The best part of my work has always been the people. After seven years working across nonprofit, healthcare, and public sector environments, I've built the skills to help organizations and the teams behind them run better, genuinely. I've worked directly with clients and communities in high-pressure environments, which means I know how to communicate clearly, stay organized under pressure, and get things done without a lot of hand-holding.
On the administrative side, I handle executive calendars, meeting facilitation, agenda development, action item tracking, and day-to-day coordination that keeps leadership teams moving. On the operations side, I build SOPs, organize systems, and create the structure that makes teams more consistent and easier to manage. I'm also comfortable working with data, tracking KPIs, building reports, and turning numbers into something leadership can actually use.
What sets me apart is that I've done this work across nonprofit, healthcare, and public sector environments, and I've spent my career working directly with the people these organizations serve. I understand the mission side of this work, not just the administrative side, and that makes me a more thoughtful partner for any organization that cares about its community.
I'm available Fridays, weekends, and weekday evenings, and I bring the same level of professionalism and care to freelance work that I bring to my full-time role. If you need someone organized, proactive, and genuinely invested in helping your operation run better, I'd love to work with you.
Executive Support
Virtual Assistance
Project Management
Data Entry
Operations Management Software
Data Analysis
Meeting Agendas
Meeting Notes
Microsoft Office SharePoint Server
Nonprofit Organization
Team Management
Team Building
Calendar Management
Elan A.
Portland, Oregon
$15/hr
5.0
1 jobs
Fiction Ghostwriter | Romance & Fantasy Specialist | Beta Reader
Hi, I'm Elan, a fiction ghostwriter and beta reader specializing in romance and fantasy, working with authors who want their story told well, whether that means I write it with you or read it for you before it goes any further.
Ghostwriting Services
I write character-driven fiction across a range of romance and fantasy subgenres, including contemporary romance, dark romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, romantasy, and fantasy romance. My specialties within romance include enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, second chance romance, forbidden love, and mafia romance the trope-driven stories readers come back for again and again.
My ghostwriting process starts with understanding your vision: your characters, your world, your voice, and the emotional beats you want readers to feel. From there, I can support you at any stage:
Full-length novel and novella ghostwriting
Story outlining, plotting, and chapter-by-chapter breakdowns
Character development and character bibles
World building for fantasy and romantasy projects
Dialogue writing and voice matching to your existing work
Series writing and continuity across multiple books
Synopsis and query letter support for querying or self-publishing
Whether you're an aspiring author with an idea and no time to write it, or an established author looking to expand your catalog, I treat every project as your book I match your voice rather than imposing mine, and I keep communication clear throughout so there are no surprises at delivery.
Beta Reading Services
Before you query agents or hit publish, a beta read can save you months of revision guesswork. I offer full-manuscript beta reading with a structured, honest report covering:
Pacing and structure
Plot holes and consistency issues
Character development and character consistency
Trope execution are the tropes landing the way you intended?
Emotional impact where the story connects, and where it doesn't yet
Overall reader experience, chapter by chapter
I read primarily in romance and fantasy, so I understand genre conventions and reader expectations in those spaces specifically what makes a slow burn actually feel slow and earned, what makes an enemies-to-lovers arc satisfying, what a fantasy reader needs from your world building to stay oriented. My feedback is direct and specific, never vague, because vague feedback doesn't help you revise.
Why work with me
I'm early in my Upwork history, which means new clients get my full attention and a genuine investment in getting the work right not a project squeezed between a dozen others. I'm a fast, careful reader and a disciplined writer who hits deadlines without sacrificing quality.
If you're not sure whether you need a ghostwriter or a beta reader, or you just want to talk through where your manuscript stands, feel free to reach out or book a consultation I'm happy to figure out the right fit together before any commitment.
Tell me about your project genre, stage, and what you're hoping to get out of working together and I'll tell you honestly what it needs.
Beta Reading
Writing Critique
Beta Reader Report
Proofreading
Ghostwriting
Creative Writing
Fiction Writing
Nonfiction Writing
Developmental Editing
Ebook Formatting
Romance Writing
Novel Writing
Book Review
Scriptwriting
Kindle Direct Publishing
Spanish
Editing & Proofreading
Content Editing
Storytelling
Cozy Mystery
Zachary O.
