Job Description
Project Overview
I am looking for a professional proofreader to perform a final quality check on a completed book manuscript. The goal of this project is to ensure the manuscript is free of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and consistency errors before publication.
This is a proofreading project rather than developmental editing. The manuscript is already written and structured; the focus is on polishing the language and ensuring consistency throughout the book.
Manuscript Details
- Approximate length: 43,000 words
- Genre: Teen emotional wellness / self-help workbook
- Audience: Teens, parents, and caregivers
- Status: Completed manuscript ready for final proofreading before publication
Manuscript File
Because the manuscript file is large, the full PDF cannot be attached directly to the job post. I will send the PDF of the book through Upwork messages to shortlisted candidates so they can review the manuscript before starting the project.
Key Responsibilities
The proofreader will be responsible for:
- Correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors
- Identifying and correcting awkward or incorrect sentence structures where necessary
- Reviewing the manuscript for consistency in punctuation and formatting
- Eliminating unnecessary em dashes and replacing them with more appropriate punctuation when applicable
- Retaining em dashes only when they are clearly the best grammatical choice
- Reviewing all thoughts, phrases, or sentences written in quotation marks or italics and ensuring their grammar, punctuation, and formatting are consistent throughout the manuscript
- Ensuring overall clarity and readability while preserving the author’s voice
Workbook Formatting and Structured Content
The manuscript contains structured elements, including exercises, prompts, reflection sections, and step-by-step activity instructions.
In addition to proofreading the narrative text, the proofreader should also review these sections carefully to ensure grammatical accuracy, punctuation consistency, and clarity across worksheets, prompts, and instructions. These sections are an important part of the book and should be reviewed with the same level of attention as the main body text.
Editing Approach
This project is focused on proofreading rather than rewriting. Corrections should address grammar, spelling, punctuation, and consistency issues while preserving the author’s tone and voice. Sentences should only be reworded when necessary to correct clear grammatical problems or improve clarity.
If any stylistic or punctuation decisions require broader consistency changes across the manuscript (for example, punctuation choices involving em dashes, italics, or thought formatting), please flag these so they can be confirmed before applying them throughout the entire document.
Because this is a detailed proofreading task that requires careful judgment about punctuation and tone, the work should be completed manually rather than relying on automated AI proofreading tools.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have:
- Experience proofreading books or long manuscripts
- Excellent command of English grammar and punctuation
- Strong attention to detail
- Familiarity with stylistic punctuation choices (including em dash usage)
Deliverable
A clean, proofread manuscript with tracked changes showing all corrections.
To Apply
Please include the word “Precision” at the beginning of your proposal so I know you have read the full job description.
Also briefly answer the following question in your proposal:
When proofreading a manuscript, how do you typically decide whether an em dash should remain or be replaced with another punctuation mark?
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