Proofreading: Important Information

About my process

I spent much of 2024 undertaking self-directed study, as well as becoming as well-versed as I could in New Hart's Rules, the British English standard for many writers, editors, and proofreaders. Of course, there is always more to learn, but I'm confident in my abilities as a Proofreader and have received some outstanding reviews regarding my thorough work and communication throughout projects.

While I am a writer and reader, and will admit freely that I don't hold any qualifications at a university level. I am, however, meticulous, a critical reader in every sense, and have a keen eye for detail, consistency, and a deep care for making your work the best novel it can possibly be by upkeeping your personal style standards in conjunction with professional preferences, whether they're in British or US English.

A Proofread with me entails:

Two passes (meticulous work-over of your manuscript, start to finish), including ensuring consistency in your personal gammar and punctuation preferences, formatting titles, chapter style and numbering, running headers if you use them, front and back matter if you have those drafted yet, and body text for each chapter;

Can include the creation of a style guide if your previous editor (usually line or copy editors) didn't provide you with one, which aids in interior formatting for either your or your professional formatter, plus ensures you consistency when you come to write a sequel, or simply keeping your stand-alones all recognisably yours;

Using Microsoft Word (or Google Docs, if you prefer) to suggest edits which you can either accept into the body of your novel or reject, as well as little reminders and discussion points for things like formatting or wording preferences;

An email at the end of the process to summarise my time spent working with you and your manuscript, which will often include positive points and a review of sorts, plus pointing out things your personal style tends towards so you can lean into those in your writing in the future, and once again, make your novels recognisably yours; and

Regular contact via email (or Instagram if you prefer) at certain points throughout the process, such as the day I begin working on your manuscript, if the projected end date changes, when I finish the first pass, and at the conclusion of the job, plus responding to any points you may wish to discuss along the way, and making sure I clarify anything that could change the way things are phrased.

Price guide

I charge based on manuscript length, like most editors, however my prices are broken into flat fees per word bracket, unlike some who charge per word. This just makes it easier for authors to budget when they're still editing themselves and trying to figure out budgeting for later services in order to publish.

All prices are in AUD and current from 1 January 2025. When requesting a Proofread, you can elect to aslso receive a free sample edit of 1,000, which I highly recommend in order to see if our communication styles and your manuscript's themes gel nicely together.

Repeat clients get 10% off for each manuscript after their first, across services!

Nonfiction will add a 20% surcharge, for example, a $500 novel will come in at $600 for nonfiction.

I've done a lot of research to come up with these prices, and while I wanted them to fall just below the recommended lowest average for Proofreaders to charge within Australia, according to the Australian Society of Authors, with conversions to overseas, especially the United States where many of my clients reside, this actually put me above average. Now, my prices reflect that a little more, hopefully making my services more accessible worldwide.

Let's begin

The process with me starts with submitting a Proofreading request. Following this, I'll be in touch regarding your sample edit and then firm up dates. I'll provide you with an Invoice (paid in two parts, with the first half expected prior to commencing the first pass of your manuscript, and the second half due 7 days after the expected completion date for our work together. Alongside the Invoice you'll also recieve an Editor Agreement, which is a legal agreement protecting the both of us over the course of your editing process.