ACQUISITIONS EDITOR RESUME EXAMPLE

Michael Turner

Nashville, TN

(615) 482-1934

michael.turner.editorial@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/michaelturnereditorial

SUMMARY

Results-driven Acquisitions Editor with 2+ years of experience in manuscript evaluation, editorial coordination, and market research within academic and trade publishing. Proven record of supporting acquisition initiatives that improved proposal approvals by 20% and accelerated editorial workflows across multiple publishing projects. Expertise in author relations and metadata optimization to streamline publication processes, mitigate production delays, and strengthen title discoverability across print and digital channels.

SKILLS

Manuscript Evaluation

Market Research

Author Relations

Metadata Optimization

Editorial Planning

Contract Coordination

EXPERIENCE

Editorial Assistant

Bright Harbor Publishing, Nashville, TN

June 2024 – Present

• Supported acquisition efforts for 12+ annual titles by evaluating submissions, researching market trends, and preparing editorial proposals for publishing board discussions.
• Coordinated manuscript schedules and author communications, reducing editorial turnaround times by 18% across active publication projects.
• Assisted with metadata development, catalog copy, and marketing assets for 25+ title launches, improving digital discoverability and campaign readiness.
• Collaborated with production and marketing teams to streamline launch preparation processes, contributing to a 15% increase in workflow efficiency.

Publishing Intern

Crescent Academic Press, Louisville, KY

January 2023 – May 2024

• Reviewed 40+ manuscript submissions and organized peer-review documentation supporting acquisitions in education and social science publishing categories.
• Conducted competitor analysis and audience research that contributed to a 10% improvement in proposal acceptance recommendations.
• Maintained communication with authors and reviewers regarding revisions, improving editorial response times by 12 business days annually.
• Assisted with conference outreach and promotional activities supporting increased visibility for newly acquired academic titles.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in English

University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Samantha Reed Collins

Boston, MA

(617) 731-4482

s.reedcollins@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/samanthareedcollins

SUMMARY

Results-driven Acquisitions Editor with 5+ years of experience in author acquisition, editorial development, and publishing strategy within educational and trade publishing. Proven record of acquiring more than 20 titles annually while improving publication efficiency by 25% through streamlined editorial coordination and cross-functional collaboration. Expertise in contract negotiation and market analysis to optimize acquisition pipelines, mitigate production bottlenecks, and strengthen portfolio performance across multidisciplinary publishing programs.

SKILLS

Contract Negotiation

Editorial Strategy

Author Acquisition

Market Analysis

Publication Planning

Content Development

EXPERIENCE

Acquisitions Editor

Riverstone Publishing Group, Boston, MA

March 2022 – Present

• Acquired and developed 22–26 titles annually across education, psychology, and professional development publishing categories aligned with revenue objectives and audience demand.
• Negotiated publishing agreements with authors and literary agents, reducing contract approval timelines by 30% while strengthening long-term author retention.
• Directed editorial workflows for acquired titles, improving production efficiency by 25% and maintaining on-time delivery across multiple publication schedules.
• Collaborated with sales and marketing departments on metadata strategy and launch campaigns, increasing title discoverability by 35% across digital channels.
• Represented publishing programs at 10+ industry conferences annually, expanding acquisition pipelines and strengthening author recruitment networks.

Assistant Acquisitions Editor

Northgate Learning Press, Providence, RI

July 2020 – February 2022

• Evaluated manuscript proposals and market trends supporting acquisition decisions for 18+ approved publishing projects each year.
• Managed author communications and manuscript schedules, improving submission compliance rates by 20% through proactive editorial support.
• Coordinated peer-review activities and prepared acquisition presentations for publishing committees to strengthen editorial decision-making processes.
• Assisted with budget forecasting and Profit and Loss analysis, supporting financially sustainable publishing strategies.

