The Benefits of Working With Proofreaders
By michal leah
proofreader, beta reader, and writing teacher.
Successful writers know about a secret nerdy superweapon that they can’t live without: professional proofreaders! As with many things, but especially manuscripts, the devil is in the details. But what exactly can professional proofreaders do for you and your writing? In this article, I’ll take a look at the benefits of using professional proofreaders in your pursuit of book publication or self-publishing, as well as the dangers of investing in freelance proofreaders too early in the process. Read on!
The Benefits of Professional Proofreaders
Good writing starts with good editing. After all, you might have an amazing story on your hands, but if readers keep stumbling over errors in your prose, you will alienate your audience. Professional proofreading can help tighten your prose and make sure that it’s free from typos and grammatical errors. A good proofreader might also be able to fact-check any claims made in your manuscript, ensuring accuracy throughout (though make sure to check whether this offering is included individually when hiring a freelance proofreader).
Additionally, freelance proofreading services can help you identify plot holes or inconsistencies that could weaken your story, though not all freelance proofreading services will include developmental editing, or creative notes.
Professional proofreading is great for providing an objective perspective on your work, as writers often have trouble being truly neutral about their own creative output. It’s also beneficial to use a professional proofreader who is familiar with the publishing industry so they can help guide you in terms of readability, formatting, and other elements necessary for successful submission or publication.
But Don’t Invest In Proofreading Too Early
It’s important to note that proofreading should not be done until your manuscript has been written, revised, and even line- or copy-edited. If you’re still moving bit structural pieces around, you might waste proofreading on sections that will no longer be part of the project after a subsequent revision pass.
Generally speaking, freelance proofreading is always the absolute last step before submission or self-publishing—it’s not used during earlier stages of drafting or revision.
Professional proofreaders are invaluable resources for any writer looking to publish their work or self-publish a project. They are skilled at doing everything from tightening up prose to ensuring accuracy throughout the manuscript to providing objective feedback about the strength of your creative work. Treat yourself to a round of proofreading on your next manuscript and feel the difference that a clean and error-free project makes.
find your writing voice
If you're looking for a supportive editor to help you share your story and feel heard, look no further. Michal Leah offers proofreading, beta reading, and sensitivity reading to make sure your story is told authentically and intentionally. Michal brings attention to detail to everything she does, and that means your story will be in the best hands possible.
