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. 

Glenys N.

Available to hire

An award-winning children's author and freelance editor, ready to help YOU make your children's book the very best it can be.

Ian S.

Available to hire

I'm an Australian writer and editor living in Greece. Apart from books, my passions are walking, swimming, wine, and photography.

Penny S.

Available to hire

Deputy Chief Editor then Director of the Oxford English Dictionary; 23 years at the OUP. Now editing texts for a varied range of authors.

Sean L.

Available to hire

Proofreader/editor for 11+ years, reader for 40+, and as a lifelong fan, horror is my go-to genre.

Vic P.

Available to hire

I focus on travel memoirs, travelogues, and travel guides. Highly skilled wordsmith and globe trotter. I boost your travel writing!

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.

Glenys N.

Dearborn, MI, USA

An award-winning children's author and freelance editor, ready to help YOU make your children's book the very best it can be.

Specializes in:
Non-Fiction
Picture Books
Fiction
Christian Fiction
Christian Non-Fiction

Sally A.

Atlanta, GA, USA

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

Specializes in:
Young Adult
Christian Fiction
Non-Fiction
Young Adult Fantasy
Children’s Non-Fiction

Penny S.

Chipping Norton, UK

Deputy Chief Editor then Director of the Oxford English Dictionary; 23 years at the OUP. Now editing texts for a varied range of authors.

Specializes in:
Fiction
History
Education & Reference
Historical Fiction
Humanities & Social Sciences

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:

Bring your publishing dreams to life

Professional proofreaders can polish your manuscript to perfection.