Production Editor Tasks
From AAUP-Wiki
Here is a detailed list of tasks that one could/should expect a book production editor to do.
| Table of contents |
Oversight
• review project status constantly
• keep on schedule and within budget
• coordinate and/or set meetings with authors, editor, and other staff as needed
• coordinate web postings, marketing miscellany, contracts issues, deliveries to warehouse/distributor, etc.
Planning
• assess manuscript
• determine goals and constraints with author/project leader
• check on technical complexity; test print on laser printer to check for TrueType fonts
• coordinate with editor on other needs (“save as” to new file name to eliminate embedded type)
• assess complexity of figures
• assess references—complete? consistent? was manuscript received with a bibliography?
• do character count and divide by baseline to determine number of standard manuscript pages (2,200 characters per manuscript page at RAND)
• check for color versus black-and-white figures
• assess artwork for permissions and resolution
• correspond/problem-solve with team on ongoing basis
Estimate
• run specs through estimator
• funnel estimates through managing editor for quick check on numbers
• check all specs in estimate
• send estimate memo to project stakeholders for approval
• follow up to ensure estimate is understood and approved
Schedule
• integrate author-team time constraints with project needs and cycle time best practices
• enter days in PWD scheduler
• review and refine schedule
• follow up to ensure schedule is understood and approved
Budget
• enter budget into PWD for tracking
• break out production, distribution, and printing costs
• estimate and record add-ons
Design
• coordinate cover design with art director, designer, author, etc; track cover cost separately
• coordinate design and reviews of design alterations
Print Pricing
• run specs through print price calculator; relay prices to unit
• coordinate decisionmaking on final print quantities and costs based on format options with stakeholders (marketing, etc.)
Preflight Files
• preflight cover electronic file
• look for: styling instead of real fonts, proper color designation (process versus spot), embedded EPS's, images with wrong rez, two different versions of Pantone colors (like 265cv vs. 265cvu)
Print Vend/Coordination
• open purchase order
• create and record work order
• send estimated costs to unit for approval
• complete vending-purchasing paperwork and review for accuracy and completeness — worksheet, quality-check form, cover quality check form, PWD record printout, abstract form, bids, purchase order
• FedEx package with paperwork, proofs, and CD to printer
• review and approve or correct bluelines and cover proofs
• follow up and check on corrections, deadline, and delivery; resolve any problems
Dissemination
• coordinate posting on the web
• ensure abstract, metadata, ready date go to distributor, internal and external databases
• ensure that copies go to disparate stakeholders on time
Doc Wrap Memo
• summarize and report on project success against the initial plan including budget and cycle time
• record final summary in PWD record and resolve any open issues
End Game
• ensure all invoices in and processed on time
• ensure info captured in PWD and related files
• close out PWD record
