Novel Proofreading jobs for beginners are in demand but you will have to know where to find these jobs.
You may have heard of novel editing jobs, but what about novel proofreading? It is an essential part of the novel production process.
Proofreading is an essential process to ensure the success of novels. And while many professional editors will do this for you, it’s not always possible or affordable to hire a professional editor for your book.
This blog post is going to help you learn more about novel proofreading jobs and what they entail.
A novel proofreader’s job is to read the novel carefully before publication to ensure no errors, spelling mistakes, or missed punctuation during an earlier editing stage. They also ensure there’s consistency in punctuation or capitalization of names, among other things.
How do You Become a Proofreader for a Book?
If you want to get novel proofreading jobs, you’ll need to know how to handle everything from punctuation and grammar errors, formatting a manuscript for publication, typesetting an entire novel.
- Establish a solid online presence by creating an attractive website to show your skills and experience.
- You can get started with freelance proofreading by creating an online profile and building a community.
- To prove your skill is a good proofreader, hone your linguistic skills.
Join Ebook Launch, Reedsy, Ebook Launch, and complete a profile.
Is There a Demand for Proofreaders?
For those looking for novel freelance proofreading jobs, there are many different proofreading jobs in the publishing industry that would be perfect.
More and more online content is created each day which means blog owners who want to offer quality content need editors like you.
There is no limit to the jobs available because many sources of online content, books, and more require a proofreader.
Book authors and bloggers are not the only ones who need support in these types of cases. Even students can utilize a professional writer’s help because they tend to misspell words when writing essays or reports.
You need the experience to be a great proofreader, just like any other 9-5 job. I have some jobs that will help you build experience from anywhere.
Every freelance proofreading company is different. Some companies may have strict guidelines, while others are not as stringent. However, there are a few must-haves that all proofreaders should provide
Proofreaders come from all sorts of backgrounds, and some don’t even have an English degree.
Most aspiring proofreaders learn through on-the-job training, but you can get into the field for free first with a bit of assistance.
Caitlin Pyle created a FREE workshop that shows how to make money as a freelance proofreader. She teaches the basics and provides enough information so you can see if it is something you would enjoy
Proofreading income varies from client to client. Some pay per project, page, or hourly rate. As a novel proofreader, it is possible to earn a full-time income and the hours you work are up to you.
The time and effort you put into novel proofreading determines how much money you will make.
You are the one in charge of how much money you make and your success!
As a beginning proofreader, you can expect to be paid $10 per hour. With experience, skill development, and increases in efficiency and speed, it is possible to earn $30-$50 per hour.
Here is a list of companies hiring beginning proofreaders with no experience. Each company has its steps for qualifications, and some require you to take a test before starting work — please consult the individual website for details.
These companies are the best to begin with if you’re looking for online proofreading jobs for beginners with no experience.
Where to Find the Best Online Novel Proofreading Jobs
What companies or people are hiring proofreaders? And where can you find proofreading jobs?
Many people and businesses need proofreaders. So it is not difficult to convince someone that they need to hire a proofreader. Businesses, bloggers, or anyone serious about publishing quality writing work will benefit from it.
Here are some real opportunities to land a job as a proofreader working from home. Whether you have no experience or an experienced proofreader looking for an online job, there are websites for all levels.
If you are starting, apply on the websites that accept entry-level proofreaders.
Novel Proofreading Jobs for Beginners
1. Flexjobs
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level to Experienced
Flexjobs is an online job board that lists work from home opportunities with flexible, freelance, and part-time work at home jobs that you can make money.
If you want to start a freelance career, this is the perfect website to use. There is a section in which they list all proofreading jobs.
The site does not just post any job. The job opportunities are thoroughly screened and checked for scams before they are approved and listed. This means that all jobs listed here are legitimate opportunities to make money.
It’s not free!
Reputable companies often come with a fee. You have to pay $14.95 to become a member to access and apply to the job listings.
However, the good thing is that there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means if you don’t like the service, you can cancel your membership and request a refund.
FlexJobs is a reputable company, and if you are serious about finding a work-from-home job online, it is worth keeping your membership.
2. Fiverr
Novel proofreading jobs for beginners: Entry-level to Experienced
Most freelance services start at $5. No experience is wasted experience. You may not find high-paying jobs on Fiverr, but you can begin to gain experience as a beginner.
If you create a great profile and show some examples of previous work, that may land you some “gigs.”
As with most things, we all have to start from somewhere.
I have used Fiverr services in the past for Pinterest pin designs. I was pleased for the most part.
This is an excellent platform for selling freelance services, so why not use it to sell your proofreading services.
3. PROOFREADING SERVICES
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level to Experienced
Proofreading Services has full and part-time online proofreading jobs.
ProofreadingServices.com is an ideal job because they offer flexible hours, which means you can work from anywhere.
They have very competitive rates between $19 and $46 per hour, depending on the turnaround time.
Once you apply, you must pass a 20-minute screening test to get any assigned work.
