fiction proofreading jobs uk

How to Find Book Proofreading Jobs You Can Do from Home

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Although I’m a proofreader who prefers short texts, I can help you find book proofreading jobs you can do from home to satisfy your desire to work on lengthy documents.

You can find at-home book proofreading jobs by searching job boards with remote listings. You can also apply to work for online proofreading and editing companies that offer services to authors. Finally, providing proofreading services on freelance platforms is another option.

Let’s look at popular ways of finding book proofreading gigs you can do from home. Then we’ll explore other strategies for landing this kind of work.

Table of Contents

Offer Book Proofreading Services on Freelance Platforms

Freelance platforms are full of clients looking to hire competent proofreaders to polish their book manuscripts.

I assume you’re a qualified proofreader who has already received the training you need. In case you haven’t, I wrote an article comparing four excellent online proofreading courses .

If you’re ready to provide book proofreading services, freelance platforms can be a great place to get started.

The advantage of providing services on these platforms is that they advertise your services and process payments.

The downside is that the marketplaces take a cut of your pay (usually 10%–20%), and you face high competition.

You’ll need a winning strategy to get your first few orders from clients.

If you’re interested in working on one of these platforms, I’ve written an in-depth article discussing how to get your first few jobs on Fiverr . Even though this article is for folks selling on Fiverr, many of the tips will work on any freelancing platform.

Top-Notch Tip: To attract clients, you’ll need to price your services low in the beginning. You can increase your prices after you’ve gotten some positive reviews.

On each of these marketplaces, you’ll need to set up a profile (it’s free) to let clients know who you are and what you can do for them.

You’ll then need to write proposals (sales pitches) to the clients who post jobs you’d like to take on.

The exception to this rule is with Fiverr. Generally, buyers on Fiverr will come to you and order your services if they like your profile.

Let’s take a peek at the platforms!

Fiverr is where I got my proofreading career off the ground. Although the pay tends to be low, it’s an ideal place to start practicing newly acquired skills. I especially appreciate that you’re not required to send proposals to clients.

You may want to check out this platform even if you’re not a newbie. They offer a Fiverr Pro program for those with extensive experience and stellar skills. They only accept 1% of all applicants, but if you think you’ve got what it takes, why not give it a shot?  

If you want to be proactive in getting jobs on Fiverr, they have a “Buyer Requests” section where you can send a proposal to a customer if you want to work on the project they posted.

Fiverr keeps 20% of all your earnings.

Requirements: Fiverr isn’t selective. You don’t have to apply to be a seller on Fiverr unless you want to get into the Pro program.

Availability: An abundance of clients go to Fiverr to find someone to proofread their book.

Upwork is another well-known marketplace.

This platform takes 10% of what you earn.

Requirements: Upwork isn’t selective.

Availability: Many authors go to Upwork to find a proofreader.

Top-Notch Tip: To have the best shot at scoring jobs, create a complete profile, and showcase your portfolio if you have one. Having a portfolio will help buyers to trust you as a seller. Also, remember to keep your proposals short, sweet, and tailored to the job offer.

Freelancer is another popular platform.

The platform keeps 10% of what you earn for hourly projects and 10% or $5 (whichever is greater) for fixed-price projects.

Requirements: Freelancer isn’t selective.

Availability: Lots of jobs are posted for book proofreaders.

Guru isn’t as well known as the previous platforms I mentioned, but it’s still a viable option. Many clients come to Guru searching for programmers and developers, but some customers look for editorial services.

Guru takes 5%–9% of your earnings based on your membership plan.

They offer a basic plan for free; the other options are paid. To see what you get with each plan, please click here .

Requirements: Guru is not selective.

Availability: You can find book proofreading jobs on this platform under Guru’s “Writing & Translation” category.

Keep in mind you can create profiles on more than one of these marketplaces if you don’t find sufficient work on just one.

PeoplePerHour

Finally, we have PeoplePerHour.

Sellers on this platform can send 15 proposals to clients per month for free. You have the option to purchase “credits” if you’d like to send more than 15 proposals in one month. Unused credits roll over monthly.

PeoplePerHour takes a percentage of what you earn based on your lifetime billings with each client. Here’s the breakdown of the percentages:

Requirements: Although the website doesn’t mention specific requirements, you must apply and be approved to join this platform. Here’s the link if you’d like to apply.

Availability: You’ll find fewer jobs proofreading books on this site than on Fiverr, Upwork, or Freelancer. But I think it’s still worth a try since it’s a relatively prominent platform.

Hubstaff Talent

Hubstaff Talent is a freelance platform where you can create a profile and upload your résumé. This marketplace has a big perk: it doesn’t charge buyers or sellers any fees.

“Hubstaff Talent does not take any commission fees and is 100% free of charge.”  – Hubstaff Talent

Requirements:  You need to submit your profile for approval, which typically takes about two business days. This  article from Hubstaff Talent  will show you how to create a profile.

Availability: Not many jobs for proofreaders have been posted lately. However, many freelancers on Hubstaff only provide proofreading services, so I assume you can find relevant jobs occasionally.

Find Jobs Working on Books and Novels via Online Companies

Another way to connect with authors who need a pair of eagle eyes to polish their manuscripts is to become a proofreader for an online proofreading and editing company that works with authors.

These proofreading and editing services hire a pool of freelancers to do the work their clients request.

Some companies hire a small pool of workers, meaning freelancers will likely have consistent work.

However, other businesses hire so many workers that freelancers can’t get enough work.

Of course, if you’re looking for jobs proofreading books, you’ll want to target businesses that work with authors—not all do.

Below is a list of leading online proofreading and editing businesses that collaborate with authors.

However, depending on the company, they may work with authors frequently or sporadically.

If you’d like to be a freelance proofreader for one of these businesses, I recommend contacting them to see if they currently deal with a lot of authors.  

Since some proofreaders acquire copyediting skills, I’ll list three businesses that hire copy editors (but not proofreaders) to work on books.

These companies will have a (CE) after their name, so you’ll know the difference.

Here are the online proofreading and editing businesses organized by the experience level you need to work for them.

Online Proofreading and Editing Companies

Please visit the websites where you want to apply to see the most up-to-date information about job availability.

Remote Book Proofreading Jobs for Beginners

Grammar chic.

Grammar Chic offers many services, including formatting, writing, and editing. They hire editors, copy editors, and proofreaders.

Requirements: I suggest emailing them at [email protected] to learn about their requirements.

Availability: Unknown

ProofreadingPal

ProofreadingPal offers proofreading and copyediting services for a wide range of texts.

Requirements: You must meet one of the following criteria to work for ProofreadingPal:

• Be employed by or enrolled as a graduate or postgraduate student in an accredited US college or university and have a GPA of at least 3.5
• Have a graduate degree and at least five years of proofreading and editing experience (By “editing” experience, they’re referring to copyediting experience.)

Please see their website for other preferred qualifications.

Availability: They’re seeking applicants who meet one of the requirements listed above.

If you’re qualified, you can fill out their independent contractor questionnaire . Then, a ProofreadingPal representative will contact you within five to ten business days.

Writer’s Relief

Writer’s Relief assists writers with getting published. I talked with someone on live chat who told me they occasionally hire proofreaders.

Requirements: Although they prefer that you have experience, it’s not required. However, their website mentions that they only hire the top 2% of applicants.

Here’s what a Writer’s Relief staff member told me about their hiring process:

“We primarily will refer to the proofreading test given, but having proofreading experience would certainly be helpful.” – Writer’s Relief Staff

Gramlee (CE)

Gramlee provides editing, copyediting, and proofreading services, but they only hire editors and copy editors.

