Self-Publishing Resources

Posted By Sue Collier on August 9, 2011

I’m happy today to introduce Randall Davidson, who is one of the founders of ProofreadingServices.Us, a proofreading company that offers manuscript proofreading. Randall enjoys discussing writing and proofreading tips with anyone and everyone, and he’s agreed to provide us with a list of proofreading tips today.

Proofreading tips for authors and self-publishers
By Randall Davidson

Self-publishing can be a thrilling and profitable venture, provided that the work is grammatically correct and free of embarrassing errors. Anyone who self-publishes should develop these five proofreading techniques so they may consistently create compelling and correct works:

1. Read the piece aloud. As surprising as it may seem, reading a piece aloud is a highly effective way of spotting errors or inconsistencies. If something doesn’t sound right, there’s likely an underlying grammatical issue or a problem with the phrasing. If the piece requires the reader to frequently pause for breath in the middle of sentences, then the sentences are likely too long. Poorly conveyed concepts also stand out when read aloud.
2. Double-space in a large font. Tiny, densely spaced text is difficult to read, and will make it difficult to spot errors. A great proofreading technique is to print out the text in a large, double-spaced font. Any spelling errors, redundant words, or punctuation problems will immediately become obvious. Additionally, double-spacing allows the proofreader to make notes and corrections in the margins and between the lines.
3. Wait at least one week before proofreading. For those who self-publish, there is a considerable temptation to finish a piece and then proofread it immediately. However, if proofreaders are too familiar with their texts, they may simply gloss over mistakes because they no longer possess the ability to objectively view their work. By deliberately waiting at least one week, proofreaders will be able to view each word with fresh eyes.
4. Use a ruler. Even if it is properly trained, the human eye tends to skip and jump over words. Professional proofreaders have devised proofreading techniques that slow the eye down, including placing a straight edge such as a ruler under each line of text. By treating the text like a spreadsheet, proofreaders can focus on each section and avoid missing embarrassing details.
5. Get a partner. Among all proofreading techniques, having a partner is the most fun and possibly quickest way to proofread a document. While the saying “two heads are better than one” applies in this situation, having a partner also essentially enables a proofreader to double-check the document in half the time. Frequently, one person will miss an error that another will spot instantly. Having a partner can also alleviate the boredom that can come from staring fixedly at print for hours on end.

By using these techniques, a self-published writer will be able to showcase his or her work with professional pride.

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