Working with Freelancers

Introduction

When working on a manuscript, you may decide to send the manuscript to a freelancer for copyediting, proofreading, or design. Providing freelancers and other contributors with guiding documentation, like a style guide, will help ensure that the manuscript is returned in a state that meets expectations. 

Depending on your publishing program, either you or the author will decide who will take on what editing, design, and production roles. For example, you may provide funds to the author and recommendation that they use some of those funds for hiring freelancers. Or, if your institution has a university press, you may want to facilitate the work with them. Some programs hire graduate students. Whatever path you choose, if you're able to work with one provider consistently it will reduce the amount of time you spend managing the process.

Best Practices

• Ask the freelancer for a sample. It's helpful to see a sample 1) during the hiring process, and 2) as they're working on the project. It is helpful for everyone to check in after one or two chapters and review.
• Provide freelancers with a style guide for the project and your imprint, if applicable.
• Define how the author will be involved with freelancers. For example, if you have budget limitations, you may want to limit copyediting to one round of notes and revisions, and design to three rounds.
• Clarify billing and payment procedures before work begins.

One place you can find freelancers is via the Editorial Freelancers Association Links to an external site..