Book Copy-editing and Proofreading

Having worked as a professional freelance book editor for over 20 years, I have a wealth of knowledge and experience that I can bring to your manuscript. I have worked as a proofreader in a legal publications department of a major London law firm, as well as in-house for various UK publishers. I am happy to work on any genre, whether general fiction, non-fiction, as well as academic manuscripts. 

What does a proofreader do?

I am often asked what is the difference between book proofreading and copy-editing. The term copy-editing is somewhat of a catch-all term for all editing, including proofreading. However, copy-editing typically does not only address grammar, spelling and punctuation errors, and word choice. It addresses a manuscript’s correctness, such as inconsistencies in plot or character. It checks for consistency in terms of timelines, plot, and characters.

For instance, why is the character named James in the first few chapters of a novel suddenly being called Jim in a later chapter? Or why does Laura have grey eyes in the first chapter, but blue eyes in the final scene of the book? Or why is the character of the main protagonist of a novel not being developed? I will rephrase awkwardly structured sentences, and improve the flow of dialogue where necessary.

Proofreading, on the other hand, is less focused on the rhythm and flow of a manuscript, but more on ensuring accuracy and consistency. It should really be carried out during the final phase of the manuscript-editing process. It involves checking for typos, spelling, and layout issues. These errors and anomalies can sometimes creep in as a result of track changes, especially if a document has been heavily edited. Proofreading involves double-checking the manuscript, not assessing or improving style or subject matter. It involves changes at the word level, not at the sentence or paragraph level. 

For example, my proofreading service includes:

• making corrections/changes at the sentence level (checking for punctuation, spelling, grammar, formatting errors, etc.)
• ensuring the manuscript adheres to a publisher’s house style
• checking the formatting of the manuscript in readiness for submitting to an agent or publication. This involves ensuring the manuscript is in the correct line spacing, properly indented if required, chapter headings are properly numbered, etc.

After proofreading

Once I have completed the editing or proofreading of a manuscript, the client will receive two files by email – a tracked version of the manuscript showing all my editing in track changes, and a final version showing all those changes made. This will be a 'clean' version, formatted to the client's specification. The client is then responsible for either accepting or rejecting my changes and recommendations.

My services include a second read through of your manuscript to proofread for any anomalies I may have missed in the first read. 

It must be stressed that, while a proofreader/copy-editor checks for correctness, the client should always conduct their own final read through of a manuscript and ensure they are satisfied with it before submitting it to an agent or self-publishing.

If you would like a sample edit of your manuscript and see for yourself how I work, then feel free to send me a page or a chapter.

I look forward to working with you.

Bridget