Volunteer Editors, Proofreaders, and Ghostwriters

Are you passionate about a particular subject or want to learn something new? Do you have a keen eye for detail, a love of the written word, and a desire to contribute to a mission-driven organization? If so, we invite you to join our team of dedicated volunteers as an editor, proofreader, or ghostwriter. By lending your skills, you’ll help produce and refine articles for our free online encyclopedia, empowering readers worldwide with trustworthy knowledge and expert analysis.

The Observatory is a world-class wiki-encyclopedia, reference, and life guide offered free to the public. Readers rely on our definitive expertise, research, and analysis of important issues of our time, provided by a network of partner experts and organizations. We depend on the passion and dedication of volunteers to help us achieve this public education mission.

Volunteering with us offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while honing your writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills—and expanding your knowledge of subject areas you care about or want to learn more about. Here are some compelling reasons to consider joining our team:

• Make a Difference: Your contributions will help provide valuable, accurate information to people worldwide. By volunteering, you’ll play a crucial role in promoting education and understanding on a global scale.
• Develop Your Skills: Whether you’re an experienced writer or editor looking to refine your craft or someone new to the field eager to learn, volunteering with us offers ample growth opportunities. You’ll gain hands-on experience in editing, proofreading, and ghostwriting, working alongside a team of like-minded individuals.
• Flexible Commitment: Everyone’s availability differs, so we offer flexible volunteering options. Whether you can dedicate a few hours a week or a few hours a month, your contributions will be valued and appreciated.
• Collaborative Environment: Our team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, all united by a shared passion for knowledge. You’ll be able to collaborate with experts in various fields, exchange ideas, and contribute to a supportive and inclusive community.
• Build Your Portfolio: If you’re looking to build or expand your professional portfolio, volunteering as an editor, proofreader, or ghostwriter is an excellent way to showcase and develop your skills. You’ll have tangible examples of your work that you can share with future employers or clients.

Roles and Responsibilities

We’re currently seeking volunteers for the following roles:

Volunteer Editors

As a volunteer editor, you’ll be part of the team that edits articles for publication on the Observatory. This role involves:

• Editing Articles: You’ll edit articles submitted by writers, providing feedback and making edits to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to the Observatory’s style guide.
• Researching and Writing: In some instances, you’ll do online research and write sections of articles on topics you’re passionate about or want to learn more about.
• Fact-Checking: You’ll verify facts, dates, and other details to maintain the integrity and factual accuracy of the content.
• Collaborating with Writers: You’ll work with writers to refine their articles, offering guidance and support throughout the writing process.

Proofreaders

Proofreaders are the last line of defense before an article is published. Your attention to detail will help ensure that every article is error-free. Responsibilities include:

• Grammar and Spelling: You’ll review articles for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors, ensuring that the text adheres to standard English conventions and the Observatory’s style guide
• Consistency: You’ll check for consistency in style, tone, and formatting, ensuring each article aligns with the Observatory’s guidelines.
• Clarity: You’ll assess the overall readability of articles and make suggestions to improve clarity and flow where needed.
• Final Review: Before publication, you’ll review the article to catch any remaining errors or inconsistencies.

Ghostwriters

As a ghostwriter, you’ll have the opportunity to write articles (with the help of ChatGPT) on behalf of subject-matter experts and nonprofit organizations on subjects that interest you or you want to learn more about. Your role will include:

• Researching Topics: You’ll gather the information to craft well-informed and insightful articles.
• Writing in the Author’s Voice: Assisted by ChatGPT, you’ll ghostwrite articles for respected experts, academics, and nonprofit organizations.
• Collaborating with Experts: You’ll collaborate to understand their perspectives and insights and incorporate their input into the final article.
• Revising and Editing: You’ll revise drafts based on feedback from experts and editors, refining the content until it meets the Observatory’s high standards.

You are:

• Passionate About Knowledge: Whether you’re an expert in a specific field or simply love learning, we want individuals excited about sharing knowledge with others.
• Detail-oriented: Accuracy and attention to detail are crucial in our roles. We’re looking for volunteers who take pride in producing high-quality work.
• Strong Communicators: Clear, effective communication is key, especially when collaborating. We value individuals who can express ideas clearly and work well with a remote team.
• Self-motivated: While you’ll be part of a supportive community, most work is done independently. We’re looking for proactive volunteers who can manage their time effectively.
• Open to Feedback: Writing and editing are collaborative processes, and we value volunteers who are open to constructive feedback and willing to make revisions as needed.

Make a Difference

Volunteering with the Observatory will contribute to a mission that matters—making trustworthy knowledge freely accessible to all. Whether you’re passionate about science, history, politics, culture, or any other subject, your contributions will help create a valuable resource that educates and inspires readers worldwide.

We look forward to welcoming you to our team. Together, we can make a difference—one article at a time.

We look forward to welcoming you to our growing team!

Questions? Email us Observatory co-founder Reynard Loki <reynard@ind.media>.