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Description: This is full time job is based in the Mumbai office of Packt Publishing. It is an exciting opportunity for someone who is interested in the challenge of a job that involves team work, coordination, and multi-tasking in a very friendly environment. The role of the Project Coordinator (PC) is to help the editorial team meet deadlines and use resources efficiently. The PC will ensure the smooth and timely flow of work between different stages of the editorial process. The role involves working with the company staff, as well as external authors and reviewers, and requires excellent communication and co-ordination skills. The PC will work with many projects at the same time, so multi-tasking skills are essential. Previous experience in similar organising roles is advantageous although not required. The PC will report to the Editorial Manager (EM), but they will be working closely and remotely with the Project Team Leader (PTL). The PTL will train the PC and will be responsible for assigning project management tasks to the PC.
The Editorial Process
The Packt editorial process, in which the PC will play an integral part, involves the following stages:
• A book idea and then a book outline are developed by an Acquisition Editor (AE) or proposed by a potential author.
• The AE sends the book outline to external reviewers for feedback.
• The AE and the Author(s) agree on a timeline for delivering the chapters of the book and advances against the royalties.
• A contract is drafted and sent to the Author by email.
• Once all details in the contract are agreed, two paper copies of the contract are signed by the Editorial Director (ED) and sent to Author.
• The Author signs and returns one copy. At this point, both the Publisher and the Author become legally bound by the agreement of the book.
• When the Author submits the first draft of a chapter, it is reviewed by the AE or in case of Senior Acquisition Editor (SAE) it is reviewed by Development Editor (DE). If is not acceptable, it is sent back to the Author for a revision. If it is accepted, it is passed to the Technical Reviewers (TRs), of whom there are usually two on each book, for their feedback.
• Each author advance is paid after an invoice is received from the Author for content as delivered and accepted by Packt as stated in the contract.
• When the reviews of a chapter are received, the AE or DE checks them, check the AE or DE’s comments, incorporates his own comments, and sends the chapter back to the Author for another draft of the chapter.
• When the new draft of the chapter is received, the AE or DE checks it to make sure that it addressed all comments. If it did not, it is sent back to the Author. If it did, it is passed to the Technical Editors (TEs) and it enters production.
• The chapter is then edited, indexed, laid out, and sent out to a proofreader. When it is received back, the editors act on the proofreader’s comments and issue the PreFinal draft of the chapter.
• The PreFinal draft is then sent to the Author for a final check. At this stage, very minor changes are expected.
• The chapter is then finalized and incorporated into the final PDF of the book.
• The cover of the book is also finalized at the same time.
• The final PDF of the book and the cover are then uploaded to the Printers’ website.
• A proof copy of the book is ordered for checking that there is no problem with the printing. If there is a problem, a new PDf is produced and uploaded. If everything is fine, the book is declared published and starts selling.
• A number of copies are then ordered for the offices in Mumbai and Birmingham, and from these copies the Author and Reviewer are sent out. Job Description: After initial training you would be expected to be able to perform the following duties: • Take ownership of the book timeline, which is agreed between AE and the Author.
• Liaise with AEs, DEs, Authors, TRs, and TEs to reinforce book timelines by making sure that chapters are delivered and reviewed by their deadlines.
• Issue author contracts from the standard template based on the outcome of the negotiation between AEs and Authors, and ensure the timely receipt of signed contracts.
• Manage the reviewing process, including forwarding chapters to Reviewers, chasing up late reviews, and informing the AEs and DEs of received reviews.
• Be proactive and creative in identifying potential problems with resources and timelines and liaising with the relevant people to take appropriate action to solve these problems. Inform the EM in a timely manner of problems that require his intervention.
• Ensure Authors are paid on time upon the receipt of invoices.
• Order Author and reviewer copies.
• Produce a weekly report for team, explaining planned versus actual and identifying problems and required action.
• Work with the PTL and EM to develop the PC role to help improve the editorial process.
• As a future development of the role, the PC may be asked to conduct contract negotiations with Authors, in liaison with the AEs. Editors would agree an overall budget for a book in terms of advances and royalties, and the PC would negotiate with the authors to secure the most mutually acceptable sharing
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