|
What to Look for
in Proofreading Services
Proofreading
services look for language errors, grammatical mistakes, and
typographical errors. You should hire a proofreading editing service
for your final draft. Otherwise, you're wasting your money. Here is
advice on what to look for in proofreading services.
There aren't any
requirements such as a certification or a degree in professional proofreading.
So find a proofreader who has a degree in English.
Once the proofing
is complete, you may have questions. Ask the editor if you can ask
follow up questions. Also, pick up the phone and talk to the
proofer before you make a hiring decision. With online editing
services, you have to be careful on who you hire. For all you
know, the person can live in a different country and they
aren't fluent in English.
Ask for services
package and query package. You may get a discount.
Let the proofer
know what you are looking for. Keep in mind that editing services
are not the same as proofing. With writing services work on the
stories clarity, style, content, and overall structure.
DIY Manuscript
Proofreading Tips
Before you venture
out to hire online editing services, consider book editing your own
manuscript. Below are a few proofreading tips.
Microsoft's Word
program is not always accurate. Read through Skunk and Style to
learn the grammar rules that will make your manuscript sparkle. That
said, MS Word has a good dictionary function so use it to catch
spelling errors.
Read your
manuscript out loud. Pay attention to the rhythm of the words to
determine where you need commas, semicolons, and other punctuating
marks.
Read "hard
pages of your book. The computer has many distractions (games,
Internet). Printing your work and stepping away from the computer
will help you concentrate on your proofreading.
Read your
manuscript backgrounds. This method works because when you are
familiar with the story, you subconsciously see what you expect.
Reading through it background gives you a different perspective.
Put the book down
for a while before you start to proof your work. Distance makes a
positive difference, and you're most likely to catch errors.
| 