Copy Editor + PDF/EPUB Formatter Needed for 54,634-Word Nonfiction Methodology Book

# Job Title Copy Editor / Proofreader + PDF, Print-Ready PDF & EPUB Formatter Needed for 54,634-Word Nonfiction Guidebook # Job Description I am looking for an experienced copy editor/proofreader and book formatter to help prepare a completed nonfiction manuscript for release. The manuscript is approximately **54,634 words** and currently formatted at **499 pages**. It is a spiritual/philosophical self-development guidebook with chapters, reflection questions, appendices, inspirational quotes, branded terminology, and a structured format. The book is already written and organized. I am not looking for a ghostwriter, developmental editor, or someone to rewrite the book. I need someone who can help clean, polish, format, and prepare the manuscript while preserving the author’s voice, tone, rhythm, and intentional language. This project requires: 1. Light copyediting / proofreading 2. Digital PDF formatting 3. Print-ready PDF formatting 4. EPUB formatting with clickable table of contents The final book needs to feel clean, professional, readable, premium, and ready for direct digital sale and personal print use. # Project Scope The manuscript includes: * Title page * Table of contents * Copyright page * Dedication * Author’s introduction * Part I and Part II sections * Seven main chapters * Chapter epigraph quotes * Subheadings * Reflection questions * Appendix A: Reflection Index * Appendix B: Inspirational Quotes * Final resource page The book uses custom branded terminology, spiritual/philosophical language, and intentional wordplay. More details will be provided upon hire. Please do not remove or “correct” unconventional terms simply because they are unfamiliar. Some language is intentional and should remain intact unless I approve the change. # Editing / Proofreading Needs I need a light copyedit and proofread focused on polishing the manuscript without changing the voice. Please check for: * Grammar issues * Punctuation issues * Typos * Repeated words * Missing words * Awkward spacing * Incorrect capitalization * Heading consistency * Table of contents consistency * Trademark spacing and consistency * Chapter numbering consistency * Appendix formatting consistency * Quote formatting consistency * Reflection question formatting * Leftover drafting notes or accidental comments * Inconsistent use of custom branded terms * Basic readability issues This is not a developmental edit. Please do not restructure the book, rewrite major sections, or change the author’s tone. The voice is reflective, philosophical, spiritual, personal, and intentional. I want the manuscript cleaned up, not rewritten into a generic self-help voice. # Formatting Needs I need the manuscript formatted into a clean, professional book. Deliverables should include: 1. A polished digital PDF edition 2. A print-ready interior PDF for personal printing / future print release 3. An EPUB edition for mobile/e-reader readability 4. A clickable table of contents 5. Table of contents with accurate page numbers matching the final formatted PDF 6. Clean chapter title formatting 7. Clean subheading formatting 8. Proper page breaks between major sections 9. Proper formatting for quotes and epigraphs 10. Clean formatting for reflection questions 11. Clean formatting for Appendix A and Appendix B 12. Consistent headers, footers, margins, spacing, and page numbering where appropriate The book will be sold directly through my own ecosystem/platforms, so the PDF and EPUB should look professional and be easy to read digitally. # Important Formatting Notes The book contains Roman numeral chapter titles, such as: Chapter I Chapter II Chapter III The chapters are grouped under Part I and Part II. The chapter structure generally includes: * Chapter title * Chapter quote / epigraph * The Architecture of… * My Journey * Collective Integration * Closing Integration * Examination Please keep the formatting clean, elegant, and easy to follow. The book should not look like a rough Word document. It should look like a polished digital book that someone would feel comfortable purchasing. # Budget My fixed budget for this project is **$300**. This budget is for a light copyedit/proofread and formatting of an already completed manuscript. The manuscript does not need developmental editing, ghostwriting, or major rewriting. I understand this is a lean budget, so I am looking for someone efficient, detail-oriented, and experienced with nonfiction book formatting. # Preferred Milestone Structure I would like to use milestones to protect both sides and confirm quality before completing the full project. Suggested milestones: **Milestone 1: Sample Edit + Formatting Test — $25** * Edit and format 5–10 sample pages * Confirm style, formatting direction, and editing approach **Milestone 2: Full Proofread / Light Copyedit — $125** * Clean the full manuscript for grammar, typos, consistency, and readability * Preserve author’s voice and intentional language * Flag any major issues found **Milestone 3: Digital PDF + Print-Ready PDF Formatting — $75** * Create a polished digital PDF * Create a print-ready interior PDF * Ensure clean layout, headings, page breaks, appendices, and page numbering * Add accurate page numbers to the Table of Contents **Milestone 4: EPUB Formatting + Clickable TOC — $75** * Create EPUB edition * Create clickable table of contents * Ensure mobile/e-reader readability **Total: $300 fixed** # Freelancer Requirements Please apply only if you have experience with at least one of the following: * Nonfiction book editing * Spiritual / self-development book editing * Philosophy / memoir / guidebook editing * Workbook formatting * EPUB formatting * PDF book formatting * Print-ready book formatting * Self-publishing formatting * Long manuscript formatting * Clickable table of contents creation I prefer someone who has experience preparing books for self-publishing or direct digital sale. Please include examples of books, PDFs, EPUBs, workbooks, or guidebooks you have edited or formatted. # What I Will Provide I will provide: * The full manuscript file * The current PDF draft * Any branding notes needed after hire * Any preferred terminology list after hire * Any requested corrections or style preferences * Feedback after the sample milestone # Final Deliverables At the end of the project, I need: 1. Edited Word document or edited manuscript file 2. Clean final digital PDF edition 3. Print-ready interior PDF 4. EPUB edition 5. Clickable table of contents 6. Table of contents with accurate final page numbers 7. Final formatted version ready for digital sale 8. Notes of any major issues found, if applicable If you can also provide the editable formatted source file, please mention that in your proposal. # Important Please do not apply if you intend to heavily rewrite the manuscript or change the author’s voice. This book contains custom terminology, spiritual reflection, personal storytelling, philosophical structure, and intentional wordplay. The goal is to clean and format the book while preserving its identity. I am looking for someone who can respect the voice, polish the manuscript, and help make the final digital book professional, readable, and release-ready. If this project goes well, I plan to publish additional books and may invite the right freelancer to work on future projects as an ongoing contractor.