Proofreading service from experienced and professional book proofreader
If you need freelance proofreading services to check and correct the final draft of your fiction novel, non-fiction book, short story or ebook, I will ensure your manuscript is free from errors and ready to submit to an agent/publisher or self-publish.
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Do you need an online book proofreading service to ensure there are no spelling mistakes, grammar errors or punctuation mistakes; to check the subject–verb agreement and consistency of tense; or that the capitalisation and hyphenation of words are consistent and correct?
My proofreading service ensures your manuscript is ready for publication by removing any errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation as well as checking inconsistencies in vocabulary use and formatting, etc. This is the essential last step in the revision process – a quality assurance – to make sure your book, novel or short story is error-free before it is self-published, submitted to a publisher/agent or printed. |
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If you require a more in-depth edit to improve sentence structure and flow, the quality of wording and more, please check out my Book Editing Service. I also provide an Ebook Formatting Service. Please note, I only proofread and edit UK English text.
Proofreading Process
A fresh pair of trained eyes proofreading your work will prevent mistakes slipping through that could affect your reviews and also avoids the need to republish after rectifying errors.
It is beneficial to use an experienced and professional proofreader as they are detached from the work, routinely make these checks and proficient in spotting mistakes.
It is beneficial to use an experienced and professional proofreader as they are detached from the work, routinely make these checks and proficient in spotting mistakes.
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The following are checked and amended for the proofreading service:
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What Are the Differences between Proofreading and Editing?
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY PROOFREADING AND EDITING SERVICES AT A GLANCE
Features of Each Service |
Proofreading Service |
Copy-Editing Service |
Spelling mistakes and typos |
✔ |
✔ |
Punctuation errors |
✔ |
✔ |
Grammar errors |
✔ |
✔ |
Consistency of tense |
✔ |
✔ |
Subject–verb agreement |
✔ |
✔ |
Capitalisation and hyphenation errors |
✔ |
✔ |
Dialogue punctuation and formatting (as required) |
✔ |
✔ |
Amend quality of word usage and flow of text |
✖ |
✔ |
Improve sentence and paragraph structure |
✖ |
✔ |
Ensures text is concise and removes redundant wording |
✖ |
✔ |
Awkward phrasing is revised without losing the author's voice and style |
✖ |
✔ |
Proofreading Service Rates
Cost is advised on an individual basisThe requirements of each client are different and every job is unique, so my rates are dependent on the subject matter, word count, required turnaround time, and the amount of proofreading required (the amount of corrections and amendments needed).
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Additional WorkOnce the manuscript has been returned, one further revision is carried out after the client has checked the changes and amendments. Any further changes made by the client to the text or formatting/layout which results in additional work to rectify is charged at £25 per hour (minimum charge £25).
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How to Make PaymentI accept payment by debit card, credit card, PayPal account and bank transfer.
See my Terms and Conditions for more information. |
Please note:
- I charge per 1,000 words, not per mistake or by the hour.
- There is a minimum charge of £50 for all services.
- Quotations are valid for 30 days from the date provided.
- I do not proofread text that has been written by an author with English as a second language / the text has been translated from a foreign language.
- I do not proofread data or text applied to or within photographs, images, illustrations or tables/graphs/charts/etc.
It is essential to have your work proofread to prevent costly mistakes, both financial and reputational, whether you have written an ebook, a fiction novel, non-fiction book, a collection of short stories or poetry.
- The smallest of errors could mean further costs to correct once your work is published or printed.
- Many readers do not take seriously books or text with errors in them.
- Having your work proofread by a professional provides peace of mind before publication.
- Errors can confuse and distract readers, therefore deterring them from buying your published work.
- Using a professional proofreader will ensure you book is not classed as ‘amateur'.
- A ‘human proofreader’ is essential as you cannot rely 100% on a computer’s spellchecker to find all proofreading errors.
- Proofreading is not a ‘nice to have’; it’s a fundamental part of the writing process.
It is best not to proofread your own work as it’s easy to miss errors when you check it yourself. When you’re close to the material you’re not detached, so you read what you expect to see and not necessarily what is there. Our brains tend to automatically correct mistakes, which makes it difficult to notice even small mistakes in your own writing.