4. PROOFREADING PAL
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Proofreading Pal offers online proofreading jobs currently employed by or enrolled as a graduate or postgraduate student in an accredited United States university and has a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Or someone with a graduate degree with a minimum of five years of professional proofreading and editing experience.
If you are hired as a proofreader for this company, expect to earn $500 to $3,000 per month.
If you meet the required criteria, you will need to apply and answer a short questionnaire.
5. Scribendi
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Scribendi is a platform that allows freelance proofreaders to offer their services to clients.
They hire from all over the world and require a Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of experience editing, writing, document production, or language teaching.
To use this platform, you need to have high-speed internet access plus Microsoft Word 2010 or later on a secure PC (not Mac) computer.
You are also required to proofread at a speed of 1,000–1,500 words per hour.
6. Contena
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Contena is a community that offers jobs for proofreaders, editors, and writers. It’s a community that provides a great job board and an online course provider through Contena Academy.
Just like Flexjobs, Contena features both freelance and full-time remote jobs that allow you to select what you would like and work from anywhere you want.
They offer several different membership options, including payment plans to make it affordable. Membership starts at $42 per month if paid one year in advance.
If you want to try it out, they offer a 30-day satisfaction money-back guarantee, to make sure you are happy with the service.
7. Wordvice
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Master’s Degree
Wordvice is a one-stop shop for premium English proofreaders, content writers, and editing services. They always have proofreader jobs and seek qualified and experienced freelancers to add to their team of professionals.
The work includes editing research articles, dissertations, and thesis and admissions essays.
They offer remote freelance part-time jobs that allow you to work around your schedule and from anywhere. The payment plan is based on word count and the turnaround time requested by clients.
8. ProofreadNOW
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Proofread Now provides professional proofreading and editing services. They only hire experienced proofreaders, require five years’ experience, and will be required to pass a difficult test.
A reliable internet connection, Microsoft Office, and Adobe Acrobat Profession are required for the job.
9. Cactus Global
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
This company offers freelance proofreading and editing work-from-home opportunities. They offer roles with expertise in fields like Physical Science, Healthcare, Life Science, and Medicine.
The company requires10 multiple-choice questions designed to assess your knowledge of English grammar, word choice, and sentence construction. If you pass the test, you are invited to take subject-specific tests, followed by interviews.
10. Editor World
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Editor World hires remote independent editors and proofreaders. To get freelance online proofreading jobs with this company, you must have a Bachelor’s degree.
In addition to having a Bachelor’s degree, they also require the person to speak English as the first language.
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11. Scribe
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Scribe, formerly known as Book in a Box, is a publishing company that helps people write and publish their books. Their website has published eight New York Times or Wall Street Best Sellers in the past four years.
The company hires proofreaders to review printed copies of a book before the book goes to print. They offer freelance opportunities as well as full-time positions.
12. EDITFAST
Novel proofreading jobs for beginners: Entry-level to Experienced
EditFast is a job portal that lists freelance online jobs for proofreaders, editors, and writers. To apply for freelance jobs, you must have a degree from a recognized university. Along with a degree, you will have to go through the screening procedure, which includes testing for proofreading skills using the Prentice Hall test for proofreaders.
To begin the application process, upload your resume, take the test, sign a non-disclosure agreement and build an online webpage with the required information.
Once your profile is reviewed and you receive a positive review, your webpage is activated to receive job notifications. , you will be able to check all new jobs and apply for them.
Please keep in mind that EditFast keeps 40% of the final price once the project is completed. You receive payment via PayPal once the job is completed.
13. WORDY
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level to Experienced
Wordy is a UK company that provides online proofreading and editing services to clients for a fixed rate. All level of experience is accepted, but more knowledge leads to a significant opportunity for more jobs.
To apply to work as an online proofreader on Wordy, you will have to pass specific language competencies. Besides, they give open text tests to get an indication of each person’s skills and style.
If you are accepted on Wordy, you will work as an independent contractor.
14. SCRIBBR
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level to Experienced
Scribbr is a Netherland-based editing company that offers academic freelance proofreading and editing services. They offer to proofread and edit services in English and in Spanish, French, German, and Italian.
Once you pass the test and complete the Scribbr Academy training program, the work will involve proofreading the Thesis, Ph.D. dissertations, Essays, and detecting plagiarism in papers.
15. GRAMLEE
Novel proofreading jobs for beginners: Entry-level to Experienced
Gramlee is an online service that provides copy editing, grammar check, and proofreading services. This job may not pay much because they charge $0.03 per word up to 3000 words. Although you may not get paid much, you will gain experience as a proofreader.
To apply, complete a questionnaire with the required information and wait to be contacted by the team.
16. Writer’s Relief
Novel proofreading jobs for beginners: Entry-level to Experienced
Writer’s Relief offers remote proofreading services for poetry, essays and short stories, books, chapbooks, novellas, and children’s books.
Keep in mind that they only hire the top 2% of all the applicants who apply for their proofreading opportunities.
