Editor Application

Contributing Editor

Contract Type: Independent Contractor
Compensation: 3% of net royalties for any title you are assigned to edit and that we publish
Location: Remote
Reports To: Editor-in-Chief
Company: Open Kimono Publishing, LLC

About the Role:

We’re looking for a sharp, detail-obsessed Contributing Editor to join Open Kimono Publishing on a freelance, royalty-share basis. Your primary role will be to edit manuscripts that have been approved for development—refining the voice, structure, pacing, and polish needed to bring each work to its full potential.

You’ll work directly with our Editor-in-Chief on select titles, offering developmental or line editing support depending on the manuscript’s needs. Your contributions will directly shape the quality, clarity, and final presentation of each book.

This is a remote, project-based contract role. We don’t pay by the hour—we share in the upside. For every title you edit that we publish, you’ll earn 3% of the net royalties for the life of that title. Some contracts are limited term, but most are in perpetuity, meaning you’ll continue to earn royalties as long as the book sells.

This is an ideal opportunity for entrepreneurial editors who love storytelling, understand what makes a book unputdownable, and want to build long-term value through creative partnership.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide developmental and/or line edits for assigned manuscripts
Offer structural, stylistic, and clarity-focused feedback tailored to the author’s voice
Collaborate with the Editor-in-Chief to finalize edits for production
Flag potential legal or editorial concerns (e.g., copyrighted lyrics, libel risk, or plagiarized content)
Maintain professional discretion and confidentiality regarding all unpublished materials and internal communications

Compensation Terms:

You’ll receive 3% of net royalties for any book that meets the following conditions:

You were formally assigned the manuscript by the Editor-in-Chief to edit; and
The manuscript was accepted and published by Open Kimono Publishing in any format, including print, ebook, audiobook, or other licensed editions.

Net royalties are defined as total income received by Open Kimono Publishing from sales of the title, minus applicable third-party costs such as printing, distribution fees, retailer cuts, and transaction/platform charges.

Royalty payments will be issued quarterly, based on actual sales revenue received during that period. You’ll receive a sales and royalty report for each applicable title.

No compensation is provided for manuscripts that are not selected for publication, regardless of time spent editing.

This is a royalty-share contract position. You will not receive salary, hourly wages, benefits, or reimbursement for any expenses.

Qualifications & Attributes:

Strong familiarity with contemporary literature, publishing trends, and reader psychology
Excellent editorial instincts with a deep understanding of narrative structure, character development, and pacing
Precision with language, grammar, tone, and voice
Ability to meet deadlines and respond promptly to assignments
Entrepreneurial mindset; passionate about helping authors bring their best work forward
Professional discretion and respect for sensitive materials

Legal & Contractual Terms

This position is structured as an independent contractor role, not an employee relationship.
You are responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and business expenses.
If selected, you’ll be required to sign an Independent Contractor Agreement, including provisions related to intellectual property assignment, confidentiality, non-disclosure agreement, and compensation rights.
We reserve the right to accept or reject any editorial contribution at our sole discretion.
Royalty shares apply only to books that are assigned to you by the Editor-in-Chief and that are both edited by you and accepted for publication by Open Kimono Publishing.
This is a freelance, project-based contract. Either party may terminate the engagement at any time, with or without cause, by providing written notice. Open Kimono Publishing reserves the right to end the contract or stop assigning work at its sole discretion.

Eligibility Requirement

By submitting this application, I confirm that I am at least 18 years of age and a legal U.S. citizen. I understand that this opportunity is open only to individuals who meet both of these requirements.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Open Kimono Publishing values diverse voices and perspectives at every level. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. The stories we publish—and the people we work with—reflect the wide world we live in.

