Editor, Del Rey (Open to Remote)

Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children's publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom, and many other regions worldwide. Committed to quality, excellence, and innovation, we publish the best books across every genre and subject for all ages. Our diverse international community includes nearly 300 publishing brands and imprints such as Ballantine Bantam Dell, Berkley, Crown, DK, Doubleday, Knopf, Penguin Books, Random House, Riverhead, and Viking.

About the role

Del Rey Books, a premiere publisher of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, is seeking an Editor to acquire 10-12 titles per year with an emphasis on commercial genre fiction with a speculative edge. The Editor will craft and execute a unique vision for each title, from acquisition through publication, collaborating closely with design, art, production, and promotional teams. This role serves as the primary point of contact for authors, providing dedicated care while managing each book’s development and championing it internally and externally. The ideal candidate will have a keen sense of the aesthetic and commercial potential of genre fiction and a commitment to acquiring works that reflect the diversity of the speculative fiction community.

Del Rey is home to acclaimed storytellers including George R. R. Martin, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Pierce Brown, Naomi Novik, Cassandra Clare, and Max Brooks.

Responsibilities

• Actively solicit and evaluate potential acquisitions with a clear publication vision and target audience in mind.
• Cultivate relationships with literary agents and authors to expand the imprint’s network.
• Collaborate with authors and agents on creative development, including conceptualization, structural edits, and line edits.
• Work with the Del Rey editorial team to evaluate submissions, shape editorial strategy, and identify growth opportunities.
• Shepherd books through the publication process, including writing copy, sales materials, and loglines; soliciting blurbs; defining target audiences; and developing messaging and packaging strategies.
• Serve as the primary liaison between authors/agents and internal teams (marketing, publicity, design, production).
• Act as the book’s chief project manager, ensuring deadlines are met and advocating for each title internally and externally.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of editorial experience acquiring and editing commercial and/or genre fiction.
• Strong interest in growing the list of romance, fantasy, and fanfiction titles.
• Passion for science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction, with knowledge of subgenres and communities.
• Ability to build and expand a network of agent relationships.
• Immersion in pop culture and enthusiasm for identifying and anticipating trends.
• Ability to articulate a clear, audience-focused publication strategy and advocate for each project’s place on the list.
• Deep understanding of storytelling and experience shaping manuscripts through multiple drafts (conceptual, structural, and line edits).
• Experience collaborating with marketing, publicity, design, and production teams to guide manuscripts from acquisition to publication.
• Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, with precision, persuasiveness, and passion.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines, balance priorities, and manage projects proactively.
• Commitment to nurturing strong author-agent relationships and providing best-in-class author care.

Pay

Salary for this position is $77,500 per year. All positions are eligible for an annual profit award or bonus, subject to company results.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k) retirement plans.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Life and AD&D Insurance.
• Commuter Benefits.
• Student Loan Repayment Program.
• Educational Assistance.
• Generous paid time off.