Experienced Proofreader & Light Editor Wanted for Polished Travel Guide "Forever Wild" – Quick Final Polish & Master Draft

Job ID: 39952651

Budget: $250 – $750 USD

Project Title:
Experienced Proofreader & Light Editor Wanted for Polished Travel Guide "Forever Wild" – Quick Final Polish & Master Draft

Project Description:
Our passion project, Forever Wild, is a captivating 56,000-word guide to thrilling photo safaris in South Africa. It weaves practical tips, expert insights, photography inspiration, and engaging narratives to empower readers in capturing the African wilderness's essence—from photo safari itineraries to ethical wildlife shots and top lodge picks.

The manuscript is already exceptionally well-written, with strong structure, vivid prose, and solid content. What we truly need is a sharp-eyed freelance proofreader and light editor to give it that final professional sheen and deliver a ready-to-publish master draft. This is a focused, standalone gig with room for future work if we click (like updates or spin-offs).
Key Responsibilities:

Proofreading: Meticulous pass for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and formatting issues. Maintain consistency in style (AP or Chicago Manual preferred), terms (e.g., animal names, locations), and tone.

Light Editing: Copy edits for clarity, conciseness, and flow, with minimal suggestions to boost readability or engagement. Spot any minor gaps or tweaks, but no major rewrites—keep the author's voice intact.

Formatting & Prep: Organize for seamless e-book (Kindle-friendly) and print setup. Add chapter breaks, subheads, photo placeholders, TOC, optional index, and front/back matter (e.g., thanks, resources).

Iteration: 2 quick revision rounds based on our feedback for fine-tuning.

Deliverables:

Tracked-changes Word file (.docx) of the refined manuscript.
Polished final PDF (6x9" print-ready with bleed, or e-book focus as needed).
Short editorial notes (1 page max) on key tweaks and any optional ideas.

Timeline:

First pass and edits: 1 week from kickoff.
Full delivery: 2 weeks total, prioritizing quality and efficiency. We're flexible but aim for a smooth, speedy process.

Requirements:

Track record editing non-fiction and an efficient, clear process for back-and-forth revisions.
Flawless native English skills, attuned to lively, accessible writing.
Comfort with Word, Google Docs.
Extra points: Love for safari adventures or wildlife snaps to vibe with the material.
Preferred accessibility during the USA Eastern timezone, 8 am to 8 pm, for discussion or initial overview.

Fixed-price project. Budget: $250-750

Questions for you:
- Why this project's a great match for you.
- Portfolio or project examples.
- Your quote and schedule.

Help Forever Wild leap into readers' hands—let's keep it roaring!
Pre-bid questions welcome.