Are you interested in joining the Black Editors & Proofreaders co-op directory?
Are you a skilled, experienced editor or proofreader who takes pride in delivering high-quality work with professionalism and integrity? If so, we invite you to apply to join the Black Editors & Proofreaders (BEP) directory—a vetted co-op of editorial professionals committed to excellence in service, craft, and conduct.
This is not a beginner directory. We are looking for editors who can confidently demonstrate their ability to edit at a professional level. That means you must have strong editing skills—not just a love of reading or writing. If you’re unsure what kind of editing you’re qualified to do (developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, or proofreading), or you’ve never worked with publishing clients or freelance editorial projects before, you may not be ready to join just yet.
- Have verifiable editorial experience—whether freelance, in-house, or through your own business
- Be skilled in at least one area of editing (developmental, line, copyediting, or proofreading)
- Be able to accurately assess and complete editorial work without outsourcing or using AI tools
- Respond to client inquiries promptly and maintain clear, consistent communication throughout the project
- Not outsource, subcontract, or otherwise farm out client work to other editors behind the scenes.
- Meet deadlines and honor quoted rates
- Uphold strict confidentiality standards for all client materials
- Operate as a registered business or sole proprietor providing editorial services (or be in the process of formalizing your business)
If you’re still building your skill set or just getting started in the field, we recommend pursuing additional training and experience before applying. You can also check out our resources for aspiring editors, including our founder’s book, So You Want to Be an Editor…But Can You Edit?
BEP editors are trusted professionals. We do not ghostwrite, outsource, or take on projects we aren’t qualified to handle. We protect our clients’ work, respect their time and investment, and take personal responsibility for the services we provide.
If this sounds like you—
and you’re confident in your editing ability—we’d love to consider your application.
Note: We do not accept applications from so-called “one-stop-shop” editors who attempt to provide every type of editing, formatting, cover design, and marketing service under one roof. BEP is an editorial directory, and we prioritize editors who have depth of skill in their specific area of expertise.
Current Openings
- Developmental, substantive, and line editing (fiction and nonfiction)
- Beta reading and manuscript analysis
- Book coaching and editorial consulting
If this sounds like your zone of expertise—and you meet the qualifications—we encourage you to apply.
Basic Requirements
To apply, editors and proofreaders must have (at a minimum):
- a valid business entity certificate in the name of the editorial services firm, whether LLC, DBA or other legal entity (a Tax/Employer ID number is a plus)
- a website dedicated to your editorial services business or an "editorial services" page on a related business site, such as a writing or communications company
- be an independent freelancer and not the owner or a member of an agency or team of editors
- experience in every "genre" listed in your profile
Additional terms apply. Book editors must demonstrate experience with at least four (4) published books. Book coaches and developmental/substantive editors are required to provide three professional references from published projects that include contact name, dates of project, name of project, publication date, and details of work performed.
📊 Directory Reach & Visibility
BlackEditorsProofreaders.com ranks prominently in organic search engine results for key terms such as “Black editors,” “Black proofreaders,” and “African American freelance editors.” This high visibility ensures that clients searching for skilled Black editorial professionals can easily find our directory and, by extension, your profile.
Our directory is also featured in several respected industry resources, including Editors of Color, UNCF.org, KOK’s Copyeditors Knowledge Base, and Black Girls Who Write, enhancing our network’s credibility and reach.
With a robust backlink profile, including nearly 600 backlinks and 187 referring domains, our online presence continues to grow, driving consistent traffic to the site.
Being listed in our SEO-optimized directory increases your visibility to potential clients more effectively than relying solely on an independent website.
Cost
The cost to be listed in the directory is $75 for the first year, plus a one-time $20 setup fee. Renewal for subsequent years will be at the then-current rate.