Freelance Copyeditor

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I am seeking a copy editor with strong proofreading skills to review a narrative nonfiction/biographical manuscript written in first-person POV, memoir style. It is deeply rooted in historical research and emotional tone. The voice is intentional, specific, and not up for grabs.

What I Need:

I’m looking for someone to do light copyediting with an emphasis on proofreading—think grammar, punctuation, consistency, and clarity.

To be clear: this is not a rewrite job. The tone and style are exactly where I want them. This is not a developmental edit or a stylistic overhaul. I need a meticulous second set of eyes who can help me polish what’s here—not completely reshape it.

Here’s what you’ll do:

Flag anything that feels clunky, confusing, repetitive, or unclear—but do not rewrite it

Leave a clear comment explaining why you flagged something

Maintain the narrative tone and voice carefully

Return two versions:

• One with all track changes and comments

• One clean copy with only the proofreading changes accepted (punctuation, grammar, etc.)

Here’s what you absolutely must not do:

Do not rephrase or rewrite sentences

Do not make tone or style edits

Do not “optimize” the voice—it’s intentional and not open for reinterpretation

Do not remove nuance, rhythm, or subtlety from the prose

Ideal Candidate:

• The ideal candidate has editorial experience in memoirs and/or biographies. Experience with first person POV is a non-negotiable.

• Strong attention to detail but not controlling of a manuscript’s voice.

• Comfortable with projects that lean toward introspective, emotionally intelligent, and nuanced prose.

• Able to communicate clearly, briefly, and respectfully when flagging issues.

• Uses an editorial scalpel, not a chainsaw.

• Interested in history, politics, and/or diplomacy.

• Capable of editing long-form work (~198K words) without faltering or growing bored.

Hiring Process:

When applying, please indicate your flat fee for a book of approximately 198K words. Hourly only proposals will not be considered.

Selected applicants will advance to a Zoom call where we can discuss more details about this project and why it means so much to me. From there, finalists will be given a paid test of ~1500 words for a sample edit to be sure we have good synergy before initiating a full contract.

Please note that this is a 1099, freelance opportunity only.
Seniority level
• Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
• Employment type
Temporary
Job function
• Job function
Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing
• Industries
Book and Periodical Publishing

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