How to find a good Proofreading Service?

As a self publisher, who wants to be taken seriously, I have realised that in order to get positive reviews, I need to not only have a good storyline and allow my readers to bond with the characters but I also need to make sure the spelling, grammar and layout is near enough perfect, otherwise these little things can build into major problems, which will irritate the reader and put them off from reading further.


After looking at a few self published authors's books and read the reviews, it was clear some didn't value this as high on their priority and many of the negative reviews came back to them needing a proofreader as it spoiled the readers experience when they kept being confronted with basic grammar mistakes.

In one of my previous posts, I talked about the range of prices a proofreader can charge, however, I didn't go into detail about choosing a service.


When I first completed my novel, I was put off from getting a proofreader, due to the prices, but when I thought about it, I realised, I invested all this time writing the book so to cut corners at the final stages on something so important would not be doing myself or the book any justice.


I don't want my books to seem like I am just churning them out like a robot just for a profit, I want the reader to come into the world of my characters so they will invest their time and money in the sequels.


Like a holiday, when I started to research proofreading services, I looked at the following:

• Where in the world these companies were based? (e.g. if I had a problem with the service, I wouldn't have a problem calling them as they would be a UK based company with a UK telephone number and address)

• How much they charged? (Everyone has a budget!)

• What type of experience the staff had? (If my book is being proofread by anyone who is not a native English speaker and does not have more than 3 years proofreading experience then I would be wasting my money. However, what they tell you and the actually truth you may never know!)

• How long would it take? (If it's more than a week for a novel less than 100k words then look somewhere else as it shows that they either don't have enough people for the amount of work they are getting in or the staff are inexperienced and need extra time)

• What the reviews were like from people who had used their services? (type in the name of the proofreading service into Google and look for reviews from independent websites to get a better idea of what you could expect)

Even with all these checks, I only managed to find three and after doing the final check (the independent reviews), it was very easy to short list the favour three to one company.

I have yet to send my work to them but when I do, I will be either recommending them on this blog to encourage more authors to use them or I will be telling you to steer clear!

Proof Reader Fees

So, you've written your masterpiece, you've been working on the marketing and the front cover tells just enough that it will attract even the most sceptical of person, however, you have only checked through your work once and with over 100 pages, your not so confident you have spotted all the mistakes...so you think about getting someone else to look at it for you but your afraid of the following:

• What if they steal your idea?
• Professional Proof Readers are too expensive?
• You don't have time to get someone to read it?

Firstly, I'm hoping that everyone makes sure they copyright there work before they send it anywhere!

Secondly, I have done my research on Proof Readers and although I do feel it is very important to get your work proof read, I do believe that paying £1000 to get your work looked at within two weeks is too much money, therefore, maybe look at alternatives, e.g. an old English Teacher, look at adverts on Gumtree or alternative sites, break your own proof reading down in sections so you can always read your work with fresh eyes, for example, every week read a chapter.

Thirdly, if you feel you do not have time for someone to read it and you feel like it is good enough to put out there, then go for it but remember readers will pick up on bad grammar, punctuation and the style of your writing and this will be fed back in the reviews and comments they will write about you.

I will continue my research and update this section when I find good proof reading services, which will not cut into your potential profits.

Literary Agent's Contradiction!

As a new writer, I find it unbelievable that every literary agency only advertises for experienced writers!


Like I was 15 yrs old looking for my first Saturday job, I got more and more frustrated being knocked back from each retailer due to having no experience.
However, when and how do you get the break? 

After many knock backs, I realised I needed a new approach and was advised to go down the 'Self Publishing' route.


Obviously, I would be much happier having an agent as I would receive a lot more publicity, the marketing would be taken away from me and I would be free, in general, to just concentrate on what I love...writing!


Researching a few 'Self Publishing Website's' I agree, these are great options for new writers to get their work published and out to the world, however, the free services compared to the 'small fee' services differ greatly.


I have realised that unless you have your own proof reader, a decent cover designer and have created a basics, marketing plan yourself (a website, blog, advertising in forums for your genre of book, on social networking site, etc.), these 'small fees' will add up to be huge fees and you need to think objectively to judge whether you think your work will make this money back in the time frame you want.