Expert Book Formatter for Testing Software

About the Role We're building a new software platform that empowers writers to create beautifully designed ebooks and print-ready books without needing professional design skills. We're looking for an experienced Book Formatting Specialist to join us on a contract basis to rigorously test the software, surface issues, and offer expert recommendations that will shape the product. You'll be one of the expert voices ensuring our tool produces professional-quality output that authors can trust. If you know what separates a polished, print-ready book from an amateur one—and you enjoy the detail-oriented work of getting layout, typography, and formatting exactly right—we'd love to work with you. What You'll Do (Tasks & Deliverables) Your work will focus on three core areas: testing, reporting, and advising. Testing the software Format a variety of sample manuscripts (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, illustrated/children's books) into both ebook and print formats using our software. Test the full workflow from manuscript import through to final export. Verify output across common ebook formats (EPUB, MOBI/Kindle) and print-ready PDF. Validate that exported files meet the technical specifications of major platforms (Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Apple Books, Kobo, etc.). Stress-test edge cases: complex layouts, tables, footnotes, special characters, embedded images, drop caps, and non-standard page sizes. Reporting issues Document bugs, formatting errors, and inconsistencies with clear, reproducible steps. Submit structured reports (we'll provide a template/tracker) that include screenshots, sample files, and the expected vs. actual behavior. Prioritize issues by severity and impact on the end user. Suggesting improvements Recommend features, settings, or defaults that would improve output quality and ease of use. Benchmark our output against industry standards and competing tools. Provide guidance on typographic best practices (kerning, leading, widows/orphans, hyphenation, justification, font pairing) and how the software should handle them. Expected deliverables Completed formatting test cycles on assigned sample books. A written issue/bug report per test cycle. A short summary of recommendations and observations at agreed milestones. Skills & Experience Required Essential Demonstrable experience formatting books for both ebook and print (a portfolio or samples required). Hands-on experience with Vellum and/or Atticus is essential. Strong working knowledge of EPUB structure and print-ready PDF preparation. Familiarity with the technical requirements of major publishing platforms (KDP, IngramSpark, Apple Books, etc.). Solid grasp of typography and layout fundamentals for long-form text. Sharp attention to detail and the ability to spot subtle formatting flaws. Clear written communication for documenting issues and recommendations. Nice to have Experience with additional tools like InDesign, Calibre, Sigil, or similar. Background in self-publishing or working directly with independent authors. Basic understanding of HTML/CSS as it relates to ebook styling. Prior QA or software-testing experience. How We Work Communication: We value clear, proactive, and regular updates. Expect a kickoff call to align on goals, plus a brief weekly check-in (async or video—your preference). We respond quickly to questions and never want you stuck or guessing. Tools: We coordinate work through a shared issue tracker and a messaging channel for quick questions. We'll get you set up during onboarding. Feedback culture: Your candid, expert opinion is the whole point. We want honest critique, not reassurance. No issue is too small to report. Flexibility: This is remote and flexible. We care about quality output and clear communication, not when or where you work. Collaboration: You'll work directly with our product and engineering team. Your reports go straight to the people building the software, and you'll see your suggestions reflected in updates.