Change is afoot at the Montreal Review of Books!

After over twelve years with the mRb, editor Mélanie Grondin is stepping down after the publication of our fall issue to pursue other projects. Current associate editor Malcolm Fraser will be taking the position of editor.

Mélanie offered a few words on her departure:

After being part of the mRb editorial team for more than twelve years, I felt it was time to pass the torch to a new editor. I have learned so much about Quebec books and from collaborating with the Quebec literary and publishing community that I wanted to give someone else the opportunity. My work at the mRb was rewarding and fulfilling, and I will look back on those twelve years with fondness and pride at a job well done. I wish Malcolm the best of luck and as much fun as I had.

Mel has been an essential part of the mRb’s history, and an invaluable guide in this time of transition. We thank her for all her hard work and dedication, and wish her all the best.

Incoming editor Malcolm Fraser is known as a musical entertainer (The World Provider), director of two music documentaries (on Gordon Thomas and Corpusse), author (Wooden Stars: Innocent Gears, Invisible Publishing, 2013) and podcaster (What Is This Music?!). He was a writer and editor with the alt-weekly Montreal Mirror, and a founding editor of Cult MTL. Malcolm has been a contributing writer to mRb since 2015 and associate editor since November 2020.

And on that note…

The Montreal Review of Books is seeking an Associate Editor.

Are you passionate about books, high-quality writing, and serial commas? Then we want to hear from you!

The Montreal Review of Books is a journal published by the Association of English-language Publishers of Quebec, a non-profit organization that supports Quebec’s English-language book industry. The mRb reviews English-language books from Quebec, covering books with a local author, publisher, translator, or illustrator. Our print issue is published three times a year, with online reviews published year-round.

We’re seeking a dynamic Associate Editor to work with the Editor and Publisher on all aspects of the journal. The Associate Editor’s tasks include selecting books for review, commissioning reviews, and working closely with reviewers on substantive and copy editing. Other areas of focus include managing our social media presence and occasional event planning.

The successful candidate will, above all, have excellent knowledge of English, proven editing skills, and familiarity with editorial standards and practices. Other essential traits include a keen eye for detail, excellent time-management skills, experience with online engagement, diplomacy, and the ability to work autonomously and as part of a team. Knowledge of the local and national literary landscape is an important asset. If you have skills in graphic design and/or web development, those will be useful as well, but are not required.

This is a part-time position: 3 to 15 hours per week, with peak periods of activity that may exceed these hours leading up to publication dates (March, July, November), and occasional weeks off outside of active production periods. Remuneration for this position is $19/hour.

At present, the work of the Associate Editor is done almost entirely remotely, with a slow return in progress to occasional in-person meetings and events, so we will be prioritizing candidates based in Montreal and the surrounding area. We welcome BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled applicants.

Deadline to apply: Sunday, October 17. Interviews will take place the last week of October, and the position begins in November.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV including social media handles, and an editing sample (i.e. a document showing your markup) as a single file to admin@mtlreviewofbooks.ca. Please don’t send links to documents that require passwords or permissions. Due to the high volume of applicants, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.mRb