The last check
before your book goes live.
Proofreading is the final quality pass. A trained proofreader catches the typos, missing words, punctuation slips and layout errors that are easy to miss after months with a manuscript.
Readers spot typos. Reviews mention them.
After you have read your book twenty times, your brain sees what you meant to write, not what is on the page. That is why even experienced authors and editors use a separate proofreader.
Our proofreaders work slowly and methodically through your manuscript or formatted pages, checking spelling, grammar, punctuation, consistency and the small layout issues that make a book look amateur.
It is the most affordable edit, and often the one that protects your reviews the most.
Start With a Free Consultation →What we catch
- Typos, missing and doubled words
- Spelling, grammar and punctuation
- Inconsistent names, numbers and styling
- Widows, orphans and bad line breaks
- Headers, page numbers and contents errors
A clean, confident final copy
Proofreading on your manuscript file, your formatted PDF, or both.
Line-by-Line Check
A careful read of every sentence for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors.
Manuscript or PDF
Corrections as tracked changes in Word or as clear annotations on your print-ready PDF.
Consistency Pass
Hyphenation, capitalization, numbers and character names checked across the book.
Layout Review
Running heads, page numbers, chapter openings and table of contents checked on formatted pages.
Queries Flagged
Anything that looks intentional but unclear is queried, never silently changed.
Fast Turnaround
Most proofreads are returned in about ten days, with rush options available.
Proofreading is not editing
A proofread assumes the writing itself is finished. The proofreader corrects errors but does not rework sentences, restructure chapters or comment on the story. If your manuscript has not been professionally edited yet, start with copy editing or a developmental edit.
When to proofread
- After all editing and rewriting is finished
- Ideally on the final formatted pages, not just the Word file
- Again after any late changes to the text
- Before ordering a print proof or uploading to retailers
Need the pages formatted first? See formatting and typesetting.
From first call to finished book
Free Sample Edit
Send a few pages and we will edit a sample at no cost, so you can judge the quality and the depth of the proofread before you commit.
- No-cost sample on your own pages
- Honest recommendation on edit level
- Clear quote based on word count
Paired With the Right Editor
We assign a senior editor with real experience in your genre and agree goals, deadlines and any house style before work begins.
- Genre-matched senior editor
- Kickoff on goals and voice
- Agreed timeline
The Edit Itself
Your editor works through the manuscript with every change tracked and every bigger question raised in a comment, never silently rewritten.
- Tracked changes throughout
- Comments that explain the why
- Style sheet built as we go
You Review Every Change
You decide what stays. Accept, reject or question any edit, then send it back for the revision round included in every project.
- Full control over every edit
- Included revision round
- Direct answers from your editor
Clean Copy, Ready to Go
You receive a clean file with approved changes applied, plus the notes and style sheet. Take it to design yourself or let us carry it into formatting and launch.
- Clean, publish-ready file
- Editorial notes and style sheet
- Optional handoff to design and publishing
Publish with confidence
Send a few pages and we will proofread them free, so you can see exactly what a professional pass catches.
Proofreading questions, answered
Straight answers to what authors ask us most.
Proofreading starts at $0.008 per word. A 60,000 word book starts at about $480. Pricing depends on the condition of the text and whether we proof the Word file, the PDF or both.
Ideally the final PDF, because formatting can introduce new issues. If your file has not been formatted yet, we can proofread the manuscript and then check the layout later.
About ten days for most books. Rush options are available on request.
No. Proofreading corrects errors only. For style and flow improvements, choose copy and line editing.
Yes. We proofread every genre, with extra care for layout, line breaks and text placed on illustrations.
No proofreader can honestly promise perfection, but a professional pass dramatically reduces errors and catches the ones readers notice most.
Book your free consultation
Tell us where your book is today. A publishing specialist will review it and send clear, honest next steps, usually within one business day.
Services that work together
Most authors combine two or three services. These pair especially well with this one. Browse all services →
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