Editor/Proofreader for Historical Narrative Nonfiction (18th-Century German Immigration Story)

Job Description: I'm looking for an experienced editor/proofreader for Echoes of the Rhine, a 50,000 word historical narrative nonfiction book that follows a real German family's documented journey from the war-torn Rhineland to colonial Pennsylvania. The book is written in the style of The Boys in the Boat, Unbroken, and The Splendid and the Vile — cinematic, emotionally engaging prose grounded in verified historical fact, told in third-person close POV. What I need: • A full line edit and proofread pass (grammar, punctuation, consistency, flow, word choice) • Attention to historical voice — clean, timeless language; no modern idioms, slang, or anachronistic phrasing • Consistency checks across names, dates, timelines, and recurring motifs (the book follows a strict chapter-by-chapter outline) • Verification that dialogue reads as period-appropriate and sparse, not overwritten • Fact-flagging: if something reads as though it overstates certainty on an undocumented detail, flag it — this is nonfiction, and speculation must always be framed as such • Feedback on pacing and chapter-ending hooks is a bonus, though the primary ask is copyediting/proofreading, not developmental editing Ideal candidate: • Strong background editing narrative nonfiction, historical fiction, or biography • Detail-oriented, deadline-reliable, and able to track a style guide closely • Prior experience with genealogy-based or immigration-history projects is a plus Deliverables: Tracked-changes edits (Word or Google Docs) plus a brief editorial summary of recurring issues. Scope: 20 chapters, 50,000 words total, delivered in batches for review as writing progresses.