To begin with, every book you ever come across, whether academic or fictional, has been proofread by the author, an editor, or a professional proofreader. Proof of this practice is that you must have never found an error in the script, and probably not even a silly one. However, it is not a piece of cake.
It takes a great deal of effort and a careful attention to detail to identify all kinds of small and big errors in a manuscript. So, the next time you are about to hit ‘send’, pause for a moment and think. Your book needs effective proofreading. Here is a quick article on why to get the script checked again and again to avoid common mistakes.
Learn How to Save Your Book From Embarrassing Errors
First of all, if you are an author, complete your book at least two weeks before the deadline. This gives you ample time to take care of the revisions and editing before you submit the script. Moving on, if you have already completed your manuscript, you need to put it away for at least two to three days.
In the meantime, you can do whatever you want; just do not think about the book. Then, later, when you re-read the script, your perspectives are fresh, and with a minimum amount of writer’s bias, you will be able to identify the hidden mistakes that were not that obvious to your eyes earlier. This trick works 100%, so do try this.
However, now let us enlighten you about why book proofreading is necessary before publishing and whether it is compulsory to hire book editing services online. The immediate answer is ‘No’. You don’t necessarily have to hire external help. Following the right steps and taking accurate measures will be sufficient and equally efficient. So, first, let’s learn why it is important, and then we will discuss how to do it.
Multiple Reasons Why You Should Proofread
- It Helps You Maintain the Professionalism:
Your manuscript will only look presentable and credible if it is free of errors and conveys professionalism and attention to detail. Even the smallest of slip-ups, like capitalization of proper nouns or spelling mistakes, can cause the reader to think low of you as an author. So, never skip revisions. - It Improves the Overall Readability:
Think for yourself: would you ever prefer a clear and error-free text to read or content where every line is full of silly mistakes? Of course, the first one is easier to read, understand and engage with. Moreover, it improves the overall reading experience. - It Keeps Readers from Being Confused:
Then comes the third reason, which tells us that a text full of mistakes is difficult to read and is most likely to mess up the original message that was being conveyed. As a result, misunderstandings and frustration for readers can occur frequently. - It Builds Trust in the Eyes of the Reader:
A script that has not been revised, reviewed, edited or proofread shows that the author doesn’t care at all. That leads to several errors, making the author’s reputation shatter in the eyes of the reader. Hence, it is much better and genuinely advised that you hire reliable book proofreading services for perfect guidance. - Avoids Embarrassment:
Believe it or not, proofreading helps the writer from first-hand embarrassment. To understand this, imagine a fan comes up to you and, instead of saying good words about how much he loves the book, starts telling you about his worst experience reading through a million typos. This is a nightmare for authors. Isn’t it?
Here Are Some Common Mistakes that You Must Avoid
First of all, you should never rely solely on spell checkers. They are 100% helpful, but they won’t catch all errors, especially grammatical errors and inconsistencies. So, instead of counting on them fully, take regular breaks, keep your mind fresh and then re-read the text to help you see errors more clearly.
Secondly, you should try not to stick to just one method. It will keep you from removing all the errors. It is better that you try more than a single trick to eliminate all mistakes. For Example, use the backward proofreading technique or get a second opinion. Below are a few instances that you must identify and completely omit in your book.
- Typos and misspellings: Do not carelessly type.
- The grammatical errors: You should stay away from incorrect grammar.
- Punctuation slip-ups: The misused commas and dashes change the message you want to give.
- The poor formatting: You must avoid this as much as possible to not distract the readers.
- Homophones: The words that sound alike but have different meanings should be used carefully.
- Poor syntax: An incorrect sentence structure can make your writing difficult to understand.
- Word choice errors: You should try not to use the wrong words. It can create confusion or misinterpretations.
- Jargon overuse: If you are using too much jargon, it is hard for the readers to understand.
- Ignoring your target audience: Always write for a general audience and keep it relevant.
- Poor design can make you lose readership, so hiring a professional book cover designer is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is proofreading the same as editing?
No. They are different in many ways. For instance, editing improves the story, flow and structure. In contrast, the proofreading practice comes last. It is all about checking the grammar, spelling and formatting mistakes.
Q. Who should review my book for errors?
Your best choice is to hire a professional proofreader. However, there is no compulsion to outsource it every single time. If you know the drill, you can do it yourself, too.
Q. How many times should I review my work?
Honestly speaking, there is no exact number of times to review the work, but yes, try to proofread at least once after finishing your final draft. However, two or more times reviewing is a perfect way to go too.
Q. How long does it take to review and proofread the book?
Well, again, there is no definite answer because it depends on how long your book is. However, no matter how many hours it takes, it is all worth it in the end, as it leaves your script readable and crisp.
The Conclusion
So far, we have learnt that proofreading is a crucial step in book writing. We also learnt that it has numerous benefits like enhancing readability, keeping the readers engaged and building a perfect brand image in their eyes.
So, yes! No matter what, you forget, but never miss reviewing your book before you step it out for publishing. Not only will it stop potential readers from buying your book, but the established fanbase might also leave you. And you clearly do not want that to happen.
