Commissioning editors manage lists that are concerned with a specific area like a subject or a book. Their job includes planning and monitoring projects, identifying and talking with authors, production and marketing staff, supervising the editorial staff’s work; dealing with budget and strategy; issuing contracts, attending book fairs; making book lists, studying books and book lists; reading, evaluating and commissioning titles; researching on the market; contributing to sales; writing reports. They usually begin as junior editorial assistants and they may work for commercial or academic publishers. They may also do freelance work once they have gained adequate skills and experience.