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Freelance Publishing Production Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sourcebooks LLC

Production Editor - Children's

Naperville, IL · On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

You'll partner with editorial, managing editorial, manufacturing, design, freelancers, and other ... A strong understanding of the publishing production process from manuscript through final print and ...

Sourcebooks

Production Editor - Children's

Naperville, IL · On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

You'll partner with editorial, managing editorial, manufacturing, design, freelancers, and other ... A strong understanding of the publishing production process from manuscript through final print and ...

New

Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

Production Editor

Tinley Park, IL · Hybrid

$60K - $70K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Production Editor Hybrid Goodheart-Willcox Publisher, Experts in Career and Technical Education (CTE), and an employee-owned company, is seeking a Production Editor . As a Production Editor, you will ...

Hachette Book Group

Production Editor

New York, NY

$62K - $66K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Production Editor will work closely with the editorial, design, and production teams, and will ... freelancers a plus * Children's publishing experience a plus. As a leading book publisher, we ...

The Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Production Editor

Tinley Park, IL · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Production Editor Hybrid Goodheart-Willcox Publisher, Experts in Career and Technical Education (CTE), and an employee-owned company, is seeking a Production Editor . As a Production Editor, you will ...

Hachette Book Group

Production Editor

New York, NY · On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Production Editor will work closely with the editorial, design, and production teams, and will ... freelancers a plus * Children's publishing experience a plus. As a leading book publisher, we ...

Hachette Book Group

Production Editor

New York, NY · On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Production Editor will work closely with the editorial, design, and production teams, and will ... freelancers a plus * Children's publishing experience a plus. As a leading book publisher, we ...

Simon & Schuster

Production Editor

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$58K - $62K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Simon & Schuster is a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best ... Engage and manage freelance copyeditors/proofreaders/indexers; ensure adherence to house style ...

Sourcebooks LLC

Senior Production Editor

Naperville, IL · On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you're an experienced publishing professional who thrives on managing complex projects, solving ... Partner with the Freelance Resource Manager to secure and oversee editorial vendors while ...

Sourcebooks

Senior Production Editor

Naperville, IL · On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you're an experienced publishing professional who thrives on managing complex projects, solving ... Partner with the Freelance Resource Manager to secure and oversee editorial vendors while ...

New

Fortune

Associate Production Editor

New York, NY · On-site

$68K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

Fortune is seeking an Associate Production Editor to help publish and optimize our portfolio of newsletters; amplify Fortune's work; and build audiences on and off platform. This cross-functional ...

Concordia Publishing House

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Production Editor, Level II Full Time The Associate Editor, Concordia Commentary Series, carries ... Oversee any freelance copyeditor who has been signed up to help with this. * Read developed ...

Digital Remedy

YouTube Editor - Freelance

Santa Monica, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead YouTube Editing & Production (primary lane) * Re-edit linear segments into YouTube-optimized ... Maintain a weekly cutdown publish cadence - typically 3-6 cuts per episode across the three ...

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Freelance Publishing Production Editor information

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How much do freelance publishing production editor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance publishing production editor in the United States is $25.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $32.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Publishing Production Editor vs Freelance Copy Editor?

AspectFreelance Publishing Production EditorFreelance Copy Editor
Primary RoleOversees the production process, manages layout, design, and ensures publication deadlinesFocuses on editing text for grammar, style, clarity, and consistency
Skills & CredentialsProject management, knowledge of publishing software, attention to detailStrong editing skills, language proficiency, editing certifications
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with authors, designers, printers, often remotely or freelanceWorks directly on manuscripts, often remotely, with authors or publishers

While both roles are essential in publishing, a Freelance Publishing Production Editor manages the entire production process, ensuring the publication is ready for release, whereas a Freelance Copy Editor concentrates on refining the manuscript's language and style. Understanding these differences helps clients hire the right professional for their publishing needs.

What cities are hiring for Freelance Publishing Production Editor jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance Publishing Production Editor job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Publishing Production Editor jobs?

The most popular types of Publishing Production Editor jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Publishing Production Editor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Publishing Production Editor jobs include:

Freelance Publishing Production Editor jobs near you

Production Editor - Children's

Sourcebooks LLC

Naperville, IL • On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

At Sourcebooks, we're passionate about creating books that inspire, educate, and entertain readers of all ages. We're looking for a collaborative, detail-oriented Production Editor to support our growing children's list.
As a Production Editor, you'll manage a diverse list of projects through every stage of editorial production-from copyediting and proofreading to final files for print and digital publication. You'll partner with editorial, managing editorial, manufacturing, design, freelancers, and other cross-functional teams to ensure every title is delivered on time and at the highest quality.
If you thrive on solving problems, managing multiple priorities, and working with talented teams to create exceptional books, we'd love to hear from you.
This an non-exempt, hourly position with a pay range of $26.44 - $30.00/hourly. We determine starting pay based on a thorough evaluation of job-related factors, including geographic location, market conditions, relevant experience, training, and education. This process ensures a fair and competitive salary that aligns with both the company and the candidate's qualifications.
The location for this position can be hybrid or remote in New York or Naperville, Illinois or remote based in any of the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.
What you'll do:
  • Own the editorial production process for an assigned list of titles, ensuring projects move smoothly from manuscript through final production.
  • Coordinate copyediting, proofreading, page production, and final file review to deliver books that meet Sourcebooks' quality standards.
  • Build strong partnerships with Editorial, Managing Editorial, Manufacturing, Design, and freelance partners to keep projects moving forward.
  • Assign and manage freelance copyeditors and proofreaders in collaboration with the Freelance Resource Manager.
  • Monitor schedules, anticipate challenges, and proactively resolve production issues before they impact deadlines.
  • Review page proofs and final corrections to ensure accuracy, consistency, and editorial excellence.
  • Prepare and approve final print and Advance Reader Copy (ARC) files, confirming they meet technical and production specifications.
  • Use production metrics and workflow insights to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
  • Serve as a trusted production partner, communicating project status, risks, and solutions to stakeholders throughout the publishing process.
  • Contribute to process improvements that help our teams work smarter and deliver even better books.
What you bring:
  • 3+ years of editorial production experience in a publishing environment.
  • A strong understanding of the publishing production process from manuscript through final print and digital files.
  • Proven project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects and deadlines simultaneously.
  • Excellent copyediting and proofreading skills and meticulous attention to detail.
  • Experience with project management tools and publishing systems, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
  • Outstanding organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to build productive relationships with freelancers and cross-functional teams.
  • Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
  • Adaptability, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning and process improvement.
  • Experience in children's books and/or highly illustrated full-color projects a plus.
Why Sourcebooks?
Sourcebooks is a thriving entrepreneurial publisher driven by our mission to change lives through books. The fifth-largest publisher in the U.S. by print units sold, we bring extraordinary authors to readers in dynamic, data-driven ways, leading to hundreds of national and international bestsellers. Our insight-driven approach has earned us recognition from Fast Company as a Most Innovative Company, a Best Workplace for Innovators, a Most Loved Workplace by Newsweek, a Best Workplace by Inc., and Publishers Weekly's nod as "the most successful self-made publisher operating in the 21st century." Story by story, book by book, we have changed more than 300 million lives. Join us as we change 300 million more!
Ready to Apply:
Please submit your resume, salary requirements, and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in this role. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Show us your passion and creativity - we're looking for someone who's as enthusiastic about this opportunity as we are!
Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription Drug Insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care, Dependent Care, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, 401(k), Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, and generous paid time off.
Sourcebooks values the array of talents and perspectives that a diverse workforce brings. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.

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