Editorial Assistant - Adult Romance

Naperville, IL

Full Time

Entry Level

Sourcebooks is seeking an Editorial Assistant to support our rapidly expanding adult romance fiction program. As the largest woman-led publisher in North America—and one of the fastest-growing publishers in the U.S.—we bring extraordinary stories to millions of readers through bold, imaginative, and data-driven publishing. We’re a collaborative team of book lovers who believe in creativity, curiosity, and making books that truly matter.

In this role, you’ll work closely with acquiring editors to shepherd a wide range of romance titles from concept to publication. You’ll contribute to the creative development of bestselling romantic fiction, help shape compelling packages for readers, and keep projects moving with precision and care. If you’re a passionate romance reader, a strong communicator, and someone who thrives in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment, we’d love to meet you.

This position allows for a hybrid or remote work schedule in Illinois or New York. There may be the opportunity to work 100% remotely from the following states:  Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. 

This is an hourly, non-exempt position with a salary range for this role is $21.16 - $24.04/hourly.  We determine starting pay based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education. This process ensures a fair and competitive salary that aligns with both the company and the candidate’s qualifications. 

As part of a collaborative and passionate team, you’ll have the chance to:

• Act as a project coordinator and liaison across editors for romance and related genre titles.
• Assist in the creative development of books, products, features, and new ideas.
• Conduct industry and market research to help evaluate trends, identify opportunities, and assess competitive positioning.
• Prepare copy for back covers, launch sheets, catalog pages, ARCs, and other metadata needs.
• Write engaging catalog, jacket, and marketing copy, and manage updates across company databases.
• Support acquiring editors and publishing managers as a key partner in positioning new products—shaping content, category, titling, and more.
• Maintain editorial schedules and collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure timely execution.
• Assist with general editorial tasks, including clerical work, correspondence, shipping, and editorial corrections.
• Help manage weekly and monthly reporting, including sales data tracking.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A deep love of books and a passionate, demonstrable love of modern adult romance (a must).
• 1–2 years of publishing experience preferred; internships, freelance work, and other editorial experiences count.
• A willingness to learn and grow within a dynamic editorial environment.
• A self-starter mentality with initiative, curiosity, and a desire to build toward acquiring your own romance list.
• 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.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to juggle short- and long-term projects effectively and with great speed.
• Excellent grammar skills with a sharp eye for errors big and small.
• Strong knowledge of book production processes, from concept through publication, is a significant advantage.
• A voracious reading habit in adult romance, with strong familiarity with traditional and indie authors, tropes, trends, and community conversations.

Why Sourcebooks? As Newsweek’s #2 Most Loved Workplace in 2024 and a recognized leader in innovation by Fast Company (2024 Most Innovative Companies, 2023 Best Workplaces for Innovators), we use a mission-driven, data-centered approach to drive success for our authors and their books. We’re a thriving entrepreneurial company that creates books that transcend categories and defy odds, and we’ve been honored with hundreds of national bestsellers and awards. We are passionate book lovers dedicated to connecting books to readers in innovative ways. Story by story, book by book, we have changed more than 300 million lives.  Join us as we change 300 million more!

Ready to Apply:
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! 

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care, Dependent Care, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, & generous paid time off.  
  
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. 
 

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