For nearly 20 years, The Pragmatic Programmers — home of The Pragmatic Bookshelf — has published award-winning and highly-acclaimed books on a range of software development and engineering management topics.
When you join the Bookshelf team, you’ll not only be helping software developers do their best possible work, you’ll also have a direct hand in shaping how the tech industry evaluates and learns about new technologies. You’ll have a role in creating the products and services we’ll all be using in the not-so-distant future.
Job Description
As a developmental editor with the Bookshelf, you'll be the primary reader, advocate, and guide for your authors. You'll be a sounding board, and you'll be the voice of expertise. Together, you and your authors will create 50- to 350+-page books across a range of programming and engineering management topics.
This is a fully-remote, contract / independent position. Your total compensation and the number of hours you work each week will depend on the number of projects you take on with us.
Responsibilities
Because each book and each author is unique, your responsibilities will vary from project to project. But, in general, you’ll be expected to:
- Help authors navigate issues like pacing, audience, and narrative as you produce content that’s conducive to learning.
- Motivate and support authors dealing with writer’s block, self-doubt, and other common hurdles when writing.
- Help authors write in a way that’s consistent with the PragProg voice and style.
- Guide authors through our editorial process.
- Be your author’s advocate and front-line resource for any and all issues that come up throughout the project.
If it sounds like a tall order, don’t worry — you won’t be in it alone.
From our Author’s Guide and wikis to our Google groups, Managing Editor, Author Relations Coordinator, production team and the rest of the staff, you’ll have a lot of support.
Salary
$45,000 — $55,000
Application Requirements
For this role, you don’t have to be a programmer yourself, but having a strong background in developing non-fiction content is a must, and any experience with technical content and instructional materials will greatly help.
Likewise, while we prefer candidates who have experience developing books, a portfolio of journal-length articles will also be plenty to showcase your abilities.
This position is 100% remote and open to applicants from around the globe, but native or bilingual English proficiency is required.
If you're ready to introduce yourself, please email your application to the email address listed below, using the subject, "Developmental Editor."
Along with your CV, please include a cover letter that explains why you're interested in this position, why you believe you'd be a good fit, and where we can see samples of previous developmental editing projects you've worked on.