Requirements: They don’t list any requirements on their website.

Availability: They’re continually searching for outstanding copy editors and editors. If you want to work for Gramlee, you can complete the employment application on their website.

They have separate applications for content editors and dissertation editors.

Online Opportunities for Experienced Proofreaders

Edit 24–7 (ce).

Edit 24–7 offers proofreading and “light editing” (somewhat comparable to line editing) for a variety of clients. They hire developmental and line editors and copy editors who know how to edit for flow and transition.

Requirements: Their application process is extensive, and they only hire applicants with experience.

Availability: If you’re interested in joining their team , they’d like you to send a writing sample along with either your résumé or a description of your relevant experience to [email protected] .

Wordvice provides proofreading and editing for a wide array of documents. They prefer to hire editors who can also proofread, but that doesn’t rule out working for them as a proofreader.

Requirements: You need at least two years of experience and knowledge of several style guides. They also require you to have a master’s degree or be pursuing one.

Please click here to view the rest of the requirements and learn more about their hiring process.

Availability: They’re seeking qualified and experienced editors to join their team .

WordsRU provides proofreading, editing, and copywriting for authors, academics, and businesses. They hire proofreaders, copy editors, and editors.

Requirements: You need to have a minimum of two years of relevant experience and a master’s, PhD, or equivalent experience in an academic field.

Please visit their website for the full list of requirements.

Availability: They’re looking for proofreaders .

Reedsy is a marketplace that connects authors and publishers with accomplished freelancers from the publishing industry. They have jobs for proofreaders and editors.

Reedsy keeps 10% of your earnings in exchange for advertising your services to potential clients.

Requirements: Their website doesn’t list requirements.

You can take the brief quiz (“Are you ready to join Reedsy?”)  in this post  to see if you’re qualified to freelance for Reedsy.

I completed the quiz to learn more about their requirements. Then, Reedsy emailed me saying that they “ask that all professionals on our platform have at least three years of experience working with books.”

However, Reedsy reviews profiles individually. Therefore, if you’ve won a prestigious award in a book-related field or worked with bestselling authors you can create a profile.

Availability: Reedsy invites you to sign up and create a profile . Your profile will be displayed in the Reedsy Marketplace if they accept your application.

Quality Proofreading

Based in the UK, Quality Proofreading offers proofreading and editing services to a diverse clientele. They hire proofreaders and editors.

Requirements: You need at least three years of experience in academic proofreading and an advanced degree from a leading UK or US university.

Please visit their site for the complete list of requirements.

Availability: They’re interested in hearing from experienced proofreaders and editors, particularly those with a background in business/management or science/engineering.

If you meet the requirements, you can email your CV to [email protected] . To learn what to write in the email’s subject line and body, please click here .

At-Home Options for Expert Proofreaders

Managed editing.

Managed Editing offers proofreading, copyediting, and editing services to many clients. They offer publication-related services too.

They hire editors, copy editors, and proofreaders. The proofreaders are generally tasked with marking up a PDF of the text using standard proofreaders’ marks . The copy editors typically use Track Changes in MS Word.

Requirements: To apply, you must have a college degree and a minimum of five years of experience. However, their editors tend to have much more advanced qualifications.

Availability: If you’d like to apply, you can complete their in-depth independent contractor application . They’ll store your information in their database for times when they need extra help.

ProofreadingServices.com

ProofreadingServices.com provides various services, including editing and proofreading. Not surprisingly, they hire editors and proofreaders. 😊

Requirements: At a minimum, you need years of experience in a related field (e.g., as an English professor or teacher). They’re highly selective.

Availability: Please click here to learn more about proofreading for them and to take the 20-minute preliminary test.

Locate Book Proofreading Gigs on Job Boards

Job boards can be a great place to find proofreading work, but it can be hit or miss when looking specifically for jobs proofreading books.

My best advice to make the most of these job boards is to check them often.

Although the boards listed below (except for FlexJobs) post many in-house positions, you can find work-from-home jobs by typing “remote” into the job location search bar.

Let’s check out the job boards.

FlexJobs is the best job board to find book proofreading jobs, but it comes with a cost.

They charge a fee to use their board because they employ a team of experts to continuously search for the best remote and flexible work opportunities. Furthermore, their team screens all companies and jobs to make sure they’re legit.

Here are the fees they charge based on how long you subscribe to their website.

FlexJobs Subscription Fees

FlexJobs has earned an A+ rating by the BBB, and they give their customers a satisfaction guarantee:

“With FlexJobs’ Satisfaction Guarantee, if you are not satisfied with the quality of our service for any reason, simply cancel your subscription and request a refund (by phone, email, or our Client Service virtual chat) within 14 days of account creation or renewal. We will quickly and promptly process your refund.” – FlexJobs

Glassdoor is a good site to look for jobs and an even better place to see how people rate working at various companies. Reading freelancers’ reviews can give you valuable insights into key aspects of working for a particular business, including work/life balance, compensation and benefits, and senior management.

Indeed was established in 2004. After creating an account, you can upload your résumé to this job site.

SimplyHired

You can upload your résumé on SimplyHired once you have an account.

Media Bistro

You can sometimes find proofreading work on MediaBistro. Like other similar sites, you must establish an account before uploading your résumé.

Google Jobs Results

Although this isn’t a job board, it’s worth mentioning.

By “Google jobs results,” I’m referring to a job list generated by Google when you search in a specific way.

To see the jobs, first type a keyword into Google.

Below, I searched for “manuscript proofreader jobs.”

Other Ways to Land Book Proofreading Jobs from Home

You’ll have a more successful job search if you use a pinch of extra effort, a sprinkle of creativity, and think outside the box—or just step out of the box to begin with. 😊

Here are more ways to increase your chances of securing a job. Wouldn’t you rather have multiple possibilities to choose from instead of being forced to take the job you found but didn’t really want ?

Network with Other Proofreaders and Writers

Networking may not be everyone’s favorite task, but it’s worth it! Networking doesn’t have to be tiring and painful; you can do it from home.

A little effort can go a long way. Try joining Facebook and LinkedIn groups for proofreaders and writers.

Networking on Facebook

Facebook has a group called Transcribing, Editing & Proofreading Services with about 35,000 members.

Members can post a question about finding jobs or search the group for helpful advice.

You can find several other similar groups too.

Networking on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is another prime place for networking.

The site has a group called Editing and Proofreading with about 5,000 members.

If you prefer a smaller group, you may want to try the Freelance Writing and Proofreading Group, which has about 2,000 members. The purpose of this group is to connect writers and proofreaders. Since writers need proofreaders, I think this group would be a solid bet.

Another first-rate feature of LinkedIn is that you can make your profile searchable to hiring managers and recruiters.

Finally, LinkedIn has a job board where you can search for remote work.

Establish Your Own Online Proofreading Business

Part of forming your own proofreading business involves building a website.

Having a site makes you look more professional since it shows you’re serious about what you do. If you distribute business cards, you can list your web address on them.

Your site will help potential clients get to know you better and trust you more.

Your website can include details about you, your company, and your services, how much you charge, client testimonials, and how to contact you. I wrote an article about resources for creating a proofreading website if you’d like to check it out. It teaches you about what you need to start building your site.

Ask Local Publishers about Work-from-Home Opportunities

Since getting a job with a big-name publishing company is quite difficult, you can start with a local publisher. The competition for work at a local publisher will likely still be high, but not as high.

