Freelance Proofreader for Book Production - Poetry

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The Community Literature Initiative (CLI) has an amazing opportunity for Proofreader to work in book production. In this role, you will be responsible for proofreading a completed poetry manuscript. You will work alongside student authors through the guidance of our book production team in order to edit manuscripts in preparation for the design process, resulting in completed books for CLI printed proofs and possible future publication.

With the support of our staff, you will play a pivotal role in establishing the editorial quality and accuracy of our authors’ books. You will be using your editing skills to uplift the voices of poets across the nation, advancing our nonprofit’s mission of supporting emerging and underserved writers in realizing their dream of publishing a book.

Job purpose

• Help student authors finalize their manuscripts for CLI printed proofs and future publication.

Duties and responsibilities

• Attend a mandatory training with the CLI Book Production Manager in the month prior to CLI Book Production
• Proofread 2-4 manuscripts for 2-4 authors, reading all content and suggesting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and consistency edits per poets’ preferences
• Meet with assigned authors virtually at least twice: 1 consultation to review stylistic choices (e.g. capitalization, punctuation, etc.) and 1 review of suggested edits to answer any author questions
• Meet all proofreading deadlines for all assigned authors within a two week period, including the two meetings
• Track progress of the manuscripts you are working on in tools provided by CLI

• Communicate with authors and publishing staff on a regular basis via email, phone/text, or Zoom/virtual (response time of 24 hours expected)

Qualifications

• Must be based in the U.S.
• Proven work experience as a Proofreader, Copywriter, or similar role
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Attention to detail
• Strong work ethic, excellent communication, and time management skills
• Collaborative spirit
• BA (or a student) in English, Journalism or related field
• Proficiency in both Microsoft Word and Google Docs