Acquisitions Editor

Also typically known as acquiring or commissioning editor. Acquisitions Editors are responsible for reviewing manuscripts, commissioning authors for specific publications, and making the important decision of whether a manuscript is marketable.

They are the ‘head-hunters’ of the literary world. What these editors do can be learned, but there is an innate intuition that comes with the field that dictates the truly great editors from the average. This innate intuition is the ability to not only discern what is popular in the market, but foresee what the next big thing is. This aspect is not something that can be learned, but rather an instinct.

The job of an acquisitions editor can be divided into 4 parts:

• Soliciting: bringing in submissions to be evaluated.
• Evaluating: reading manuscripts and deciding which ones would be viable publishing options.
• Purchasing: negotiating a deal with an agent, author, or author’s legal representation to purchase the rights to a book.
• Editing: working with the author, correcting the manuscript and making suggestions to ready a book for release.

Salary and Benefits

Acquisition Editors, commonly known as Commissioning Editors, make $65,000-$80,000 as a starting point. Additionally, based on the individual Publishing house and their specific department performance, there is a chance of receiving a bonus.

How to Become an Acquisitions Editor

There are several ways to become an Acquisitions editor. The best process is slow, but steady and along the way, you will meet helpful colleagues, learn new techniques and collect all the possible knowledge to prepare you for the world of Acquisitions editing. Connections are very important to make in the publishing industry.

 1) Begin at the Bottom

• You will need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree in English or Masters. Begin work at a publishing house as an apprentice.

2) Find a Mentor

• Research publishing houses you would like to work out and single out a few Acquisition editors that you would be interested in working with. Ask them to be their apprentice. After a few months, look at possible permanent positions and demand a stipend.

3) Work as a Literary Agent

• This job is very similar to that of an Acquisitions editor. It is more experience that will help you develop a keen eye for choosing bestsellers and learn the popular trends in the market.

4) Get some Freelance work

• If you cannot apprentice with an acquisitions editor, freelance is a good option. While working freelance, you will help start-up authors perfect their book before selling it to a publishing house.

5) Start a small publishing house

• Start your own small publishing business and print novels on an “on-demand” basis. This way you are helping authors publish their work and are making a name for yourself in the publishing world. You will prove your worth and can use this experience as proof to your future employers that you are capable of being successful in the field.

6) Advertise

• Advertising yourself is the most important aspect of the entire process. Write everyday about your progress, authors you have worked with, etc. and post them online or try to have them published in magazines or newspapers.

Current Topics in the Industry Today

The rise and accessibility of e-books and e-readers is causing the publishing industry to evolve based on consumer demand. The headline “E-book sales are up. Print sales are down.” is nothing new, however recent research indicates that newspaper headlines are not telling the whole story. Consumers are not completely abandoning print books in favor of the latest technology, as was once thought. Even though e-book sales rose by 117% last year while print sales fell by almost 36%, avid readers continue to split their purchases between the two formats.

Consumers desire books that are formatted to best suit their needs. Certain genres, such as children’s books and cookbooks, remain very popular in print format. At this point in time, hardcover and paperback books are still serving their purposes for these two genres, and readers will not make the switch to a digital medium until the advantages of e-books and e-readers surpass those of paper books. The publishing industry continues to adapt as technology advances to satisfy readers.

 Links for Further Reading

Tech Tip: E-Book vs. Books -- The Battle Rages

Acquisitions Editor Salary Graph

Acquisitions Editor with a Cognate Field in Psychology

Tips on Becoming a Successful Acquisitions Editor

Inside Jobs: Successful Traits and Guidelines for becoming an Acquisitions Editor