EDUCATION

Master of Arts in Publishing and Writing

Emerson College, Boston, MA

Danielle Morgan Whitaker

Chicago, IL

(312) 884-5521

danielle.whitaker@protonmail.com

linkedin.com/in/daniellemorganwhitaker

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Results-driven Acquisitions Editor with 10+ years of experience in editorial leadership, publishing strategy, and author development within academic and commercial publishing. Proven record of commissioning 30+ titles annually while increasing acquisition profitability by 40% through market-driven editorial planning and operational collaboration. Expertise in acquisition strategy and contract negotiation to optimize publishing performance, mitigate revenue risks, and expand portfolio growth across educational, STEM, and social-impact publishing sectors.

CORE SKILLS

Acquisition Strategy

Editorial Leadership

Contract Negotiation

Market Intelligence

Portfolio Management

Author Development

EXPERIENCE

Senior Acquisitions Editor

Meridian House Publishing, Chicago, IL

August 2019 – Present

• Directed acquisition strategies across STEM, educational, and social-impact publishing categories, commissioning more than 30 titles annually aligned with revenue and growth targets.
• Negotiated complex publishing agreements with authors and literary agents, increasing acquisition conversion rates by 38% while maintaining financial benchmarks.
• Led collaboration across editorial, marketing, production, legal, and finance teams, improving publication delivery timelines by 27% across high-volume publishing schedules.
• Mentored junior editorial staff and streamlined acquisition workflows, reducing manuscript review cycles by 22% and strengthening departmental productivity.
• Represented publishing programs at national conferences and industry trade events, generating strategic partnerships and expanding author recruitment opportunities.

Acquisitions Editor

Summit Academic Media, Milwaukee, WI

May 2015 – July 2019

• Managed acquisition pipelines for academic and professional publishing programs, evaluating more than 150 manuscript submissions annually across science and education subject areas.
• Developed three-year publication strategies and forecasting models that improved portfolio revenue growth by 32% and strengthened long-term editorial planning.
• Oversaw peer-review coordination, manuscript development, and production readiness while maintaining a 95% on-time publication performance rate.
• Collaborated with sales and marketing leadership on metadata optimization and promotional strategy, increasing digital engagement by 41% across acquired titles.
• Secured external funding and partnership support for specialized publishing initiatives, offsetting production costs by more than $250K over four years.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Communications

DePaul University, Chicago, IL

• Researched emerging academic disciplines and evaluated curriculum trends, shaping acquisition pipelines that expanded publishing opportunities across undergraduate and professional education markets.
• Formulated comprehensive acquisition strategies for books, digital products, and ancillary resources, increasing proposal conversion rates by 35% across competitive higher-education publishing segments.
• Secured and assessed more than 120 manuscript proposals annually, negotiating publishing agreements that strengthened author partnerships while accelerating editorial production timelines by 20%.
• Cultivated long-term relationships through campus visits, industry conferences, and academic networking initiatives, generating large-course adoptions and expanding institutional sales opportunities by 40%.
• Collaborated with marketing teams to position frontlist and backlist titles effectively, analyzing adoption data to identify profitable subjects, emerging authors, and market gaps.
• Delivered seasonal catalogs, represented publishing portfolios at major trade events, and maintained market awareness to align editorial decisions with evolving higher-education demand.

Core Skills:

• Acquisition Strategy
• Manuscript Evaluation
• Contract Negotiation
• Market Analysis
• Adoption Tracking
• Editorial Planning

• Sourced influential business authors and emerging thought leaders across leadership, technology, and personal development categories, expanding acquisition opportunities and strengthening competitive positioning within commercial publishing markets.
• Negotiated publishing agreements with authors and literary agents, managing complex contract discussions that accelerated deal execution timelines while preserving long-term partnership value.
• Strengthened author relationships through strategic coaching on branding, sales, and marketing initiatives, contributing to increased audience engagement and stronger multi-channel promotional performance.
• Directed editorial development and art oversight for children’s publishing projects, coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver market-aligned content, visual consistency, and timely production schedules.
• Collaborated with production, publicity, sales, and finance departments to streamline product development workflows, organize metadata assets, and improve launch readiness for upcoming releases by 30%.
• Represented publishing brands at conferences, trade events, and industry gatherings, aligning print, digital, and social marketing strategies while maintaining awareness of evolving consumer and publishing trends.