It pays to spot any errors early as there is never a second chance to make a first impression. Publishers and agents won’t accept work with typos or grammatical errors. If you’re self-publishing, the greatest story will not be enjoyable for readers if it’s littered with mistakes that could have easily been corrected.
It pays to spot any errors early as there is never a second chance to make a first impression. Publishers and agents won’t accept work with typos or grammatical errors. If you’re self-publishing, the greatest story will not be enjoyable for readers if it’s littered with mistakes that could have easily been corrected.
You cannot rely on a computer’s spellchecker alone for spelling mistakes. Even the best computer or software package cannot carry out the work of a proofreader. The incorrect use of words is not flagged because it doesn't consider context or typos that result in another word. It doesn't make sure your wording is completely accurate.
Miss steaks like these will note bee putt rite bye ewer spell chequer...
This sentence above is correct according to Microsoft Word. Spelling and grammar checkers are well known for their limitations and are never 100% right.
I provide professional proofreading in the UK, and I am trained to find the errors you and your spellchecking software miss. As well as removing errors, I will ensure the consistency of your text and increase the effectiveness of your writing.
I provide professional proofreading in the UK, and I am trained to find the errors you and your spellchecking software miss. As well as removing errors, I will ensure the consistency of your text and increase the effectiveness of your writing.
Proofreading is carried out when the book or piece of writing is complete and only needs a final check for grammatical and consistency errors. This service is NOT the option if any of the following are needed:
- The writing needs rewriting or restructuring.
- You require a ghostwriter to write the material for you.
- You need in-depth fact checking on events, dates, historical facts, for example.
- You would like a project manager to oversee the process of researching, writing and promoting your book.
- To ensure there are no problems with copyright or plagiarism.
- This service does not cover copy-editing which looks at sentence structure and flow, improving word usage, and ensuring clarity and conciseness, for example. Check out my Copy-editing Service for information on this more in-depth edit.
Book Proofreader For Hire
I will save you the time of making sure grammar rules are adhered to, learning how to punctuate dialogue, or checking for inconsistencies and errors. As a trained and experienced proofreader and editor, I will check and amend your manuscript so you can self-publish or send a sample to an agent/publisher with confidence.
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I am trained in editing and proofreading through the College of Media and Publishing where I qualified with distinction. I have many years’ experience working with authors of fiction and non-fiction in many different genres from chick lit to thriller, memoirs to fantasy, and poetry to self-help books.
See a selection of the books I have worked on and client testimonials here. It’s difficult to notice mistakes in your own writing because you can’t stand back as a ‘reader’ when you’re so close and involved in the text. I will ensure your manuscript is error-free and ready for publication – no job is too small or too large. |
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How I Work
Example of Tracked Changes feature used in Microsoft Word. Click image to enlarge.
- After I receive the manuscript in a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx file), I apply amendments using the Track Changes function. This will enable the author to clearly see the changes that have been made during the proofreading stage.
- The author can see all the deletions, insertions and formatting corrections whilst maintaining the original document. This allows you to see the amendments before accepting them. Check out this Microsoft support article on accepting/rejecting amendments in Word.
- I also provide explanations of changes I have made and offer suggestions using the comment boxes. Check out this Microsoft support article to delete the comments.
- As well as returning the file which shows all the changes, I also provide a final version with all the amendments incorporated and any comments removed so you can use this 'clean' version to amend as appropriate or self-publish/send to publishers/literary agents.
- Once the documents are returned, if the client makes further changes or additions to the proofread text or the document as a whole and this results in further errors or discrepancies or more text to proofread, these will be classed as out of scope. Therefore, an hourly rate will be charged to amend/work through.
For help self-publishing your book, check out my articles: |
For information on book promotion and marketing, please check out my articles: |
Contact Book Editing Services
If you would like to get in touch, let me know about your book and which service you're interested in by using the secure Contact Form. You can also use the form to discuss your editorial requirements, request a no-obligation quote or check availability.
Please read my Terms and Conditions if you would like to use my editorial services so you are familiar with how I work and the requirements of both parties. I look forward to hearing from you.
Please read my Terms and Conditions if you would like to use my editorial services so you are familiar with how I work and the requirements of both parties. I look forward to hearing from you.
