Job List

This is a science fiction novel that I'm planning to self-publish. It is the story of an African American woman dealing with the death of her father (who was also her coworker and mentor on an experimental solar-powered farm), on top of knowing that the world is also ending in a nuclear exchange between nations. Overcome with grief, she finds herself in a multiverse of worlds within her mind. It starts with her as a blacksmith and totally unaware of the real world. It is, however, a solarpunk Afrofuturism story of finding hope amongst all of that loss. I hope that the editor is familiar with science fiction, and comfortable in a story that sends the main character on a whirlwind journey through various, changing worlds as she searches for the truth and reality.

I plan to publish in the next few months, so I hope the work can be completed within about a month if possible (once it begins). Though I understand if it takes longer than that, and I'm happy to discuss what feels fair.

We're building a spoken business-English training app. Its core is ~800 short "executive" phrases — lines people actually say in meetings and negotiations (e.g. "Let me push back on that a little."). We're looking for a native English editor (US/UK) with a business or corporate-communications background to evaluate how each phrase reads on three axes: native/idiomatic, natural when spoken, and executive presence (status, no hedging).

This is a rating task, not rewriting: you'll work in a Google Sheet, scoring each phrase 1–5 on the three axes and flagging weak ones with a one-line note. ~800 phrases, remote, flexible schedule. Word count is listed as 0 because this is an evaluation/consulting task, not manuscript word-editing.

Human judgment only — no AI tools, please. We've already run extensive AI evaluation and specifically need a native editor's ear.

Rate: $30–$100/hr depending on experience. We'll begin with a short paid first milestone, then continue with the full set. To respond, please share two lines on your business/editorial background and what makes a phrase read as "executive" rather than textbook.

We are seeking an experienced developmental editor for a non-fiction business book on the topic of effective storytelling. The book is co-authored by two writers, based on coaching and facilitation services on the topic. The book has practical advice, and similar books include "Made to Stick" by the Heath brothers, and "The storytelling method" by Matt Morris.

The audience for the book is corporate professionals who want to develop their experience as storytellers. The book includes sections on "why stories", "key components", "structure", "editing" and "performing." The book will be self-published and will be delivered primarily as an adjunct to the delivery of training and coaching services on this topic, and to generate new business for those services. We are not looking for a #1 bestseller - just a solid book that echoes the content from our core services.

We are seeking a developmental editor who has experience in corporate "self-help" books, and creative writing, as both disciplines are helpful to understand the content. The current draft is ~ 66,000 words. We have been through 3 full rounds of editing ourselves, and are moving to line editing. We are looking for a developmental review letter with specific changes, not for an editor to come in and change the draft directly.

This is our first time working with an external editor. We don't have a specific deadline, but would expect to agree a timetable with the editor that we engage. We look forward to hearing from you.

Kessaku Spotlight, Inc. is an independent publisher of English-original manga and light novels. We're building our editorial bench ahead of a multi-title slate and looking for developmental editors who love this space and take the craft seriously.

You'll take a light novel manuscript (roughly 50,000–65,000 words) through our developmental pipeline, from outline greenlight to production readiness.

Each title runs six phases:
- Outline Session #1 (2 Hours)
- Outline Session #2 (1 Hour)
- A first-pass editorial letter
- A first-pass review meeting (2 Hours)
- A targeted second-pass letter
- A closing review meeting (2 Hours)

Every editor who completes a title's pipeline gets a formal Developmental Editor credit in both the digital and print editions.

We're looking for someone passionate about manga and light novel storytelling, comfortable giving structured, honest feedback, and reliable on deadlines. This is flexible, supplemental work on a project-by-project basis.

Hello,
My name is Shalyn Davis, and I've completed a Christian memoir/personal growth manuscript titled Broken to Be Built: Repurpose Your Pain.
The manuscript is approximately 80 pages and follows my journey through heartbreak, divorce, healing, and rebuilding my identity in Christ while encouraging readers through reflections and affirmations.
I'm looking primarily for copyediting with preservation of my voice. I've already completed several rounds of developmental revisions, so I'm looking for someone who can polish grammar, consistency, clarity, and flow without changing the heart of the manuscript.
Would you be willing to provide a sample edit and a quote?
Thank you,
Shalyn Davis

I'm seeking a developmental editor for a completed memoir manuscript.

Project Details

Genre: Memoir / Literary Nonfiction
Length: Approximately 13,000 words
Status: Complete after multiple rounds of revision

The manuscript is intentionally written in a minimalist, cinematic style that relies on pacing, white space, and short paragraphs to create emotional impact. I'm looking for an editor who appreciates voice-driven writing and can work within that style rather than trying to make it conform to a more conventional format.

I'm looking for big-picture feedback on:

Overall structure and emotional arc
Pacing and reader engagement
Clarity and continuity
Areas that could be strengthened, expanded, condensed, or clarified
Whether the manuscript delivers the experience it intends

At this stage, I'm not looking for copyediting or proofreading. My goal is to identify any remaining developmental issues before moving on to line editing.

Experience editing memoir, literary nonfiction, or voice-driven nonfiction is strongly preferred.

There is no hard publication deadline. My priority is producing the strongest possible manuscript rather than working toward a specific release date.

If you believe your experience is a good fit, I'd appreciate hearing about your background, your editorial approach, and any memoir or literary nonfiction projects you've worked on.

