Comprehensive English Literature Quotation Database

Required skills and experience: - Native (original language) English speaker - Experience in detailed online and where necessary offline (such as libraries, reference books and primary source material) research and systematic organisation and presentation of results and activities undertaken - Qualifications and/or experience in the field of English literature and language - current or completed tertiary study in a relevant field such as English Literature, Classics, Journalism, Marketing Communications, etc - Demonstrated proficiency in the use of MS Office - in particular Word, Excel and Outlook - Attention to detail and ability to work efficiently without direct supervision to generate the required outcomes - Location/time zone is flexible however the above requirements are non-negotiable. Applications that do not meet these criteria will not be considered, as well as applications that are submitted within 30 minutes of this task being posted - as this will indicate an automated response or insufficient understanding of the requirements. The Task We are in the process of creating a comprehensive English language database of literary quotations, either in native English or a reputable translation into English - from antiquity through to the 21st Century. We can supply a list of possible authors and require research into each of these authors, with the identification of key original or attributed quotations (maximum 250 words) in each case. The identification of quotation authors that lie outside our identified base will be highly regarded. The required response format will be by way of an MS Excel spreadsheet which will have columns that include the author (to be supplied); the verbatim quotation (or its English translation); the source of the information; and the name/date of the translation if the original quotation is not in English, plus any other pertinent information. Engagement Terms After an initial trial, we anticipate the ongoing engagement terms will be based on an hourly rate - as we understand some of the identified authors will prove more or less easy to obtain the required quotes/references. We are seeking an ongoing engagement with a suitable party which has the potential to expand past the initial task. Initial Trial Our starting point will be to provide a defined list of authors, along with the Excel spreadsheet template that sets out the required fields to be researched and populated, to Freelancers that meet the above criteria. We are planning for an initial paid trial that would be based on an agreed hourly rate for a 2 or 3 hour period (spread over several days), after which an assessment will be made as to the speed, accuracy and thoroughness of the work, and prospects for ongoing engagement. We’re not looking for the lowest hourly rate - but instead the engagement of a Freelancer who meets the criteria, understands our objectives, and can produce quality results in a cost efficient manner. The objective of the paid trial will be to establish a fair and reasonable (and mutually agreed) basis for ongoing work. We’re looking to establish a trusted relationship that could extend from 5-10 hours per week over a period of up to 3 months, and potentially beyond. Expressions of Interest As mentioned previously, please do not register interest unless you meet the specified criteria, which are not negotiable. If you meet these requirements , please provide a summary of your background and experience, along with how you meet the necessary criteria (bullet points are ok), along with your proposed hourly rate in USD. Please don’t ’low-ball’ your proposed hourly rate just to try and secure the trial exercise, as this would be counterproductive! If you meet these criteria, we will provide you with more details and a template for the proposed trial - at which point you can confirm whether or not you’d like to proceed. Ongoing Relationship We’re seeking an ongoing, trusted, and mutually beneficial partnership with a Freelancer meets the specific criteria and is able to deliver the required outcomes in a cost efficient manner.