Depending on the publisher, they may allow you to work from home.  

Cold Email Potential Clients

Although you may feel iffy about this tactic, people still use it because it can work. This strategy allows you to handpick your clients. If you’ve found an author who writes in a genre that piques your interest, you could pitch your services to them.

With a sincere, tactful, and to-the-point email, you can connect with them through a common interest.

You can let them know how much you love their writing and what you have to offer. Even if this doesn’t result in a job offer, you could end up with a valuable business relationship.

Join Your National Editorial Association

This is another option, but it’s not free. The cost to join this type of association depends on your location. Joining one of these organizations typically gives you access to unique educational and networking opportunities.

You’ll find highly experienced editorial professionals in these associations, so you can get support and advice from the best in the business.

These organizations generally have a member directory that lists your name, contact information, and relevant training/experience. You’ll have an advantage since some authors use these directories to post jobs and find qualified professionals.  

Consider Having Luck through Word of Mouth

Be vocal about being a book proofreader to friends, family, and anyone else who will listen! 😉

You never know when you’ll meet someone who is writing a book or knows someone who is writing one. Even a casual conversation with your hairdresser or dental hygienist could lead to an unexpected opportunity!

Look for Information on Quora and Reddit

Quora and Reddit are social media platforms for exchanging information and ideas. Users can find suggestions for how to land proofreading jobs. Some people even use these sites to promote their business, but they have to adhere to the community rules.

I hope this article has given you helpful steps to find book proofreading jobs you can do from home, sweet home! I’ll be cheering for you as you land those jobs and make those books the best they can be!

I wrote an article about other legitimate proofreading jobs online if you’d like to discover more opportunities to offer your hawkeyed help.

Best wishes to you!

“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”                                                                       -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Lindsay Babcock

Lindsay is the creator of Om Proofreading. She has a BA in psychology and earned a certificate in proofreading by passing the final exam in Proofread Anywhere’s general proofreading course. She shares what she’s learning in the field and through research to inform and inspire her readers.

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How to find editing and proofreading work: Part 1, publishers

One of the most common questions I get from people who are interested in book editing is how to find editing and proofreading work, particularly with publishers. Breaking in as a freelancer can at times seem impossible, but I promise you that it’s 100 per cent possible, and you don’t need existing connections at publishing houses or otherwise. I had zero connections when I started out. The brilliant news is that connections can be made .

I’m going to assume for the sake of this post that you have very little experience and/or training. If you want to work with publishing houses, that will be crucial.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure here .

You usually need training and qualifications for publisher work

Many publishing houses will expect their freelancers to have training and qualifications from a recognised provider. If you want to proofread for them, for example, a proofreading qualification will make you more appealing. If you want to copyedit, the same applies. Most publishers in the UK will expect freelancers to have an editorial qualification. Some publishers may accept equivalent experience (perhaps you’ve been trained on the job, had a relevant internship/temp position, and so on).

If you don’t have editorial qualifications, it’s worth getting some as publishers are more likely to consider you for their freelance lists. In the UK, the two recognised providers are:

• The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading : They have training courses in a range of things, including copyediting, proofreading, fiction editing, and web editing.
• The Publishing Training Center : Intensive proofreading and copyediting courses, as well as short courses in things like copyright, working with authors, and editing references and illustrations.

These courses can, of course, be taken by people outside of the UK too. Many organisations offer virtual courses, so it technically doesn’t matter where you are in the world (although do be aware some providers are more recognised in certain places). Other options include:

• The Editorial Freelancers Association : A range of courses and webinars on editing and business skills.
• Editors Canada : Offers all kinds of training such as webinars and local seminars for Canadians. They also offer professional certification.
• ACES: The Society for Editing : The ACES Academy provides webcasts, videos and on-demand courses. Other seminars and conferences are available.

Pick your qualifications based on what you’d most like to do. If you only want to proofread rather than copyedit, look for courses in proofreading.

You can also supplement your learning with reference books, which will be necessary throughout your career as an editor. Have a look at some styles guides, such as  The Chicago Manual of Style   for US English, or  New Hart’s Rules   for UK English, and familiarise yourself with the basics. (You don’t have to memorise an entire style guide; that would be impractical and even experienced editors don’t know them inside-out!) If you’re interested in working with fiction, I love the following books:

• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King (uses examples from edited manuscripts to discuss POV, exposition, pacing and more).
• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel , especially if you’re interested in story/developmental editing.
• The Magic Words: Writing Great Books for Children and Young Adults , an excellent book to check out if you’d like to work on YA or children’s fiction.
• The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction for budding fiction copyeditors.

Targeting publishing houses

Once you have training under your belt, you’ll want to get some experience. You may have a little already, but if not – we all start somewhere! There are a few methods for finding opportunities to freelance edit for publishers. Some are more effective than others, and keep in mind that they don’t all work for everyone. I recommend you keep a spreadsheet or Word document to track your efforts, and how well each approach works for you. That way, you’ll know where to focus your time and energy and will be able to see what’s most effective.

Job boards can be useful places to find editing and proofreading work (although there will be a mixed bag of freelance and in-house roles, so you’ll have to filter carefully). Here are a few sites to try:

• Bookcareers.com vacancies (has an option to search for “freelance”)
• The Bookseller freelance jobs
• Bookjobs.com
• Publishers Lunch Job Board
• Independent Publishers Guild
• Indeed (try searching for “freelance editor” or “freelance proofreader” or similar)
• Job postings at publishers may also be advertised in the EAE Ad Space group on Facebook.

If you’re a member of an editorial organisation, many of these have their own jobs boards as well. The CIEP has an “Announce” job newsletter for professional members and a Marketplace board on their forums.

Cold-emailing and how to craft your letter

Cold-emailing takes time and energy, but it can be one of the best ways to get onto freelance lists when you’re a newer editor without connections. The first step is to research publishers who publish the type of material that you want to work on. Make a list, and find a contact email (avoid filling out contact forms as this type of communication is more likely to go unanswered in a sea of enquiries). Some publishers display staff lists on their website alongside email addresses – you will want the managing editor or commissioning editor as this is usually the person responsible for freelancers. If you aren’t sure who to contact, you can simply email anyway, and ask for it to be passed along to the relevant person.

If a publisher’s website makes it difficult to find email addresses, don’t fret! There are other resources available. The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook has a listing of publishing houses in the UK and the US, along with contact details. Publishers Global is another handy place to look – it’s an online directory of publishers globally.

Now, you may also be wondering how to go about writing your email. What do you include, and how do you phrase it? Here is an example of an email I sent to a publisher. As you can see, I wasn’t sure if this person managed freelancers, so I just politely asked to have my email passed along.

Dear [name], I hope you’re well. I’m just emailing to enquire as to whether you’re looking to grow your freelance roster. I’ve been working for a number of digital publishers in a freelance capacity for several years, including [publisher] and [publisher], in similar genres to those you publish – crime/thriller, romance, and contemporary fiction. I’m a professional member of The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading, and have completed accredited training. I wasn’t sure of the correct person to contact at [publisher imprint] regarding this, so I’d be very grateful if you could point me in the direction of the editor who manages freelancers. Thanks so much. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Rachel

The result of this email? I received an email address of the correct person to contact. I was then able to send her a similar message about my experience, and she asked to see a CV. A while after that, I was on-boarded as a freelancer.

