Copyeditors and Proofreaders

Job Description

Copyeditors and Proofreaders (Freelance)

DESCRIPTION:

Adams Media, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., is looking for no-nonsense freelance copyeditors and proofreaders.

A fast-paced and innovative publisher of pop-culture books, Adams requires exceptionally detail-oriented and motivated self-starters to rid their books of errors. No frills or editorial development. Just people who find and fix the small and important mistakes.

Copyeditors must:

Adhere to detailed Adams Media copyediting guidelines, along with The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th or 16th Edition (ChicagoManualofStyle.org) and Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (Merriam-Webster.com)

Copyedit using the Track Changes function in Word

Follow the editor's specific project instructions in the copyeditor memo

Check facts

Locate and fix errors and typos (don't just query them)

Create a style sheet to outline your decisions

Contact Adams as you are working if you have questions

Use your best judgment to make the manuscript accurate, consistent, and easy to read

Proofreaders must:

Adhere to detailed Adams Media proofreading guidelines, along with The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th or 16th Edition (ChicagoManualofStyle.org) and Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (Merriam-Webster.com)

Proofread electronically and mark PDFs based on the detailed PDF markup instructions provided

Read the book thoroughly to catch any errors the copyeditor may have missed, errors that were introduced during the editor/author copyedit review, and errors in consistency

Find layout errors, including those in the table of contents and in running heads or feet; it is imperative that you read each word carefully and individually, including each running head

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree, preferably in English or writing-related field

At least one year of experience copyediting or proofreading onscreen for a trade book publisher

Ability to absorb, follow, and refer to detailed Adams Media guidelines and instructions

Working knowledge of The Chicago Manual of Style

Successful completion of Adams Media freelancing test

Workload:

Adams has the most projects to offer July through October

Turnaround times throughout the year are roughly two weeks

Manuscript word counts for copyeditors range from 20,000 to 80,000

Galley page counts for proofreaders range from 128 to 304

Subjects include cookbooks, health, self-help, music, business, games, calendars

Please note that these are remote positions so applicants do not need to live in Massachusetts

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gpq2ed-18-117-72-224-42 in your application.