Do you need a Proofreader / Copy Editor?
Your book is finished. The plot works, the characters are alive, the dialogue sounds real, you are pleased with the balance between action and description, the ending is great. It took so long, and now it's done. Congratulations! You have proofread till your eyeballs hurt. Perhaps you have enlisted friends and family to test-read your manuscript and acted on their suggestions. Time to publish.
Your book has been uploaded to Kindle (or wherever else you intended publishing), and now you anxiously await your first reviews. And then they start showing up and you can hardly believe your eyes. Far from extolling the virtues of your terrific storyline, or the strong characterization, or your beautiful descriptions, all the reviewers seem to be focused on is the spelling errors and dodgy grammar.
This scenario is, unfortunately, all too common among self-published authors. It doesn't matter how carefully you review your material, spelling and grammar glitches slip by. You can spot the mistakes of others but, apparently, NOT your own. The reason is - you are too close to your creation. What you need are fresh eyes and the dedication of an experienced proofreader and, perhaps, even some copy editing advice.
Your book has been uploaded to Kindle (or wherever else you intended publishing), and now you anxiously await your first reviews. And then they start showing up and you can hardly believe your eyes. Far from extolling the virtues of your terrific storyline, or the strong characterization, or your beautiful descriptions, all the reviewers seem to be focused on is the spelling errors and dodgy grammar.
This scenario is, unfortunately, all too common among self-published authors. It doesn't matter how carefully you review your material, spelling and grammar glitches slip by. You can spot the mistakes of others but, apparently, NOT your own. The reason is - you are too close to your creation. What you need are fresh eyes and the dedication of an experienced proofreader and, perhaps, even some copy editing advice.
Yes, I'm Indie-Friendly!
Perhaps I can help. Here is my background and approach in a nutshell:
When I started reviewing for Amazon, Goodreads and my own site, I found that, almost without exception, the books I was sent contained some degree of imperfection. I started making notes of the “glitches” and sent them to the authors in question. The vast majority were embarrassed but grateful. The ones who had paid someone for proofreading and copy editing were less than amused.
With their permission, here is what some of them had to say.
- I am a writer and have self-published on Kindle. I am familiar with the difficulties and challenges of the process from first draft to finished copy.
- For 30 years I worked with engineers, lawyers, mathematicians, educators, and writers of all stripes, helping them produce the best possible written products: technical manuals, textbooks, financial proposals, presentations, court transcripts, deeds, and legal documents.
- When I read, spelling errors jump at me – they always have.
- To my mind, good grammar is essential - although, in fictional writing, I believe one must respect a distinctive voice and approach.
- My passion for reading has helped me develop a good grasp of character development, plot, and pacing.
- I am a perfectionist, always striving for the highest standards.
When I started reviewing for Amazon, Goodreads and my own site, I found that, almost without exception, the books I was sent contained some degree of imperfection. I started making notes of the “glitches” and sent them to the authors in question. The vast majority were embarrassed but grateful. The ones who had paid someone for proofreading and copy editing were less than amused.
With their permission, here is what some of them had to say.
Testimonials
“Angelica, you have improved Sir H, sent him out into the world with an extra polish - a crate of Valpolicella Special Reserve 4 Ls is in the post.
You have the eye of an eagle when it comes to typos (three other proofreaders had gone through the book before you, and after evicting a few errors, had declared the job done - you found otherwise) and can spot a weakness in a book's structure a mile off.
I have come to greatly value your opinion and judgement (and when it comes to writing, I can tell you that there are few people I listen to. You, on the other hand, know what you’re talking about). And added to your skills is your promptness in answering emails and your unfailing patience and friendliness when you do. You are, as far as I am concerned (and speaking from my experiences with similar service providers), a 5-star service. And if you feel that these remarks might serve as a reference for that service, then please feel free to use them.”
You have the eye of an eagle when it comes to typos (three other proofreaders had gone through the book before you, and after evicting a few errors, had declared the job done - you found otherwise) and can spot a weakness in a book's structure a mile off.
I have come to greatly value your opinion and judgement (and when it comes to writing, I can tell you that there are few people I listen to. You, on the other hand, know what you’re talking about). And added to your skills is your promptness in answering emails and your unfailing patience and friendliness when you do. You are, as far as I am concerned (and speaking from my experiences with similar service providers), a 5-star service. And if you feel that these remarks might serve as a reference for that service, then please feel free to use them.”
