Job Description

Random House Children’s Books seeks a dynamic Copy Editor or Senior Copy Editor to join the Copyediting team. The Copy Editor / Senior Copy Editor will copyedit and proofread materials during all stages of production for style and accuracy. Materials include book text, covers and jackets, and advertising and promotional materials in support of the trade book list. The Senior Copy Editor also manages a discrete list of books, production editing and hiring and reviewing the work of freelance copy editors as needed.  

Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, early readers, chapter books, novels, and nonfiction, Random House Children’s Books publishes award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous characters, and bestselling series. Our imprints include Random House Books for Young Readers, Knopf Books for Young Readers, Delacorte Press, Golden Books, Crown Books for Young Readers, Random House Graphic, Random House Studio, Labyrinth Road, Doubleday Books for Young Readers, Joy Revolution, Bright Matter Books, Anne Schwartz Books, Make Me a World, and more. 

The Random House Children’s Books Copyediting team is responsible for the clarity, accuracy, and consistency of all content for the division. Our group’s unique focus on the content of our books and ancillary materials requires team members who are committed to copyediting and have professional experience working on fiction and nonfiction. We publish hundreds of books each year, across the spectrum of genres, age ranges, and interests, and this work requires not only a love of children’s books but also intellectual curiosity, flexibility, and collaboration. 

Specific responsibilities include: 

• Ensures consistency of style and accuracy of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

• Proofreads all stages of covers and jackets. 

• Verifies the accuracy of all book information. 

• Acts as a consultant regarding editorial-related questions.

• Maintains “internal logic” of projects and resolves problems through discussions with managing editors, editors, design, and production.

• For Senior Copy Editor: Hires and manages freelance copy editors and proofreaders as needed, reviewing their changes and queries.

Please apply if you meet the following qualifications:  

• For Copy Editor: MUST have at least 2 years in trade or academic book copyediting and proofreading

• For Senior Copy Editor: At least 5 years in trade or academic book copyediting and proofreading; Production editorial experience is a plus

• Excellent copyediting and proofreading skills 

• Highly detail-oriented, with a demonstrated thorough command of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage 

• Able to work independently and quickly, unflustered by frequent interruption 

• Able to organize and prioritize workload to accommodate schedules and meet deadlines 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written 

• Highly proficient with digital editing, especially editing in Microsoft Word and proofreading in Adobe Acrobat  

• Experience working with licensors and brand content is a plus

• Experience with copyediting and fact-checking science, nature, and nonfiction books is a plus 

• Spanish-language editorial experience is a plus

• Experience with editing marketing and sales material is a plus

The salary for the Copy Editor position is $66,500.00. The salary for the Senior Copy Editor position is $73,500. All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to company results.   

Please apply by March 13, 2025 and include your resume and cover letter for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our  applicant resources page and look over our open-to-remote guidelines on our  FAQs page.

Penguin Random House job postings include a good faith compensation range for each open position. The salary range listed is specific to each particular open position and takes into account various factors including the specifics of the individual role, and candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.

Penguin Random House is the leading adult and children's publishing house in North America, the United Kingdom and many other regions around the world. In publishing the best books in every genre and subject for all ages, we are committed to quality, excellence in execution, and innovation throughout the entire publishing process: editorial, design, marketing, publicity, sales, production, and distribution. Our vibrant and diverse international community of nearly 300 publishing brands and imprints include Ballantine Bantam Dell, Berkley, Clarkson Potter, Crown, DK, Doubleday, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Little Golden Books, Knopf, Modern Library, Pantheon, Penguin Books, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House Audio, Penguin Young Readers, Portfolio, Puffin, Putnam, Random House, Random House Children's Books, Riverhead, Ten Speed Press, Viking, and Vintage, among others. More information can be found at < "">

Penguin Random House values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

Company: Penguin Random House LLC

Country: United States of America 

State/Region: New York 

City: New York 

Postal Code: 10019 

Job ID: 277798

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Freelance, Flexible hours,

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