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Proofreading, the last read before readers
A final, careful check of your edited and formatted book for the small errors that slip through: spelling, punctuation, consistency and layout problems that readers notice.
- Edited manuscripts
- Typeset proofs
- Children's books
- Second editions
Small errors cost reader trust
A typo on page one, a name spelled two ways or a widowed line at the top of a page all tell readers the book was rushed. Proofreading catches them before publication.
It is the final step, after editing and formatting, and it works best on the text or proofs exactly as readers will see them.
What's included in proofreading
Choose any part of the service on its own, or combine them. Select a service to see what you receive.
Spelling, grammar and punctuation
Every line checked for the errors spellcheckers miss.
- Marked-up corrections
Consistency checks
Names, places, dates, capitalisation, numbers and hyphenation kept the same throughout.
- Consistency log
Typeset proof checks
Page breaks, widows and orphans, headers, page numbers and the contents page.
- Annotated PDF proofs
Combined editing and proofreading
A copy edit and a proofread by different readers for a fresh pair of eyes.
- Two-stage check
Children's book proofreading
Picture books and early readers checked for text, placement and reading level.
- Page-by-page notes
Before and after a proofread
Switch between the marked-up proof and the corrected page to see the kind of errors a proofread catches.
Nora had counted the stairs since she was fourfive years old. Her grandmother counted them too,,, always out loud and always in the same greygrey voice she used for prayers and shopping lists.
"Nine," she would say at the top. "AllwaysAlways nine."
But that night⌃ there were ten.
- Spelling and punctuation
- Consistency with earlier chapters
- Running heads and page numbers
- Widows, orphans and page breaks
Example created to illustrate the service. Titles and text are samples.
How it works
You approve each stage before the next one begins. Your proposal sets out the schedule for your book.
- 1
Files in
Send your final manuscript or typeset PDF.
- 2
Proofread
A line-by-line check with marked corrections.
- 3
Queries
Anything that needs your decision is listed separately.
- 4
Corrections
Corrections applied, or marked for your designer.
What we proofread
- Word manuscripts
- Typeset PDF proofs
- Ebooks
- Picture books
- Poetry
- Academic texts
- Back cover copy
- Book descriptions
What you receive
- Marked corrections in the manuscript or PDF
- A query list for author decisions
- A consistency log
- A clean final file if we typeset
Your written quote lists exactly what is included for your book.
When should I get my book proofread?
After editing and, ideally, after formatting, so the proofreader checks the book exactly as readers will see it.
Can proofreading replace editing?
No. Proofreading catches errors but does not fix structure, pacing or sentence-level style. If the book has not been edited, start with editing.
Do you proofread PDFs?
Yes. Typeset PDFs are marked with comments that your designer or our formatting team can apply.
Talk to us about proofreading
Tell us about your book and we will reply with the route and a quote. Prefer to chat? Message us on WhatsApp.