Looking for a professional proofreader?

1000+ of the most sought-after proofreaders in publishing are on Reedsy. Come meet them.

Meet the proofreaders behind bestsellers

The proofread is the last stage in the editing process. With the finish line in sight, a professional proofreader can step in and help ensure that your book is error-free. 

On Reedsy, meet proofreaders who help create bestselling and award-winning books. With years of experience as proofreaders for editors at Big Five publishing houses, they have keen eyes for spotting every mistake. 

David K.

Available to hire

I'm a versatile editor, writer, copy editor, fact-checker, and proofreader with experience in all types of print and digital media.

Warren L.

Available to hire

A passionate, intuitive editor who thrives in pursuit of an author's best voice and will work tirelessly on their behalf.

Sally A.

Available to hire

Literary agent specializing in children's lit. I edit and sell General Market (big NY houses) and Christian Market (Tyndale, etc.) books.

Flannery W.

Available to hire

Experienced editor and proofreader with expertise in trade and academic publishing specializing in historical fiction and the humanities

Skip P.

Available to hire

All-around writer, editor, ghostwriter, screenwriter, teacher, with clients, students, fans all over the world. Constant five-star ratings.

What is proofreading?

Proofreading is the final stage in the book publishing process. You can think of it as a “safety net,” where a proofreader will help eliminate all remaining errors in your book before it hits the press. By the end of the proofread, you can expect your book to be free from spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and any other issues that might spoil a reader’s enjoyment of your writing. 

Note that this type of editing does not address “big picture” issues in your manuscript, voice, or prose. It focuses solely on catching the black-and-white technical missteps in your book, whether a missing comma or the wrong typeface in a chapter heading. Your manuscript is ready for publication only after it’s been proofread.

How to choose a proofreader

Reedsy proofreaders have worked with authors like Suzanne Collins, Danielle Steel, and Emily St. John Mandel. We handpick our editors based on their industry experience, accepting only the top 3% of applicants to ensure a high-quality collaboration.

Here are a few things to consider when searching for your editor.

  1. Shortlist editors based on their specialty genres. If you’re writing a fantasy book, for instance, you may need a proofreader who has experience reading unusual names of characters and places. 
  2. Browse their portfolio to get a sense of their experience. Have they worked with first-time authors before? Don’t forget to also check their reviews to get a better idea of their previous work.
  3. Be clear about your preferences. If you have a preferred style sheet in mind already, for instance, communicate it to your proofreader so that you’re both on the same page from the beginning. 

The clearer you are in communicating your needs, the more likely our proofreaders are to respond with accurate quotes. And remember, for the best chance at landing your first-choice proofreader, try to send your requests as early as possible.

FAQs

What does a proofreader do?

Is a proofreader the same thing as a line editor?

How much does a proofreader cost?

What is the range of proofreader rates I can expect?

Do I need a proofreader if I’ve already worked with an editor?

Get to know our editors

To get started on your search, meet some of our top-rated editors.

David K.

Chapel Hill, NC, USA

I'm a versatile editor, writer, copy editor, fact-checker, and proofreader with experience in all types of print and digital media.

Specializes in:
Women's Fiction
Non-Fiction
Political Science & Current Affairs
Contemporary Fiction
Humanities & Social Sciences

Flannery W.

Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Experienced editor and proofreader with expertise in trade and academic publishing specializing in historical fiction and the humanities

Specializes in:
Young Adult Fantasy
Music
Entertainment
Young Adult
Historical Fiction

Skip P.

Burbank, CA, USA

All-around writer, editor, ghostwriter, screenwriter, teacher, with clients, students, fans all over the world. Constant five-star ratings.

Specializes in:
Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Business & Management
Literary Fiction
Non-Fiction

Browse thousands of professionals on Reedsy. Search for editors near you

How it works

Browse profiles, request quotes, then collaborate.

Step 1

Apply filters

Reedsy is home to thousands of professionals. Select the specific editing services you need and narrow your search based on your book’s genre and requirements.

Step 2

Browse

Then, browse editors' profiles to find out more about their personalities and past projects.

Step 3

Request quotes

Request quotes from up to five editors at any time. They’ll look at your sample pages to give you a tailored quote as well as a sense of how they work.

Step 4

Collaborate

Once you agree on terms and a timeline, you’ll start collaborating using the many communication and editing tools available on Reedsy.

Reedsy in action

Watch how Reedsy can help you assemble your team in the video below:

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