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Freelance Development Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

J. Paul Getty Trust, The

Senior Editor

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

Assists with the training and development of junior staff in the department and of the freelance ... text editing to transmittal of manuscript and illustration program to design and production team.

J. Paul Getty Trust

Senior Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Assists with the training and development of junior staff in the department and of the freelance ... text editing to transmittal of manuscript and illustration program to design and production team.

New

J. Paul Getty Trust, The

Senior Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$85K - $113K/yr

Assists with the training and development of junior staff in the department and of the freelance ... text editing to transmittal of manuscript and illustration program to design and production team.

GW, Inc.

Assistant Developmental Editor

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$17/hr

... Content Development team, which creates educational (instructional) content and assessments ... by freelance SMEs/writers; including evaluating for overall quality, spelling, grammar, clarity ...

Fox

Freelance Assignment Editor

Washington, DC

The Freelance Assignment Editor works with a team of people to help coordinate daily news coverage ... major developments network-wide * Identify relevant news videos and soundbites for breaking news ...

Psychiatry

$76 - $87/hr

... freelance copyeditors, proofreaders, and indexers; serving as liaison with authors and volume ... Provides editorial and project management support for the development, editing, and production of ...

Mattel

Editor - Publishing

El Segundo, CA · On-site

... with authors, freelancers, and creative partners to support successful project development ... Experience editing fiction and/or narrative nonfiction, with strong developmental editing and line ...

Mattel

Editor - Publishing

El Segundo, CA · On-site

... with authors, freelancers, and creative partners to support successful project development ... Experience editing fiction and/or narrative nonfiction, with strong developmental editing and line ...

Psychiatry

Senior Editor, Books

Washington, DC · On-site

$76 - $87/hr

... freelance copyeditors, proofreaders, and indexers; serving as liaison with authors and volume ... Provides editorial and project management support for the development, editing, and production of ...

Mattel

Editor - Publishing

El Segundo, CA

... with authors, freelancers, and creative partners to support successful project development ... Experience editing fiction and/or narrative nonfiction, with strong developmental editing and line ...

Wedding Weekender

Editor Operations Manager

Denver, CO · On-site

Help evolve editing guidelines as Wedding Weekender grows Team Development * Foster strong relationships with freelance editors * Recognize high-performing editors and help them grow * Improve editor ...

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Freelance Development Editor information

See salary details

$49.5K

$82.4K

$98K

How much do freelance development editor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance development editor in the United States is $82,351.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,500.00 and $97,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a freelance development editor do?

A Freelance Development Editor helps authors refine their manuscripts by focusing on structure, clarity, coherence, and overall effectiveness. They provide feedback on elements like plot, pacing, character development, and argument strength, depending on the type of writing. Unlike copy editors, they concentrate on big-picture issues rather than grammar and syntax. Working independently, they collaborate with writers, publishers, or businesses on a project basis to improve content. Their goal is to enhance the manuscript’s impact and readability before it moves to the next stage of editing.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a freelance development editor?

To thrive as a Freelance Development Editor, you need expertise in substantive editing, a keen eye for story structure, and a firm grasp of grammar and style, usually supported by a background in English, journalism, or publishing. Familiarity with editing tools such as Microsoft Word (track changes), Google Docs, and project management platforms is common, while certification from organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association can be beneficial. Excellent communication, time management, and the ability to give and receive constructive feedback are standout soft skills in this role. These abilities are essential for ensuring manuscript quality, meeting client expectations, and managing multiple projects efficiently in a freelance environment.

What are some typical challenges faced by freelance development editors?

Freelance Development Editors often juggle multiple projects and clients simultaneously, which requires strong organizational and time management skills. Challenges may include navigating differing author expectations, tight deadlines, and the need for clear communication while working remotely. Since you may work with clients around the world, adapting your approach to fit diverse genres, styles, and publishing standards is important. Overcoming these challenges helps you build a solid reputation and maintain steady workflow in the competitive freelancing market.

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Freelance Development Editor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Development Editor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $82,351 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

Developmental Editor

Shelter Island, NY • On-site

Manning Publications Co
Print Media Publishing • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Manning Publications Coexternal

Part-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Company Description

Manning Publication publishes books for technology professionals including programmers, system administrators, designers, architects, managers and others. We care about the quality of our books, and we think of our authors as the most valuable part of our business. We work with our authors to coax out of them the best writing they can produce. We consult with technical experts on book proposals and manuscripts, and we may use as many as two dozen reviewers in various stages of preparing a manuscript. The abilities of each author are nurtured to encourage him or her to write a first-rate book.

Job Description

Developmental editor

Manning Publications Co. seeks Developmental Editors to work directly with book authors to create high-quality manuscripts on time. Ideal candidates are critical thinkers who skillfully identify and articulate weaknesses in a manuscript's organization and writing, adopt a coaching/mentoring role with authors, firmly but diplomatically communicate with authors, work both independently and in a distributed team environment, and reliably meet deadlines. Candidates must possess passing knowledge of software concepts and technologies (such as mobile application development, responsive design, cloud computing, big data and analytics, and agile and lean development). This is a great position for someone looking for part-time work (15-20 hours a week).

Primary duties

  • Coach authors on techniques for how to teach difficult or important concepts in their manuscript
  • Identify opportunities for authors to improve organization, presentation, clarity, and value to the book's intended audience
  • Continually assess manuscript content at a high level
  • Manage the book-development process so that authors are completing manuscripts by due dates
  • Ensure that manuscripts adhere to Manning's writing guidelines
  • Provide project status and content assessment to publisher, acquisition editor, development manager and other Manning staff
  • Contribute to the ongoing assessment and improvement of editorial procedures and standards
  • Perform occasional tasks related to the marketing of books

Please note: This position does not include copy editing duties

Must have requirements

  • General understanding of technical concepts, software development, and current industry trends
  • 1+ years previous substantive editing experience
  • Must be available for a minimum of 20 hours per week (primarily during U.S. business hours).
  • Strong project- and time-management skills
  • Excellent organization and multitasking skills
  • Must be proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.), Adobe Acrobat, and other tools required in an online environment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable communicating via email, Skype, and phone
  • Must have remote office setup (computer, Internet and email access, reliable phone line)

Preferred qualifications

Previous experience in a book publishing environment

Additional Information

Apply for this position

Email your resume and two references with job DE-2018-8 in the subject line. If selected for an interview, be prepared to complete an editing sample. This is a freelance, telecommute opportunity (no travel).

Apply