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Peter Maughan (author of “Under The Apple Boughs” and the Batch Magna novels: “The Cuckoos of Batch Magna”, “Sir Humphrey of Batch Hall”, “The Batch Magna Caper” and “Man Overboard”) |
“Angelica, I would encourage you to pursue the proofreading/ copy-editing, especially as you read so much and apart from a sharp eye for grammar and typos, you have a very sharp and astute sense of plot, character and story. Your opinions would be invaluable to an author and I've no doubt you would make a terrific contribution.
That said, you are right that not a lot of neophyte authors have a budget nor indeed, an understanding of the importance of proofing and editing. Thanks again for all your terrifically valuable feedback and comments! Please feel free to use any of my comments and if I can add anything more that would be helpful, I would love to contribute.”
That said, you are right that not a lot of neophyte authors have a budget nor indeed, an understanding of the importance of proofing and editing. Thanks again for all your terrifically valuable feedback and comments! Please feel free to use any of my comments and if I can add anything more that would be helpful, I would love to contribute.”
Dermot Davis
(author of "Stormy Weather", "Mr. Psychic ", "Encounter", "Ruth Judges Joshua", "Brain: The Man Who Wrote the Book That Changed the World ", "The Older Woman", "The Younger Man", "Love for Frances", and others)
(author of "Stormy Weather", "Mr. Psychic ", "Encounter", "Ruth Judges Joshua", "Brain: The Man Who Wrote the Book That Changed the World ", "The Older Woman", "The Younger Man", "Love for Frances", and others)
“Angelica, you are so right! I have worked as a copy editor and proofreader for two publishing companies, but when it comes to my own writing? I know what it’s supposed to say and that’s what I see. I am so close to the story that sometimes I start reading a sentence, look away from the manuscript, and complete the sentence from memory. I am one of the ‘embarrassed ones’ and am always grateful for a good proofreader.
But your skills go beyond catching spelling or grammar errors. You find the weaknesses and glitches in the content. Thanks to your comments, Carey and Rick enjoy a much improved relationship. I wish I had found you before I published my first books.”
But your skills go beyond catching spelling or grammar errors. You find the weaknesses and glitches in the content. Thanks to your comments, Carey and Rick enjoy a much improved relationship. I wish I had found you before I published my first books.”
Mary Lee Tiernan
(author of "Stopping in Lonely Places", "Mahoney and Me", "Caught in Lies", "Santa's Naughty List", "Broken Hearts, Broken Bodies ", "Calico Kate", "Benson's Bad Boys", "When the Squeaking Starts", "A Date To Die For", and more)
(author of "Stopping in Lonely Places", "Mahoney and Me", "Caught in Lies", "Santa's Naughty List", "Broken Hearts, Broken Bodies ", "Calico Kate", "Benson's Bad Boys", "When the Squeaking Starts", "A Date To Die For", and more)
I simply cannot recommend Angelica highly enough. Not only did she catch grammar issues and typos, Angelica caught a couple of the tiniest continuity errors you've ever seen. She has eagle eyes when it comes to proofing, and that's exactly what an author needs.
Because of Angelica's services, my book, Wyrd House, is shiny, polished, and ready for publication. I can't thank her enough.
Because of Angelica's services, my book, Wyrd House, is shiny, polished, and ready for publication. I can't thank her enough.
Julianne Q Johnson
(author of “Descending”, “Wyrd House”, “Teatime of the Living Dead”, “Nick of Time”, “Ghost in the Park”, “Ghost at the College”, “Crucible Station”, “Winter”, and more)
Julianne Q Johnson
(author of “Descending”, “Wyrd House”, “Teatime of the Living Dead”, “Nick of Time”, “Ghost in the Park”, “Ghost at the College”, “Crucible Station”, “Winter”, and more)
OK, but how much will this cost?
I would be happy to do all I can to help you produce the best possible version of your book. My fees are flexible and tailored to the specific job, but I think you will find them fair and fully justified.
If you wish to discuss your current project, please use the form below.
I would be happy to do all I can to help you produce the best possible version of your book. My fees are flexible and tailored to the specific job, but I think you will find them fair and fully justified.
If you wish to discuss your current project, please use the form below.
Translations
I am available for select projects, usually short - such as product descriptions on Amazon, promotional email messages, and the like. I am a native Italian, have lived in several English-speaking countries since the age of 19, and in France for 10 years. Again, we can discuss your requirements but I only accept work I am interested in.