17. People Per Hour
Novel proofreading jobs for beginners: Entry-level
People Per Hour connects clients to expert freelancers who are available to hire by the hour or project. It is a freelance marketplace that is similar to Fiverr and Upwork that offers proofreading jobs.
As a beginning proofreader, don’t expect to make lots of money from here. Rather than look at it to gain experience, you will need to get better freelance opportunities. Entry-level jobs that will give you the experience you need to apply for much better opportunities.
18. UPWORK
Novel proofreading jobs for beginners: Entry-level
Upwork is one of the largest freelance websites in the world. There are freelancers available globally on this site, ready to be paid low rates for jobs. It means people bid meager rates for jobs, which may result in lower rates than they deserve.
The benefit of using Upwork is that you can begin your proofreading freelance career on this site and gain the experience needed to apply to other jobs that require more knowledge.
19. BOOK EDITING ASSOCIATES
Novel proofreading jobs for beginners: Entry-level to Experienced
Book Editing Associates hire proofreaders to check for errors introduced during typesetting or multiple copy-editing passes. The company offers remote online book editing jobs that you can do from anywhere.
To be considered for the job, all proofreading applicants must pass the find-the-errors proofreading test. If you are looking for a potential long-term career, this could be an opportunity for you.
20. Managed Editing
Novel Proofreading Jobs for beginners: Entry-level
Managed Editing provides editorial services – mainly copy-editing and proofreading for nonprofits, government agencies, publishers, etc. They at times seek skilled independent contractors to work from home.
To qualify as a copy-editor or proofreader, you must complete a lengthy independent contractor application form that helps them to determine which opportunities would work best for you.
Other Online Sites Offering Novel Proofreading Jobs with Experience
American Journal Experts – Requires a graduate degree or be enrolled and completing your degree.
Domainite – This does not require any previous formal experience, but you must edit a sample as part of your application.
Editor world: This is an excellent site for proofreaders and editors. All you need to do is sign up on the site and list your services out there. Clients will contact you if they find your services to be helpful.
Edit 911: To apply to work with edit 911, you need to have a Ph.D. degree in English. You can also apply if you are a professional writer. The site is known to provide editing and proofreading services to businesses, authors, and more.
Enago – Must have a Master’s degree or Ph.D. and five years of proofreading experience.
IXL Learning: This is an educational technology company based on learning. They provide job opportunities to freelance editors and proofreaders for the products they are developing.
Kibin: This does not require any formal editing experience, but you must take a timed pre-test to prove your grammar and style guide knowledge. Kibin is not hiring now, but you can register to receive an update if they start hiring again.
Life tips: This platform hires editors who can help them edit various content and books for clients specialized in writing life tips.
Polished paper: To work with the polished paper, you need to submit your resume and complete the application. After you submit the application form, you will have to take a 35 questionnaire editor test.
Words RU: Must hold a Master’s degree or PhD. in any area of study and have at least three years of experience editing or proofreading. The site is currently looking for new proofreaders to join their team. If you think you have the required qualifications to become a proofreader, you can apply to work with them.
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What Skills Are Needed To Find Novel Proofreading Jobs For Beginners?
A good novel proofreader must know proper grammar, sentence structure, and word choice.
Attention to detail is essential for this profession. Strong communication skills are needed so that they can work effectively with clients.
Proofreaders need to be able to work independently and meet deadlines on time.
Do I Need Any Qualifications To Find Novel Proofreading Jobs?
You do not need a particular degree or certification to become a proofreader, and most companies will require that you have a strong understanding of the English language.
The proficiency test looks for attention to detail, knowledge of Microsoft Word, and your general ability with computers. Some positions may require an educational background but no specific area of expertise.
New to Proofreading? You Need These Books and Software
The point is that even if your English grammar education has been subpar, there are now so many resources available to help build your skills.
With so many rules, it can be hard to remember them all. But luckily, there is a wealth of materials available for learning more about language skills including grammar and editing.
Below are recommended resources that will help become successful proofreading novels:
Books/References for Transcript Proofreading
- Morson’s English Guide for Court Reporters
- One Word, Two Words, Hyphenated?
- The Gregg Reference Manual
- The Court Reporter’s Reference of Commonly Used Words and Phrases
Proofreading & Editing Tools
- Grammarly Free Grammar & Spell Checker
- Merriam Webster’s Dictionary Online
- The Chicago Manual of Style Online
- Grammar Girl: Quick and Dirty Tips
Proofreading & Editing Books
- Copyediting and Proofreading for Dummies
- The Best Punctuation Book, Period: A Comprehensive Guide for Every Writer, Editor, Student, and Businessperson
Improvement Workbooks
- Find the Errors!: Proofreading Activities
- Find the Errors! II: Proofreading Activities
- Phunny Stuph: Proofreading Exercises with a Sense of Humor
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a novel proofreading job, there is no need to look any further. We have compiled the top places online where you can find these jobs.
Whether it’s your dream position or just an extra cash-generating gig, we hope that this list will help with all of your needs!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
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