Here are some tips on compiling your cold email:

• Be concise and to the point. Publishers are busy, so keep it short and sweet.
• You don’t need to be overly sales-y.
• Relevant experience and training is important (you might only have the training, in which case, that’s fine – remember, you can draw on other experience e.g. student newspapers, or transferrable skills).
• If you have a website/portfolio, put that in your email signature.
• You don’t have to offer up a CV right away. Sometimes they don’t open attachments anyway, so best to wait for them to request one.
• You can offer to take an editorial test, particularly if you’re new or lacking in experience.
• Don’t follow up too quickly. Give it a few months. Publishing is slow.

An email from a newer, inexperienced freelancer might look like this:

Dear [name], I hope you’re well. I’m just emailing to enquire as to whether you’re looking to grow your freelance roster. I’ve completed training with [provider] in [copyediting/proofreading] and I’m familiar with [genres you enjoy/read]. I’m a member of [organisation]. I’d be happy to take a test to demonstrate my skills, and can forward a CV if required. Thanks so much. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Rachel

If you’re able, try to personalise it a bit (maybe you’ve read and enjoyed a recent publisher blog post, or you’ve attended one of their events).

There are downsides to cold-emailing: things can take a long time (staff might change, meaning you’re on-boarded more slowly; they might have lots of emails to get through; they could have enough freelancers and might only email when they need someone urgently). This is why I recommend a broad approach if you’re starting out and looking for experience. Keep a spreadsheet tracking all your cold-emails and any responses. Target smaller publishers too.

Finding managing editors

You can find names and contact details for managing editors at publishing houses using resources such as the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook or the Writer’s Market .

Another tip is to use LinkedIn . You can request to connect with managing editors (I’d recommend including a personalised note, rather than a blank connection request) and send them a message asking about joining the publisher’s freelance database. If their profile has a professional email, use that instead.

Other methods to find editing and proofreading work with publishers

Events and networking.

Attending writing and publishing events such as conferences, book launches, and writing festivals is a great way to meet people in the industry. Many events have talks where speakers who work in publishing will discuss a particular topic, or host Q&As.

One of my earliest clients came from a writing conference. I was pitching a book idea to an editor, and mentioned I did freelance editing and proofreading. I emailed her after the session enquiring as to whether the publisher was looking for freelancers. I ended up on their books, and they are still one of my most regular clients today.

Take the opportunity to go to these events where you can. You never know who you’ll meet. And you can email speakers or people of interest afterwards too.

Another excellent way to find editing and proofreading work is via referrals from other freelance editors. Network and build relationships with your colleagues authentically. Don’t just do it for the sake of getting referrals!

Editors are incredibly generous and lovely people and if they think you’re helpful, nice and professional they are more likely to refer work or opportunities to you, rather than someone who is only out to take everything they can get. If you’re genuinely interested in supporting your colleagues, befriending people, and helping where you can, that speaks volumes. I was able to get work with a particular publisher early on in my career because a kind editor friend passed my details along to them.

But where can you find other editors? Here are some ideas:

• Business + Professional Development for Editors (Facebook group)
• Fiction Editors of Earth (Facebook group)
• EditorsLair.com
• The CIEP , which has a forum and regular online/in-person meetings
• Editors Canada
• The Editorial Freelancers Association
• ACES: The Society for Editing

The downside of publisher work

The one drawback of working with publishers is that you can’t necessarily command the rates you want. Publishers have their own strict budgets. They set the rates, not the freelancer. Fiction publishing in particular can be low in terms of rates, although the manuscripts for publishers are usually cleaner and more straightforward. You don’t tend to communicate with the author either, so there’s less hand-holding and guidance needed.

You may decide to take a few low-paid jobs to gain experience early on in your career, and then gradually move away from that as you gain experience. I would just caution you to be careful when doing this, and don’t let yourself be taken advantage of.

There are ways you can make a decent hourly rate working with publishers. Not all of them are cut from the same cloth. Some fiction publishers pay more than others. And you can improve your efficiency by learning how to use things like macros. Just be mindful when deciding what type of rate you accept – consider what you need to earn for your cost of living.

Non-fiction does tend to pay better than fiction when working with publishers, so bear this in mind too.

Working with authors instead…

It’s much easier to command the rate you want – or at least the industry recommended minimums or median rates from the CIEP and EFA – when working with authors independently, one-on-one. There’s also justification for a higher rate in these cases, because authors who are self-publishing or are new to writing often need more guidance, hand-holding, and help.

Part 2 of this series is all about how to find editing and proofreading work with authors . Enjoy!

I hope this post helped you on your freelancing journey!

Rachel Rowlands is a fiction editor and the author of Snowed in at the Cat Café, releasing with Hodder & Stoughton in the UK and being translated into multiple languages. She also wrote the Nethervale series of fairytales. As an editor, Rachel loves helping other writers to refine and polish their stories. She has worked on over 200 books and her client list has included Hachette, HarperCollins, Black Library, and Penguin Random House.

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Fabulous article, Rachel. You’ve shared so much helpful information. Thank you. I especially like the advice about building honest and open relationships when networking on platforms like LinkedIn.

Thank you Kim, I’m so glad it was helpful!

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Is your work Kateproof?

• Academic Services

I am a qualified and experienced native (UK) English freelance proofreader and copy-editor with a passion for language and an eye for detail.

Since setting up Kateproof in 2010, I have worked for a variety of clients, including international organisations, publishers, academics and directly with authors. I offer a truly bespoke proofreading and copy-editing service with a focus on your needs to provide you with an accurate, high-quality and professional end product that will help you and your written material stand out from the competition.

I am an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP, formerly the SfEP) and follow their code of practice .

I am fully proficient in the use of the British Standard Proofreading Symbols; however, I primarily work on-screen, using annotations/sticky notes on a PDF or track changes in a Word document. Working on-screen saves paper and energy, and also means I am able to make full use of macros and software to help with accuracy and efficiency.

If you're unsure of what proofreading is compared with copy-editing or more general editing, or want a mix, often now termed 'proof-editing', you might want to take a look at this blog post I wrote about the different editing and proofreading services . There are also some useful FAQs on the CIEP's website or feel free to get in touch and I can discuss this in relation to your specific needs.

I have experience of proofreading and copy-editing the following projects:

• books (both fiction and non-fiction)
• journals and individual articles
• research papers, theses and dissertations
• business documents.

* Working on magazines is the main bulk of my in-house experience (done prior to going freelance), where I was a team member and then production manager for a communications company's suite of magazines. This work involved sourcing the content, copy-editing and proofreading it, liaising with designers and print companies and generally managing the production flow for the magazines. Though much of the work is very similar to editing and proofreading other document types, there are nuances with image-heavy projects and I feel this experience helps with my work on these projects.

Due to data privacy, I do not wish to divulge too many details of some recent clients and projects, but here are a few examples:

• proofreading annual reports for national and international businesses. I have also done freelance stints in-house at design agencies working on highly sensitive reports for FTSE 100 companies
• editing texts for an international organisation focusing on education
• proof-editing science fiction, fantasy, YA, romance and other genres direct for authors looking to self-publish
• editing, copy-editing and/or proofreading research papers for academics and professionals, in particular in the business, finance and banking sectors
• proofreading theses for PhD students in various fields, including philosophy, politics, marketing and history.

I also have experience of working with texts written by non-native English speakers so can edit those to make company reports, websites or other documents read as if they were written by a native speaker/writer. If you're a non-native student, more details about my proofreading service can be found on my academic services page .

