The pros and cons of editing a new book series

[nescafe]

Hi everyone! I have a question about publishing. I was recently approached to start (with a co-editor) a new book series at one of the university presses in my field. The press's vision for the series resonates with me, the proposed co-editor is someone whose work I admire, and owing to the subfield's quirks, I believe I could make a real impact if I took the role on.

BUT.

I don't yet understand the workload involved, nor how the series editor role differs from/works alongside the executive editor at the press. I'm meeting with the press to discuss the idea further. What questions should I be asking? What should I look for? What should I look out for? For those of you who have experience doing this kind of work, what are the pros/cons of engaging the field this way?

Note: I am an advanced asst prof likely going for tenure next year, in a humanities field (if that makes a difference for purposes of this question).

[Hegemony]

For what it's worth, the series editor of my most recent book, which is one in a set of six, did nothing but send out occasional announcements that a deadline was coming.  I suppose he may have read the manuscript, but he provided no feedback on it, and a professional at the press did the copy editing.  Your mileage may vary!

[artalot]

My series editor provided a reader's report. They may also have arranged the other reader's reports (I'm less certain about that). But all of my primary communication was with the editor at the press.

[larryc]

Do you need this for tenure?

[nescafe]

Do you need this for tenure?

Not for tenure, no. The tenure case is already wrapped up with a bow on it.

Would this kind of work be useful for merits as an associate? (I'm guessing this is a question for my chair, eh?)

[youllneverwalkalone]

Do you need this for tenure?

Not for tenure, no. The tenure case is already wrapped up with a bow on it.

Would this kind of work be useful for merits as an associate? (I'm guessing this is a question for my chair, eh?)

It is a question for your chair indeed. Since you already got tenure why not focus on whether you personally want to do this or not. You mention in the OP that the idea resonates with you and that you believe you could make a real impact in that role. That sounds pretty promising. 

Obviously you better figure out in detail what the position entails before making a decision.

[spork]

Do you need this for tenure?

Not for tenure, no. The tenure case is already wrapped up with a bow on it.

Would this kind of work be useful for merits as an associate? (I'm guessing this is a question for my chair, eh?)

Yes, a question for your chair, but also for others at your university who understand the institutional culture and who might weigh in on your application for promotion to associate. You could very well have a new chair, dean, etc. in six years.

As for me, my attitude at this point toward academic publishers is "pay me." It's work and I deserve to be compensated.

[Kron3007]

I would decline personally, buy this could vary a lot by field.  I am in a STEM field where journal articles are much more important than books.  To me this seems like a lot of work and really wouldn't have the return for me.  More importantly, this seems like a lot of the type of work that I don't like without much benefit.

Perhaps I will change my time some day, but chasing people down to meet deadlines seems like a poor use of my time.  I recently agreed to help coordinate a conference and am regretting it for similar reasons, although I see this as more beneficial for my eventual bid for full.