Types of editing · Step 5 of 5 · the final pages
Proofread
One last look at the typeset pages before they go to print.
2.2¢ a word · $250 minimum
What you get
What the edit covers
Typos that slipped through
The small errors every book has, even after a copyedit.
Layout problems
Bad line and page breaks, a line stranded at the top or bottom of a page, page numbers, running heads, and a contents page that matches the chapters.
Ready for the printer
A clean set of pages you can send with confidence.
Is it right for your book?
When it fits, and when it doesn’t
It’s right for you if:
- Your book is formatted and nearly ready to print.
- It has been copyedited.
- You want one last careful read by someone who hasn’t seen it before.
Choose something else if:
- The text isn’t final yet. A copyedit comes first.
- You want the writing improved. That’s a line edit.
Questions
Good to know
Why proofread after formatting?
Because turning a manuscript into book pages can introduce new problems, and only the final pages show them.
Can a proofreader fix bigger problems?
A proofreader will flag them. Rewriting at this stage means changing the layout too, so bigger changes cost more here than earlier.
Is a proofread part of formatting?
No, it’s separate. Formatting makes the pages; the proofread checks them.
Not sure which edit you need?
Tell us about your book. We’ll read a sample and recommend the edit it needs, with a written quote.