Publishing Bidness PSA

[lagilman]

Editorial Assistant job open at Tor

We are seeking a detail-oriented individual to assist the Editorial
department in various tasks, with an emphasis on fantasy and science
fiction. Responsibilities include: writing flap copy and catalog copy,
reading and evaluating manuscripts, as well as performing general
administrative duties. Excellent written, verbal and computer skills
required. A background of reading Fantasy & Science Fiction stories
and novels necessary, extensive background reading a plus. Minimum of
1 year previous editorial experience necessary.

Interested people can email David Hartwell at: dgh at tor.com and send
resumes or queries.

(info via a reputable second-hand party)

Comments

[kriz1818.livejournal.com]

Do you mean that this is the worst way to get into publishing? ;-)

[lagilman]

a) punchline to an old joke.
b) starting at the bottom is both the best and the worst way to get into anything.

[blazedglory.livejournal.com]

Well, with a "Minimum of 1 year previous editorial experience necessary," it's not quite the bottom, unless that experience isn't required to be professional.

But it's definitely an eye-opening job for entry into publishing. I did the same thing, more or less, at Ace, roughly twenty years ago, minus the copy writing. I think the two big things I didn't like about it were the clothes and Manhattan.

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

Ah, memories. I started my publishing life in the Flatiron Building. Not at Tor, of course. I was down on the 4th floor - in St. Martin's Scholarly and Reference. Tor was -- somewhere up on the 16th floor, as I recall and I was on the 4th Floor. But if you have to start in publishing, there are worse places to start out than the St. Martin's and the various affiliated presses and imprints. I rather enjoyed it all though of course it was many moons ago.

[lagilman]

Were you there during the Sally R/Roger C era, or earlier?

(they almost hired me away to work on mysteries back then, but I remained true to skiffydom)

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

Ah, I go back a tad further even. I was there during the Tom McCormick era. Oh, Sally was there but Tom was very much in evidence.

I remember the first time I saw Sally actually. I was in my office (yes, I lucked out - my first job out of college and I had my own office. With a door!) and I heard someone coming down this little hallway in a very big way, talking and gesturing madly as she went. All of a sudden she called out, "Garrett! Babe!" (or something to that effect) and Garrett Kiely (currently president of Palgrave - he's been there FOREVER), almost dropped an armful of books as they collided.

I had no idea who this woman in the red suit was that was shouting down the hall to my then (rather reserved) boss. But she seemed to overwhelm him in that moment and I thought it did him good.

Ah good times.

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

the mystery division was my "best friend". Ruth Cavin is the name that I recall in connection with it. All their galleys and items from the slush room (back when they had a slush room) used to end of in our offices because we were on the same floor as ther mail room. When the mail room got filled up, the overflow came into our space. That department was VERY generous with galleys too. I can't tell you how many mysteries I read via galleys while I worked there.

[lagilman]

Ruth's still there. I think they built the Flatiron up around her, actually...

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

is she? Gosh, in an industry where people move around a lot, St. Martin's seems to have more than it's share of long timers. Garrett had been there several years when I got there and he's still there too.

Which reminds me - I must try and see him at BEA.

[delkytlar.livejournal.com]

Holtzbrinck, in general, has a lot of people with 15, 20 or more years with the company. It's a good sign for new people like me. Kind of feels like Penguin used to before the Putnam merger. Homey and secure.

[puppetmaker40.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to figure out if I know David or not.

I am going to give this a try. Who knows what might happen.

[lagilman]

DH, he of the OMG Ties. You know of him, certainly...

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

Um. Not just ties. Gaudy striped pants with pastel checks on the jacket and eye-scarring herringbone on the shirt . . .

Di

[skidspoppe.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun...bet you actually have to live in New York, huh?

[lagilman]

Alas, yes, that is sort of a requirement. For the assistant position, anyway.

[skidspoppe.livejournal.com]

If you can think of a good publishing position I can do from Vegas, I am SO applying!

[blazedglory.livejournal.com]

Or be young and live with your parents in NJ and take the train. Wear sensible shoes. (Would that work? The train, I mean, not the shoes.) Of course, this means you spend your social time with your parents ...

Never mind.

[patchwork-prose.livejournal.com]

I am not sure anyone could pay me enough to take another job reading and evaluating manuscripts. I have gotten to be SO fussy in my old age!

[lagilman]

it's very much a job for the young. Or at least enthusiastic.

[oneminutemonkey.livejournal.com]

Ah, to live in New York.
And to have what they'd call previous editorial experience.
And to be young and foolish again.

[lagilman]

You could probably pass for experienced, all things considered, and the 'foolishness' part trumps being young...all we'd have to do is get you to nyC....

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

Wish I lived in NYC. Of course, I'd probably be depressed at seeing the business end of the publishing business. *VBG*

[lagilman]

Actually, while it may seem depressing to learn the ins and outs, knowing it is actually sort of comforting. In the "I know why the volcano errupts and kills people" sort of comforting way.

[tanaise.livejournal.com]

I'd passed that around to people when it was first posted on the Holtzbrinck page (Which I check regularly to see if Bedford/St. Martin's is looking for me.), but I guess they weren't qualified. :) (or didn't apply, probably more likely.)

[meekachuegs.livejournal.com]

Do you think they would accept a non-native nyer and the closest experience is my own term papers for classes?

[lagilman]

you'l never know until you send your resume in....

[meekachuegs.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Sorry if it come across as an redundant question, but over qualified and lack of experience rejections letters have beaten my enthusiasm to a minor of caution. anyway thank you again for taking the time to post this and even respond. Also a yay for your books.

it's the thought that counts

[editrx.livejournal.com]

For a giggle (since you know me): Someone sent me this listing thinking it would be perfect for me, since I'm looking for work.

ROTFLMAO.

Um. It would have been Twenty-three years ago.

Sigh.

Re: it's the thought that counts

[lagilman]

*facepalm*

I did see something on mediabistro that made me wonder if you'd seen it, tho... do you read there?

Re: it's the thought that counts

[editrx.livejournal.com]

Usually I do, but this week has been hell on wheels, healthwise, with the entire family including cats. Send me the link?