Our client, a U.S.-based quarterly print magazine focused on travel and Americana, seeks an experienced editor with hybrid copyediting and proofing skills to complete the final editorial review before each issue is sent to press. The goal is to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, and clean page-level presentation while preserving the magazine’s layout. This project requires familiarity with traditional proofreaders’ marks, Chicago-style conventions layered with the magazine’s in-house style guide, and the ability to review fully designed pages in PDF format. Our client seeks an editor who can commit to handling an issue each quarter for an intermittent (once per quarter) but ongoing partnership.

Project Overview

Each issue of the magazine runs 100–120 pages, with approximately 30% of the pages devoted to advertising that does not require review. Editorial content averages 25,000 words per issue. The Editorial Director conducts all developmental and content editing; the editor placed through Compose.ly will handle the final polish on the PDF version of the issue and conduct a final comparison check of digital proofs through Kodak InSite to ensure edits have been correctly implemented. This assignment requires an editor who can balance copyediting judgment with proofreading precision, with minimal recasting to protect layout integrity.

Scope of Work

Copyedit for grammar, usage, spelling, and consistency, using the magazine’s house style guide layered on top of Chicago for unspecified cases
Apply traditional proofreading marks to annotate corrections directly on the PDF and add comments to flag queries to the project manager and the Editorial Director’s attention as needed
Make light recasts only as needed for clarity, while keeping changes minimal to preserve line breaks and layout
Identify and mark layout or formatting concerns (pagination, ladders, widows/orphans, TOC alignment, end-of-article elements, etc.) for the designer to implement
Conduct practical fact-checking for proper names, dates, URLs, and similar verifiable details
Add queries on any lines that hold potential for libel
Complete a final, quick comparison review in Kodak InSite to confirm edits were carried through; flag any discrepancies

Deliverables

Marked-up PDF of the full issue using traditional proof marks and comments
Brief final notes (if needed) regarding outstanding questions or items for the managing editor/designer to address
Completion of a final check in Kodak InSite, confirming implementation of marked edits

Timeline

Start: Week of December 8, 2025
Deadline: Current issue must be completed December 16–19
Cadence: Ongoing quarterly commitment—four issues per year
Estimated Hours: 18–25 hours per issue (based on the client’s historical experience with freelance editors)
Budget: $30–$35/hour

Qualifications

2+ years of professional editing experience, including proofreading on designed pages
Strong command of Chicago style and ability to apply house-style conventions consistently
Experience marking up PDFs with traditional proof marks
Ability to review layout-adjacent elements (TOC accuracy, widows/orphans, rivers, ladders, etc.)
Comfortable performing light fact-checking and querying unclear or contradictory details
Previous experience with Kodak InSite is not required, but a willingness to learn the tool for final comparison checks is required
Ability to commit to all four quarterly issues

Compose.ly

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Hybrid Copy/Proofing for Quarterly Print Magazine