Broadly speaking, the role of a commissioning editor is to acquire new titles for a publisher and support authors throughout the publishing process. It’s important to note that no two commissioning editor roles are the same. Some publishers may require their editors to do certain tasks that others don’t, and the process of commissioning differs between genres – trade vs. academic for example. In this article, I will go through the kind of tasks I face day-to-day as a commissioning editor.

Emails and Meetings

I start each day by reviewing my email inbox and calendar. I am the first port of call for all new and potential authors, so I get a variety of queries each day, and often have meetings to discuss new book proposals. Getting to meet new authors is one of the best parts of my job. Every author is different though, so I always consider the best form of communication for each.

I may also receive queries and have meetings with my colleagues to discuss a particular title, list, or strategy. Prioritisation is a key skill in publishing, so I always organise my day based on what is most urgent. Some editors will have an assistant who can help them with this process.

Book Proposals

If an author meeting has gone well, they may submit a book proposal. Sometimes, we receive unsolicited book proposals too. I spend a good chunk of my time reviewing these and offering feedback as to how they could be developed, as well as advancing them for review. Every publisher has different submission requirements: some may request sample material, or a full manuscript. Before moving forward to share the proposal for a review, I need to be confident the book will be the right fit, so being able to make confident decisions is important. If I don’t think a book will work for a particular publisher, even with development, I try to advise authors on other options.

If a proposal is accepted, I have the pleasure of sending out a contract which is always a great feeling. Now, the author can start their writing process (if they haven’t already), and I can get to work on writing the marketing copy which is a creative aspect of the job that I really enjoy.

Active Commissioning

It’s my job to ensure there is a steady stream of signings and book proposals coming in, so I spend much of my day researching and reaching out to potential authors. Based on list-strategy, I will focus on a particular area, sometimes with a particular subject in mind. For academic commissioning, I may attend a conference, or a webinar, I might read through a particular journal, or take a look at recent publications. I also keep an eye out for new university courses and who is teaching what. This way, I can develop my knowledge and keep ahead of the trends.

Admin

Inevitably there is plenty of admin that comes with the job. This might be schedule management, chasing a review, or ordering books. All of this contributes to the bigger task, and ensures that the commissioning process is as smooth as possible for all involved.

No two days are the same in book publishing. It is important to be able to adapt and be flexible to the changing needs of your authors and the business.

If you are a publisher seeking an experienced commissioning editor to add titles to your list, please get in touch to discuss how I can support you via email at susannahbutler.edits@gmail.com