Proofreading comes at the very end of the process, after the book has been edited, and usually after it has been designed and laid out. It is a final quality check before publication to find residual spelling, punctuation and grammar issues, and anything else that has been missed or needs tidying up.
During a proofread I look at:
- spelling and punctuation
- grammar
- consistency
- layout and formatting
- chapters (numbering and chronological order)
- tables and images
- footnotes
- style-sheet creation (if one has not already been created) to document for you the stylistic choices made, so that you can carry those forward to future books if required
The emphasis is on clarity and consistency, ensuring your work looks professional and meets industry standards and expectations in formatting. When I am proofreading I make only those changes that are absolutely necessary, respecting your story and voice, and any editing work that has been done previously.
You are free to accept or reject any of my edits.
If you’re not sure if a proofread is what your manuscript needs, do feel free to ask.
If you’re not sure what proofreading involves, get in touch! I’ll be happy to talk you through it and can offer a free 500-word sample edit to illustrate.
Cost and timescale
Both the cost and the timescale will depend upon the length of your book and the level of proofreading it requires.
Please contact me so that we can discuss further.
You will normally need to book your proofread in advance so that I can fit your work into my schedule. That way I can be sure to allocate the time it deserves and meet the deadlines we agree on.