Here's what some recent clients have said about me and my copy-editing or proofreading service:

"Kate did a fantastic job. I like the way she harmonised my writing style with professional UK English. Sometimes I hear opinions that the editor did a great job, yet the author can't recognise their work. They lose the sense of being actual authors as the changes are massive. In my case, I can feel my thoughts and style, but the narrative is much smoother and more natural. Thank you for that." Michal A. Piegzik, PhD in Japanese private law, lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University

"Kate's work has always been extremely thorough, highly efficient and very important for improving the work. That's why I have consistently gone back to her with my various writing projects." Harvard University Press/OUP/Basic Books/Atlantic Books author

"I cannot praise Kate's proofreading services enough and was immensely impressed with her work on a recent academic project. She found errors I would never have spotted even if I'd proofed it myself a thousand times. The work was also delivered ahead of schedule which gave me plenty of time to review her changes and recommendations. I will definitely be using Kate again in the future, and I'm already planning to ask her to proofread my PhD proposal." Phil D., creative writing student

"I found your comments really helpful and feel like I've learned a lot just by the process of going through and making the changes. I can't believe how many errors there were! Shows that it is worth hiring a professional copy-editor." Mike H, author of How to Get Hired

"I couldn't be happier with Kate's work on my manuscript. She has an exceptional eye for detail and picked up mistakes I had allowed to slip through. She also went beyond her remit and addressed parts of the story that needed improvement. As a journalist, I've worked with countless editors and proofreaders over the years and Kate ranks at the top. I'll definitely work with her again and recommend her to anyone seeking a top-class editor or proofreader." Daniel Donnelly, author of Bye Baby

"Kate offers a reliable and meticulous proofreading service. It's always a pleasure to work with her, and to see how manuscripts benefit from her professional accuracy. She offers thoughtful suggestions where needed, and is always a friendly, cheerful person to work with. I would highly recommend Kate to other publishers and authors – in fact anybody who works with text. Conscientious, methodical and an extremely capable pair of hands!" Helen Hart, Publishing Director, SilverWood Books

"I have worked with Kate as our proofreader on a number of projects over the last few years. Plain and simple, Kate is absolutely excellent. Her attention to detail is second to none. She easily adapts to even the most complex types of texts and time after time succeeds in bringing out the essence of our reports. I can recommend Kate without a doubt." René C.G. Arnold, Head of Department "Markets and Perspectives" at WIK

"It was a great day when we found Kate through her listing on the website of The Society for Editors and Proofreaders. Our Annual General Meetings documentation is a complex and lengthy document. It has to be produced in a relatively short time and to a high standard. Kate is personable, friendly and very professional. Kate is meticulous, her work is very high quality and her attention to detail is second-to-none. I highly recommend her to anyone who is seeking a professional proofreader." Miss Helena Basarab-Horwath, Assistant Company Secretary, The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists

"Kate was a delight to work with; I cannot rate her highly enough. I tasked her with proofing a 140,000 word science fiction novel, one riddled with made up acronyms, words and names, and filled with odd formatting. None of this fazed her, and I was delighted with the rigour and thoroughness with which she approached the work. It was immediately apparent to me on receipt of the final document that she really knew her stuff, right down to the really technical English grammar and formatting. Kate went above and beyond, and she will certainly be my go-to proofreader in the future." Richard Swan, author of Reclamation

"Kate has proven to me that it's impossible to proofread one's own work. One of my main concerns was punctuation, specifically: commas, semi-colons and colons. Her attention to detail was astounding and massively improved the flow and readability of what is a difficult philosophical investigation. She picked up ambiguities in phrase I had read countless times over, and her comments were clear, precise and insightful. Her proofreading was exactly what the manuscript needed, and I now feel confident that the final version is of a professional standard and quality." Marlon C Romnic, author of The Self Delusion

"I invited Kate to proofread a short book of anagrams for me. Not only did Kate thoroughly check the publication for spelling, grammar, punctuation, typography and format, but she spent time verifying the accuracy of the anagrams as well, and offered many welcome suggestions for improving the general presentation and style of the book that went way beyond expectations. I was massively impressed with Kate's diligence and meticulousness: she approached the commission with gusto and enthusiasm, and gave me her total and committed professional attention at all times. Kate will be my default proofreader from now on for all future projects." David Green, indexer, ex-publisher and editor

"There are certain qualities that are essential when considering a proofreader and attention to detail is one of them. Kate has that in bucket loads as well as offering an efficient, friendly and fabulous service. With Kate's help, advice and excellent attention to detail I'm now confident that my book is as good as it possibly can be." Kate Frost, author of The Butterfly Storm

"Kateproof provides a swift and excellent service. Errors are corrected. Suggestions for improved clarity are made. Useful clarifying questions are asked. The work remains recognisably the author's own work and style - only better!" David Baume, BA MA PhD FSEDA

"I engaged Kate's services to work on the latest book of a Young Adult series that I am working on. Not only did Kate keep precisely to the agreed upon time-frame for completion of the project, she also did an amazing job on the work itself. Her excellent attention to detail, suggestions and insightful comments were absolutely invaluable. I would unhesitatingly recommend her to anyone (and plan to do so in future)." Iain Reading , author

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Last updated on Oct 18, 2021

Remote Proofreading Jobs and 26 Places to Find Them

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Linnea Gradin

The editor-in-chief of the Reedsy Freelancer blog, Linnea is a writer and marketer with a degree from the University of Cambridge. Her focus is to provide aspiring editors and book designers with the resources to further their careers.

With working from home becoming more common than ever before, remote proofreading jobs are gaining a lot of traction. Amongst the online jobs you can do, checking grammatical and spelling mistakes sounds like one of the easiest ones to pick up. But what exactly  does this kind of work entail, how much would it earn, and most importantly, how do you search for legitimate as well as rewarding proofreader jobs? These are all valid questions, the answers to which you can find right here.

What is proofreading?

To proofread is to go over a document’s final draft with a fine-tooth comb, searching for grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors. Unlike the job of a copy editor, you don't have to concern yourself with language style or voice. It may seem simple, but it requires a thorough understanding of not just the English language but also the appropriate manuscript formatting styles.

Web content, academic papers, and many other types of writing — To proofread and correct each of these kinds of content requires a thorough understanding of its preferred language and formats.

Because of their project-by-project nature, it is common for the gigs you get in this sector to be online, freelance proofreading jobs.

Becoming a proofreader and securing remote jobs

Luckily, you don’t have to go through intensive training or education to become a proofreader. Preferably, you'd have a bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, or a field relevant to the kind of content your hope of proofread. (To proofread for a medical company, you'd need background in medicine, for example.) Other than that, a certificate of completion for a proofreading course can make your profile much more appealing to potential clients. To get started on the right foot, consider:

🎓 Taking a training course via societies such as the Editorial Freelancers Association ( the EFA );

📝 Brushing up on style guides (APA, Chicago, and AP Styles);

💻 Creating a profile and following relevant groups/hashtags (this may include creating your own website, a LinkedIn, or a professional Twitter account);

✅ Being flexible about the kind of job you take on (work from different industries with projects involving copy editing tasks such as checking for word choice and spelling ).

You can get more tips in our comprehensive guide on how to become a proofreader. If you’re all clear about the set up, let’s discover all the places that you can find remote jobs for proofreaders.

26 places to find remote proofreading jobs

Below are all the sites that offer legitimate freelance proofreading jobs. We’ve divided the list into two parts: one for those with experience and qualifications, and one for those without.

