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
