Relay Publishing is looking for an imaginative and organized Outline Editor to help oversee and shape the outline for a Legal Thriller series. Are you an experienced editor looking to earn a competitive, reliable income in a fun online working environment using your editing experience and skills?
Job Outline
We want to work with people who are creative, passionate, and conscientious on an ongoing basis. As a virtual office, communication is key, we like to work with individuals who can meet deadlines and communicate clearly and efficiently to keep project coordinators up to date with your progress.
Our ideal candidate will work within the Relay Publishing’s outline template and will see the story develop step by step, from the very kernel of an idea to a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline. They will edit from a ‘big picture’ perspective, considering and strengthening story elements including conflict, pacing, character development, structure, story logic etc. This process requires extensive back and forth communication between writer and editor.
You will be working from a Project Overview which details the concept for each book in the series as well as the tropes to be included, and other useful information to begin the project with. Legal knowledge, particularly criminal law, will also be valued highly.
You will be expected to edit outline stages as writers complete them to evaluate content, structure and identify potential problems. In addition, outline editors ensure our writers adhere to our style guide and writers’ guidelines. If a writer gets stuck, the outline editor helps them identify and work through obstacles.
Necessary Skills & Experience
- Extensive experience within the genre of Legal Thrillers, specific knowledge of Criminal Law. You should be familiar with authors such as John Grisham, Michael Connelly and Scott Pratt.
- Use imagination to fill in gaps, and envisage how a talented writer would flesh out the outline as it develops.
- Work collaboratively with writers to build a comprehensive outline for a complex legal story
- Solid editing experience, with a passion for plot, structure and pacing
- Ability to evaluate characters and story arcs to build drama for our readers
- Excellent communication and analytical skills
- Time management and prioritization
- Technologically savvy in order to work with our project management software and Word
About You
A deep knowledge of the genre is required—viable candidates should already have written, edited or read widely in the legal thriller genre. You need to have high familiarity with the genre, know how to plot and structure a story, and have a good mind for what readers in this genre want. You will enjoy a challenge and using your problem-solving skills to define what is next in the story. You are a person who enjoys the brainstorming process and high level collaborative creation.
In addition, you know how to plot and structure a story, and have a good mind for what readers in this genre want. You will enjoy a challenge and using your problem-solving skills to define what is next in the story. You are a person who enjoys the brainstorming process and high level collaborative creation.
What’s in It for You?
An amazing freelance, online, remote working environment with a real collaborative virtual office that fosters teamwork, development and open communication. We are passionate about creating an online workplace that really works! We use an online project management software that helps us keep an open, collaborative approach to all our projects. Just because we work remote, doesn’t mean we have to be remote! We want to nurture our team and work with a consistent group of professionals to be part of the company as it continues to grow. We use an online project management system to run our projects which integrate seamlessly with your emails.
We thoroughly believe in long-term collaborative relationships and that is reflected in our approach to all our projects. We offer competitive rates, clear briefs & expectations, and friendly and fun communication throughout. Flexibility is one of our core work principles: as long as the work gets done, you can do it whenever it suits you. Unlike a traditional office we don’t require you to be at your desk 9-5—you pick your own schedule. If you’re serious about writing or editing for a living, we’d love to hear from you.
We are always open to ideas. We like to have brainstorming sessions and offer incentives for participation. Whether that’s a new book or business venture, a change to processes and workflow. No matter what your role, you are part of the team and your voice counts.
We have grown dramatically over the last couple years and we plan on growing more, come along for the ride!