A rare opportunity has opened up for medieval historians with a flair for storytelling — and it comes with a genuinely unusual brief: bring the Middle Ages to life for a global readership, six times a year.
Karwansaray Publishers, a book and magazine publisher based in Zutphen, the Netherlands, is searching for a freelance editor to lead Medieval World: Culture & Conflict magazine. The role covers everything from commissioning writers and shaping editorial themes to managing social media and exploring podcast opportunities. For the right candidate, it represents a chance to sit at the intersection of serious historical scholarship and accessible public storytelling.
The position was posted through Medievalists.net, one of the most widely read online platforms dedicated to medieval studies, signaling that the publisher is targeting candidates with genuine academic grounding in the period — not just general editorial experience.
What Medieval World Magazine Actually Is
Medieval World: Culture & Conflict is an English-language, bi-monthly publication covering all aspects of the Middle Ages. It was created four years ago as a continuation of Medieval Warfare, another Karwansaray title, and has since broadened its scope to encompass the full cultural, political, and social landscape of the medieval period.
The magazine is published both digitally and in print, and is aimed at what the publisher describes as an informed, international audience. That framing matters — this is not a publication looking to oversimplify its subject matter. The goal is accessibility, but without sacrificing depth or intellectual honesty.
Six issues are produced each year, which means the incoming editor will be managing a near-constant editorial cycle. That’s a significant workload for a freelance role, and the job description reflects it: this is a position that demands strong organizational skills alongside historical expertise.
What the Editor of Medieval World Will Actually Do
The role is broader than a typical magazine editing position. According to the job posting, the editor will be responsible for a wide range of tasks that span traditional editorial work and modern digital content strategy.
Core responsibilities include:
- Developing themes and topics for future issues of the magazine
- Commissioning content from authors for articles and themed sections
- Managing the full editorial process from concept to publication
- Collaborating with an image researcher and designer to produce each issue
- Creating and curating regular blog content
- Exploring podcast opportunities connected to the magazine
- Engaging with the magazine’s audience on social media
The editor reports directly to the Editor-in-Chief, which suggests there is an existing editorial structure in place — this is not a solo operation. The incoming editor will have support, but will also be expected to take genuine ownership of the magazine’s voice and direction.
The combination of print editorial work, digital content creation, and social media engagement reflects how specialist publishing has evolved. Even a magazine focused on twelfth-century siege warfare or Byzantine court politics now needs a presence on platforms where modern readers actually spend their time.
Who Karwansaray Publishers Is Looking For
The job posting is specific about the kind of candidate the publisher has in mind. Karwansaray is not simply looking for an experienced editor who can learn the subject matter on the job. They want someone who already has it — a historian specializing in the Middle Ages who also happens to possess strong editorial skills and a genuine instinct for communicating with a broad audience.
The phrase used in the posting is telling: a “creative storyteller willing to share your knowledge of the medieval world.” That framing positions the role as one that demands both scholarly credibility and communicative warmth — two qualities that don’t always come packaged together.
| Detail | Specifics |
|---|---|
| Publication name | Medieval World: Culture & Conflict |
| Publisher | Karwansaray Publishers |
| Publisher location | Zutphen, the Netherlands |
| Publication frequency | Bi-monthly (six issues per year) |
| Format | Digital and print |
| Language | English |
| Years in publication | Four years (continuation of Medieval Warfare) |
| Employment type | Freelance |
| Reports to | Editor-in-Chief |
Why This Kind of Role Is Harder to Find Than It Looks
Specialist history publishing occupies a narrow but dedicated space in the media landscape. Publications like Medieval World serve readers who want more than a surface-level retelling of familiar battles or dynasties — they want context, nuance, and genuine expertise behind every article.
At the same time, the economics of specialist publishing mean these roles are rarely full-time salaried positions. The freelance structure here is typical of the sector. For historians who have built careers in academia or research, moving into editorial work on this basis can offer a meaningful way to reach audiences far beyond the academic journal circuit.
The addition of podcast and social media responsibilities also reflects a broader shift. Readers and listeners who engage with history content online represent a massive and growing audience — one that specialist magazines are increasingly trying to reach beyond the printed page.
What Happens Next for Interested Candidates
The job posting was listed through Medievalists.net, which serves as one of the primary professional networks for medieval scholars and enthusiasts worldwide. Candidates interested in applying should refer to the original posting on that platform or directly through Karwansaray Publishers for application details and deadlines, as specific application instructions were not included in the publicly available excerpt of the listing.
Given the niche nature of the role — requiring both medieval history expertise and active editorial experience — the pool of qualified candidates is likely to be competitive but relatively small. For the right person, it is a genuinely distinctive opportunity in a field where such positions rarely come available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medieval World: Culture & Conflict magazine?
It is an English-language bi-monthly magazine covering all aspects of the Middle Ages, published by Karwansaray Publishers in both digital and print formats.
Where is Karwansaray Publishers based?
The publisher is based in Zutphen, the Netherlands.
Is the editor role a full-time position?
No — the job posting specifies that this is a freelance position.
What background is required for the role?
Karwansaray is looking for a historian specializing in the Middle Ages who also has strong editorial skills and the ability to communicate with a broad audience.
How many issues does Medieval World publish each year?
The magazine publishes six issues per year on a bi-monthly schedule.
What was Medieval World magazine based on?
It was created four years ago as a continuation of Medieval Warfare, another publication by Karwansaray Publishers.
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