Native English Editor for Spiritual Book — Japanese Reading Required
Budget / Salary$30–250
TypeFreelance project
LocationRemote
Posted10 hours ago
We are preparing an English edition of a Japanese spiritual book for publication on Amazon Kindle.
An English translation has already been prepared. We are looking for a native English-speaking editor who can compare it with the Japanese original and refine the English into natural, readable prose while preserving the author’s meaning and voice.
The English manuscript is approximately 18,000 words. The Japanese original is approximately 50,000 characters, excluding spaces and line breaks.
The book explores the mind, consciousness, the Self, awakening, nonduality, surrender, and grace. It consists of short essays and stories written in a simple, direct style.
SCOPE OF WORK
• Compare the entire English translation with the Japanese original.
• Identify and correct mistranslations, omissions, and shifts in meaning.
• Improve unnatural English while preserving the author’s tone and philosophical intent.
• Check grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ensure consistent terminology and capitalization throughout the book.
• Use Word comments to flag passages that require clarification from the author.
Please preserve the book’s structure and distinctive voice. When a philosophical statement is ambiguous, please ask for clarification rather than changing its meaning.
REQUIREMENTS
• English must be your native language.
• You must have advanced Japanese reading comprehension, including the ability to understand subtle nuances in the original manuscript. Japanese does not need to be your native language.
• Experience editing or copyediting English books or substantial manuscripts.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word’s Track Changes and comments.
• Respect for the author’s ideas and writing style.
Familiarity with nonduality, Advaita Vedanta, meditation, consciousness, or Self-realization is welcome.
DELIVERABLES
1. A Word file with all edits shown using Track Changes and any questions included as comments.
2. A clean Word file with the edits incorporated.
BUDGET AND SAMPLE EDIT
The fixed budget for the complete manuscript is US$200.
Before awarding the full project, we would like shortlisted applicants to complete a short paid sample edit using both the Japanese original and the English translation.
The sample will be paid separately, with its scope and fee agreed in advance.
HOW TO APPLY
Please include:
• A brief introduction.
• Confirmation of your native language and a description of your Japanese reading proficiency.
• Your experience editing English books or substantial manuscripts.
• Relevant examples, links, or samples, specifying your role in each project.
• Any experience with spiritual or philosophical texts.
• Your earliest start date and estimated turnaround time.
• Confirmation that you can complete a short paid sample edit and provide both Word deliverables.
We will share sample passages and further details with suitable applicants.
Thank you for your interest.
An English translation has already been prepared. We are looking for a native English-speaking editor who can compare it with the Japanese original and refine the English into natural, readable prose while preserving the author’s meaning and voice.
The English manuscript is approximately 18,000 words. The Japanese original is approximately 50,000 characters, excluding spaces and line breaks.
The book explores the mind, consciousness, the Self, awakening, nonduality, surrender, and grace. It consists of short essays and stories written in a simple, direct style.
SCOPE OF WORK
• Compare the entire English translation with the Japanese original.
• Identify and correct mistranslations, omissions, and shifts in meaning.
• Improve unnatural English while preserving the author’s tone and philosophical intent.
• Check grammar, usage, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ensure consistent terminology and capitalization throughout the book.
• Use Word comments to flag passages that require clarification from the author.
Please preserve the book’s structure and distinctive voice. When a philosophical statement is ambiguous, please ask for clarification rather than changing its meaning.
REQUIREMENTS
• English must be your native language.
• You must have advanced Japanese reading comprehension, including the ability to understand subtle nuances in the original manuscript. Japanese does not need to be your native language.
• Experience editing or copyediting English books or substantial manuscripts.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word’s Track Changes and comments.
• Respect for the author’s ideas and writing style.
Familiarity with nonduality, Advaita Vedanta, meditation, consciousness, or Self-realization is welcome.
DELIVERABLES
1. A Word file with all edits shown using Track Changes and any questions included as comments.
2. A clean Word file with the edits incorporated.
BUDGET AND SAMPLE EDIT
The fixed budget for the complete manuscript is US$200.
Before awarding the full project, we would like shortlisted applicants to complete a short paid sample edit using both the Japanese original and the English translation.
The sample will be paid separately, with its scope and fee agreed in advance.
HOW TO APPLY
Please include:
• A brief introduction.
• Confirmation of your native language and a description of your Japanese reading proficiency.
• Your experience editing English books or substantial manuscripts.
• Relevant examples, links, or samples, specifying your role in each project.
• Any experience with spiritual or philosophical texts.
• Your earliest start date and estimated turnaround time.
• Confirmation that you can complete a short paid sample edit and provide both Word deliverables.
We will share sample passages and further details with suitable applicants.
Thank you for your interest.
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