What is proofreading?

Proofreading includes tasks such as the following:

In proofreading, my primary reference is the style sheet/word list prepared by the copyeditor. To resolve issues not covered there, I use these standard reference books:

If you’d prefer that I use other references or special word lists, please discuss this with me before I prepare an estimate for you.  

When should proofreading happen?

Ideally, proofreading happens after a document has been professionally copyedited and thus is already nearly free of errors. Proofreading usually happens after a document has been typeset or sent to a designer. 

If your document has not been edited by a professional copyeditor—sorry, a friend or relative (even one with an English degree) doesn't count—then it most likely needs copyediting. 

Similarly, you will want to complete your own proofreading of your document before you give it to a professional proofreader. If you revise the document after it has been professionally proofread, you risk introducing new errors and inconsistencies.

What will your proofread document look like?

If a document has been well copyedited, a proofreader should need to make only a few marks per page. Because of this, proofreading usually takes substantially less time (and costs less) than copyediting.

I will proofread your document by marking corrections directly on the printouts you provide. I will write queries for you directly on the page, or will put them on Post-its affixed to the page in question.

  What's next?

Interested in working with me? Click here for details on how to proceed.