Freelance proofreading service

Whether you are a student, a company or a would-be author, the fact remains: to make the best possible impression, your written work needs to be clear, concise and free from errors. Spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and misuse of words could make the difference between achieving a high grade, attracting a new client or securing a publishing contract – or not.

A proofreader can go through your written output and check for spelling mistakes, consistency, ‘typos’, repetition and grammatical errors, as well as make suggestions as to how to rephrase sentences to get your meaning across more clearly or effectively. If you lack the time, ability or energy to go through it yourself, a proofreader can save you the effort and make sure that your written work is fluent, clear and free from mistakes, giving you that extra advantage, whatever your field.

I provide a professional, experienced, flexible and confidential proofreading and copy-editing service to a wide range of client types, in addition to publishers. If it’s written down, I can help! Please use the links on the left to find out more or drop me a line at vicki@fool-proofs.co.uk .

What I do

I am happy to undertake proofreading and copy-editing within a number of different disciplines. If it’s written down, I can help!

Publishing

I am proficient at proofreading PDFs using the mark-up tools, as well as copy-editing in Word, including tagging. I am also experienced in using the proofreading symbols for those who still use paper proofs. I am used to working with style guides and am happy to create my own where one is not provided. I specialise in the areas of education, psychology, parenting, child development and travel, although I am happy to proofread publications in all subjects, as well as works of fiction. Please contact me to discuss your requirements.

Academic

Have you written an essay, dissertation or thesis but are concerned that perhaps it doesn’t read quite as well as it could? Valuable marks can be lost through simple mistakes such as spelling and grammatical errors, repetition or using an incorrect word. Ideas can be lost if they’re not explained clearly, and much of your hard work will be wasted if your writing is not fluent, clear and concise. This is where I can help you out. Maybe you’re sure that there are spelling mistakes and grammatical errors in your work, but you can’t face going through it all again. Perhaps English is not your first language, and you’re concerned that some of your writing may be ‘lost in translation’. Or maybe you’d simply like somebody else to read through your work and make it sound more professional. As a proofreader, I will go through your writing with a fine-tooth comb, so that you can hand in a polished piece you can be proud of.

What I can do:

• I will correct spelling mistakes – common errors include the use of homophones (such as their and there, practise and practice) and typographical mistakes.
• I will correct missing or incorrect punctuation.
• I will correct grammatical errors, like the use of ‘less’ instead of ‘fewer’.
• I will look for occasions where the wrong word has been used (for example, fortuitous instead of fortunate).
• I will look for repetition; sometimes a word or sentence has simply been typed twice, or sometimes a word has been used more than once within close proximity, which spoils the flow of the writing.
• I will ensure consistency – for example, making sure that an ‘-ise’ spelling is used consistently rather than switching between that and ‘-ize’.
• I will make suggestions as to how a sentence could be rephrased to make your writing clearer.

What I can't do:

I am not an expert in your subject, and will generally be proofreading as a layperson. This means that I may not understand some technical terms or abbreviations in your work. This also means that while I can make suggestions as to how to rephrase your writing in terms of the English language, I cannot do the same in terms of the content. I also cannot check the factual accuracy of your work. Please note that the content is entirely your responsibility; I am simply checking the English, but the research and ideas should be all yours!

*NOTE: Please check with your supervisor that your university or college is happy for you to use the services of a proofreader.

Writers

Perhaps you have just finished your first novel and you’re ready to find an agent or publisher. Maybe you’re already a published author or plan to self-publish. Or perhaps you are a freelance writer, submitting articles to magazines or newspapers. Whatever the scenario, it’s fair to say that your work has a far better chance of being published if it is polished and free from errors. For a new writer in particular, it’s important to make a good impression on possible agents or publishers, and a piece of work that has been proofread will give you the best chance of doing so. Even the most beautifully written piece might be rejected if it is full of grammatical errors or spelling mistakes, so proofreading your work is vital if you want the best chance of getting it published.

Although the majority of writers will potentially already possess the grasp of the English language that’s needed for proofreading, it is still notoriously difficult to be objective when looking at one’s own work. Moreover, when you have been slaving over a piece for hours – if not weeks, or even years – the last thing you will want to do is read through it again slowly, looking for mistakes or ‘typos’. This is where I can help you. I can proofread purely for errors, or I can go through it more carefully to make suggestions for rephrasing and to point out inconsistencies. Please contact me to discuss your specific requirements.

Business

Even a small company generates a surprising amount of published writing, be it adverts, newsletters, reports or leaflets. Whether it is seen by the general public or by important clients, it is vital to make a good impression and maintain a professional appearance at all times, and this is impossible if your publications contain errors. A spelling mistake here or a misplaced apostrophe there could make all the difference when trying to attract new customers or secure a contract. Clients need to know that the people they are dealing with are professional and don’t make mistakes, so your written products need to reflect this. In this digital age, a website is often the first port of call for prospective customers, so it is vital that this also creates the best possible impression. A website full of spelling mistakes or grammatical errors can easily put people off and, particularly for corporate bodies, it is important that every aspect of a website reflects the professionalism of the business it’s advertising.

This is where my specialised and confidential service can help you. I can check through your written publications, whether they are newsletters, leaflets or even important letters, and make sure that they are free from the sort of mistakes that will make a bad impression. I can help with rephrasing and make suggestions as to how to get your point across more clearly or effectively. I can also check your website and make any necessary changes to ensure that it gives you the best possible chance of attracting potential clients or customers. In short, I will make sure that all your written output creates a good impression and reflects the professionalism of your company.