We are seeking an experienced proofreader and copy editor for a children's educational publication consisting of: Short adventure novel (~9,000 words) Companion activity and worksheet section (~3,000 words) Total word count: approximately 12,000 words The book is intended for upper elementary and middle-grade readers (ages 8–12) and combines educational content with storytelling and learning activities. Scope of Work Copy Editing Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization Improve sentence clarity where needed without changing the author's voice Ensure consistency in terminology, formatting, and style throughout the manuscript Check dialogue punctuation and quotation marks Standardize number formatting, dates, and headings where appropriate Proofreading Identify and correct typographical errors Detect missing words, repeated words, or formatting inconsistencies Review page elements, worksheet instructions, and answer sections for accuracy and readability Ensure consistency between story content and related activities Educational Content Review Verify that worksheet instructions are clear and age-appropriate Check that activity questions align with the story content Flag any ambiguous wording that may confuse young readers Deliverables Edited Microsoft Word document (.docx) Track Changes enabled throughout the document Comments only where clarification from the author is required Brief editorial summary outlining: Major categories of corrections made Any recurring issues noticed Any items requiring author review Style Requirements US English Maintain the author's existing tone and storytelling style Preserve character names, educational facts, and worksheet structure unless errors are identified Focus on copy editing and proofreading rather than developmental or structural editing Ideal Candidate Experience editing children's books, educational materials, homeschool resources, or middle-grade fiction Strong command of US English grammar and punctuation Comfortable working in Microsoft Word with Track Changes Attention to detail and consistency across both narrative and educational content When Applying Please include: Relevant editing experience Examples of children's, educational, or fiction projects you have edited Estimated turnaround time for a 12,000-word manuscript Confirmation that you can work with Track Changes in Microsoft Word