Copy Editor Needed for Long-Term Romance Series
RoseHarbor Publishing is seeking a talented copy editor for multiple series of novel-length books (90,000-100,000-word) within various genres of romance (mafia or fantasy romance, for example). This long-term position is remote and offers flexibility and allows you to work when you want as long as deadlines and timelines are met and communication is prompt.
We are seeking a dependable copy editor for long-term work within a team environment. In the beginning, this will happen on a book-by-book basis, starting with the continuation of an ongoing series. As you learn and master our style, you may be offered the opportunity to copy-edit multiple books on a regular basis (weekly and monthly) according to our needs.
Scope of work:
Utilizing our online platform, you ensure each element of a story is consistent, cohesive, and complete by:
- Offering suggestions on each copy edit on areas that need series editor/writer feedback.
- Completing two rounds of copy editing with series editor/editing director input and revisions in between.
- Editing while keeping writer’s voice intact, scrutinizing for the following:
o Fact-checking all facts, statistics, data, media et cetera mentioned in the narrative
o Flagging ambiguous or factually incorrect sentences
o Checking for continuity errors and flagging those that aren’t tied up
o Tracking larger concerns like discrepancies in the plot, setting, timeline, and character traits, using an in-depth Master Character List as a guide
o Logging new plot, setting, and character trait details in the Master Character List
o Correcting any typos, especially spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax errors
o Filling in missing words
o Eliminating repetitive and redundant wording
o Removing extra spaces and fixing other minor formatting issues
o Creating new paragraphs to break up long passages
o Adheres to Standard English
o Ensuring consistent spelling, hyphenation, numerals, fonts, capitalization, minimizing the use of crutch and filter words, and reducing the use of passive verbs, using the following guides:
§ RoseHarbor Publishing Style Guidelines
§ Merriam-Webster Dictionary
§ Chicago Manual of Style
§ Master Character List
You will work with the editing director and editing team as you learn the RoseHarbor Publishing style and receive feedback on each book with the goal of working independently by the fourth book. Copy editors will receive feedback for continued improvement.
Requirements:
- Strong background in copy editing romance novels in a series with the ability to spot inconsistencies within scenes and over the course of a series, as well as fact-checking plot, setting, and character details using master character list, as well as ensuring a book with correct grammar and clean copy. We create unique plots with surprising twists, and we will depend on you to maintain our high level of quality in our stories with an exceptional eye for detail and accuracy.
- Able/willing to learn our writer’s voice and maintain that voice while editing.
- Copy edit in both first person and third person point of views, present and past tense, while alternating character POVs per each scene.
- Good research and fact-checking skills to ensure basic details are accurate (such as Greek gods or other magical being mythology) and be able to edit characters within a fantasy world. You will receive (and help maintain) a Master Character List in which you will be required to fact-check character details while editing.
- High levels of discretion, diplomacy, and tact in leaving editing comments for writers to receive on their redlined copy.
- Deadline driven and able to respond to communication within 24 hours—very important.
- Must learn our style: Chicago Manual of Style, Merriam-Webster, and the RoseHarbor Style Guide, which will be provided to you.
- Work in an online shared team environment.
- Be able to fill in for another copy editor if necessary.
- Use the most up-to-date version of Microsoft Word with Track Changes function.
Our readership is primarily composed of women. We will expect your work to be self-edited and proofread, and as clean as possible before submission. Our editing director and team will go over your work, and if needed, send it back to you for revisions and/or suggestions or to answer questions. You will be working with editors who are experienced in the romance genre on an online shared environment, and you must be open to constructive criticism from another set of eyes. The team will provide help and suggestions where needed. The goal is to work together to create the perfect genre romance book.
Please be sure you will have the time to work with us and to devote to copy editing full-length novels. We need a copy editor with good communication skills, as communicating with us for deadlines and with the series editor, editing director, creative director, and book writers about plots and revisions is a must. We work as a team and care about our editors. This is a good opportunity for someone who wants job security.
Ownership and Legal:
- Understand that this is a work-for-hire independent contractor position—editors hold no rights to the work and must adhere to all legal and ownership agreements set by RoseHarbor Publishing.
- Must be willing to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for each book.
- All submitted work must be 100% original. AI-generated, AI-assisted, pre-written templates, or PLR (Private Label Rights) content will not be accepted. Submissions that appear to rely primarily on AI, templates, or PLR material will be disqualified.
This position is compensated on a per-word basis. Any hourly rate displayed in job postings is for advertising purposes only and does not reflect actual compensation.
We are looking for quality, professional copy editors who work at a high standard. If you are interested, please apply and share your editing portfolio.
Thank you for your interest. RoseHarbor Publishing looks forward to hearing from you.
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