Lake Oswego, Oregon
$60/hr
5.0
161 jobs
Hey there, I'm your friendly neighborhood human editor! :)
Please reach out if you have a manuscript or project you'd like assistance with!
SPECIALTIES:
Developmental Editing // Copy Editing // Line Editing // Proofreading // Beta Reading // Writing Critique // Manuscript Polishing // Grammar Correction // Text Formatting // Translation Localizing
CREATIVE WRITING EXPERTISE:
• Passionate about fiction, especially Sci Fi, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Literary Fiction, Speculative, Young Adult, New Adult
• Specialties: Novels, Short Stories, Graphic Novels, Comics, Poetry, Theatre Scripts
• Love working on Memoirs and Autobiographies too!
• Story structure analysis, character development, dialogue and pacing improvement
• Manuscript assessment and editorial guidance
• Key experience in manuscript formatting and self-publishing support
• Active writer and published author of poetry books, novellas, short stories, theatre scripts
With years of experience as a Creative Writing, English, and Theatre teacher, I'm now a digital nomad, exploring the world while working remotely. When I'm not baking scones or befriending pets, I'm dedicated to assisting with your personal and professional projects. My goal is always to boost your creativity and efficiency, preserving and amplifying your unique writing voice.
Let's connect and bring your projects to life!
Beta Reading
Writing Critique
Proofreading
Creative Writing
Poetry
Short Story
Fiction
Book
Editing & Proofreading
Proofreading Feedback
Book Editing
Writing
Manuscript
Theatre
Musical Theatre
Kim B.
Salem, Oregon
$26/hr
5.0
12 jobs
I've spent months reading manuscripts for authors — catching what needed fixing before it went further (100% job success, 5 stars every time). Now I'm bringing that same eye to book formatting: clean layout, proper specs, no rejected files. New to formatting, not new to manuscripts.
Here's the thing about self-publishing: you can write a genuinely great book and still lose readers in the first ten pages if the formatting feels off. Inconsistent headers, a broken table of contents, weird spacing that makes your book look like it was thrown together — none of that is about your writing, but all of it affects how readers experience your writing.
That's where I come in.
→ WHAT I ACTUALLY DO
I handle the technical side of getting your manuscript publish-ready, so your book looks as good as it reads:
📖 Interior Formatting → Clean, consistent layout for print and ebook (chapter styling, headers, page numbers, front and back matter)
📑 Table of Contents → Properly linked, navigable TOC for both print and digital versions
🔍 KDP Prep & Specs → Getting your file to meet Amazon's actual requirements, so it doesn't bounce back at upload
📝 Proofreading Pass → A close read for typos and formatting inconsistencies before your file goes anywhere
📚 Manuscript Feedback → Beta reading and editorial feedback, whether you want a reader's eye before formatting starts, or just honest feedback on your draft
🗂️ File Organization → Making sure your source files, images, and drafts are actually organized, not scattered across five folders
Whether your manuscript needs a reader's eye first or is ready for formatting now, that's my sweet spot.
→ WHY WORK WITH SOMEONE NEW TO FORMATTING
Fair question. Here's my honest answer:
I don't have 200 formatted books behind me yet. What I do have is a genuine, slightly obsessive love of reading, and a track record that shows I actually deliver — 100% job success across every project I've completed, most of it beta reading work where authors trusted me to engage closely with their manuscripts, not skim them.
One recent client put it this way: "Kim was an absolute pleasure to work with. She provided thoughtful, detailed feedback that went above and beyond my expectations. Her communication was excellent throughout the process, and she adhered perfectly to the timeline."
I still take on beta reading projects, and honestly, it's a great way to start working together — I get to know your manuscript closely, you get to see how I work, and if formatting is the next step, I'm already familiar with your book instead of starting cold.
→ HOW I WORK
📧 COMMUNICATION → I respond within 2-4 hours during business hours (9am-5pm PST, Monday-Thursday). You won't be left wondering where things stand.
