Remote | Senior Book Editor — $80–$120/hour

24-MAG; United States; Remote; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

24-MAG LLC is offering a specialised remote consulting opportunity for Senior Book Editors with a track record in manuscript editing, developmental editing, line editing, and editorial quality control.

You will review manuscripts, provide nuanced editorial feedback, evaluate AI-generated work, and help develop editorial guidelines for high publishing standards. Independent contractor engagement; fully remote; US-based contributors preferred.

Qualifications

• Extensive professional experience editing published books.
• Strong command of developmental editing and detailed line/editing.
• Experience with editorial evaluation against publishing standards.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication in English.
• Ability to develop and refine editorial guidelines and standards.

Responsibilities

• Review manuscripts for clarity, voice, and overall effectiveness.
• Analyse narrative structure and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide detailed, actionable editorial commentary.
• Review AI-generated edits for accuracy and consistency.
• Collaborate with authors and stakeholders to maintain quality standards.

Skills

Manuscript editing

Developmental editing

Line editing

Copyediting

Editorial feedback

AI evaluation

Quality control

Remote collaboration

Job description

We are sharing a specialised consulting opportunity for experienced Senior Book Editors with strong expertise in manuscript editing, line editing, copyediting, narrative structure, literary style, content restructuring, and editorial quality control to contribute to an advanced AI training and editorial-evaluation project.

Selected professionals will review and enhance book manuscripts, provide sophisticated editorial feedback, analyse narrative and structural issues, and evaluate AI-generated editorial work against professional publishing standards. The opportunity is particularly suited to senior editors with substantial experience working on published books and a strong command of both developmental and detailed editorial review. No prior AI experience is required.

Key Responsibilities

Manuscript Review & Developmental Editing

• Review book manuscripts for clarity, coherence, voice, and overall effectiveness
• Analyse narrative structure and identify opportunities for substantive improvement
• Assess pacing, organisation, thematic continuity, and content development
• Recommend restructuring where material would benefit from stronger organisation
• Preserve the author's intent and distinctive voice throughout the editorial process

Line Editing & Copyediting

• Perform advanced line editing to improve precision, flow, rhythm, and readability
• Correct grammar, syntax, punctuation, usage, and stylistic inconsistencies
• Refine sentences and passages while maintaining appropriate literary tone
• Identify repetition, awkward phrasing, and unnecessary complexity
• Apply rigorous editorial standards consistently across manuscripts

Narrative & Content Analysis

• Evaluate plot development, characterisation, and thematic progression where relevant
• Identify inconsistencies, gaps, or unresolved narrative elements
• Assess whether content is appropriately structured for its genre and intended readership
• Consider market alignment without compromising the integrity of the work
• Provide nuanced recommendations across different genres and manuscript formats

Editorial Feedback & Guideline Development

• Produce detailed, constructive, and actionable editorial commentary
• Explain recommendations clearly to authors and project stakeholders
• Draft and refine editorial guidelines and best-practice standards
• Translate professional editorial judgement into structured evaluation criteria
• Develop guidance that supports consistent assessment of editorial quality

AI Review & Editorial Quality Control

• Review AI-generated editorial work for accuracy, style, and usefulness
• Identify inappropriate revisions, missed issues, or weak editorial reasoning
• Evaluate whether suggested changes preserve voice, meaning, and narrative intent
• Refine AI-generated commentary to meet professional publishing standards
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to maintain consistent editorial quality

Ideal Profile

• Extensive professional experience editing published books
• Strong background in manuscript editing, developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting
• Experience working with recognised publishing houses, prominent authors, or comparable publishing environments
• Editorial involvement with bestselling or award-winning books is particularly valuable
• Exceptional command of English grammar, usage, and literary style
• Strong understanding of narrative structure, character development, pacing, and thematic continuity
• Proven ability to deliver incisive and nuanced editorial feedback
• Experience restructuring complex content while preserving authorial voice
• Strong quality-control and editorial-review capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to communicate sophisticated editorial recommendations clearly and constructively
• Comfortable collaborating with authors, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary project teams
• Strong critical judgement and attention to detail
• Comfortable working in a remote, technology-enabled environment
• Prior AI evaluation or model-training experience is advantageous but not required

Engagement Details

• Independent contractor engagement
• Fully remote
• Compensation: $80--$120/hour
• U.S.-based contributors are preferred, though highly qualified professionals from other locations may also be considered
• Work will involve manuscript review, developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, content restructuring, and editorial evaluation
• Assignments may span different literary genres, manuscript formats, and editorial contexts
• Strong experience with published books and professional publishing standards is central to this engagement
• Contributors will provide both written editorial feedback and verbal input where required
• Work may include development of editorial guidelines, quality standards, and evaluation criteria
• Project scope, manuscript types, and editorial requirements may evolve depending on project needs
• No prior AI experience is required
• Work must be completed without using confidential, proprietary, unpublished, or otherwise restricted material belonging to any employer, publisher, author, client, institution, or other third party

About the Platform

This opportunity is available through 24-MAG LLC. We connect experienced professionals with remote consulting opportunities across technical, evaluation, and project-based workstreams.

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