M I E L

Want to edit for MIEL?

DEADLINE EXTENDED!

I’m looking to add an editor to MIEL. This would ideally be a long-term working relationship, and yes, ideally in the long term a paid one. For the sake of financial transparency: printing is very expensive in Belgium. Poetry books are not bestsellers; chapbooks even less. An edition of books usually (but not always, and this has been a losing year in this aspect) covers its costs with nothing left over. The press does not make a profit, and I do not get compensated for my work. This is something I would like to change over the next few years, but it’s not possible at the moment.

Job description: You would be responsible for working on 2-3 chapbooks and/or 111O (editorial with possibility of design work, depending on experience) + possibly some reading (>2hr/month) for the 2017 anthology. Some administrative work is factored in to this position. Total commitment is likely to be 6-8 hours per month, depending on how quickly you work. This position will report to and be supported by me [editor-in-chief].

Qualifications: An attentive and thoughtful reader, a diplomatic and sensitive editor. Ability to engage with writers with firm care. Awareness of issues of justice in a broad sense and as they relate to the literary world in a specific sense. Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of MIEL: what the press publishes, why, how. Self-motivated, responsible, good with deadlines, creative, able to read and work outside of their comfort zone. You do not have to have had formal editorial experience.

Compensation: A €200 honorarium paid in two instalments (one at the end of the first six months; the second at the end of the second six months), a copy of each book MIEL publishes in 2016, editorial training, and training in InDesign if necessary/desirable. Support in kind for the development of your future projects.

Location: Anywhere. All work and communication can be done online or via telephone/Skype.

Terms: To begin January 1, 2016 with a six-month trial period at the end of which we will decide together whether to continue (and how). We will work together to edit one chapbook; then you will work further independently. We will meet once every two weeks at an agreed time for a debriefing and planning session. You will be responsible for contacting blurbers, writing front and back matter, negotiating edits with authors, and planning publicity work. You will also have a role in the book design process and in the planning of our 2017 anthology, including reading work.

To apply: Please send an email with the subject “Editing” to miel dot books at gmail dot com. Attach a PDF letter of interest (up to 2 pages) explaining your specific motivations for working with MIEL and a description of how you approach editing; also send a brief CV (up to 2 pages; PDF) with pertinent experience and/or education. Queries to the same address. People of color, women, and LGBTQ people especially encouraged to apply.

Deadline: November 30.