promising manuscript, they also need to identify where there may be a gap in the market. They do that by researching the market, and attending book fairs and conferences. They also work with the marketing and production departments of the publishing house.
The commissioning editor assigns manuscripts to appropriate editors and may have some supervision responsibilities for the editorial staff, such as copy editors and assistant editors.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Read copy or proof to detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
- Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
- Read, evaluate and edit manuscripts or other materials submitted for publication, and confer with authors regarding changes in content, style or organisation, or publication.
- Develop story or content ideas, considering reader or audience appeal.
- Prepare, rewrite and edit copy to improve readability, or supervise others who do this work.
- Oversee publication production, including artwork, layout, computer typesetting, and printing, ensuring adherence to deadlines and budget requirements.
- Write text, such as stories, articles, editorials, or newsletters.
- Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.
- Confer with management and editorial staff members regarding placement and emphasis of developing news stories.
- Plan the contents of publications according to the publication's style, editorial policy, and publishing requirements.
Further Information
- Commissioning Editor - from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Commissioning Editor - from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Commissioning Editor - from: GradIreland
- Commissioning Editor - from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Commissioning Editor
To work in the publishing world you need to be passionate about literature. As a commissioning editor, you also need a good level of knowledge about specific markets and genres, and you need negotiation skills and the ability to think both creatively and commercially.
You will need a good eye for detail and must be accurate and thorough in your work. You must have a good standard of English but also some budgeting and business skills as you will negotiate contracts and costing projects.
You need good communication skills and leadership skills as you work with, and supervise staff in different departments.
Interests - Commissioning Editor
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Linguistic
The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry - Commissioning Editor
Although it may not be a technical requirement, commissioning editors typically have a third level degree in English literature, journalism or communications. Many start out as editorial assistants, progress to copy editors and eventually commissioning editors.
All experience of writing or editing publications is useful, and having a network of contacts in order to source potential authors is essential.
Training & Development
As a commissioning editor, you need to keep up to date with changes and developments in the publishing industry. Professional organisations often promote and organise training and events that will keep you up to date. See for example: The Association of Freelance Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers of Ireland , Publishing Ireland and Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) (UK).
Postgraduate courses are also available in many colleges, in areas such as literature and publishing.
Progression opportunities depend on the size of the publishing company. Commissioning editors can progress into publisher roles with control over the whole editorial function of a publishing company, or set up their own publishing firm.
They can also move to a larger specialised publishing company, or to a magazine or newspaper. Your skills and experiences in the industry will also allow you to consider roles such as a literary agent.
Last Updated: April, 2023
Pay & Salary - Commissioning Editor
Salary Range (thousands per year)* 35k - 60k
Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience. Salaries vary between state and private companies for progression.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Indeed/ Prosperity.ie
Last Updated: July, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - Commissioning Editor
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment levels in this occupation has seen little change in recent years, with numbers employed in 2022 slightly lower than five years ago, resulting in a negative employment growth rate. The CSO Census data indicates that increases in employment related to public relations professionals and librarians.
The numbers employed in the individual occupations are too small for any further analysis.
Employment numbers in this occupation have seen little change since 2015 and the impact of COVID-19 is not evident. The numbers employed across the individual occupations were too small to allow for any meaningful analysis.
Useful Contacts - Commissioning Editor
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Society for Editors and Proofreaders
- Apsley House 176 Upper Richmond Road Putney London SW15 2SH
- +44 20 8785 6155
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) (UK)
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Publishing Ireland
- Guinness Enterprise Centre, Taylors Lane, Dublin 8
- +353 1 6394868
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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The Association of Freelance Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers of Ireland