ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) is seeking to hire an Associate Editor.

To Apply

Please send cover letter and resume to Cynthia Sherman at careers@awpwriter.org with the words “Associate Editor” in the subject line of the email. Applications close on January 20, 2022.

Background of the Organization

AWP provides support, advocacy, resources, and community for nearly 50,000 writers, 550 college and university creative writing programs, and 150 writers’ conferences and centers. As a national professional association of creative writers and writing programs, AWP brings together independent writers, academic writing programs, journals, presses, and arts organizations, united by a love for the literary arts. In addition to hosting the largest annual gathering of writers in North America, AWP builds supportive communities through its extensive website, thriving mentorship program, and magazine dedicated to the craft of writing.

AWP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1967. Our mission is to amplify the voices of writers and the academic programs and organizations that serve them while championing diversity and excellence in creative writing.

Our staff is passionate about writers and writing programs. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of our work amid calls for racial justice and changing conditions. We continue to refine and add value to existing programs that have proven to be beneficial to our members and the literary community.

The Writer’s Chronicle is AWP’s flagship publication.

Position

The Associate Editor helps the Director of Publications in all AWP publishing and business operations; the Associate Editor’s duties are described below under criteria for evaluation. The requirements for this position include an MFA degree in creative writing, excellent reading and writing skills; previous editing and proofreading experience; good computer skills; familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style and desktop publishing systems, especially InDesign. The preferred qualifications are experience with FileMaker Pro, Photoshop, Excel, and web publishing software.

Responsibilities & Criteria for Evaluation

• Solicitation and evaluation of articles for The Writer’s Chronicle and The Writer’s Notebook. Editing The Writer’s Notebook online: soliciting and editing articles and accepting them for publication.

• Researching and writing articles for The Writer’s News section and on subjects assigned, writing news briefs for AWP newsletter, and either writing the Annual Academic Job Market Report article or securing a freelance writer for the Report.

• Posting academic and nonacademic jobs to the Job List online, and calls for submission, grants, fellowships and awards to the Opportunities for Grants, Awards & Publication page. Approve submitted jobs and opportunities on the backend.

• Coordinating publication agreements and W9s for articles published in The Writer’s Notebook, and assisting the Director of Finance as needed for contributors and award winners to receive payments.

• Proofreading and copyediting publications, most significantly The Writer’s Chronicle (this includes First Edits, Final Proofs, the laid-out pages, and the digital bluelines of every issue), as well as documents and other materials as required by the Director of Publications and the Executive Director.

• Soliciting editors and publishers and coordinating and editing interviews for the Moveable Type feature for every issue.

• Assisting the Director of Publication with the management of the AWP Award Series.

• Utilizing computer skills in InDesign, Photoshop, FileMaker Pro, and other software for use during the production of The Writer’s Chronicle, and to create promotional materials for social media and header images for The Writer’s Notebook articles.

• Promoting on social media issues of The Writer’s Chronicle, articles posted to The Writer’s Notebook, deadlines for the Award Series, or any other departmental publication or initiative as required by the Director of Publications and in accordance with procedures established by the Director of Social Media.

• Assisting at Annual Conference and Bookfair in accordance with job assigned on a yearly basis. Editing of conference bios and event descriptions for the Annual Conference Program and Planner.

• Overseeing the Publications Assistant on any task given by the Associate Editor or the Director of Publications.

• Utilizing the task management system Asana to coordinate with other staff and to initiate, continue, and complete ongoing projects; utilizing ShareFile to access, backup and transfer files.

• Updating the text on various pages of AWP’s website, as needed and as required by the Director of Publications and the Director of Web Services.

• Providing information and assistance to members, contest entrants, advertisers, and prospective contributors. Checking and replying to relevant emails.

• Maintaining good professional relations with advertising clients, printing vendors, AWP membership, board, and staff.

• Other duties as requested by the Director of Publications or the Executive Director.

Qualifications

• MFA degree in creative writing.
• Minimum two years of experience in an arts organization with strong editing skills.
• Working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field of creative writing and in the pedagogy of creative writing.
• Ability to multi-task and work independently, prioritizing workflow to meet critical deadlines while paying close attention to detail and moving longer-term projects forward.
• Commitment to the mission and goals of AWP.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate and manage effectively at all levels of the organization and to effectively represent the organization before outside constituencies.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and excellent information management.

AWP is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all applicants regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. AWP is committed to having a workforce that reflects the diversity of the population that it serves at all levels within the organization.

Salary range: $60,000 to $65,000. AWP offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance; PTO/paid holidays; 401k/retirement planning; family leave; telework; and a flexible schedule. For more information on the Association of Writers & Writing Programs, please visit www.awpwriter.org.