If you’re going into proofreading with certificates, graduate qualifications, or expert experience, here are the sites that you should check out. 

1. ProofreadingPal

Specializing in academic proofreading,  ProofreadingPal  prides itself on having a highly experienced staff. Because its scholarly projects, the editing skills required by this site are very advanced and specific. To secure a remote proofreading job on this site, you need to be a postgraduate student with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or have a graduate degree along with minimum five years of experience.

If you have a PhD in a writing-intensive discipline,  Edit911  is a good candidate for some remote work. Its proofreading services also tend toward high-level academic editing, so experience is crucial. And as it caters to a worldwide audience, having a strong grasp of a few manuscript styles will be plus.

WordsRU  is great for those who work from home, because it welcomes job applicants from all over the world, as long as they have at least a Master’s degree or higher. It offers a wider range of services for customers, including fiction manuscripts and web content, so its proofreaders receive a variety of projects.

4. American Journal Experts

Similar to WordsRU,  AJE  offers online proofreading jobs for those who have been or are currently enrolled in higher education at universities approved by  the Carnegie Classification . And as the name suggests, this online proofreading opportunity is more suitable for those based in America.

You may or may not have a PhD or a Master’s degree, but if you do have a strong track record in book editing and proofreading, Reedsy is the place to be. Our marketplace connects thousands of indie authors with publishing experts (like you!) who are looking to get hired and help them produce high quality titles. On average, our professionals set a proofreading rate of around $600-$750 per manuscript, though each project varies. (Note that you can set your fees per hour, per word, or per project.)

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6. Polished Paper

Focusing on business and academic editing,  Polished Paper 's proofreader jobs are also suitable for experienced professionals. Instead of proving their qualifications, applicants are asked to complete a 35-question test to demonstrate their editing skills before getting accepted.

7. Managed Editing

Having worked mainly with non-profit organizations and prestigious institutes,  Managed Editing  chooses its freelance proofreaders carefully. A successful applicant will have at least five years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree, although most of its editors and proofreaders have higher qualifications.

8. Wordvice

Apply to  Wordvice  for a more international experience: the company offers editing and proofreading services on essays and business documents for second-language English users. You must have a minimum of two years of experience and a graduate degree to join this team of freelancers. (And needless to say, the remote jobs they have are available to proofreaders across the world!)

9. Start your own freelance business

This basically means creating your own website (don't forget to have a contact section with your email address in it!) along with a LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook account to spread the word about it. As you are your own boss, you can work from home, a coffee shop, or wherever else you want! Use your credentials and professional connections to attract customers. Combine that with impeccable proofreading services and you’ll grow your freelance business  in no time.

If you’re just starting out or don’t have higher education qualifications — don’t worry, there are plenty of beginner-friendly sites where you can find proofreading gigs and begin amassing professional experience. 

10. Scribendi

If you do have some experience in content production, i.e. you’ve been a copywriter or have edited your university newspaper, you can apply to  Scribendi . Its online proofreading jobs are focused on academic writing from high school to university level, so having a Bachelor’s degree is a must.

11. Scribbr

Scribbr ’s services are tailored to a younger academic audience, and while it doesn’t ask for specific qualifications, applicants do go through a thorough vetting process. To become a remote proofreader at Scribbr, you have to pass a language test and complete several assignments for evaluation (for which you will receive feedback). If you’ve taken an editing course, you should be able to do well.

12. Proofreading Services

Every remote proofreading job available here focuses on academic and business writing. Prospective proofreaders can join the staff part-time or full-time by getting at least 95% on  the site’s 20-minute test , which mainly focuses on grammar and spelling.

As an education-oriented publication,  CACTUS Communications  is constantly on the lookout for academic editors who can help it produce clear, engaging content. It does require at least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, but you don’t need any prior work experience in editing and proofreading to find exciting opportunities.

14. Writer’s Relief

A resourceful website for authors,  Writer’s Relief also provides book editing and publishing services which you as a remote proofreader can get involved in. Since they have copy editors going over the clarity and cohesion of the writing beforehand, you’ll just have to focus on catching the little mistakes that slipped through.

Prompt  provides coaching services for college applicants, helping them with personal statements and essays. You will need to have been a university student yourself, and as the coach you’re expected to give more feedback than just online proofreading. It’s a good opportunity if you want to start with academic editing.

16. OneSpace Freelancers

OneSpace is a site made for new freelancers. There aren’t as many job postings on this site as on other proofreading services, but you do get support and feedback from their staff. They provide advice on how you can work better as a freelancer and build your business. So while you would't necessarily find remote work on this space, it's a good way to learn the craft of maintaining your freelance proofreading business in the long run.

17. Gramlee

From their tagline ("You write, we edti edit.") and service email address, you can already get a sense of how laid-back the staff at  Gramlee  would be. They welcome proofreaders with no qualifications, as long as they work hard to learn and fulfill the team’s guarantee of 24-hour turnover.

Upwork  is one of the biggest marketplaces for freelancers, and the remote jobs for editors and proofreaders you can find on here are often for technical and copy writing. Projects are usually on the smaller side, which means there isn’t always demand for highly experienced workers. Still, it's a good place to get started on your online proofreading career.

19. Flexjobs

Short for  flexible jobs ,  this job board  only posts work that you can do from home, so you don’t have to narrow the search yourself. There are plenty of proofreading jobs across many industries and countries for you to choose from, some of which are even full-time collaborations.

Indeed ’s interface is probably a familiar sight if you’ve looked for work before — it’s a platform that has everything from full-time positions to freelance gigs in all kinds of industries. Though it might take some digging, there are good remote jobs proofreaders can discover.

21. MediaBistro

MediaBistro  is a job board made specific for media-related jobs. You can filter your search to show only remote entry-level editing jobs to see if there’s anything available. Signing up also gets you a job alert round-up when new relevant jobs are posted.

22. Get Editing Jobs

Here’s another  editing-focused job posting site . You can search for remote proofreading jobs and it will automatically show you recent postings that fit the bill. You’ll then have to apply to the jobs on your own.

23. Domainite

Domainite  provides digital marketing services, from web designing to content writing and editing to its clients. You can easily sign up by filling in its form and sending in a writing sample. The scope of the work might go a little beyond the proofreading job, though you will acquire more skills that way!

Are you interested in marketing books? Visit our post on where to find book marketing jobs here . 

24. Freelancer

This site  allows you to bid on a proofreading opportunity you can do remotely, and try to win the client over. There are a lot of projects available, so if you lose out on a bid for one, you can always find another!

❗ Note: Some of the rates you see here are much lower than the average as freelancers try to undercut to appeal to clients. Keep that in mind in formulating your own quotes and offers .

25. Lionbridge

Lionbridge  is an international platform that offers marketing and business content creation services for firms across the globe. Specifically, its freelancers “test out” firms’ content — giving them feedback, not just on a linguistic point of view but also user experience and SEO. It's a bit of technical proofreading, if you’re interested.

Though it does not provide the highest paying remote proofreading jobs,  Fiverr is still a good opportunity for new freelancers to start their careers. It’s relatively easy to sign up to and create a profile that will attract customers, most of whom will be searching for competent beginners rather than experienced experts.

Hopefully this list will help you find your next remote job and kickstart your career, whether you’re a full-timer looking for side jobs or an aspiring freelancer. Remember to do your research and know what your proofreading service is worth to avoid being undercharged. With that, and a wish of good luck, we’ll send you into the world of freelance proofreading!

