Proofreading is the last step in the process before a document is published. A proofreader will check the final document for the following errors:

• Spelling
• Grammar
• Punctuation
• Consistency
• Typographical errors
• Formatting errors
• Double words
• Missing words

Proofreading is the last step in the process before a document is published. Proofreaders check the document for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and consistency, as well as looking for any typographical and formatting errors.

The editing process comes before proofreading since it seeks to improve the overall writing. Generally, there are two types of editing: content and line. Content editing focuses on the overall structure of the document. It focuses on the content, organization, argument, and evidence of the piece. Line editing focuses more on each sentence to ensure they’re clear, concise, and effective while maintaining the author’s voice and style.

Ask yourself this question: Do I need help with structure, wording, or style? If your answer is yes, then you need an editor. Once the work has been edited to your satisfaction, you’ll need a proofreader to review the final document. 

If your answer is no, and you’re ready for the final check of your document before release, then you’re ready for a proofreader.

Once you contact me, I’ll send you a client questionnaire and request the document to get a better understanding of your project. 

If you have a large project and request a sample proofread in your questionnaire, then I will proofread your document (no more than 1,000 words) and return that to you with the project proposal. 

If that is amenable, then I’ll send you the contract and invoice for the first payment, which is typically 50 percent of the project (unless it’s a larger project). 

Once the contract is signed and the first payment received, I’ll begin proofreading your project. 

I’ll send weekly updates until the project is finished. 

Once I’m finished, I’ll send (1) the final proofread document (unless it’s in Word or Google Doc, then I’ll let you know it’s finished), (2) the final clean document, and (3) the invoice for final payment.

I’d be happy to provide a small sample (no more than 1,000 words) for longer works, so you can decide if we would be a good fit. 

Unfortunately, a sample isn’t practical for shorter projects. See “Could I see an example document?”

You can submit your document in whatever file format is easiest for you.

Microsoft Word and Google Docs both allow you to track changes made and then either accept or decline each change. This can make it easier for you to then implement changes.

PDFs are clean, and it is easier to see what changes have been made to the document as errors are highlighted in yellow with the correction above.

I use the Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster Dictionary to guide my decisions. If you have preferences different than what’s suggested in these resources, we can discuss those.

I’ll work with any of the following:

• Blogs
• Websites
• Short stories
• Novels
• Nonfiction books
• Marketing material

I don’t work with anything in the erotica genre or anything heavy with curse words.

Sure. Below is an example of a proofread document in PDF.

If you have a longer work, I’d be happy to proofread a sample of no more than 1,000 words.

The time we live in is an exciting one. Never before have we had more access to resources. One of those valuable resources is AI—with features like Bing Chat, Grammarly, Microsoft Editor, and other editing services.

These services are wonderful, but they don’t catch every error. And many times, if you follow every suggestion given, errors are introduced to the work.

Payment is broken down into at least two payments.

Fifty percent of the project is due before work begins with the final payment due once work is completed.

For large projects, the payments can be broken down into three with 25 percent to begin work, 25 percent about midway through the project, and 50 percent once work is completed.

You could proofread your own work, but you won’t find as many mistakes as a proofreader would. 

First, you’re too close to the work, so your brain would skip over double words, missing words, typos, etc. 

Second, a proofreader is trained to look for those mistakes, which means they’ll find those mistakes plus many others you probably didn’t know were mistakes.