Job Title: Associate Literary Agent
Pay Range: $50,000 - $65,000 depending on experience
Benefits: The Bindery offers Health Insurance, 401k retirement plan, unlimited vacation policy, and potential for a salary commission package.
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, but remote work is also an option.
About the Position: The Associate Literary Agent works closely with his/her supervisor, The Bindery team, and the Managing Director to learn the publishing business, help The Bindery Agency select clients, developing book concepts and proposals alongside authors, and handle other tasks as assigned. This is a great opportunity to learn about book publishing and the day-to-day work of a literary agency. We are looking for someone who is deeply curious, already engaged in the publishing industry in some way, and interested in a position with long-term potential for growth. Avid readers with a commitment to helping stories become books are a must.
Position Responsibilities:
- Learn the responsibilities of a literary agent by shadowing other agents and/or supervisor, which could include joining author or publisher calls, reviewing (and editing) book proposals, and helping others on the team as necessary
- Scout for potential clients online via podcasts, speaking engagements, videos, or social media, at events, and by reading voraciously
- Work closely with supervisor to establish personal goals, and learn the process of signing, representing, and developing new authors
- Develop a client roster, working with your clients to create strategic book concepts and compelling book proposals to pitch to publishers
- Identify the key editors and publishers in target publishing categories and build relationships with them
- Maintain client records for the agency including client contact information
- Help to manage the agency slush pile, evaluating pitches, queries, and referrals, and forwarding these to the team of agents as needed
- Review and edit book proposals and manuscript submissions upon request, providing feedback and recommendations as needed
- Attend weekly team meetings and join in regular publishing phone calls, taking comprehensive notes
- Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Superior written and verbal communication
- Ability to identify talent and potential in future authors
- Self-motivated, driven, proactive, and reliable
- Must be able to anticipate needs and deliver timely, relevant solutions
- Must be capable of handling sensitive information
- Strong research abilities
- Proficient at managing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Mastery of email and calendar management tools
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat Reader or Pro
Experience: Bachelors degree in Journalism, English, or Communication; writing, editing, proofreading, or other similar experience preferred; previous work in book publishing or journalism is helpful
Skills required:
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Superior written and verbal communication
- Ability to identify talent and potential in future authors
- Self-motivated, driven, proactive, and reliable
- Must be able to anticipate needs and deliver timely, relevant solutions
- Must be capable of handling sensitive information
- Strong research abilities
- Proficient at managing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Mastery of email and calendar management tools
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat Reader or Pro