UW Press Acquisitions Specialist
UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP
23519 (ES 8 SEIU 925 Libraries Non Supv)
23518 (NE 8 5 SEIU 925 Libraries Non Supv)
CLASS SERIES CONCEPT
Within University of Washington Press (UW Press), work with authors to acquire book-length manuscripts for publication.
BASIC FUNCTION
Acquire and transmit 15-20 high-quality trade manuscripts annually for publication for regional and national audiences.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Under administrative direction of the Editorial Director in UW Press Acquisitions, work creatively and independently to seek out acquisitions to complement the press’s existing editorial program, with the opportunity to build distinguished lists in other areas. Look for promising new manuscripts. Manage multiple, deadline-drive projects simultaneously.
Collaborate with authors, faculty, librarians, agents, and others to evaluate and commission projects for the press; attend select conferences and travel regionally to scout new projects; manage peer review and presenting proposed books to the faculty press committee; prepare financial information on all prospective titles and negotiating relevant contracts; coordinate and participate in staff meetings around the publication process; collaborate with press grant-writing and development staff to seek underwriting as needed; and work with authors on revisions and preparing final manuscripts for copyediting.
TYPICAL WORK
Actively recruit new book proposals and manuscripts by contacting prospective authors.
Develop and sustain a strong network of press authors, prospective authors, and advisers.
Attend select conferences, and travel regionally to scout new projects.
Correspond with prospective authors to answer questions about the publication process.
Recommend revisions to authors of manuscripts under review; work with authors on implementing revisions.
Prepare budgets for manuscripts proposed for publication.
Negotiate contracts in consultation with Director and Editor-in-Chief.
Acquire and transmit 15-20 new manuscripts per fiscal year.
Solicit and evaluate book proposals and manuscripts in assigned areas and determine their suitability for publication.
Identify and engage outside readers to provide peer review.
Participate in weekly acquisitions and biweekly interdepartmental editorial meetings to review proposals and manuscripts, and recommend further review, rejection, or presentation to the press committee for formal approval.
Prepare materials for presentation to the faculty press committee. Attend press committee meetings.
Work collaboratively with other press departments to develop appropriate and effective publishing plans for titles acquired.
Identify and help secure grants and title subsidies to underwrite publication costs; and
Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s Degree in humanities or social sciences, or a discipline related to assigned acquisitions areas, and 3 or more years of publishing experience
OR
Equivalent combination of education and experience.
CLASS SERVICE EXEMPTION
Graphic Arts and Publications.
CLASS SPECIFICATION HISTORY
- New to SEIU 925 02-01-2023 per PERC Case No. 133181-E-20.
- Prior to 02-01-2023, 01-01-2021, this work in University Press was in professional staff job code 11958, Editor (E S 8); overtime eligible counterpart was 19202 (NE S 8).