Proofreading
Yuo’re albe to raed this snetnece, aern’t you?
This is why you need a proofreader!
The brain is so good at autocorrecting scrambled or misspelled words, it often glosses over mistakes instead of noticing them. This is why a professional proofreader is essential – I will see the text as it is, not as your brain expects it to be.
When proofreading, I review…
- Spelling and grammar, including consistency in phrasing and word choice, and vocabulary against a style sheet
- Formatting, including hyphen stacks, rivers, orphans, widows, awkward page turns, spaces around headings, full outs and indents, and so on
What you can expect when working with me
- A high level of care and attention to detail
- Tidy and consistent mark-up
- Timely, friendly and clear communication
good to know…
Does my work need a structural edit, copyedit or proofread?
Structural editing, copyediting and proofreading come at different stages of your writing project.
- New draft and have some big picture questions? You’re looking for a developmental or structural edit.
- Polishing up your final draft? You’re going to need a copyedit.
- Final check before publishing? Make sure to proofread.
If you’re still unsure, I can recommend the most suitable option for you.
Why work with a human editor?
It’s possible that if you’ve found your way to my website, AI has already failed you.
If you want to produce some bog-standard writing, AI can help! AI is great at producing familiar (i.e. boring) copy based on formulas and patterns.
If you want your unique ideas and voice clarified and fortified, work with a human editor.
Only a human editor understands the particular context of your project and can review it with all the sensations of a living, breathing being.
Can you edit to a house style?
Oh, boy! Yes, I can.
In fact, I find working to a house style very satisfying. Leave me with your style guidelines, vocab sheet (if applicable) and preferred dictionary.
In return, I will provide you with a sparkling new document with consistent spelling, terminology and style 🕺🏻.
What kind of editing do you specialise in?
This sounds weird… but I am as at home with a YA fantasy novel as with a user manual. I have broad interests and experience and this is reflected in my editing range.
However, it’s true that there are a few text types that I especially love to edit:
- learning resources for schools, galleries and arts organisations
- textbooks for humanities, English and visual art
- user manuals, procedures and policies
- exhibition and collection materials, such as catalogues and artwork labels
- marketing and communications with a focus on accessibility
- personal memoir projects
- creative non-fiction
- literary and popular adult fiction
- young adult (YA) and middle grade fiction, all genres
good nic 