A commissioning editor makes recommendations to a newspaper, magazine, or book publisher about which pieces to accept for publication. These publishing professionals evaluate submissions and queries to determine which should be pursued, and they can also actively seek out writers for specific projects. Typically, commissioning editors are assisted staff members who review materials and select the most promising pieces for review, allowing them to avoid reading through all of the material submitted to their employers.
This individual acts as a buyer for the publishing industry. To do their job well, commissioning editors require a variety of skills. One is the ability to keep up with trends in order to publish commercially viable work. This necessitates reading trade publications, keeping track of what customers want, and keeping an eye on rival publications’ activities to see what kind of content they’re publishing. Commissioning editors should also be aware of some legal considerations, as these can limit the types of works they can accept.
The commissioning editor works with writers one-on-one, negotiating contracts and communicating with them throughout the editing process. Many keep in touch with writers who the publication wants to use on a regular basis while also keeping an eye out for new talent. Developing relationships with writers may entail a variety of activities, such as meeting with them in person, assisting them in communicating with other members of the publication’s staff, and so on.
In most cases, commissioning editors do not have final say over publishing decisions. At meetings, they make recommendations, allowing other editors and high-ranking executives to weigh in. The commissioning editor can begin working with the writer once a supervisor expresses an interest in purchasing a piece. This can include ensuring that writers meet deadlines while also arranging for fact checking of journalism pieces, collaborating with an art department on accompanying photography, and other duties.
Working as a commissioning editor necessitates the ability to read pieces quickly and fairly in order to assess their potential for publication. Good communication skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure, are essential; someone working for a daily newspaper, for example, must be able to quickly assemble stories every day, as well as change the editorial page quickly if necessary to accommodate breaking news. It’s crucial to have a network of contacts so that the commissioning editor knows who to contact for a quick turnaround on a time-sensitive piece.