I’m seeking a paid developmental assessment of a completed nonfiction manuscript titled Dialed In: Intentional Craft and the Art of the Signal. The book is a serious craft framework for advanced fiction writers in the age of AI. It combines practical craft methodology, close reading, revision analysis, and a broader argument about literature, authorship, and human creation after AI.

I am not looking for copyediting or line editing at this stage. I am looking for a 5–8 page developmental memo addressing:

Whether the book works primarily as a serious craft book for advanced writers.
Whether the structure holds across its three parts.
Whether Part III feels earned or overextended.
Whether the practical method is usable for MFA students / writing workshops.
Where the manuscript repeats, over-explains, or loses reader momentum.
Whether the AI/literary theory material strengthens or distracts from the craft promise.
What additions would most improve classroom adoption: exercises, checklists, examples, or restructuring.

Ideal reader: someone with experience in creative writing pedagogy, literary nonfiction, literary theory, developmental editing, MFA instruction, or university/trade nonfiction publishing. Deliverable: written memo plus optional follow-up Zoom call. Timeline: two weeks.

COPY EDITOR BRIEF
Not Today — Patrick J. Finn

The Novel
Not Today is a literary novel in five books, approximately 87,000 words. Set across five decades of post-independence India — Delhi, Kathmandu, Jaipur, and a village in Rajasthan — it follows Mann Singh Rajput from childhood through old age, tracing the relationships, losses, and transformations that shape a queer life lived at an angle to the world. The novel incorporates Hindu mythology as a living presence: Yama, the God of Death, and Bhushundi, an eternal crow, appear throughout as genuine characters rather than allegory.

Language Conventions
Spelling: British/Indian English throughout. The manuscript has been edited for consistency but a full British English pass is required.
Key variants to confirm: grey, colour, honour, organised, recognised, towards, afterwards, fulfil, travelling, centre, theatre, storey (floors), archaeology, realised, emphasised, jewellery, aluminium, odour, fantasise.

Punctuation: American convention — double quotes for dialogue, periods and commas inside quote marks, em-dashes throughout.
Not alright — always all right.

Dialogue and Interior Thought
Double quotes for dialogue
Single quotes for interior thought — 'This is grief,' he thought
Italics for mantras, song titles, song lyrics, book and magazine titles, band names
No italics for Hindi, Urdu, or Nepali words — a glossary handles these
No italics for foreign words in dialogue

Punctuation Rules
So as connective takes no comma — So what now? not So, what now?
After all takes a comma — You're only human, after all
Too as parenthetical takes commas — That, too, is living
Non-speech verbs (laughed, nodded, turned) take a full stop before dialogue, not a comma
Em-dash not en-dash throughout
Said preferred; weak speech verbs have been addressed editorially
Nested quotes: single quotes inside double quotes

Hindi, Urdu, and Nepali Words
The manuscript contains Hindi, Urdu, and Nepali words throughout — bhaiya, yaar, haveli, aarti, dhurrie, chai, kurta, sari and many others. These are not italicised and are not errors. A glossary will accompany the final manuscript. Please do not standardise, query, or alter transliterations without discussion — many follow the author's established conventions rather than academic transliteration systems.

Intentional Style Choices
The following are deliberate and should not be altered:

Sentence fragments used for rhythm throughout
Second person you in one specific passage (Pashupatinath cremation)
Buffaloes not buffalos throughout
All right not alright throughout
American dollar conversions kept inline — no footnotes
Band names, book titles, album titles italicised — The Police italicised as band name

What the Manuscript Has Already Received
The manuscript has undergone extensive line editing including: dialogue tag audit, physical beat audit, overused word audit (took, passed, reached, arrived, drifted, paused, exhaled), punctuation review, and beta reader feedback incorporation. The copy edit should focus on consistency, British English conversion, continuity, and anything missed in previous passes.

Timeline and Sample
I am happy to provide a sample edit chapter before committing. Please indicate your availability, timeline, and rate per word.

Patrick J. Finn
Kathmandu, Nepal

I am a first-time author writing a memoir about my life as a bartender in three cities: New York City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. It spans over forty years. The voice is dry, self-deprecating, a little gritty, a little bit Jewish (very little).
The book includes funny, raw, and sometimes distressing scenes from my years bartending: bar regulars, co-workers, love affairs, brushes with the law, and most of all, the desire to be doing anything besides bartending. While humorous, it also has a darker personal thread addressing personal insecurities. That said, this is in no way a book of self-help or recovery. Maybe in the future I will be able to right that book.
I am interested in a developmental assessment/edit and, prefer starting with a partial assessment to see if we are a good fit.
I want to be sure my voice is not lost in the editing process, while also shaping this into a marketable manuscript.
I am willing to pay a rate commensurate with industry standard per word. The first draft stands at 85.000 words right now.
I look forward to hearing from you.

I recently retired and I now am seeking a manuscript assessment/evaluation for a 37,198-word nonfiction education leadership book focused on data use, systems thinking, school improvement, and instructional leadership. I am not looking for line editing, copyediting, formatting, or proofreading at this stage. I would like an editorial letter or written report that addresses the clarity of the central argument, chapter flow, organization, redundancy, reader usefulness, strength of examples/tools/figures, and whether the manuscript delivers on the promises made in the Introduction. Preferred experience includes nonfiction editing, education/leadership publishing, school improvement, professional learning, or practitioner-focused books for K-12 educators. Please include your rate, estimated turnaround time, relevant experience, and one or two examples of similar projects if available. Preferred completion timeline: within 3–4 weeks of project start.