Proofreading Service

What is proofreading and why is it important?

Usually, a book will have completed several rounds of editing before it is proofread. Whether you have a deal with a publisher or you plan to self-publish, your novel will generally have gone through developmental editing, line editing or copy editing before it gets to the final proofreading stage.

Proofreading is important because it is the last chance for someone to look over your novel and check for errors.

What does a proofreader do?

As a proofreader, I have been trained to read through your manuscript slowly and carefully to pick up on any errors that have been missed in the previous rounds of editing. I usually receive your novel in its final format with all the design elements in place. So, I check that all these design elements are consistently formatted and accurate.

I proofread in Microsoft Word using Track Changes, on PDFs using the correction tools or on paper using the British Standards Institution (BSI) proofreading symbols.

Here’s a list of many of the things I check as I proofread your novel.

Design and layout

I check that page numbers and chapter headings are correctly formatted and in the right order. I also make sure that no pages are missing.

I review all the design elements such as section breaks, text messages or handwritten letters and make sure that they are all consistently formatted.

I look at the paragraphs and ensure that they are consistently formatted.

Grammar, spelling and punctuation

I correct typos and any misspelt words.

I correct any grammar and punctuation errors.

I make sure that word choice is consistently used (such as while or whilst).

I ensure that UK or US word choice is consistently applied.

Continuity

I check all character names and make sure that they are spelt consistently.

I ensure that each character’s physical appearance is consistently applied.

I highlight any issues with continuity or the timeline.

This list does not cover every item that I study as I proofread your manuscript, but hopefully it gives you a good idea, and it also emphasises how important proofreading is in the editing process.   

Pricing

As a guide, my fee for proofreading is £29.85 per hour (based on the CIEP’s suggested minimum rates). https://www.ciep.uk/resources/suggested-minimum-rates/

I usually proofread between 2,000 to 3,000 words per hour. However, please note that this can vary depending on the nature of the book and the level of editing required.