Proofreader & Copy Editor for Self-Publishing Author

I'm a self-published fiction author working on romance novels, and I need a reliable Proofreader & Copy Editor to polish my manuscripts before publication. You'll catch typos, grammar errors, and inconsistencies to ensure my books are professionally polished. Perfect for book lovers with a sharp eye for detail.

Responsibilities:

Proofread manuscripts for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors

Check for consistency in character names, timeline, and details

Correct formatting issues and inconsistencies

Flag awkward phrasing or unclear sentences

Mark errors using Track Changes in Microsoft Word

Provide a brief summary of common errors found

Complete 2-3 rounds of proofreading per manuscript

Meet agreed-upon deadlines (typically 2-3 weeks per book)

Required Skills:

Excellent English grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Strong attention to detail

Proficiency with Microsoft Word Track Changes

Ability to spot inconsistencies in storytelling

Good time management

Love of reading (especially fiction)

Professional and constructive feedback style

Nice to Have:

Experience proofreading or editing fiction

Familiarity with romance genre conventions

Knowledge of Chicago Manual of Style

Experience with self-published books

Background in English, journalism, or editing

Previous work with indie authors

Typical Project Details:

Manuscript length: 50,000-80,000 words

Timeline: 2-3 weeks per book

2-3 rounds of proofreading included

Fiction genre: Contemporary romance

Clean manuscripts (already self-edited)

Estimated time: 15-25 hours per book

What You'll Catch:

Typos and spelling errors

Grammar and punctuation mistakes

Incorrect word usage (their/there/they're)

Missing or extra words

Character name inconsistencies

Timeline or plot inconsistencies

Formatting issues

Dialogue punctuation errors

What I Provide:

Clean manuscript in Word format (.docx)

Character names and descriptions list

Timeline of major events

Any specific style preferences

Previous book in series (for consistency)

Clear deadlines with reasonable timeframes

What I Offer:

Fair pay per project ($250-$500)

Flexible schedule (work at your pace)

2-4 books per year (consistent work)

Credit in book acknowledgments

Free copies of published books

Professional author-editor relationship

Potential for long-term collaboration

Referrals to other indie authors

Working Schedule:

Receive manuscript with 2-3 week deadline

Work at your own pace and schedule

Submit proofread version by deadline

One round of revisions (usually minor)

Monthly or bi-monthly projects

Payment Structure:

Novella (30,000-50,000 words): $250

Standard Novel (50,000-70,000 words): $350

Longer Novel (70,000-90,000 words): $500

50% deposit upfront, 50% upon completion

Payment via PayPal or bank transfer

Paid within 3 days of final submission

Manuscript Specifications:

Format: Microsoft Word (.docx)

Font: Times New Roman, 12pt

Double-spaced

Standard margins

Use Track Changes for all edits

Include comment bubbles for questions

Tools You'll Use:

Microsoft Word (Track Changes feature)

Email for communication

Google Drive for file sharing (optional)

That's it—simple and straightforward!

Sample Error Types:

"She walked to the store. He bought milk." (inconsistent pronouns)

"Sarah smiled at him." Later: "Sara waved goodbye." (name spelling)

Chapter 3: "It was Monday." Chapter 5: "Yesterday was Wednesday." (timeline)

Dialogue: "I can't believe it" she said. (missing comma)

Quality Standards:

Catch 95%+ of errors

Maintain consistent formatting

Flag major plot/character inconsistencies

Provide clear, trackable edits

Professional and respectful comments

Meet deadlines reliably

What I Don't Need:

Developmental editing or plot suggestions

Rewriting or heavy line editing

Changing my author voice

Genre or style critiques

(Just clean, polished proofreading!)

Genre & Content:

Contemporary romance novels

Clean/sweet romance (no explicit content)

Lighthearted, feel-good stories

Relatable characters and small-town settings

Happily-ever-after endings

Project Timeline Example:

Day 1: Receive manuscript

Days 2-14: First proofread pass

Day 15: Submit with Track Changes

Days 16-18: I review and ask questions

Days 19-21: Second pass (final cleanup)

Day 21: Final submission and payment

Growth Opportunities:

Start with one book project

Become my regular proofreader (2-4 books/year)

Referrals to author friends in my network

Potential for sensitivity reading or beta reading

Possible expansion to other genres

Long-term collaboration as my catalog grows

Ideal Candidate:

Loves reading romance novels

Detail-oriented perfectionist

Respectful of author's voice

Reliable with deadlines

Comfortable working independently

Enjoys helping indie authors succeed

Books Published:

5 books already published

2-3 new books per year planned

Growing readership (Amazon reviews 4.5+ stars)

Part of a series with recurring characters

How to Apply:

Please share:

Brief summary of your proofreading/editing experience

Favorite book genre and why

Sample of an error you recently caught (or common error you look for)

Your rate per word or per project

Typical turnaround time for a 60,000-word manuscript

Your availability for next project

One proofreading pet peeve

I'm looking for someone who loves books as much as I do and wants to help indie authors shine. Let's create polished, professional stories together!