If you’re a fan of reading love stories, you may be wondering how you can turn your hobby into a job, like romance proofreading. As the highest-earning fiction genre in publishing, there are definitely many opportunities to break into romance publishing as a beginner proofreader.
I’ve been proofreading and editing romance novels for over 20 years, and have trained people all over the world to become proofreaders and editors. As an editorial expert, I can tell you that working with romance books is very different from working on other genres or types of content. In this post, you’ll learn why there is a need for specialized romance proofreaders, what skills you need to succeed, and how you can become a professional.
Why There Is A Need For Romance Proofreaders
According to recent reports, romance continues to be the most popular and best-selling fiction genre in book publishing. In fact, it’s estimated that it generates over $1.4 billion in annual sales. On top of consistently topping sales charts, there’s also high reader demand compared with other fiction categories.
And with its popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, fans of romance have grown. Romance fans are voracious readers, with many reading multiple books a month, some even as high as 30 books a month.
So it’s safe to say readers can’t get enough of love stories. And romance authors have no problem meeting the demand. That means the more romance novels that are written, there is higher demand for proofreaders who can work with them.
In my decades-long experience working in this genre, romance writers are prolific. It’s common for an author to have spin-off books featuring familiar characters. Or to create a series of books like the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn. Game Changers by Rachel Reid is another example of a romance series. Both series have been successfully adapted into popular TV series.
Why Romance Proofreading Is Different From Other Genres
Book publishers and self-published authors need proofreaders who have specific knowledge of the genre because working with romance is a unique experience. Every genre has its own expectations, and it’s important for books to meet them in order to give readers great experiences.
When it comes to romance, there are many subgenres (more nuanced categories) involved. Some examples of popular romance subgenres are Historical Romance, Sports Romance, Billionaire Romance, and Fantasy Romance. A romance proofreader will know that a book in the Clean Romance subgenre will have its own set of rules that make it different from Shapeshifter Romance, for example.
Often, a proofreader’s background can contribute to the integrity of a story. Medical romance is a popular subgenre, and editorial pros who have experience in the medical or health industries are able to lend their expertise as to the validity of some points in a story.
Christine Wheary is a romance proofreader and editor who used to be a medical research director. She works in all subgenres, and also draws on her medical experience to offer a specialty in medical romance. With her extensive knowledge, authors trust their story is in the right hands with someone who can give feedback on what isn’t plausible in dialogue or story points.
I’ve interviewed Christine a couple times over the years about her journey to become a romance proofreader. I had a Q&A with her as she started with a side hustle while she worked full-time. After she retired from her medical career, we chatted and she shared her experience going all-in as a full-time proofreader in this interview.
Qualities Every Aspiring Proofreader Needs
So how can you be like Christine and start proofreading romance books as a side hustle or flexible career? There are specific editorial skills you need to have, but first, I want to go through some essential qualities you need to succeed.
Must-have qualities:
You can work well independently – Proofreaders work alone, a lot. In fact, there are no regular phone calls, team meetings or video chat you need to attend. Most communication is done via email. Once you receive a manuscript, you’re left alone to do your work. It’s great work for introverts or anyone who enjoys quiet work.
Must enjoy reading – Romance Proofreaders read more than the average person. Also, the type of reading is different. Instead of reading for fun, proofreaders read with an eye out for specific details. To learn more about the type of reading proofreading involves, check out this blog post I wrote about it.
Must have an open mind – This is a nonnegotiable quality to have if you want to break into romance proofreading or any editorial role. Every writer has their own unique voice, and it’s a proofreader’s job to maintain while correcting errors. Having a respect for the author’s style and how they choose to write their story leads to a long-lasting relationship with a client, one that can lead to more work and referrals.
Must have the ability to work on-screen (for at least 15 minutes at a time) – Proofreading requires focus and close attention to details, so it’s important you can work in deep concentration. However, proofreading, and copyediting too, are flexible skills because you can work for short periods of time. This is great for parents and caregivers, or anyone managing health issues that require taking frequent breaks.
Skills Needed To Proofread Romance Novels
Now let’s discuss the editorial skills you need to proofread romance fiction as a professional. Keep in mind that you don’t have to be a grammar nerd or have worked in publishing before. Proofreading can be learned easily as long as you have an open mind and are dedicated to acquiring a new skill.
Here’s what you need to know:
- How to correct errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar
- How to spot inconsistencies in editorial details
- How to research and correct errors in obvious facts
- How to adhere to preferred style guides and client preferences
- How to fix or flag improper formatting issues
- How to proofread while preserving the author’s unique writing style
- How to editing programs like Word Track Changes
- How to use email programs for project communications
- How to query issues of editorial concern
What Romance Book Proofreaders Do
Here’s what romance book proofreaders are responsible for:
- Spotting and correcting errors in spelling, punctuation, formatting and obvious facts
- Flagging inconsistencies in typesetting and design for the production team to correct
- Following the publishing house’s or indie author’s style guide
- Following a copy editor’s style guide
- Referencing preferred dictionaries and style guides to solve editorial issues
- Onboarding new clients and setting up project folders
- Creating contracts or Letters of Agreement for the project
- Communicating with project managers or authors regarding editorial concerns
- Invoicing clients, following up with payments and deposits
- Responding to potential client queries
- Holding consultation calls to determine project fit
- Marketing your editorial services to romance authors and publishing houses
With over 20 years specializing in romance proofreading, I’ve become an expert in the genre. I’ve worked with big and small publishers, as well as numerous indie authors.
Today, I’m an expert in romance fiction, and I can confidently say that I’ve worked with every subgenre possible for a variety of audiences. If you want to know more about how I got into the world of romance novels, read this post I wrote.
How You Can Start Romance Proofreading
If you are new to proofreading, or new to the idea of working with romance novels, it can be difficult to know where to begin. I’ve shared a lot in this post, but one thing I want you to know is that being part of romance publishing is absolutely possible.
While you don’t need any prior experience, you do need to be knowledgeable in professional-level editorial skills and publishing standards. These are not things you can guess and Google.
Becoming a romance proofreader can be fulfilling and you can make a great living from it. That’s why it’s important to invest in training and mentorship so you gain the skills and expertise that makes you attractive to publishers and romance authors.
Beginners often worry about doing too much or too little, and of course, how to find clients. These issues, plus lots more are exactly what I address in my free course, Proofreading 101. It’s a 5-day email course that conveniently sends every lesson to your inbox.
If you’re curious about proofreading romance novels and want a low-risk way to learn how to become a proofreader, you can sign up for free here.