Core Skills:

• Author Acquisition
• Contract Negotiation
• Editorial Development
• Metadata Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Art Direction

• Directed acquisition strategies for new publishing projects, building high-performing content pipelines that aligned three-year publication roadmaps with evolving revenue targets and market opportunities.
• Cultivated relationships with authors, influencers, and community partners, expanding publishing networks while identifying commercially viable content opportunities across multiple consumer-facing categories.
• Managed end-to-end product development processes, overseeing acquisitions, contract execution, editorial planning, layout coordination, and production schedules to maintain quality and budget compliance.
• Established forecasting models and resource allocation plans that improved project delivery efficiency by 25%, ensuring publications launched on schedule and supported long-term imprint profitability goals.
• Presented seasonal title portfolios to sales teams and strategic customers, strengthening product positioning while increasing internal product knowledge and improving buyer engagement across key accounts.
• Coordinated metadata accuracy and marketing asset distribution for every release, including digital storefront content, promotional graphics, launch materials, and multi-platform campaign support initiatives.

Core Skills:

• Acquisition Planning
• Pipeline Management
• Product Development
• Budget Forecasting
• Metadata Optimization
• Publication Strategy

• Acquired and developed 15–20 new titles annually, aligning editorial decisions with multi-channel publishing strategies, revenue objectives, and evolving consumer demand across competitive publishing categories.
• Analyzed market research, retailer performance metrics, and social media insights to identify emerging trends, high-potential authors, and commercially viable topics with strong audience appeal.
• Expanded relationships with literary agents, authors, and corporate stakeholders, strengthening acquisition pipelines while improving collaboration opportunities for future publishing and backlist development initiatives.
• Crafted persuasive acquisition proposals and executive presentations that secured stakeholder approval, accelerated publishing offers, and increased project adoption rates across editorial and sales divisions by 30%.
• Evaluated manuscripts at a macro editorial level, providing strategic developmental feedback that improved content quality, strengthened positioning, and ensured timely author submissions for production readiness.
• Collaborated with sales, operations, and publishing leadership to optimize metadata, descriptive copy, and cover strategies, improving search visibility and supporting long-term financial performance objectives.

Core Skills:

• Market Research
• Author Acquisition
• Editorial Strategy
• Metadata Optimization
• Trend Analysis
• Proposal Development

• Acquired and supervised new publishing projects across clinical mental health, psychology, education, self-help, and social-emotional learning categories, aligning editorial direction with audience and market demands.
• Identified prospective authors, developed acquisition proposals, and negotiated publishing offers with literary agents, expanding title pipelines while strengthening strategic publishing partnerships across specialized subject areas.
• Generated commercially focused project concepts by evaluating content relevance, reader demand, and competitive positioning, improving acquisition quality and increasing market responsiveness for emerging publishing trends.
• Cultivated long-term relationships with authors and agents, providing consistent communication and project oversight that improved collaboration efficiency and supported timely manuscript development milestones.
• Produced catalog copy, jacket descriptions, and promotional sales materials while directing titling, creative design, and production processes to ensure cohesive branding and publication quality standards.
• Planned and executed launch strategies through advertising campaigns, media outreach, author events, and social media initiatives, regularly monitoring sales performance against established revenue objectives and forecasts.

Core Skills:

• Author Relations
• Acquisition Strategy
• Editorial Oversight
• Creative Direction
• Market Research
• Launch Planning

• Identified strategic signing opportunities through market consultation and editorial planning, strengthening long-term publishing pipelines while aligning acquisitions with scholarly priorities and institutional publishing objectives.
• Solicited manuscripts across targeted academic subject areas, evaluating proposal quality, research relevance, and commercial viability to support sustainable growth within specialized scholarly publishing categories.
• Collaborated with editorial teams, external reviewers, and advisory boards to assess manuscripts thoroughly, ensuring publication decisions reflected rigorous peer-review standards and high academic credibility.
• Conducted comprehensive course and market research to validate audience demand, improve publication positioning, and support data-informed acquisition recommendations for emerging scholarly disciplines and educational needs.
• Cultivated relationships with authors, faculty members, and academic advisors, expanding professional networks while strengthening engagement with research communities and supporting long-term author development initiatives.
• Prepared publication materials, budget analyses, and committee presentations for editorial approval processes, guiding manuscript revisions and ensuring projects advanced within quality, timeline, and financial expectations.