Name*

First NameLast Name

Phone Number*

Email*

example@example.com

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Are you currently legally entitled to work in the United States?*

YesNo

If selected for this contract role, are you willing to submit a background check?*

YesNo

What genres do you read most often? (Check all that apply.)*

Have you professionally edited manuscripts before? If yes, please describe your experience.*

What types of editing are you most confident with?*

Developmental editingLine editingCopyeditingProofreading

Please describe your general editing approach.*

What’s one book you believe was masterfully edited, and why?*

Do you have experience editing for indie publishers?*

How many manuscripts (40k–80k words) could you reasonably edit per month?*

1-22-33-45+

Are you comfortable working with authors directly when needed?*

Are you comfortable identifying potential legal issues in text (e.g., song lyrics, plagiarism, libel)?*

Have you worked on sensitive or potentially triggering material before?*

Yes, and I’m comfortable with it.No, but I would be comfortable doing so.I would not want to do this.

Do you prefer to work solo or collaboratively during the editing process?*

This is a contract-based position with no hourly pay or salary. Compensation is provided exclusively through a royalty share model. Contributing Editors receive 3% of net royalties for any title they are assigned to edit, provided the manuscript is accepted and published by Open Kimono Publishing.*

I understand that I will not be compensated for manuscripts that are not selected for publication, even if I provide editing or feedback.*

I understand.

Why do you want this role?*

What is your typical turnaround time for editing a standard-length manuscript (40k–80k words)?*

Below is a short passage about editing. Your task is to review and revise the passage as if it were part of a manuscript in development. Please submit your edited version below, maintaining the author’s intended meaning and tone while improving clarity, flow, and correctness where needed.

Editing is the process by which a manuscript undergoes refining and improvement to better clarify it’s meaning and message. A good editor not only identifies mistakes, but they also improves flow, corrects structure issues, and even rewords parts that feels off. Often times, authors become too close to their own work to see it clearly—which is where editors step in to help resolve problems that the writer may of missed. In some cases, editors also might be responsible for ensuring the manuscript aligns with genre expectations and publisher’s guidelines, although that depends on the context in which their working. An editor’s job isn’t always just about fixing errors—it’s about preserving the writers voice while making sure the text reads clearly and concisely. This balance is subtle, but it’s what distinguishes a okay edit from a exceptional one.*

What is your available start date?*

Date

Degree Completed?*

YesNoStill in attendance

Degree Completed or Pursuing (If still attending college.)*

Associate degreeBachelor’s degreeMaster’s degreeDoctorate

Please rate your confidence in your understanding of how editors contribute to the publishing process, including manuscript development, author collaboration, and preparing a book for production.

Google Suite

Ability to work independently without much supervision.

Communication Skills

Timeline Prioritization

Please provide a reference whom you authorize us to contact regarding your qualifications and work history.*

I authorize Open Kimono Publishing to contact this reference.*

YesNo

Please upload your CV here.*

Please upload your Cover Letter here.*

At Open Kimono Publishing, we believe in bold storytelling, literary risk-taking, and giving a platform to voices that challenge the status quo. We’re indie by design—intentional about every book we publish. How do your personal values or creative philosophy align with what we do at Open Kimono Publishing?*

By submitting this application, I confirm that I am at least 18 years of age and a legal U.S. citizen. I understand that this opportunity is open only to individuals who meet both of these requirements.*

YesNo

I acknowledge and agree to the Terms & Conditions outlined at https://www.openkimonopublishing.com/terms-conditions, and consent to receive emails related to this application and potential opportunities with Open Kimono Publishing.*

Yes

I’d like to receive updates, book release news, and occasional newsletters from Open Kimono Publishing (You can unsubscribe at any time.).*

Yes, sign me upNo, thanks

Date*

Date

I affirm that all information provided in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that this is a freelance, contract-based role with no hourly pay or guaranteed compensation, and that payment is provided only if a manuscript I am assigned to edit is formally accepted and published by Open Kimono Publishing. I also understand that any false or misleading information may result in disqualification or termination of contract.*

I confirm that this serves as my digital signature.*

Yes

Please verify that you are human*

Contributing Editor

Contributing Editor

About the Role:

Key Responsibilities:

Compensation Terms:

Qualifications & Attributes:

Legal & Contractual Terms

Eligibility Requirement

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Personal Information

Position Information

Education

Work Experience

Qualifications

References