Independent Publishing Development & Operations Manager

Independent Publishing Development & Operations Manager

Jensen J. Stark | Independent Author & Publishing Brand

Position Type: Independent Contractor, Part-Time

Location: Remote, United States

Initial Engagement: 90 days, with potential for an ongoing relationship

Compensation: Negotiable, based on experience and agreed deliverables

About the Opportunity

Jensen J. Stark is an independent author developing a growing portfolio of contemporary romance, sensual literary fiction, and adult-oriented fiction.

We are seeking an experienced publishing professional to establish and manage the operational side of our publishing business.

Our creative development and digital marketing functions are already in place. We need a knowledgeable, resourceful publishing professional who can independently coordinate manuscript production, distribution, publication, publicity resources, and ongoing publishing operations.

This is a hands-on execution role, not an advisory-only position.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Publishing Production Management

• Manage the process from approved manuscript to published book.
• Coordinate proofreading, editing, cover design, formatting, and quality assurance.
• Prepare and validate eBook, paperback, and hardcover editions as applicable.
• Manage publishing vendors, deliverables, production schedules, and costs.

2. Distribution & Retailer Management

• Manage Amazon KDP publication requirements and distribution opportunities beyond Amazon.
• Coordinate ISBN assignments, book metadata, categories, keywords, pricing, and retailer listings.
• Evaluate distribution partners and identify appropriate sales channels.
• Ensure compliance with platform requirements, including those affecting explicit adult fiction.

3. Publicity & Launch Coordination

• Identify, evaluate, and coordinate qualified book publicists, reviewers, and promotional partners.
• Develop publication schedules and launch plans.
• Coordinate publicity activities with our existing digital marketing manager.
• Monitor publicity deliverables and campaign performance.

4. Intellectual Property & Publishing Administration

• Maintain organized ISBN, publication, copyright-registration, and rights records.
• Coordinate copyright-registration documentation and outside legal resources when appropriate.
• Maintain publishing files, vendor agreements, release records, and production documentation.
• Ensure the author retains control of publishing accounts, intellectual property, and creative assets.

5. Publishing Business Development

• Establish scalable publishing procedures for multiple titles and series.
• Identify and evaluate publishing, distribution, and publicity partners.
• Develop production budgets and a 12-month publishing calendar.
• Monitor publishing expenses, royalties, and operational performance.
• Recommend opportunities for expanded distribution, translations, audiobooks, and international markets.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of hands-on book publishing or independent publishing operations experience.
• Demonstrated experience successfully publishing multiple fiction titles.
• Strong working knowledge of Amazon KDP, eBook production, print-on-demand, ISBNs, metadata, and distribution.
• Experience managing editors, designers, formatters, and other publishing contractors.
• Familiarity with book publicity, launch coordination, and author marketing.
• Ability to manage projects independently, meet deadlines, and communicate clearly.
• Comfortable working with legally published adult-oriented fiction.

Experience with contemporary romance, sensual fiction, or adult-fiction publishing is strongly preferred.

Initial 90-Day Objectives

The selected professional will be expected to:

• Assess our existing publishing catalog, workflows, vendors, and distribution arrangements.
• Manage the production and publication readiness of an upcoming romance title.
• Identify qualified publicity and distribution partners.
• Develop a repeatable publishing workflow and documented quality-control process.
• Present a practical 12-month publishing plan, including budgets, release schedules, and growth opportunities.

What We Offer

• An established author identity with published titles and additional manuscripts in development.
• Direct access to the author for timely decisions and approvals.
• An existing digital marketing resource.
• Creative autonomy within clearly defined publishing objectives.
• Opportunity to build and manage a growing independent publishing operation.
• Potential for a long-term professional relationship based on demonstrated results.

How to Apply

Please submit your résumé or professional profile and a brief description of your relevant publishing experience.

Applications must include:

• Three fiction titles you personally helped publish, with links and a description of your responsibilities.
• Your experience with Amazon KDP and distribution beyond Amazon.
• Examples of book publicity or launch campaigns you managed or coordinated.
• Your experience working with romance or adult-oriented fiction.
• Your proposed approach to managing a growing independent publishing catalog.

We are not seeking manuscript ghostwriters, general marketing agencies, or companies selling standard publishing packages.

We are seeking an experienced publishing professional who can own execution and deliver measurable results.

Application Question(s):

• How many fiction titles have you personally managed from completed manuscript through publication?
• Have you personally managed Amazon KDP and distribution through other retailers or aggregators?
• Are you willing to coordinate the publication of legally compliant, explicit adult fiction?
• Have you directly managed book publicists or coordinated third-party publicity campaigns?
• Can you provide three verifiable published titles and describe your specific responsibilities?

Work Location

Remote