Louise Harnby | Proofreader: Frequently Asked Questions - Louise Harnby

Frequently asked questions ...

I want to become a proofreader. Can you advise me?
Visit the website of your national editing society for guidance tailored specifically to your own region. For advice about learning proofreading skills, you might also like to visit the Training archive on my blog, the Proofreader's Parlour. To investigate different sectors of editorial freelance work, take a look at the Work Choices archive.

Those who want more detailed advice on starting out may be interested in my book (available as a paperback and an eguide),
Business Planning for Editorial Freelancers: A Guide for New Starters.

Guidelines for new authors
My introductory Guidelines for New Authors aim to help you make the right decisions, in particular to ensure that you are working with the appropriate editorial consultant and that you have begun to think about some of the core issues in the publishing process. The Guidelines include links to books, articles, blogs and knowledge centres that focus on the following issues:

the differences between a substantive editor, copy-editor and proofreader, and whom to employ
financial issues
marketing assessment
distribution channels

Can you give me feedback on my novel?
Read my Guidelines for New Authors. I recommend you hire a professional reviewer or substantive/development editor. Visit the website of your national editing society and look through its membership directory for someone who has extensive experience of this level of editing.

I need my book indexed. What should I do?
Visit the website of your national indexing association for advice. Members will have the relevant training and experience.

Do you work for clients outside the UK?
I am happy to work for non-UK clients. If English is your second language you might benefit from asking a copy-editor to evaluate your work first. Proofreading does not include the extensive re-writing that maybe necessary if you need help with your written English.

Do you proofread for publishers?
Absolutely. Publishing clients form the backbone of my business. I specialize in academic books in the social sciences as well as professional and fiction work for trade publishers. See the Subjects
page on this site and my Portfolio for examples of my proofreading work for publishers.

Do you work with individual authors, students and business professionals?
Yes, indeed. I proofread CVs/résumés, covering letters, books, reports, UCAS personal statements, and dissertations/theses. Contact me to discuss your needs.

Why don’t you publish your rates on your website?
My rates vary from job to job and client to client. They are negotiated after an evaluation of the proofs and a discussion with the client as to what is required.

I'm a student. Will you proofread my thesis or dissertation?
1) Please check your university's guidelines on working with editorial freelancers. Some institutions will not allow it; others accept it but with certain caveats. If your supervisor is happy for you to work with a proofreader, I will gladly assist.

2) The intervention required must fall within the bounds of proofreading. I will check your manuscript for errors and inconsistencies regarding spelling, punctuation and grammar. I will also suggest alternatives to awkward non-standard English phrasing. However, I will not carry out rewriting, fact checking, indexing, or reference checking/formatting.