Core Skills:

• Manuscript Evaluation
• Peer Review
• Editorial Planning
• Market Research
• Budget Analysis
• Author Relations

• Prepared publishing contracts, formal agreements, and acquisition proposals while coordinating clear author communications that improved review transparency and accelerated manuscript approval workflows by 20%.
• Guided authors through manuscript preparation requirements, ensuring timely submissions, accurate formatting, and efficient transmittal processes that consistently supported annual editorial production targets.
• Monitored manuscript delivery schedules and finalized production-ready files, including image assets, enabling seamless transitions into copyediting and reducing publication delays across multiple active projects.
• Initiated cover design development and collaborated with marketing teams to create compelling descriptive copy, promotional campaigns, and advertising strategies that strengthened title visibility and reader engagement.
• Expanded acquisition pipelines by building relationships with prospective authors, discussing publishing concepts, and encouraging manuscript submissions aligned with evolving academic and instructional market opportunities.
• Maintained strong visibility within academic communities through campus visits, conference participation, and stakeholder partnerships, supporting long-term project growth for student and instructor-focused publishing initiatives.

Core Skills:

• Contract Management
• Manuscript Tracking
• Editorial Production
• Cover Development
• Marketing Coordination
• Author Acquisition

• Acquired academic publishing projects and developed series strategies aligned with imprint objectives, expanding educational content offerings while supporting long-term customer engagement and revenue growth initiatives.
• Built and enhanced electronic resource content plans, identifying scalable growth opportunities and collaborating with editorial teams to align acquisitions, budgets, and publishing priorities effectively.
• Guided prospective authors through proposal development and publication workflows, providing editorial direction that improved submission quality and accelerated acquisition approval processes by 25%.
• Prepared Profit and Loss analyses, negotiated author agreements, and managed supporting documentation to ensure projects met financial targets, production schedules, and organizational publishing standards.
• Executed editorial projects from acquisition through production, coordinating cover design, promotional copy, endorsements, and marketing materials that strengthened product visibility across academic audiences.
• Promoted newly released titles through conference participation, author engagement, and continuous industry research, maintaining current market knowledge through journals, books, blogs, and professional development activities.

Core Skills:

• Editorial Strategy
• Contract Negotiation
• Profit Analysis
• Content Development
• Production Coordination
• Academic Publishing

• Directed acquisitions planning across specialized academic subject areas, developing high-value publishing lists that aligned editorial priorities with institutional goals and long-term market demand forecasts.
• Recruited authors and initiated scholarly book projects, evaluating submissions through peer-review coordination and securing expert assessments to maintain rigorous academic publishing standards.
• Cultivated productive relationships with authors, series editors, reviewers, and internal departments, strengthening collaboration efficiency while supporting consistent project advancement across multiple publication stages.
• Prepared oral and written project presentations for publishing committees, estimating project costs and revenues while identifying external funding opportunities that offset operational publishing expenses by 20%.
• Oversaw manuscript development timelines, ensuring author compliance with formatting, permissions, and submission requirements while maintaining timely transmittals to editorial and production departments.
• Represented publishing initiatives at conferences, workshops, and academic events, mentoring acquisitions staff and contributing leadership, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration across department-wide strategic initiatives.

Core Skills:

• Scholarly Acquisitions
• Peer Review
• Budget Forecasting
• Grant Development
• Editorial Leadership
• Project Evaluation

• Managed a multi-faceted publishing pipeline by acquiring 20–30 titles annually, aligning editorial decisions with publishing strategies, financial objectives, and evolving reader demand across competitive markets.
• Analyzed market trends, audience behavior, and emerging content opportunities to identify commercially viable topics, proprietary brands, and high-potential authors for strategic acquisitions initiatives.
• Negotiated publishing offers and key contract terms with authors and literary agents, strengthening long-term partnerships while improving acquisition efficiency and supporting sustainable portfolio growth.
• Maintained consistent communication with contracted authors, monitoring manuscript progress, conducting macro-level editorial reviews, and providing developmental feedback that enhanced manuscript quality and submission readiness.
• Collaborated with sales, operations, and publishing leadership to evaluate acquisition profitability, present titles at sales conferences, and ensure projects achieved established financial performance targets.
• Developed creative publishing concepts, descriptive copy, and acquisition proposals for editorial and publishing boards, contributing innovative product ideas that expanded market visibility and strengthened brand positioning.

