Proofreading 4-Pack, Part III – Hiring a proofreader/copy editor
(Continued from Part I, Proofreading, an inch at a time, and Part II, Copy editing – getting the bugs out.)
Planning – Start looking for a proofreader the minute you start your book or soon thereafter. Don’t decide you need a proofreader on Monday and hire one on Tuesday. Shop around. Ask other successful writers for recommendations.
Ask for Specifics – Ask the proofreader to outline exactly what they consider “proofreading” and “copy editing.” These differ significantly throughout the industry.
Put away the hatchet, please – When I proofread and edit for a client, I prefer to suggest changes; I do not make edits for the writer. You should direct how the edits come to you.
Research online – Look at the proofreader’s website, Linked In, Facebook, Twitter, and blog. Are they positive? Do they share tips and links? Are their online pages clean?
Stylebook – Ask them what style book(s) and references they use. If they hem and haw or say, “Oh, I don’t need those things,” run away.
Testimonials – Get testimonials or references and then look at the publications of the testimonials. Contact the people who have provided these testimonials.
Turn-around – Look at the turn-around time – if a proofreader says she’ll have your 100,000-word work of art back to you in two days, that’s just not gonna happen.
Contract – Sign a contract. I would caution that if the proofreader doesn’t use contracts, again, run away. Be sure you can accept the contract payment terms, turn-around time, cancellation terms, additional cost for phone consultations, etc.
NDA – Ask the proofreader to sign an NDA – non-disclosure agreement. You don’t want your hard work to end up in someone else’s book or in the proofreader’s e-book!
This blog was originally posted on Chris Eboch’s blog Write Like a Pro!
Check back tomorrow for the final Proofreading and Copy Editing blog, Part IV (what if you just can’t afford a proofreader?).
Photo by Gwen Dubeau
Have you worked with a professional proofreader or copy editor? What did you like and what did you NOT like about the experience?
Excellent advice. Haven’t used outside proofreaders myself (yet) but will definitely bear in mind for the future….
It’s good to have a plan – especially when this person is going to be going all over your manuscript. Thanks for stopping by, Shawn!
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Just what I needed to read! Thanks for the advice.
Glad it was helpful, Marsha.
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Thank you; would anyone have a copy of a NDA for proofreaders?
Eric – what’s an NDA?
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