Proofreading is a manuscript’s final edit before it goes to press.

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I only proofread manuscripts that have been line or copyedited by someone else. That way, the landscape is new to me. I can follow the words the way I’d follow a road in a foreign country—alert and wary of missing something. When proofing, I’ll begin at the end and read each sentence backwards, mouthing one word at a time, to ensure correct spelling. After a cooling off period, I’ll read the manuscript again, front to back, looking for consistency in punctuation and usage, font style and line spacing, and widows and orphans.

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Fee: $35/hour

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