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Book proofreading · from $249

Book proofreading for self-published authors. See a free sample first.

Paste up to 1,000 words. An editor returns them as track changes with editorial feedback, normally within 24–48 hours, with no obligation to book the full proofread.

  • Up to 1,000 words
  • No card details
  • No obligation

300–1,000 words works best

0 / 1,000 words

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Confidential · used only to prepare your sample

Scope

What a book proofread covers (and what it doesn't)

A proofread is the final editorial pass on a manuscript whose structure and style are already settled. It corrects the surface of the text so nothing distracts a reader.

Spelling and typos — misspellings, repeated words and typing slips
Grammar — agreement, tense and sentence-level errors
Punctuation — commas, apostrophes, dialogue punctuation and hyphenation
Consistency — names, spellings and capitalisation kept the same throughout

What a proofread doesn’t cover

  • Rewriting sentences for style or flow (that is copy editing)
  • Restructuring chapters, plot or argument
  • Formatting the interior for print or ebook

Not sure which you need? Read proofreading vs copy editing, or compare every depth of edit on our book editing services page.

Fixed price

Fresh Eyes proofread: £197 / $249

Fresh Eyes (Proofread)

$249

VAT-inclusive. Up to 20,000 words, 7 days, 1 revision round.

  • Up to 20,000 words
  • 7 days delivery
  • Track changes on every correction
  • Editorial summary report
  • 1 revision round
  • Free exact quote within 1 business day

Proofreading longer manuscripts

Fresh Eyes covers manuscripts of up to 20,000 words. If your book is longer, send us your word count and we will reply with a free exact quote within 1 business day.

Get a free exact quote

Deeper edits

Need more than a proofread?

If the sample shows the prose needs more than surface corrections, the next two editing packages add copy editing.

Deep Clean (Proofread + Edit)

$377

Up to 40,000 words

Proofread plus copy editing for style, flow and consistency.

Full Makeover (Copy Edit)

$497

Up to 60,000 words

A full copy edit with structural suggestions and voice and tone refinement.

Compare all three packages on book editing services.

Timing

When to proofread: the final check before formatting

Proofread the finished manuscript after editing, just before formatting. Once structural and style edits are done, the proofread is the final check on the text, so the manuscript you send for book formatting is already clean.

Not sure whether your draft is ready for a proofread or still needs editing? Run it through the free manuscript readiness checker.

FAQ

Book proofreading questions

How much does book proofreading cost?

Fresh Eyes, our proofread package, is $249 for up to 20,000 words, with 7 days turnaround and 1 revision round. Prices are VAT-inclusive. For a longer manuscript, send your word count for a free exact quote within 1 business day.

Can I see a free proofreading sample first?

Yes. Send up to 1,000 words and we return a free sample edit as a track-changes document with editorial feedback, normally within 24–48 hours. There is no obligation to book the full proofread.

What is the difference between proofreading and copy editing?

Proofreading corrects spelling, grammar, punctuation and consistency in a manuscript that is otherwise finished. Copy editing goes further into style, flow and consistency. Deep Clean adds copy editing to the proofread, and Full Makeover is a full copy edit with structural suggestions.

What do I receive from a proofread?

You receive your manuscript as a Word document with track changes, so you can accept or reject every correction, plus an editorial summary report. Fresh Eyes includes 1 revision round.

How long does proofreading take?

Fresh Eyes takes 7 days for a manuscript of up to 20,000 words. Your quote confirms the schedule for longer manuscripts before work begins.

When should I proofread my book?

Proofread the finished manuscript after editing, just before formatting. The proofread is the final check on the text, so the manuscript that goes to formatting is already clean.