Self publishing a book involves many critical steps. The proofreading process of self publishing is one of the most crucial steps that should not be overlooked. You must keep in mind that your work is a direct reflection of you when self publishing a book. Although it is the last step of the editorial process, it is also one of the most important. It can be very detrimental to an author if this step is overlooked. Proofreading is the last step that can enhance the authors reputation for how hard they have worked. Quality proofreading can transform your work into a form of art.

Although the terms copy editing and proofreading are often mistaken for each other, it is important to understand the difference between the two terms. A copy edit takes place at the manuscript stages. This includes changing any spelling or grammatical errors that may have been made. It also involves finding any inconsistencies within the text and verifying facts. The proofreading phase occurs at the proof stage of the process. This process involves comparing every single word of the manuscript with every single word included in the proof, becoming aware of stylistic problems, checking heading and subheading levels, etc.

The first step of the proofreading phase is to carefully read each sentence aloud to yourself to visually inspect the sentence and spelling structure. Generally, this step should be performed two times. Allowing enough time between each session can enable you to gain a fresh perspective on your work. A book that has several errors is most likely to be rejected when compared to a book that has minimal mistakes. A book full of errors can ultimately cause a lot of readers to turn away from having a desire to read anymore of the authors future works.

The second step of the proofreading phase is to ask friends or an outside source to read over your work. However, you should not depend on your friends or family to provide a primary proofing strategy. Carefully checking your work can be the difference between a quality product and one with several errors. When a manuscript has been read through a few times, the work becomes so familiar that small errors can often be overlooked. If you desire, a professional proofreader can take a look at your work to minimize the chance of any spelling or grammatical errors that you may not have noticed previously.

The third step focuses on examining the work you have produced as a whole. When reviewing your work, you should ask yourself whether your work has been carefully and thoughtfully presented, as well as whether the subjects you intended to present are clear to readers.

Even though proofreading is a step that can sometimes take quite a bit of time when self publishing a book, it is worth it to take the extra time to proofread the book rather than catching the errors after the book has been published. As a self publishing author, this step can ultimately be what decides your fate in the writing industry.