If you are submitting your story, collection or anthology to a publisher, no. But a proofread is ideal if you are self-publishing and want to make sure your manuscript is represented flawlessly in its printed form. It is also the perfect option if you want to update and reprint a previously published work.

I examine proof contents for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors, typography and formatting irregularities, and consistency of print elements. My goal is to ensure an error-free proof while meeting design expectations.

• Proof Content. I ensure that all of the content (scenes, paragraphs, sentences) from the final copy has been transferred to the proof.
• Grammatical Errors. I complete a light grammar check for subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, misplaced modifiers, etc.
• Spelling & Punctuation Errors. I compare every letter, space, and punctuation mark to be sure there are no errors or typos introduced in the transition.
• Typography. I look for irregularities in font (size, face, family, etc.) and spacing (kerning, line spacing, line height, etc.).
• Formatting. I flag problematic areas, including widows and orphans, ill-fitting text, bad breaks, rivers, lakes, and specialized formatting.
• Print Elements. I check consistency and accuracy of scene breaks, running heads, page numbers, front and back matter.