Proofreading
At DolmanScott, we believe every book should have the chance to shine without the distracting errors that other self-publishing services might allow to slip through the net. We ensure perfection, turning your manuscript into a masterpiece.

Proofing your book with DolmanScott

Proofreading

Our desire for the highest standards mean that we provide a proofreading service as standard alongside our printing services. We’ll go over your manuscript with a fine-tooth comb before we fire up the printing press. Our proofreading team will check the following is perfect and provide a report on our findings:

  • Spelling, punctuation and grammar
  • Formatting (e.g. page numbers)

Editing

Take your work to the next level and ensure your book is of the highest quality with our optional editing service. Good editing can make the difference to the success of a book; whether you need help eliminating pesky repetitions, advice on structure or style, or a keen eye to spot plot holes, we offer a service to suit your needs. By utilising our editing team’s expertise in quality control from start to finish, you guarantee perfection and cost-efficiency.

Allow a fresh pair of experienced eyes to finesse the details of your book. Our editing team will assess and advise on the following features:

  • Plot, continuity and character arcs
  • Style and structure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between proofreading and editing?

Proofreading is the process of eliminating the errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar in a text, as well as ensuring the formatting on your text is perfect (e.g. page numbering).

Editing takes a much more holistic approach to check and improve your manuscript. An Editor will read your entire manuscript and provide expert feedback on elements of structure, style, character development and continuity.

The best quality books will be both edited and proofread to ensure they are of the highest possible standard.

What format should I send my work in for editing?

We prefer to edit digital files in Microsoft Word format, although we do also accept PDFs. This is because we can use the 'Track Changes' function in Word documents, which shows all the changes that have been made in the document. Our editor will add comments and suggestions throughout and send the document back to you in digital form.

If your manuscript is handwritten, it will first need to be typed up before we can edit it. This service will incur an additional charge.

At what stage should I get my book edited?

Usually, it’s best to get as far as you can on your own before using a professional editor. Read through your manuscript and eliminate obvious and easy mistakes before sending your work to be edited. This way, you will know you are getting the most out of your editor. Be prepared though – once you’ve got an expert on board you may need to make more major changes!

I'm good at spelling and grammar. Why do I need a proofreader?

Even the best writers make mistakes; it’s easy to use the wrong homophone or miss out a word when you’re in the flow of writing. Even after checking multiple times, it’s likely there are still pesky errors hidden in the text. Proofreading is a vital service used by even the most experienced writers, as it ensures that the tiny errors which can affect the overall quality of the book are eliminated. We strongly suggest having your book proofread, as these types of errors can really affect the response you might get from your future readers.

I'm good at English. Can't I just edit my own book?

There’s nothing stopping you from editing your own book. However, our editors are experienced and skilled professionals who will help you elevate your work to its best. A professional editor can also offer objective, constructive and honest advice on elements of your work beyond simple errors, including guidance on narrative structure and character developments, as well as stylistic features.

How long will my edit take?

Editing time is dependent on the length of your book and our current capacity; get in touch and we’ll give you a heads up on how long we think it will take!

Will I be able to amend my edit?

Of course! You are the author, after all. Once the editor has completed their first edit of your work, they will send the document back to you. You will be able to see what they have done, answer any queries your editor has raised and accept or reject any suggestions they have made. The editor will then amend the text in accordance with your instructions. If you require further changes after this point, we will be happy to help you, but you may be charged for the additional editorial time. (Don’t worry, we’ll always discuss additional costs with you before going ahead.)

You do the writing, we'll take care of the rest.

Getting your book published and printed with us is easy! To get a quote, simply choose the service you want and complete the online form. Once you’ve submitted your quote, we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.

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