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26 Easy Proofreading Jobs Online (NO Experience Needed)

By: Author Mitch Glass

Posted on Last updated: December 14, 2023

Online proofreading jobs come with many perks — especially for all you grammar snobs out there.

You can work:

✔️ Wherever you want (one of the best jobs for digital nomads ) ✔️ Whenever you want ✔️ As much (or as little) as you want.

And the pay isn’t too shabby either. 

There’s just one problem:

Experience.

Many work-from-home proofreading jobs ask for loads of it, which begs the question…

Is it possible to find proofreading jobs online with no experience?

You bet it is.

Here’s exactly how to do it.

Table of Contents

What is a proofreader?

Who uses proofreaders, is it hard to get proofreading jobs from home with no experience, freelance proofreading vs. freelancing writing: which is better, how to find proofreading jobs online (no experience), 1. polished paper, 2. edit my english, 3. other companies to find entry-level proofreading jobs online (no experience), “recommended” proofreading companies that do not actually hire proofreaders without experience, 2. flexjobs, 3. other job boards to find proofreading jobs for beginners, facebook groups to find proofreading jobs online without experience, how to become a proofreader online, step-by-step, frequently asked questions.

A proofreader is an expert at correcting written language. They’re the ones tearing apart documents in red pen, hunting for mistakes, grammar mishaps, and formatting issues. 

Proofreaders are often confused with copy editors. Proofreaders focus on grammar, spelling, and formatting — the objective stuff. Editors, on the other hand, also scrutinize the structure, flow, and accuracy of the writing.

As a proofreader, you can work as a generalist or specialize in certain niches. 

You might feel like niching down will limit your number of potential clients. But specializing in one area — like medical, legal, or academic papers — can often make it easier to land work. 

Becoming an expert in certain proofreading niches can also lead to higher-paying jobs.

Proofreading is similar to transcription and scoping. Before diving headfirst into the world of proofreading, it’s worth investigating transcriptionist jobs and scopist jobs as well. 

Proofreading is a big deal for companies. If they publish content with errors, they instantly lose credibility with potential customers. 

Because of this, many do not trust software to catch mistakes for them. They want a second set of human eyeballs. 

Some examples of people who hire proofreaders include:

• Authors (books, magazines, newspapers, etc.) 
• Businesses (brand content, manuals, reports, etc.)
• Brands on social media
• Bloggers and content writers
• Marketing companies
• Entrepreneurs writing website copy
• Job seekers writing resumes and cover letters
• Academics publishing studies and research papers

Work-from-home proofreading jobs are flexible and low-stress, but is it really possible to start with no experience?

Of course it is. Every successful proofreader had no experience at one point.

The trick is finding ways to build that experience. The more you have, the easier it gets to find work. 

That said, there is a difference between no experience and no skills. 

To get proofreading jobs, you need to actually know how to proofread. 

That means memorizing spelling and grammar rules like the back of your hand. This is the hardest part. 

But if you learned it once upon a time in elementary school, you can learn it again. 

Just grab an English proofreading book , start studying, and — when you’ve mastered the skills — search for freelance proofreading jobs from home using the strategies below. 

If you want to cut down on the learning curve and start earning faster, you can also take an online proofreading course . 

That said, before paying for anything, it’s a good idea to take this free proofreading class . It’ll help you decide if proofreading is really for you, then show you tricks for attracting your first clients.

I’ve dug through various proofreading courses, so before pulling your wallet, check out my reviews to choose the best one.

• Proofread Anywhere review
• Knowadays review

If you decide proofreading is not for you, don’t fret. There are plenty of awesome freelance job options for beginners . 

If it is for you, here’s everything you need to know. 

How much do proofreaders make an hour?

According to salary data collected by Indeed, the average proofreader in the United States earns roughly $25 per hour (or almost $60,000 per year).

As a proofreading beginner, your rates depend on the quality of your clients and your work speed. 

You’ll likely have to work up to that $25-per-hour rate, but it’s doable. 

The maximum pay for freelance proofreaders is generally less than for freelance writers. 

This is because a good freelance writer is much harder to replace than a good proofreader. 

In a way, proofreading is easier than writing because you don’t have to “create” anything. All you have to do is modify what someone else already created. 

If you’re number one priority is a high income, look into freelance writing. 

I’ve personally made as much as $100/hour (after years of experience), so I can attest to the income potential.

I even made a free course to help you earn your first $1,000 as a freelance writer.

FREE 5-DAY COURSE

Learn the simple step-by-step process I used to easily land my first freelance clients and build a business I can run while traveling the world.

By signing up, you'll also be added to my legendary email list and receive exclusive travel lifesyle tips I don't share anywhere else. 

That said, if the idea of staring at a blank page sounds daunting to you, then writing might not be your jam.

In that case, proofreading is an awesome option — here’s how to find proofreading jobs online.

There’s more than one way to find proofreading jobs online with no experience.

You can either work for a proofreading agency that sends you work and acts as a “middleman” between you and clients. Or you can use job boards and other resources to find and work with clients directly. 

Both options are viable ways to get proofreading jobs from home fast, but let’s start with proofreading agencies. 

Companies that hire proofreaders

If you don’t want to do the grunt work of finding clients on your own, you can join a proofreading company that finds work for you. 

Since you’re essentially working with a middleman, your rates won’t be quite as high. But if you consider the time you save searching for clients (time you’re not paid for), then it may work out in your favor. 

There’s a handful of companies that hire proofreaders with no experience, which makes it a great place to find entry-level proofreading jobs online.

But wait — do you need qualifications to be a proofreader online? 

Some companies may not require previous experience, but they do require a college degree of some sort. (Those are usually the academic proofreading jobs.)

Here’s a list of companies to find proofreading jobs for beginners.

Polished Paper is an awesome company for work-at-home proofreading jobs. They offer proofreading and editing services to clients who need a second set of eyes on:

✔️ Novels ✔️ Blog entries ✔️ Screenplays ✔️ Dissertations ✔️ Journal articles ✔️ Application essays ✔️ Personal statements  ✔️ Business documents ✔️ Resumes/cover letters

Their website doesn’t say anything requiring prior experience. But you will need to pass a 35-question test that shows you know your stuff. 

Edit My English is another online proofreader job that doesn’t require experience.

To proofread for Edit My English, you must be a U.S. citizen and have a degree from a U.S.-based university. 

All editors set their own hours, typically from 10 to 40 hours per week. You earn per page and receive 60% of the client payment. The faster you work, the higher your hourly rate.

There’s a whole slew of proofreading companies that don’t require experience.

To start your job search, check out:

• Kibin . A proofreading company that specializes in academic editing. Kibin needs freelance proofreaders who can offer fast, overnight turnaround times. You must pass a grammar/editing test to be approved. (Note: Kibin mentions that they hire “experienced editors” on their editor’s page, but experience is not mentioned as a requirement on their application page).
• Gramlee . A proofreading company for editing dissertations, copywriting, and other documents. Prior experience is not specified as a requirement.

Many articles online recommend proofreading companies to new proofreaders looking for jobs without experience. 

The problem is, most of the companies they recommend actually DO require experience. Some don’t even offer proofreading services at all!

That’s annoying. And it can end up wasting loads of your time.

To avoid that, here’s a list of recommended proofreading companies that require experience. 

Most of them do not specify how much proofreading experience you need, so feel free to check them out anyway if you have a little experience.

Note: You can save these as potential companies to work for in the future. Just not as your very first job.