💪 PROCESS → I review your manuscript first and give you a clear, scoped quote before anything starts. No surprise costs, no guessing.
💬 REVISIONS → I'd rather ask a clarifying question upfront than deliver something that missed the mark. You're not locked into the first draft.
🧑💻 TRIAL PROJECTS → New to working together? Let's start with a smaller project, a sample chapter, or a beta read so you can see how I work before committing to the full manuscript.
→ TOOLS I USE
Microsoft Word (advanced formatting)
Adobe InDesign (learning/building proficiency)
KDP specs and requirements
Google Workspace
Plus I'm quick to pick up whatever tools your project needs.
→ A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I'm a US military veteran with a background in high-volume operations management, where a missed detail was never a small thing. These days I'm channeling that same instinct into something I actually love: books. I'm the person friends call when something needs organizing or figuring out, and it turns out that same instinct is exactly what a good manuscript needs too — someone who notices what's out
Beta Reading
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Asana
Data Entry
Customer Service
Social Media Website
Bookkeeping
Typing
Editing & Proofreading
Event Management
Project Management
QuickBooks Online
Administrative Support
Slack
Formatting
Book Layout
Ebook Formatting
Beth R.
The Dalles, Oregon
$20/hr
5.0
4 jobs
I am a general all around helpful person! I love to help with any project you have to offer! I am an avid reader and love to read all genres. I am always looking for my next read! I love giving feedback when requested including editing and grammar checks if needed.
I have done generalist work including assisting in AI model work, transcribing, editing, etc. I am very self disciplined and motivated so that I can work diligently and meet any timeline that is needed by my employers. I am open to any work and ready to get started in assisting you today!
Beta Reading
Creative Writing
Gaming
Typing
Google Docs
Google Sheets
Editing & Proofreading
Communications
Technical Support
Pets
Game Testing
Beta Testing
Jye B.
Beaverton, Oregon
$40/hr
5.0
2 jobs
Your story deserves a skilled partner who understands both craft and market. With specialized training in developmental editing and a writer's perspective, I help authors level up their manuscripts while preserving their unique voice.
As a certified developmental editor (Editorial Freelancers Association), I've mastered both theoretical frameworks and practical applications of story craft. My training covers advanced techniques in narrative structure, character development, and author collaboration, ensuring I can help you transform your creative vision into a compelling, publishable work.
I specialize in science fiction, fantasy, and broader speculative fiction genres, bringing both technical expertise and genre understanding to every project. As an active writer myself—self-publishing stories and consistently submitting to literary magazine—I understand the challenges and aspirations of authors at every stage of their journey.
Beyond developmental editing, I also offer:
*BETA READING AND MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION SERVICES:* Detailed reader feedback focusing on level of reader engagement, pacing, and emotional impact. My reports highlight both strengths and areas for improvement, giving you clear direction for revisions.
*GHOSTWRITING:* Collaborative story development and writing services that capture your vision while meeting professional standards. Whether you need a short story or full manuscript, I'll help bring your ideas to life.
*WRITER’S ASSISTANT SERVICES:* Ongoing virtual assistance and support throughout your writing process, including:
• Brainstorming and plot development
• Research assistance
• Progress accountability
• Feedback on works-in-progress
• Query letter and synopsis review
My approach combines rigorous analysis with supportive guidance. I believe every manuscript has potential, and my role is to help you realize that potential while maintaining your unique voice and vision.
I continue to invest in my professional development through advanced courses and industry engagement, ensuring my clients benefit from current best practices in both craft and market expectations.
Available for both one-time projects and ongoing collaborations, I pride myself on clear communication, meeting deadlines, and delivering thorough, actionable feedback that moves your project forward.
Let's discuss how I can help strengthen your story and prepare it for success in today's competitive market.
Writing Critique
Writing
Book Editing
Story Editing
Editing & Proofreading
Ghostwriting
Comic Writing
Short Story Writing
Short Story
Story Writing
Story Concept
Story Development
Virtual Assistance
Comics
Novel Writing
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Summa Linguae
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