The Final Draft
  • Home
  • Services
    • What Does My Project Need
    • Manuscript Evaluation
    • Book Coaching Packages
  • Portfolio
  • About
    • Meet Andrea
    • What's Your Genre
  • Contact Me
    • Book a Discovery Call
  • Early Drafters Workshops
    • What is Early Drafters
  • More
    • Home
    • Services
      • What Does My Project Need
      • Manuscript Evaluation
      • Book Coaching Packages
    • Portfolio
    • About
      • Meet Andrea
      • What's Your Genre
    • Contact Me
      • Book a Discovery Call
    • Early Drafters Workshops
      • What is Early Drafters
The Final Draft
  • Home
  • Services
    • What Does My Project Need
    • Manuscript Evaluation
    • Book Coaching Packages
  • Portfolio
  • About
    • Meet Andrea
    • What's Your Genre
  • Contact Me
    • Book a Discovery Call
  • Early Drafters Workshops
    • What is Early Drafters
Red pen adding proofreader's marks to a paper copy manuscript.

What Is Proofreading?

Proofreading is one of the final phases of review a manuscript will undergo prior to publication. After all revision and rewriting are complete, proofreading takes one last glance to ensure no spelling errors, misplaced punctuation, or incorrect formatting are translated into the final product.


This is a great polishing service for writers who are preparing their projects for any submission process, including preparations for beta readers, self-publishing, or query packets.


Why have someone else proofread when word processors can identify spelling and punctuation errors? In short, software is imperfect and formulaic. It doesn't catch word misusage (like homonyms), and sometimes it just plain offers the wrong solution to a punctuation snafu. A professional proofreader can check for all surface errors and make custom edits to make it right.

Is Your Project Ready for the Final Polish?

Contact me for a free consultation. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Contact Me

Quality control check to ensure your manuscript is free of all errors before sending it off.

The one-time quality control inspection reviews your final manuscript, including all non-book materials (e.g. table of contents, acknowledgements, back cover synopsis, query letter, etc.), to remove all surface errors. This checks exclusively for misspelling, missing or misplaced punctuation, and any formatting errors that may have gotten lost in translation from your word processing document into book format. Proofreading assumes all other editing and feedback cycles (e.g. with an editor or beta readers) have been completed and assumes to be the very last step in the manuscript preparation process.

Whmo is this right for?

Writers with a complete manuscript of any length who want a professional presentation of their work. This is appropriate for preparing a piece for beta readers to receive feedback and for formal submissions for self-publishing or to traditional publishing agent queries.

Whom is this not right for?

Writers in mid-revision processes or those with first drafts seeking feedback. Remember: Proofreading is not editing, so be sure your work has undergone Developmental Editing and Line- or Copyediting first, as this service will not address those elements.

Your manuscript will be polished to perfection.

Markup is performed using a Track Changes feature. Edits will adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style 17th Edition unless otherwise requested. You will receive two versions of your project: a clean copy with all edits performed and a working copy with edits suggested but not accepted. We will make sure your manuscript's presentation is professional and error-free.

Remove the Distractions

Make sure your story stands out for its merits, not its slipups! Contact me for a free consultation.

Polish for Publication

Not ready to Polish yet?

Check out The Final Draft's editing and feedback service offerings for more options! And remember: if you are not sure what you need, contact me so we can talk about your project.

Contact Me
Progressive Editing
Classic Editing
Live Feedback

Copyright © 2025 The Final Draft - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DeclineAccept

Your Guide to Revise

Get a clear plan to make your revision count!

Get your free guide