If you’ve ever wondered how to become a proofreader for books, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re looking to have a side hustle to make extra money, want to work online or start a new career, it’s flexible and you can start with no prior experience.
Proofreading is the last editorial step of the book publishing process, and proofreaders have the important job of making sure that books are error-free before they hit the shelves. It’s a specialized, in-demand skill that offers many opportunities to work with fiction and nonfiction.
I’ve been a proofreader for over two decades, and have trained people all over the world to proofread books professionally. In this post, I’m sharing everything you need to know to decide if proofreading books is for you.
Key Takeaways
- Proofreading is the final step in the book publishing process before printing.
- Proofreaders fix grammar, spelling, and formatting errors to ensure polished manuscripts.
- You don’t need an English degree. Proper training and practice are what matter.
- Proofreading is flexible remote work you can do part-time or full-time.
- Knowing both proofreading and copyediting increases your value and client opportunities.
What Is Book Proofreading?
In the publishing process, proofreading is the final polish of a manuscript. Proofreaders do a surface check for errors in spelling, punctuation, formatting, and obvious facts.
They follow a publisher’s style guide to maintain any editorial preferences, and they also follow any notes made by the copy editor.
It’s important to note that proofreading is not the same as editing, so let’s look at proofreading vs editing in publishing.
After a book has gone through the developmental and line editing phases, it moves on to copyediting. After that, it goes to a proofreader. By the time it hits the proofreading stage, the book is relatively clean. However, proofreading is crucial for catching any last-minute errors that may have been missed by the copy editor.
It should be noted that proofreading and copyediting have some similarities. In fact, copyediting is sometimes known as “high-level proofreading.” This is one reason why I train people in both skills in my publishing training program.
So what is the difference between a proofreader and copy editor? While proofreading and copyediting share some tasks like fixing spelling and punctuation, there are differences.
A copy editor dives deeper into mechanical issues like grammar, and they also check for plagiarism. It is also their job to create style guides for proofreaders to follow, or to add to a publisher’s existing style guide.
Always remember this: Proofreading is the surface check for errors, and there is no rewriting involved. That is for editors. Any changes to word use or phrasing is done at the line editing stage, before it moves on to copyediting.
Why Proofreading Matters In Publishing
Since proofreading is the last editorial step before a book goes to the printers, it can’t be skipped. Publishers rely on proofreaders to catch any errors before a book is published. This level of detail is necessary; editors are only human, and may miss something. A proofreader can ensure that as much is caught and fixed as possible.
When you become a proofreader for books, you take on an important job. If a book isn’t proofread before being published, there are consequences. First, readers will notice errors. Having typos on every page doesn’t make a great reading experience. It can turn readers off, and they may complain publicly about it or not recommend the book.
A messy book can also lead to negative reviews and affect the author’s and publisher’s credibility. That is the last thing an author or publisher wants.
What A Book Proofreader Does Day To Day
So what does a typical day look like for a proofreader? Imagine sitting down with a 200-page manuscript of a fiction story. It’s already gone through higher levels of editing, and now it’s ready for your sharp eye for details.
As a proofreader, you don’t have to worry about plot points or character development—that’s a developmental editor’s job. Your job is to use the dictionary, style guides, and the internet for research. You’ll probably be working on a digital file and using Word Track Changes to make your corrections. It’s very rare these days to work on printed manuscripts.
Here’s what you’ll be doing:
- Fixing spelling, grammar and punctuation errors
- Checking page numbers, headers and footers for consistency
- Ensuring there are no formatting or layout issues like bad spacing
- Correcting errors in obvious facts like historical dates, public figure names, etc.
- Maintaining style preferences that were noted in the style guide by the copy editor and publisher
- Flagging any issues that can be problematic for the author or project manager to address
- Verifying that corrections from earlier edits were implemented
As a freelance proofreader, there are other tasks to do besides fixing writing. This includes:
- Invoicing
- Responding to client emails
- Holding consultation calls with prospective clients
- Onboarding new clients
- Marketing your editorial services
- Answering questions about your services
Working with book publishers is pretty straightforward. Once you’ve received the project, you are left alone to work on it. Once you have completed it, you hand it in to the publisher.
Working with indie authors is similar. Even though they self-publish their books, it doesn’t make any difference in your tasks. In fact, you may even proofread more. Since indie writers are also responsible for marketing and setting up and maintaining a website, you may be asked to proofread their author bios, site content, blog posts and social media.
There are lots of work opportunities with indie authors, who tend to write and publish often since they’re not restricted by a publisher’s printing cycle. I think it’s wise to expand your clientele and income by working with both traditional book publishers and indie authors.
Who Can Become A Proofreader For Books?
How do you know that you have what it takes to become a proofreader for books? Well, if you have a knack for spotting typos in a flyer or restaurant menu, for example, you might already have the strong potential to be a proofreader.
You’ll know that you could be a good fit if the following applies:
- You’re detail oriented
- You enjoy reading
- You’re open-minded and willing to learn new things
- You’re respectful of others’ choices
- You enjoy flexible, remote work
- You don’t mind working quietly by yourself
- You can work in front of a screen for a minimum of 20 minutes at a time
Freelance proofreading is a job that also fits people who are managing health issues and need to prioritize well-being and care. It’s flexible enough to let you stop working and rest when you need to. You can pick up where you left off in a project with no decline in the quality of proofreading you do.
