Editorial Assistant - Del Rey (Remote Opportunity)

About Penguin Random House and Del Rey

Penguin Random House is a foremost publisher in adult and children's books across North America, the UK, and globally. They emphasize quality, execution excellence, and innovation across all stages of publishing including editorial, design, marketing, publicity, sales, production, and distribution. The company includes nearly 300 diverse publishing imprints and brands. Del Rey, an imprint within Penguin Random House, specializes in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction and has published renowned authors like George R.R. Martin and Naomi Novik.

Position Overview

The Editorial Assistant joins Del Rey's team to support an Executive Editor administratively and editorially for a wide range of speculative fiction titles. This role acts as a liaison between authors, agents, and multiple departments within Penguin Random House while assisting with the end-to-end editorial process and book releases. The assistant handles both administrative duties and editorial tasks such as manuscript evaluation, copywriting, and brainstorming innovative publishing strategies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact between authors/agents and the editorial team
• Manage calendars, phone calls, and meeting scheduling as part of administrative support
• Write catalog and flap copy summarizing and selling books, and prepare fact sheets
• Run and distribute sales reports for comparable titles
• Collaborate with internal departments including publicity, marketing, sales, production, and design
• Assess manuscripts and proposals in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction, and provide constructive feedback
• Research market trends and competing titles to support publishing decisions

Qualifications and Skills

• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage deadlines and a busy Outlook inbox
• Excellent multitasking and prioritization in a fast-paced, detail-focused environment
• Outstanding verbal and written communication abilities
• Independent worker who adapts well to team collaboration
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, and eagerness to learn new software tools
• Creative problem-solving, decision-making, and effective time management skills
• Strong writing capabilities and broad reading interests with enthusiasm for speculative fiction genres
• Awareness of contemporary fiction and pop culture trends

Additional Information

The role offers an annual salary of $55,000. Employees may be eligible for an annual profit award or bonus dependent on company performance. The position is hybrid with remote-work options and is part of a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), student loan repayment, and generous paid leave. The company promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce, ensuring equal employment opportunities without discrimination. Confidentiality and statutory data privacy regulations are strictly maintained.