Hello! Please excuse the appearance of this page as I make some changes to my services. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to contact me for a free quote and sample edit!
Proofreading is the final stage of editing, the last look before your book makes its way into readers’ hands. It is the process of formatting and cleaning up the text, and creating that magic on the page.
The final step in the publishing process, proofreading is meant to correct any errors that have slipped through previous rounds of editing. This is your last chance to ensure you make a great first impression—and as a certified proofreader, I am especially qualified to help dot your i’s and cross your t’s.
Ideally, proofreading is done on finalized, ready-to-print files. However, you may have hired a book designer or decided to use other software, and only need a clean-up of the text. Or, you are going the DIY route and require a clean and properly formatted document to upload to your chosen publishing platform.
That’s why I offer two packages: a Basic Proofread and a Full Proofread, each tailored to best suit your needs and budget. Don’t forget to reach out if you need help deciding!
BASIC PROOFREAD
How It Works.
Congratulations! You have a polished story, an edited manuscript, and a fantastic book designer lined up. You just need one last check for typos and other mechanical errors before you send it off for formatting. (Note that this service does not include formatting-related errors; any changes required then would have to be made by your designer, or by using the tools provided by your chosen platform.)Once we've worked out the project details, you’ll send your manuscript as a Word file. I’ll then use track changes to make my edits, as well as the comments feature for queries—and in-the-moment reactions! I'm here to be your cheerleader, and to make you proud of what you’ve accomplished.
What’s Included.
A Complete, PROFESSIONAL PROOFRead
Word by word, and character by character, I’ll complete a full readthrough of your novel. This process includes:
fixing spelling, mechanical, and grammatical errors;
correcting punctuation of dialogue;
ensuring consistent capitalization and hyphenation;
flagging any problematic representation, stereotyping, or othering; and
ensuring that any additional elements needed before final formatting are included (acknowledgments, table of contents, etc.).
A Style Sheet
You may already have a style sheet created during previous rounds of revision and editing. If so, I will adhere to your preferred style and make any updates as necessary. If there is no style sheet provided, I will create one that outlines decisions about capitalization, spelling, hyphenation, numbering, and other mechanical concerns.
After-Editing Support
Included with a Basic Proofread is one free hour of my time. This follow-up can either be done via call (online or by phone) or email (in which I answer your specific questions in-depth). For up to six months after the completion of the project, clients may contact me with simple editorial questions.
INVESTMENT: $20 CAD per 1,000 words ($0.020 CAD per word)
FULL PROOFREAD
How It Works.
Congratulations! You have a polished story, an edited manuscript, an eye-catching cover, and a chosen platform. You're ready to upload, but you just need correctly formatted files to ensure a smooth process.Once we've worked out the project details, you’ll send your manuscript as a Word file. I’ll then use track changes to make my edits, as well as the comments feature for queries—and in-the-moment reactions! I'm here to be your cheerleader, and to make you proud of what you’ve accomplished.
What’s Included.
1. FORMATTING & A Professional proofread
Before we start, we’ll decide on a style for the manuscript, which I will then apply using Microsoft Word’s Styles palette. Then, word by word, and character by character, I’ll complete a full, pre-publication check. This includes:
fixing spelling, mechanical, and grammatical errors.
correcting dialogue punctuation.
ensuring consistent capitalization and hyphenation.
flagging any problematic representation, stereotyping, or othering.
If not provided, I will also create a comprehensive style sheet that outlines decisions about capitalization, spelling, hyphenation, numbering, and any other textual concerns.
2. A SECOND PASS & Ready-to-upload files
You will have a pre-determined time to review and approve the edits. I can make minor last-minute changes, but remember now is not the time for deep changes or rewrites!
I will then complete a second pass to check that the corrections have been properly implemented and no new ones introduced. I will also correct any formatting errors, which include:
ensuring proper chapter sequencing/titling and pagination;
applying proper paragraph and section breaks;
deleting extraneous letter and line spaces;
removing hard spaces, and tabbed instead of indented paragraphs; and
eliminating stacked hyphens, widows and orphans, and short lines;
As I want to help make the process of uploading your manuscript for publication that much easier, I will supply you with both a clean Word document and a PDF file; for ebooks, I will send an EPUB file.
3. AN AUTHOR BIO & BLurb
Normally a separate service, with a Full Proofread I will also provide an author bio and a blurb to be used on the cover, or on any sites the book is advertised.
4. AFTER-EDITING SUPPORT
Included with a Full Proofread is one free hour of my time. This follow-up can either be done via call (online or by phone) or email (in which I answer your specific questions in-depth). For up to six months after the completion of the project, clients may contact me with simple editorial questions.
INVESTMENT: $30 CAD per 1,000 words ($0.030 CAD per word)
“Jennifer is not only a fabulous editor, but a pleasure to work with. It’s clearly evident that she is passionate and meticulous, and I was very pleased with her proofread.”