It’s also great for parents and caregivers. Being able to work in short chunks of time means you can focus on your family’s needs.
Work Opportunities For Book Proofreaders
When you become a proofreader for books, you can work for small and large traditional book publishers like Penguin Random House or Simon & Schuster. You can also proofread books for indie/self-published authors, and academic presses.
There are also opportunities to proofread nonfiction books, in print or digital, for media companies and entrepreneurs. These kinds of clients publish books to grow their authority, expertise and income.
For any of these work opportunities, there is more than one way to work. You don’t have to commute and work in an office, unless you want to. Traditional publishing houses still hire in-house proofreaders to be part of their editorial team, and many of them also hire freelance proofreaders.
As a freelance proofreader, you can also scale your business easily. If clients publish other kinds of content, you can expand your services to proofread more than books. This grows your income and fills your calendar with more projects. It also lets you develop a long-term relationship with a client who brings you regular work.
And of course, proofreading books as a side hustle can be easily transitioned from part-time work to a sustainable freelance business. In fact, many of my students who have started proofreading books as a side gig were able to quit their day jobs and focus just on their editorial work.
Like Ellen Morgan, who was a teacher when she started proofreading academic books and journals as a side hustle. Within months, she had a roster of regular clients, and was getting referrals. Her calendar was booked, and she had so much work that she was able to quit her full-time teaching job and start her own editing agency.
If you want to know more about how Ellen did it, you can watch the interview with her here.
Common Misconceptions About Book Proofreading
It’s important to address some misconceptions about book proofreading. Here are two of the most common ones:
“Proofreading is just using Spell Check.”
Spell Check is a tool for writers to help them clean up their text, not for proofreaders. However, it doesn’t catch every error, nor does it take into account context, style preferences and much more. As mentioned before, proofreading catches more than just bad spelling. In fact, professional proofreaders don’t even use Spell Check when working.
“AI can replace proofreaders.”
Not true! I dive much deeper into this topic in another post, but the short of it is that it can’t preserve the writer’s voice, which is the number rule of proofreading. AI also can’t take in nuances and anticipate an audience’s experience, which means that it can’t make editorial decisions. These are just some of the reasons why AI can’t replace human proofreaders. If you want to read about the other reasons why, read this post I wrote on the topic.
FAQs About Proofreading Books
Do I need an English degree to become a proofreader for books?
No. While some publishers may prefer candidates with English or communications degrees, most clients—especially indie authors, businesses and small presses—care more about your skills and attention to detail. A solid portfolio and proven ability to catch errors will matter more than formal education.
How do I start without any experience?
You don’t need years of publishing experience, but you do need proper training so you know industry standards and so your skills meet expectations. Book proofreading is different from checking blog posts or business documents because it requires knowledge of how the publishing process works. Also, there are specific issues that only occur in books and nowhere else.
A professional proofreading program that focuses on books will give you those skills. I also advise people to learn copyediting, as well, since it’s so similar to proofreading. You’ll have more clients and earn more money. Copyediting is easy to learn, which is why I teach it in my program alongside proofreading.
After you’ve completed your training, it’s time to build up your experience and a portfolio. Then start applying for work. It’s also important to start marketing your editorial services immediately, so you can book your own clients without relying solely on job boards.
Can proofreading be a full-time career?
Definitely. Many proofreaders work full-time, either freelancing for multiple authors and clients, or contracting with publishing houses. Others keep it as a side hustle. The flexibility of book proofreading makes it a career path you can scale to fit your goals.
What’s the difference between proofreading and editing in publishing?
Editing looks at a book from a higher, overall perspective. It’s goal is to improve clarity, flow and style, while proofreading is the final polish before publication. Proofreaders look at the finer, technical details. Both roles are vital, but they serve different points in the publishing process.
How much do book proofreaders earn?
It varies depending on experience, genre and client type. You can set your rates by word, hourly or as a flat fee. To learn more about rates, you can get a breakdown of the income potential in our ultimate guide to setting proofreading rates.
How You Can Learn To Proofread Books
As an editorial educator and mentor, I’ve seen people from all backgrounds successfully earn a living from proofreading books. If you want the same, you need to be clear on what’s involved and how to start.
In my free masterclass, I take you through how to turn your love of reading to become a proofreader for books. You’ll learn publishing industry expectations, as well as the steps needed to launch a freelance editorial business from scratch. You can sign up to watch it here.
If you’re interested in proofreading romance books, I have a free masterclass on how to work specifically with them. I’ve been a romance book editor for over two decades, and in this masterclass, I share my secrets and insights so you can thrive in this booming industry.
Finally, if you’re ready to go further and know that proofreading is for you, my full course, The Editorial Business Bundle, gives you everything you need to start proofreading and copyediting books for clients.
Becoming a book proofreader is an achievable dream, and can lead to a fulfilling work-life balance. Proofreading is truly a lifelong skill, one that you can use in both your personal and professional life. It’s a skill that will always be in demand, and one that isn’t restricted by age, geography or time zone.