• Sibia Proofreading . Proofreading company for fiction manuscripts, job applications, business memos, and doctoral dissertations. 
• Proofreading Pal . Proofreading services for authors, students, businesses, resumes, cover letters, etc.
• Proofreading Services . Proofreading company with 10K+ clients in over 100 countries.
• Edit Fast . Proofreading company for any type of document.
• Words RU . Proofreading company for any type of document. 
• Reedsy . Proofreading for fiction and non-fiction books.
• Wordvice . Proofreading for academic documents written by students, researchers, and business professionals.
• Proofreading.org/Cambridge Proofreading . UK-based company that hires US and UK editors. Purely academic proofreading. Several years of experience is required, plus a college degree and subject matter expertise. 
• Scribbr . Proofreading services for essays, theses, dissertations, etc. Must be a native English speaker with at least a bachelor’s degree, work a minimum of 10 hours a week, and have previous experience proofreading academic texts.
• Scribendi . Proofreading services for academics/students, authors, businesses, and individuals (resumes, cover letters, etc.). 3+ years of experience required in editing, writing, document production, or language-teaching, and an average proofreading speed of 1,000-1,500 words per hour to apply. 
• Quality Proofreading . Proofreading services for students, businesses, and individuals (resumes, cover letters, etc.). Must have an advanced degree from a UK/US institution and 3+ years of proofreading experience.
• Proofread Now . Offers proofreading services in both English and Spanish. “Rigorous” testing is required. 
• Wordy . Hires both editors and proofreaders, but the hiring process is temporarily paused. 

Finally, these companies are commonly recommended to new proofreaders, but in reality, they’re not actually proofreading companies:

• Lifetips. A site where you can share tips and knowledge on various topics.
• Kirkus. A book review company.
• Scribe Media (AKA Book in a Box). A publisher and coach for novelists.
• Babbletype. A translation and transcription service
• Domainite. An editing company (different skill set than proofreading).
• Cactus Global. An editing company (different skill set than proofreading).
• Jobsforeditors.com. An editing company (different skill set than proofreading).

Alrighty, now that we have those time-wasters out of the way, let’s dive into some job boards for proofreaders. 

Job boards to find proofreading jobs from home (no experience) 

Some of these job boards are specific for proofreaders. But most of them are general freelance marketplaces where you can search for proofreading gigs.

On these marketplaces, each job listing has its own specific experience requirements. Some require it; others don’t. Before applying, read each description carefully. 

Upwork is one of the most popular job boards to find online proofreading jobs – or any freelance jobs, for that matter. 

Upwork was originally formed in 2015 after Elance and O-Desk merged. 

Upwork has job postings for nearly every type of freelancing service, including graphic designers, IT specialists, writers, and you guessed it — proofreaders.

Clients post jobs in the marketplace, then freelancers compete against each other to win the job. 

The platform is known to be a bit oversaturated, so you’ll have to decide if Upwork is worth it to you or not. 

It’s full of opportunity, but also competition. Some people have made $10K/mo and even six-figure salaries on Upwork alone. 

Upwork takes a 20% cut of your pay until you make $500. After that, the fee lowers to 10%. 

Flexjobs is a curated job board specifically for remote and flexible online jobs — including proofreading jobs for beginners.

The nice thing about Flexjobs is that all the job postings on Flexjobs are reviewed by editors to catch scams and sketchy-looking ads.

Flexjobs charges a small monthly fee to use the platform, but you can request a refund if you’re not satisfied (like if you don’t find a job). 

That said, you can see all the proofreading job listings for free . Just type it into the search bar. 

Many listings on these job boards require no experience, but some opportunities do require experience.

• Problogger . Writing and editing jobs.
• Fiverr . Freelance opportunities, including proofreading and editing.
• Freelancer . Freelance opportunities, including proofreading and editing.
• LinkedIn . World’s largest business social site where you can connect with potential employers in your industry.
• Remote.co . Remote job listings in many different fields, including proofreading and editing.
• Indeed.com . Job board for all types of jobs, including remote proofreading and editing opportunities.
• Guru . Freelance opportunities, including proofreading and editing.
• People Per Hour . Freelance opportunities, including proofreading and editing.
• MediaBistro . Editing, proofreading, copywriting, graphic design, and other creative jobs.
• WritingJobz . Writing-related job opportunities, including editing and proofreading.
• The Editorial Freelancers Association . Matches businesses with proofreaders, editors, and writers.
• Kelly Services . Job board for a variety of industries, including proofreading and editing positions.
• Virtual Vocations . Job board for specific remote work niches, including editing and proofreading.

Recommended job boards that do not offer proofreading jobs online

Just like with the “proofreading companies” we covered that aren’t actually proofreading companies, there are also job boards that some sites recommend that don’t actually have proofreading jobs. 

• Lionbridge . Translation and interpretation services only.
• Toogit . Job board that does not have proofreading or editing job postings.

Facebook groups are always a great place to find legitimate proofreading jobs online. 

You can either post your offer and wait for opportunities to come your way, or you can search for clients searching for help. 

It’s worth hanging around the following groups to see if you attract some clients:

• Proofreaders Group . Proofreaders trading tips and news, as well as a place where clients come to find proofreading services.
• Beta Reading/Editing/Proofreading . Independent authors, blog writers, and artists post job opportunities for proofreading services.
• Proofreader Needed Today (general proofreaders and editors) . For proofreaders/editors to post their services and writers to post proofreading job opportunities.
• Binders Full of Remote Proofreading and Editing Jobs . A group where members can share proofreading and editing job opportunities.
• Freelance Content Writers, Content Editor, Proofreader & Digital Marketers . Group to offer job opportunities to content writers, digital marketers, editors, and proofreaders.
• Proofreading and Editing Services . Members can either post job opportunities or request them.
• Transcribing, Editing & Proofreading Services. Find or post job opportunities for transcribing, editing, and proofreading.

Remember, the goal isn’t to spam these groups with your services — that won’t fly.

Instead, interact with the group, help people, build relationships, and mention that you are a freelance proofreader. 

Alrighty, now that I’ve firehosed you with information. Let’s revamp how to become a proofreader online, step by step.

• Commit. Take this free course to be 100% sure proofreading is right for you (and learn how to grab your first clients). 
• Master your grammar. Pick up some proofreading books on Amazon or sign up for an online course.
• Build a minimal portfolio. Do a couple free or cheap projects for people in your network, or create sample projects of your own. You can showcase these in a nicely formatted Google doc, or create a simple website. 
• Cast your lines. Treat finding your first clients like a full-time job. Cast your line in all the places mentioned in this guide.

Once you find your first proofreading clients, give them amazing service, then ask for testimonials and referrals.

The bigger you build your portfolio, reputation, and network, the easier it gets to fill your pipeline with work.

Proofreading is a perfect job for students, especially because the rules of grammar are fresh in your mind. Freelance proofreading is also flexible, so you can work around your school schedule. When freelancing, there is no need to share how young you are unless a client asks. 

Proofreading doesn’t require experience, but the more experience you have, the easier it is to find work. Everyone starts somewhere, and the most important thing is having the skills to be a proofreader. Your main goal is to prove to clients that you can complete the job. 

You do not need any special qualifications to be a proofreader, but if you are specialized in certain areas, it may help you find jobs. A proofreading portfolio showcasing your skills can be more convincing to clients than qualifications that they probably have never heard of. 

The key to becoming a skilled proofreader is practice. The more you proofread, the easier it is to spot mistakes. The easier it is to spot mistakes, the faster you finish projects. And the faster you finish projects, the more you can earn per hour.

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