Middle Children's Book Proofreader

We are an independent children’s publisher preparing three middle-grade adventure novels for publication. The books are written for readers ages 8–14, with the accessibility, humor, and momentum of commercial middle-grade fiction such as the Percy Jackson series. We are seeking an experienced book proofreader to provide a final, fresh-eyes review of the three completed manuscripts before publication. PROJECT SCOPE Three books Approximately 217,000 words total Book 1: approximately 64,900 words Book 2: approximately 73,800 words Book 3: approximately 78,300 words The final word counts may change slightly before delivery. WHAT WE NEED This is a proofreading assignment—not developmental editing, substantive editing, or rewriting. The manuscripts have already gone through writing, editing, and internal review. We need a careful final reader to identify and correct: Typographical and spelling errors Grammar and punctuation errors Missing, repeated, or incorrect words Capitalization and hyphenation inconsistencies Inconsistent character names, place names, and terminology Quotation-mark and dialogue-punctuation errors Obvious continuity slips or contradictions Residual editorial comments, bracketed notes, or tracked changes Formatting inconsistencies that should be resolved before typesetting Please preserve the established voice, pacing, humor, and age-appropriate style. Do not rewrite passages, restructure the stories, recommend new scenes, or perform developmental editing. If you encounter something clearly confusing, contradictory, age-inappropriate, or apparently missed during prior editing, flag it in a comment rather than rewriting it. We welcome important observations from a fresh reader, but we do not want the assignment expanded into another editorial rewrite. A NOTE ON AI We are hiring a professional proofreader for careful human review. Standard spelling, grammar, and dictionary tools are acceptable, but generative AI should not be used to review the manuscripts, generate corrections, rewrite passages, or substitute for line-by-line human proofreading. DELIVERABLES 1. Each manuscript returned in Microsoft Word with Track Changes enabled 2. Comments used only where a correction requires explanation or an issue requires our decision 3. A brief summary for each book identifying recurring consistency issues or unresolved questions 4. A consolidated series style sheet covering spelling, capitalization, hyphenation, character and place names, recurring terminology, numbers, and other editorial conventions across all three books 5. Book 1 completed and returned first, followed by Books 2 and 3 6. Availability for a brief follow-up after we review the corrections There may be a separate follow-up assignment to proofread the final typeset PDFs for errors introduced during formatting. Please price this proposal for proofreading the Word manuscripts and state separately whether you would be available for the final PDF proof. TIMING Book 1 is our immediate priority, and we need it returned within two weeks of the contract start. Books 2 and 3 will follow on a schedule we agree upon together. WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR Professional proofreading experience with published fiction Middle-grade or children’s-fiction experience strongly preferred Excellent command of American English Exceptional attention to detail and consistency Experience using Microsoft Word Track Changes Familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style and standard conventions for American middle-grade fiction Ability to respect an established voice and remain within a defined proofreading scope Reliable communication and the ability to meet an agreed publication schedule CONFIDENTIALITY An NDA is required before manuscripts, sample pages, titles, character information, or other confidential project details are shared. WHEN APPLYING, PLEASE INCLUDE 1. Your relevant fiction-proofreading experience 2. Any middle-grade or children’s books you have proofread 3. Your proposed fixed price for approximately 217,000 words 4. Your estimated turnaround time for all three manuscripts 5. How quickly you could return Book 1 6. Confirmation that you use Microsoft Word Track Changes 7. Whether you are available for a separate final proof of the typeset PDFs 8. Whether you are willing to complete a short paid proofreading sample after signing an NDA Please begin your proposal with the words “Fresh Eyes” so we know you have read the complete posting.