6 Reasons to hire a Proofreader

Sometimes we think, 'it'll be fine!' Sometimes we think, 'I got this!'

Other times we know we need help.

Here are 6 good reasons to check everything and then check again!

Proofreading! It really does matter!

Don't take any chances! Contact me today: info@kimoshea.com

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What is Proofreading?

Test your Skill

Checking for Errors

Indie authors usually struggle to find money to pay for cover design, editing, proofing or marketing. Each of these steps is essential, so what can you do?

Cover Design

A good cover sells a book. Well, it certainly helps! It's the first thing your potential buyers will see so try to make it the best you can.

• Find a friend who is good at graphic design
• Use fiverr.com
• Teach yourself Photoshop.

The first option is great as long as the friend knows what they are doing and can work with you to design a great cover. Your input is essential as you are the only one who knows your book intimately. Make sure you mock up several covers so you have a few to choose from.

The fiverr.com option is another good way to go. Check portfolios carefully and see what you think of their work before you decide on the producer. Also check any reviews or comments left by previous clients.

If you are creative (well, you've written a book, haven't you?) and have a good eye for colour and design, you could use YouTube videos to teach yourself the appropriate design software - you'll also have to buy the software!

Whatever you decide, before you release your book, join some Facebook writers and readers groups and post your proposed cover. Ask for honest criticism (you'll get plenty) and once you have narrowed it down to two or three choices, run a poll in the group to help you decide. The cover you prefer may not be the one that everyone else likes so be prepared to compromise - after all, you have asked for their opinion and they have given it freely! As potential buyers, their opinions are very important.

Editing and Proofing

If you really can't afford a professional there are some essential things that you must do before releasing your book.

• Do a spell-check
• Print off the book
• Check that margins, headings, fonts and page formatting are consistent
• Read the book aloud
• Read the book again, this time slowly, word for word.

Spell-check will help to catch spelling errors but will not differentiate between transposed words - form instead of from etc.

It is easier to check the margins and other layout issues by turning the manuscript upside-down (this reduces distraction from the words on the page).

By reading aloud you can check the pacing of the work and also take note if any of the sentences or passages seem overly complicated or confusing.

A final, slow read will (hopefully) catch any further errors.

Marketing

Many books have been written on the subject of marketing and there are hundreds of excellent blogs and articles on the web. Simple searches will get you started. All successful authors will tell you that the best method of marketing is to build your email list.

Start on the list as soon as possible and keep building - never stop!

Always remember, a final proofread can save embarrassing reviews and help build trust with your readers.

For a free quote, contact Kim at info@kimoshea.com

Can Authors Proofread their own Work?

The short answer is 'yes'.

But ...

It is very difficult to proofread our own work. As the author, we are so familiar with the piece that our eyes tend to skip what is actually there and to read what we expect to be there.

Editing and Proofreading can be too expensive for struggling indie authors so what should we do?

There are a number of things that will help us to catch  most errors:

• Put the document away for a few weeks and don't look at it
• Use the writing programme's spell-check function
• Print off the piece and check the formatting and the 'look' of the piece
• Read the document out loud
• Get a pencil and read again, this time, one word at a time
• Correct all the errors you have found and run the spell-check function again.

Be aware of some of the most common errors:

• Incorrect or changing verb tenses (if writing in the past, use the past tense etc.)
• Subject and verb not agreeing (The club is meeting today)
• Words spelled correctly but not the intended word (from - form etc.)
• Incorrect use of the apostrophe or comma (It's, its etc.).

If in doubt, correct as many of the errors as you can find and then if you are still unsure, get a quote from a Proofreader for the final review. As you have already done a lot of the work, it may not be as expensive as you think!

Remember, a first impression is only made once. Make sure your first impressions are the best you can make them.

Services

What is Proofreading?

Contact Kim at info@kimoshea.com

Test your skill

Have a go at proofreading the following piece and leave a comment when you think you have found all the mistakes.

Perhaps you'll find more than me!

Sam looked up as he walked under the tree. Dead leaves rustled under his feet and disturbed the bird sittting on a branch watching him.

As the bird flew away, Sam sighed. He had hoped to get a close - up of the bird but now his chance was gone. He lowered his camera and was about to put the lens cap back on when, he saw the bird again.

It was sitting on a fence post not too far away . He quickly readied the camera, and took six shots in in rapid sucession.

Success! At last he had a picture of this rare specimen. He couldn't wait to go home and upload it to the group page! They will be very jealous of his sighting! If only he could get a little closer and catch the delicate colours of the plumage!

He moved slowly towards the bird holding the camera in front of him, ready to get that unforgetttable shot.

The bird put it's head on the side and watched him as he got closer. Sam cautiously checked the zoom and prepared to get the elusive picture. He couldm't believe his luck! The bird continued to watch him but didn't move!

Sam brought the camera slowly to eye level and placed his finger on the shutter release buttton. One click was all it would take and he would have the picture of the milllennium .

He begun to apply pressure with his finger when a suden noise shocked him. As he watched, a cat leapt on the unsuspecting bird and ran off with it in it's mouth.

Later as he downloaded the pictures Sam, found he had caught a perfect picture of the cat at the second it grabbed the bird.

The cats eyes were focused firmly on Sam and to Sam's surprise, he could have sworn that the cat was laughing at him.

Have fun and don't forget to comment below!

The Apostrophe Crisis

It's every Proofreader's nightmare. It lurks, unnoticed by some and an affront to others. It pops up in unusual places, at the most surprising of times.

What am I talking about? The errant apostrophe, of course.

Sometimes called the Greengrocer's apostrophe, this specimen leaps out from shop windows or roadside signs.

Cabbage's for sale.

Cabbage's what for sale, I hear you asking? Has Cabbage got some prized possession he's trying to sell? This type of sign is guaranteed to raise the blood pressure - either from frustration or excitement (after all, cabbage may have something he wants to sell!).

Then there is the other one.

The one that can't differentiate between there, their or they're.

Admit it! This one really gets to you!

And what about ... wait for it!

its, it's.

Some people find it's difficult to get it in its rightful place. (Whew! You thought I was going to do the unthinkable there didn't you?)

You're going to love your next one.

Did you see what I did there? Yes. The infamous you're and your.

For anyone who's still struggling, here are the rules:

• An apostrophe is used to indicate possession or replace a contraction. It is NEVER used to indicate a plural! - That is one of Mary's cats. Don't trip over it!
• There - a place. Their - belonging to them. They're - they are.
• It's - It is. Its - possessive form of it.
• Your - possessive form of you. You're - you are.

And one more I haven't mentioned as we (thankfully) don't see it too often any more:

• Whose - possessive form of whom. Who's - who is.

So there you have it. The solution to the apostrophe crisis.

Share with your friends and family. Share with your workmates and colleagues. Share with your cousin at the other side of the world. But most importantly, share with your greengrocer. We need to stamp out this scourge.