Founded in 1991, the Society for the History of Authorship, Reading and Publishing (SHARP) is the leading international organisation for the study of the history of the book, broadly defined. It has around 700 members from a wide range of disciplinary and institutional backgrounds, including academics and independent scholars, librarians and archivists, publishers and booksellers, and holds regular conferences across the world. In addition to a vibrant email discussion list (SHARP-L); SHARP publications include the journal Book History; Lingua Franca, the journal of book history in translation; and SHARP News, an open-access digital publication featuring reviews of books, board games, and exhibitions, as well as bibliographies and reports on pedagogical praxis.
The Executive Council of SHARP is seeking a new Editor in Chief to serve a 6-year term (2026-2032) managing SHARP News and supporting the editorial team. The editor-in-chief will report to the Executive Council via their communications with the Director of Publications. They will work closely with SHARP News’s Reviews, Features, and Classroom editors and bibliographers. In addition to managing the publication pipeline, updating the SHARP News website, and coordinating the editorial team, the editor-in-chief will work on building and expanding the publication’s mission and values and articulating a vision for the role of SHARP News within SHARP and the field of book history at large. Please note that all positions at SHARP News are volunteer roles, and do not offer remuneration.
Applicants should have expertise in the interdisciplinary field of the history of the book, broadly defined, and share SHARP’s commitment to expanding its diversity and international character. In their application, applicants are encouraged to propose approaches for expanding the inclusion of non-English and geographically diverse contributions. Experience of editing and online content management in WordPress is essential. Fluency in English is a requirement; fluency in other languages would be an advantage. The applicant should be a SHARP member in good standing. The editor-in-chief will also be expected to provide an annual report to the SHARP Executive Council via the Director of Publications.
We welcome applications from members of any race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, color, immigration status, social and economic class, educational level, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability.
Application procedure
Interested applicants should send a single PDF or Word document containing an application letter (500-700 words), contact details for two references, and a curriculum vitae of no more than 3 pages (including employment, publications, and relevant academic service) to secretary@sharpweb.org no later than midnight (Pacific Time) on November 28, 2025.
Applications will be assessed by an Editorial Appointments committee, chaired by Shafquat Towheed (Vice President of SHARP). Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a virtual interview to be held in the first week of December with notifications of final decisions by December 8 , 2025. Once selected, the new editor-in-chief will have an opportunity to briefly work alongside the outgoing EiC and the SHARP News team for onboarding and handover.
The new editor-in-chief will formally begin the role on January 1, 2026. For more information about what happens behind the scenes at SHARP News, watch our video from SHARP 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PMcmYS5l5s. Questions about the editor-in-chief role can also be directed to Andie Silva at news@sharpweb.org.