Core Skills:

• Author Acquisition
• Contract Negotiation
• Editorial Strategy
• Market Analysis
• Publishing Operations
• Brand Development

• Managed editorial and market research initiatives across mathematics, engineering, and physics publishing sectors, aligning acquisition priorities with emerging academic trends and evolving educational market requirements.
• Acquired new titles and updated backlist editions, expanding subject coverage while maintaining publishing quality standards and supporting long-term growth within technical and scientific publishing portfolios.
• Negotiated publishing agreements with authors and contributors, balancing contractual objectives, production costs, and strategic publishing goals to improve acquisition efficiency and portfolio profitability.
• Cultivated strong professional networks with academic authors, researchers, and industry contributors, strengthening acquisition pipelines and increasing opportunities for future collaborative publishing projects.
• Developed detailed product proposals and acquisition plans by analyzing market trends, forecasting project viability, and evaluating cost structures to support informed editorial investment decisions.
• Collaborated closely with marketing and internal departments to coordinate promotional strategies, ensuring consistent communication, streamlined workflows, and successful execution of cross-functional publishing initiatives.

Core Skills:

• Market Research
• Contract Negotiation
• Editorial Planning
• Acquisition Strategy
• Cost Analysis
• Scientific Publishing

• Acquired 12–14 titles annually aligned with publishing strategies and financial targets, strengthening portfolio performance while expanding market reach across educational, cultural, and STEM publishing categories.
• Directed editorial development for acquired projects, managing authors through manuscript refinement, packaging, titling, and cataloging processes to ensure high-quality and timely publication outcomes.
• Negotiated publishing agreements with authors and literary agents, exercising strong editorial judgment to secure commercially viable projects while maintaining long-term professional relationships and retention strategies.
• Represented publishing initiatives at conferences, trade shows, and industry events, enhancing brand visibility while mentoring junior editorial staff and contributing expertise on entertainment and publishing trends.
• Collaborated with global cross-functional teams across editorial, sales, marketing, production, finance, technology, and legal operations to execute acquisition strategies that improved customer engagement and content performance.
• Leveraged market research and data analysis tools to recruit diverse subject-matter experts, expanding author representation and increasing innovative educational content coverage within key physical science disciplines.

Core Skills:

• Author Acquisition
• Editorial Development
• Contract Negotiation
• Market Analysis
• STEM Publishing
• Crossfunctional Leadership

• Led discovery and acquisition of high-impact titles focused on social justice and underrepresented voices, shaping editorial strategies that strengthened cultural relevance and expanded audience engagement across diverse readership communities.
• Generated and commissioned more than 25–30 new books annually through conferences, market research, social media analysis, professional networks, and relationships with writers, activists, and literary agents.
• Evaluated proposals, managed peer-review processes, and negotiated publishing contracts while maintaining rigorous editorial standards, budget compliance, and consistent delivery schedules for contracted publishing projects.
• Cultivated collaborative author relationships by guiding project development, coordinating manuscript submissions, and delivering strategic editorial feedback that improved publication quality and author experience outcomes.
• Partnered with marketing, publicity, production, sales, and external academic organizations to maximize title visibility, strengthen promotional performance, and advance long-term growth objectives for subject-area publishing lists.
• Streamlined departmental workflows and supported collection-development initiatives by recruiting guest editors, coordinating contributor engagement, and implementing efficient processes that improved cross-functional editorial collaboration.

Core Skills:

• Editorial Acquisition
• Peer Review
• Contract Negotiation
• Workflow Optimization
• Author Development
• Market Research