proofreading services FAQs
answering your questions about what I do
What will you do to my work?
Proofreading is the final technical check performed on a piece of written work before it can be declared to be ‘done’.
To get it to that point, I take the result of your painstaking writing, editing and re-writing, and I work through it carefully a number of times. I go through it with fresh eyes, and, word by word, will pick up all the grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, punctuation snafus, and those errant reference numbers and sentence fragments that you can no longer see for looking.
The things that I will check for are:
Spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors (according to the version of English you request)
The consistent use of agreed style; terms, capitalisation, acronyms, etc.
Errors or issues in layout
Repeated or missing words
Correct use and formatting of references, images, numbering and citations
Redundant wording and sentence structure
Whilst I very much enjoy the process of cleansing errors out of a document, I won’t independently make these changes to your work. You are the writer. You will have the final say on all changes. Once we’ve finished working together you can be sure that your work will represent the very best that both you and I have to offer, and will still be entirely your work.
The proofreader’s service does not extend to making observations on your style of writing, or your content, as that would fall into the role of an editor, but I will let you know if I find a significant issue in what you send me to work on. Academic proofreading requires a more stringent approach, though, and there is more information on this on my Advice for students page.
I don’t currently offer copyediting services. The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading website contains some useful information about the differences between copyediting and proofreading as well as detail about the extensive training and practice that is required to provide these services well. If you’re looking for a copyeditor, you will find a directory of copyeditors there, too.
What kinds of things will you work on?
I specialise in governance and business documentation, history, ancient history and archaeology, and science fiction. The kinds of projects that I will work on include:
Business documents (marketing materials, bids, reports, proposals, presentations)
Training materials
Academic reports (theses or dissertations)
Novels and short stories
Newsletters
CVs
If you’re working on something that you don’t see in this list, don’t worry; contact me anyway.
What if what I’m working on is confidential?
I will ask you to send me files via Dropbox, which is a secure encrypted exchange service.
I use encrypted cloud file storage for my work.
If I need to hold files locally while I am working they will be stored on an encrypted drive.
In addition to security, I pride myself on my professional discretion. Confidential materials sent to me are marked as such within my filing system, and no client’s material will be shared elsewhere unless they request it.
What formats do you work in?
I proofread UK English digitally, using MS Word (using tracked changes) or Adobe Acrobat (using comments). However, I am also happy to proofread digitally or on paper using British Standards Institution (BSI) proof-correction symbols.
If you would need me to use another format, just let me know; it’s unlikely to be a problem.
What do you need from me?
During the process of developing your quote, I will have asked you for some information about your project already. I will send you a summary of the brief, together with my quote and terms and conditions for you to review. I will need your response on these before I can begin work.
Once you agree to engage me to proofread your work, we’ll be ready to go. I will write to you, confirming our agreement and asking you for the following if I haven’t already received it:
Your work
The style guide you would like me to follow, if you have one
Visit the proofreading fees page to find out more about how to obtain a quote.
What happens once you’ve received my work?
We will do a quick test of our communications, to ensure that test edits on your document reach you when I send them to you, and then I will get started according to our agreed schedule.
Each project’s circumstances will determine the rate of communication between us, but I will keep you up-to-date with progress on your project in a timely way, especially if I have queries, or wish to raise an issue with you.
You will be able to contact me at any time during the working day, and we can arrange to have regular catch-ups for a particularly large project, if you like.
Please get in touch so we can get the conversation started.