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Freelance Reader Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

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$11

$19

$33

How much do freelance reader jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance reader in Wisconsin is $19.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.77 and $21.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the freelance reader position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Reader, you need excellent reading comprehension, critical analysis, and writing skills, often supported by a background in English, literature, or publishing. Experience with manuscript-tracking systems, editorial markup tools, or e-reading software can be valuable, though formal certification is less common. Strong time management, attention to detail, and clear communication help you stand out when providing feedback to authors, agents, or publishers. These skills are essential to deliver thorough, actionable evaluations and meet deadlines while working independently.

What is a freelance reader?

A Freelance Reader evaluates manuscripts, screenplays, or other written content for publishers, literary agencies, production companies, or writers. Their role is to provide feedback, offer critiques, and sometimes write coverage reports or summaries. They typically work on a per-project basis and must have strong reading comprehension, analytical skills, and knowledge of storytelling techniques. Freelance Readers often help determine whether a piece of writing is suitable for publication or production.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of a freelance reader?

As a Freelance Reader, your primary responsibility is to review manuscripts, scripts, or other texts and provide detailed written reports or coverage on their strengths, weaknesses, and overall suitability for publication or production. You may work directly with literary agents, publishing houses, or production companies, evaluating submissions as part of their selection process. Tasks often include reading large volumes of material under tight deadlines, composing objective feedback, and occasionally discussing your assessments in meetings or via email. Most Freelance Readers work independently, but collaboration with other editorial professionals or participation in review panels may also be required.

What are the most commonly searched types of Reader jobs in Wisconsin? The most popular types of Reader jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Reader jobs in Wisconsin? For Freelance Reader jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Reader jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Reader jobs in Wisconsin are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Freelance Reader jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Freelance Reader job openings:
Freelance Reader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Reader job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 19% Full Time, 56% Part Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 75% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,461 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Senior Writer / Editor

Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA)

Madison, WI • Hybrid

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Overview

Are you a seasoned storyteller and editorial professional who thrives on creating meaningful content with broad reach? The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA), the private fundraising and alumni relations organization for UW-Madison, is seeking a Senior Writer / Editor to help shape two signature publications: as coeditor of On Wisconsin, the university's award-winning quarterly alumni magazine that reaches more than 390,000 readers worldwide, and as editor of WFAA's Awards Magazine. In this role, you'll collaborate with colleagues and freelancers to produce compelling stories that celebrate the people, ideas, and impact of UW-Madison. This hybrid position is based in Madison, Wisconsin, with at least two days per week in the office.

Essential Functions

On Wisconsin

  • Collaborate with staff at WFAA and the Office of Strategic Communications (OSC) to produce On Wisconsin, UW-Madison's quarterly alumni magazine.
  • Partner closely with the OSC coeditor to plan and execute each issue.
  • Hire freelance writers and secure photography and other visuals.
  • Coordinate with the printer to ensure high-quality production and timely mailing.
  • Ensure the magazine is produced on time and within budget.
  • Share story ideas and success metrics with leadership at WFAA and OSC.
  • Nominate On Wisconsin content for awards, as appropriate.

WFAA Awards Magazine

  • Work closely with the alumni awards team to develop stories about award recipients.
  • Coordinate with freelance writers and photographers.
  • Lead production of a magazine highlighting award recipients.
  • Provide the awards team with the information needed to stay on schedule and within budget.
  • Support marketing efforts related to the awards program, as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

  • Write for On Wisconsin and other WFAA publications.
  • Maintain 4WARD records for people featured in On Wisconsin and constituents who write to the magazine.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, communications arts, or of a similar field.  
  • 7 + years of experience in journalism, writing, publishing, communications, or a similar.
  • Knowledge of magazine publishing,
  • Experience working with writers and designers
  • Expertise with Word, as well as Teams, Zoom, or similar conferencing software.
  • Familiarity with InDesign and Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
  • Familiarity with MS Office software and Mac operating systems.

Other Qualifications:

  • Experience working in Higher education.

  • Experience with multimedia and digital publishing.

  • Experience with hiring and managing freelancers.

  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Strong interviewing skills, strong sense of initiative.
  • Understanding of marketing and journalistic concepts, experience creating content about diverse constituencies, and a passion for UW-Madison.
  • Expertise with Word, as well as Teams, Zoom, or similar conferencing software.

At WFAA, we are dedicated to creating an inspiring, creative, and respectful work environment for our employees. We offer competitive pay and an outstanding benefits program, including a generous 10% 401k contribution after just one year of service! Join us and be part of a team that values your growth and well-being. Click here to learn more about our employee benefits! 

The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer *The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association is the "doing business as" name of the merged organization comprising the University of Wisconsin Foundation (supportuw.org) and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (uwalumni.com). Its legal corporate name is registered as the University of Wisconsin Foundation.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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