Senior Editor
Sourcebooks, a leading, innovative, independent book publisher in the western suburbs of Chicago seeks an experienced acquisitions editor in our home office. Build on the solid foundation of several imprints, including Sourcebooks Casablanca (weddings and relationships), Sourcebooks Hysteria (humor), calendars, and custom publishing opportunities with several major retailers. Remarkable opportunity to grow and shape one of the nation's leading publishers of gift-oriented books and calendars.
You'll have the opportunity to direct the publishing process from start to finish, develop titles and authors, and conceptualize, negotiate and implement growth opportunities. Responsible for acquiring, developing, and editing nonfiction book projects and calendars that both enhance and expand our current publishing program. Proven ability to successfully position and title manuscripts for the marketplace a must. Candidates must demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, a willingness to develop strong market knowledge through research and field experience, and the ability to work independently via strong goal orientation.
Candidates must have at least three years of relevant book publishing acquisitions experience. Excellent analytical skills and judgment, strong book development skills, negotiation skills, strong interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated record of success. Must be able to negotiate contracts, set schedules, and meet aggressive deadlines. This position titles books and researches and writes catalog, jacket, and marketing copy. Works closely with authors and presents projects to sales, publicity, and production/design. Project management skills and demonstrated business management skills a must.
Freelancers
Soucebooks, Inc. is always looking for qualified freelance resources in the areas of copyediting, proofreading, indexing, production and design. If you’d like to be considered for freelance opportunities, please submit your resume and writing or design samples to freelancejobs@sourcebooks.com. Please include a cover letter addressing your areas of expertise. All freelancers will be tested prior to being accepted as a vendor, and due to the volume of inquiries received, only those who qualify will be contacted for work.
Freelance Cover Design
Sourcebooks, Inc. is a fast-growing, innovative, independent book publisher located in the western suburbs of Chicago. We currently publish over 300 new books per year and are expanding our freelance cover design resources.
We are looking for talented freelance book cover designers for the following categories:
Adult Non-Fiction, trade paperback
Adult Fiction
Romance Fiction
Key Features / Deliverables for titles are:
Cover conception requires a minimum of three distinct covers.
Final dlivery will include fully designed book covers (front cover, spine, back cover) in both application and PDF file formats ready for printer.
All source design files must be in QuarkXPress, or InDesign and Adbobe CS3 applications in a Mac compatible formats.
All work is for hire, and all source files, including fonts, etc. are to be transferred for project to be complete.
This is a great opportunity for experienced book cover designers who demonstrate a great use of fonts. We expect to continually add books in the future and are looking to build a pool of talented designers in this area.
Your response and submission must include: 1) your resume with professional background, 2) expected turnaround time for assigned projects, 3) projected cover cost, and 4) electronic portfolio samples or a link to a website with available portfolio samples which demonstrate similar book cover design. If your portfolio does not demonstrate book cover design, you will be asked to complete a book cover as a sample assignment prior to the awarding of projects. Send your letter of interest to design@sourcebooks.com
Assistant Production Artist — Sourcebooks, Inc., a fast-growing, innovative, independent book publisher located in the western suburbs of Chicago, seeks an outstanding individual to join our Production Composition Department.
In this position, you will be responsible for the production and composition of various titles across the Sourcebooks imprints.
Major Responsibilities include:
Produce and review pages for approval of revision at all levels of the production composition process.
Implement and route completed page corrections.
Maintain quality of books at all phases in the production process by adhering to project specifications and preflighting files before handing off to the printer.
Coordinate all elements of book production from editorial through production and close to printer.
Update Filemaker Pro tracking database with each handoff.
Qualifications:
Technically savvy with Mac computers; must have experience in QuarkXPress, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, Excel, and Word.
Ability to layout manuscript pages in Quark and set up master pages, style sheets, colors, etc. for both book covers and internals.
Knowledge of graphic arts/design procedures and process.
Knowledge of proofreaders’ markings.
Knowledge of fonts and font management.
Knowledge of preflighting.
Impeccable time management and organizational skills to keep projects on schedule.
Excellent communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with both internal and external sources.
Any experience with the following are a plus:
Converting Quark files to InDesign
Experience working with FileMaker Pro
Experience working with in an InDesign /InCopy workflow.
This is an exciting opportunity for a multi-tasking yet focused individual with high energy, positive attitude, creative thinking abilities, and strong work ethic. Please send a letter of interest, salary requirements and a résumé to Production_Hiring@sourcebooks.com.
Entry-Level Graphic Position
Sourcebooks, Inc., a leading book publisher located in the western suburbs of Chicago, seeks an outstanding individual to join our award-winning Production and Design Department. This is an exciting entry-level job with real opportunity for career growth with a dynamic, growing company. This position is responsible for the production of visually appealing covers and book interiors as part of talented team.
Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Flow in digital text from editorial, correctly format all internal elements; prepare pages for intermediate proofing and final digital files for vendor.
Ensuring all products are on time, efficiently executed and produced within budget.
Work closely with editorial team members to make sure books meet the above goals and maintain the overall design.
Work closely with the Production Department to make sure books are produced efficiently, on time and with high quality standards.
Troubleshoot design, editorial, production and manufacturing issues. Deliver files correctly prepared for printing.
Review color proofs for quality.
Candidates should be/have:
Creative, attentive to detail; ability to take direction and follow through.
Proficient in Mac-based environment; experience in Quark, Illustrator, and Photoshop applications.
Ability to layout manuscript pages in Quark or InDesign and set up master pages, style sheets, colors, etc. for both covers and internals.
Sales Assistant
Sourcebooks, Inc., a leading, innovative independent book publisher in the Western Suburbs of Chicago seeks a candidate for the position of Sales Assistant. We are a rapidly growing company with a wide range of great books and outstanding, energetic and creative employees. This vital support position within the sales department, added as a result of our tremendous growth, requires a candidate with strong organization, computer, and communication skills. High energy and a positive attitude a must!
Responsibilities will include:
Report generation
Collection, compilation, and preparation of sales materials
Data distribution, internally and externally
Tracking of key sales statistics, sales trends
Assist in planning of sales conferences and meetings
Coordination of mailings
Answering phones
Manage and update title information with customers
Taking orders from customers via phone
Candidate must be detail and deadline oriented across multiple projects simultaneously and be able to achieve goals both within a team environment and working independently. Prior retail or publishing experience is preferred but not required.
Editorial Intern Remarkable opportunity at Chicago's leading independent book publisher for students interested in editorial work. Join a creative team environment that creates national bestsellers. Read and copyedit manuscripts, gain editing experience, and learn all about the editorial process. Detail-oriented, organized individual must have the ability to juggle and coordinate short- and long-term projects. Proofreading, publishing, or bookstore experience a plus. If you want to work in a dynamic, demanding, progressive environment, send a letter of interest and resume to Editorial.
Marketing Intern
Open immediately, we are looking for an outgoing, detail-oriented and creative person who loves books and wants to work in a fast paced, fun and friendly environment. This is a paying internship and the hours are flexible [15-30 a week]. You will be exposed to all aspects of book publishing. A few of the key responsibilities of this position include assisting the marketing department with mailings to bookstores, libraries, and academic customers, updating marketing databases, sending email blasts to bookstores, libraries, and academic customers, international sales support and other marketing projects. Must be energetic and enthusiastic. A great opportunity for someone who wants to learn about book publishing and develop writing and communication skills. Familiarity with Word and Excel a plus. Prefer Business, Advertising, Marketing or Communication majors but all are welcome —book lovers a must. Please send your resume and letter of interest to Marketing.
Production Department Intern Sourcebooks, Inc. is looking for a production/design department intern. We are the fastest-growing independent book publisher in the Midwest. The production/design department is responsible for designing, producing, and coordinating the manufacturing of all printed material for Sourcebooks, Inc. These items include everything from business cards to book covers. The production/design intern will assist with the creation of sales and publicity materials such as postcards, posters, and sell sheets. They will also be responsible for organizing photography and illustrator samples, creating archival CDs, and much more. This position will give you the opportunity to experience all aspects of the book-publishing industry. We are looking for a dedicated, enthusiastic, detail-oriented individual with some Mac design experience in Quark, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Positions are paid and are available year-round, including summer and winter breaks. Please send your letter of interest and resume to Production.
Publicity Intern
Sourcebooks, Inc. is looking for an outgoing, detail-oriented and creative person who loves books and wants to work in a fast paced, fun and friendly environment. Assist the publicity department with mailings to various media outlets, logging and organizing newspaper and magazine clippings, updating media contacts in database, writing and researching press materials, updating publicity spreadsheet and agenda on a weekly basis. Must be energetic and enthusiastic - not afraid to make cold calls. A great opportunity for someone who wants to learn about book publishing, develop writing and communication skills, and grow to be media savvy. This is a paying internship. Please send a letter of interest and a resume to Publicity.
Sales Intern
Open immediately, we are looking for an outgoing and creative individual to join our team. This is a paying internship and the hours are flexible [15-30 a week]. You will be exposed to all aspects of book publishing. You will be in working with all of our customers including Barnes and Noble, Borders and the many independent booksellers. Some of the key responsibilities of this position include tracking co-op advertising expenditures, analyzing sales data and coming up with ideas to market our books. This is a terrific opportunity for anyone interesting in learning about book publishing. Familiarity with Word and Excel a plus. Prefer Business, Advertising, Marketing or Communication majors but all are welcome—book lovers a must. Must be able to start immediately. Please send your resume and letter of interest to Sales.
