If your manuscript has already been carefully edited and is close to its final form, a proofread provides a last, detailed check before submission or publication.
I carry out a careful, line-by-line pass to ensure your writing is correct, clear and consistent, addressing any remaining issues in both the text and its presentation.
A proofread is best thought of as a final stage – the focus is on accuracy and clarity, rather than rewriting or improving the style in a major way. If your manuscript would benefit from more involved editing, you may want to look at my proof-editing service instead.
Is proofreading right for me?
Proofreading is most useful when:
- You’ve already revised your manuscript extensively
- The structure, pacing and content feel settled
- You’re preparing for submission, publication, or sharing your work more widely
What I check
A proofread covers a range of small but important details, including:
- Spelling, grammar and punctuation
- Consistency (e.g. names, formatting, style choices)
- Word choices and phrasing where something is unclear or incorrect
- Formatting and presentation (spacing, alignment, structure)
- Sense and clarity at sentence level
- Continuity, particularly in fiction (e.g. details, timelines, character information)
The aim is to ensure that nothing distracts from the reading experience, and that your manuscript is presented as clearly and professionally as possible.
Proofreading focuses on correcting and refining what’s already on the page. It does not involve in-depth rewriting or structural changes. If your manuscript still needs help with flow, phrasing or style, a proof-edit (if not copy- or line editing) is likely to be a better fit.
How changes are delivered
I work in Microsoft Word using Track Changes and comments, allowing you to review and accept or reject each suggestion. Where something isn’t entirely clear, I’ll raise a query rather than make assumptions.
Where there is a specific need (i.e. a fixed-layout manuscript), I can also work in Adobe Acrobat, using its markup and commenting tools.
I was a bit nervous about spending money on a book I’ve already done so much editing on myself, but Luca’s changes were definitely worthwhile. Easy to follow and implement, and he often gave me solutions to fix the sentence in a kind, suggestive way. He completely understood the tone of the book and managed to maintain my voice, but make it sound better! Highly recommend. Thanks again, Luca!
Jo Lobato
Contemporary fiction author
Luca’s work is very thorough and he turned it in quickly. He paid meticulous attention to detail and his queries about the text helped polish the work. His knowledge of grammar, syntax, punctuation and spelling is of the highest professional standard.
Storm Constantine, editor at Immanion Press
Turnaround
Turnaround time depends on the length and condition of the manuscript, as well as my current availability and commitments elsewhere. As a rough guide, for a standard-length novel (80–90K words), please allow around 3 weeks, though shorter or particularly clean manuscripts may be quicker. Equally, longer or higher-need manuscripts may take longer.
I’ll always agree a schedule with you in advance and do my best to work within your desired timeframe.
Pricing
I charge £12 per 1,000 words for proofreading in MS Word, with a minimum fee of £50.
Before commencing the project, I’ll ask to see a short sample (3–5,000 words from the middle of the MS). If the manuscript would benefit from more involved editing than a standard proofread allows, I’ll let you know and may suggest a proof-edit instead, so you get the most useful outcome for your work.
Proofreading in Adobe Acrobat will usually cost a little more. When enquiring, please send me a copy of your complete MS to allow me to assess its needs and provide you with a quote.
A lighter option
If a full proofread isn’t feasible, I also offer a reduced-rate option at £7 per 1,000 words.
This still involves a full read-through of your manuscript, but is carried out at a quicker pace. In practice, this means focusing primarily on the highest-impact issues rather than addressing every borderline or stylistic point. As a result, some issues will be left uncorrected.
So why do I offer this?
While I’m a strong advocate for thorough editing and proofreading, I understand that this isn’t always possible. You may have already invested in other stages of editing, or be working within a limited budget more generally. In those situations, a lighter pass can still help improve clarity and presentation in meaningful ways.
That said, it’s important to be aware of the trade-offs and consider carefully whether this approach is right for your project. I’m happy to offer guidance based on a sample of your work and your goals, but the final decision is always yours.
