Deadline: 15 October 2010
SA Garden, a monthly gardening and lifestyle magazine, is looking for the services of a full-time English sub-editor. The successful candidate will have a BA degree in English or Communications with an English major, and the home language of the candidate should be English. The main tasks of the candidate will be sub-editing and rewriting of English copy, writing some copy, as well as proofreading. Although not a prerequisite, a working knowledge of Apple Mac and InDesign is recommended. The candidate does not have to do any subbing in Afrikaans, but should at least be able to understand Afrikaans.
This is a mid position, therefore the candidate should have proven experience of at least two years subbing and rewriting copy at either a magazine, newspaper or publishing house.
Detailed job description
1. SUB-EDIT COPY
* Co-ordinate copy deadlines with and receive copy from main contributors
* Accuracy: Check facts, names, spelling, grammar, style, relevance, flow, phone nos, websites, etc.
* Confirm information
* Polish copy
* Set style
* Meet deadlines
* Be willing to work overtime when required
* Keep up to date with current affairs
* Communicate and co-ordinate with the design team/assistant editor in terms of production schedule
* Create jobbags for every job after sub-editing
2. CHECK LAYOUTS AND COLOUR PROOFS
* Proofread layouts
* Cut/change copy to fit layouts
* Write/check captions, check headlines, pull quotes, pages, date lines, credits.
* Make copy corrections on InDesign
* Get sign-off from main contributors
* Check final colour proofs with the editor
3. GENERATE
* Create an accurate contents page
* Compile Let's read page and co-ordinate books competitions
* Co-ordinate book extracts (liaise with publishers, get content and images)
* Compile the Pets' bragboard page and co-ordinate prize
* Co-ordinate Letters page (editor's selection)
* Co-ordinate Ask Keith page and Ask the Vet page
* Ad hoc content authoring (press releases, e-mail newsletter, web content, advertorials and promotions, editorial content, social pages, etc.)
4. GENERAL
* Filing of contributions (eg readers' letters/queries) - either electronically or in files (snail mail)
* Answer readers queries when necessary/assist editorial assistant with queries when necessary
* Liaise with advertising clients for information pertaining to the writing of promotional copy, if the need is there (in the absence of the PR)
* Conduct telephonic interviews when necessary for the writing of editorial content
* Attend shows, readers' days or functions when necessary as part of the team, to represent the magazine and help where help is needed, in office hours as well as after hours (within reason)
Please e-mail a CV and a portfolio (no bigger than five MB) to Dominique Pretorius on: dominique@sagarden.co.za.
The closing date for applications is 15 October 2010.
Should you not receive a response two weeks after your applications, please consider your position to be unsuccessful.
Given the employment equity policy of Media24, preference will be given to suitable candidates from the designated groups.
Contact details
Media24 Magazines - SA Garden
dominique@sagarden.co.za