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Rachel Rowlands, Editor & Author
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Rachel Rowlands, Editor & Author

Proofreading

the final polish
ready for one last check of your book before you publish?

How proofreading can help:

  • A careful, meticulous, and slowed-down read-through to spot any lingering errors that may have slipped through during a copy or line edit.
  • Can be done in a Microsoft Word file, or on a fully laid-out and designed PDF file with all design elements in place.
  • Ensures you have a professional, publication-ready book and covers everything from minor corrections to page numbers, headings, contents and copyright pages, and maps.
  • Checks that nothing has been left out of your book before you hit publish.
how i proofread

My approach

I only proofread books that have already been copy/line edited. If you had a copy/line edit with me, however, I always suggest hiring a separate proofreader, as having fresh eyes for this final step is so important. As much as I would love to continue working on the books I edit, I get too close to a project after copy or line editing, and may miss things.

I can work in Microsoft Word, using the Track Changes feature, or, alternatively, in Adobe Acrobat on a PDF of the designed book if needed.

A shiny red pen gripped in a hand over a notebook
what you get

Service includes…


A fully proofread manuscript, marked up in Microsoft Word using the Track Changes feature. This is the easiest way for you to see and understand my changes and comments, as everything is tracked in red. I can work on laid-out PDFs by request.

A proofread may also include a separate set of proofreading notes highlighting any wider queries (such as broad continuity errors or notes on missing content).

Let’s get your book publication ready!

still unsure?

Here’s what writers and publishers say!

Professional and conscientious

I’ve been lucky enough to count Rachel among Black Library’s pool of freelance editors and proofreaders since 2018, and since then she has lent her talents to a variety of products across our range, including work on our fantasy, science-fiction and horror genres. Rachel is a professional and conscientious editor, taking the time to provide in-depth queries where necessary. She is extremely thorough in her work, always hits deadlines, and is seemingly never phased by the amount of unusual terms to be found in our fiction! She has worked on both short and long-form stories, and seems eager to tackle any task. I would not hesitate to recommend her services.
Darkness in the Blood by Guy Haley
Karen miksza, desk editor
Black Library (Games Workshop)
Website

Attention to detail

Rachel has a great attention to detail and is always punctual and communicative.
Alexandra holmes
Bookouture (Hachette UK)
Website

Extremely proficient

After working particularly closely on a line-editing project, I suggested to the author that she use another person for proofreading. Rachel matched my requirements perfectly and to my delight, I discovered she’s a great colleague to work with. My client, the author, also thinks she’s great, so it’s a win-win-win for us all. Since I first became acquainted with Rachel, we have worked on two books together. She has gone from strength to strength and I would look for opportunities to work with her again. Rachel is professional in her approach, kind and generous in both her attitudes and sharing her knowledge, and is extremely proficient with the work she does.
Katherine swailes, PHD., DIP.EDIT
Write or Wrong? – editing and proofreading
Website
book your proofread
Member of the Editorial Freelancers Association

Things I've been reading during surgery recovery! Things I've been reading during surgery recovery! ✨️

This Homeward Ache by @amybaiklee – a beautifully written book on why we feel a mysterious sense of yearning/longing for something that always feels just out of our reach. Reminiscent of C.S Lewis's non-fiction writings (but better, in my opinion!), this book explores the longing for a home beyond the world we inhabit. It was gorgeous. Profound, thought-provoking, and very comforting to me.

A Sign of Affection by @morishita.suu – I love this manga series! And manga is ideal for reading after surgery since it's heavy on art, and not too wordy. This series has the most adorable and wholesome love story I've ever read. We follow college students Itsuomi and Yuki. Itsuomi is a keen traveller and multilingual and Yuki is deaf. These two help one another navigate life and challenges as they fall in love. It's very sweet.

--

What have you been reading lately? 📚

I hope to get back to writing soon myself too!
Sunny and peaceful walk with the husband today on Sunny and peaceful walk with the husband today on my lunch break. 🌲🍃 Some much-needed trees and blue skies to soothe the soul!
A reminder for those who need it! ✨️🐈‍⬛ A reminder for those who need it! ✨️🐈‍⬛️ This is something I've been reminded of constantly lately as I've been facing a lot of personal challenges and I've sort of distanced myself from some elements of social media as a result. 

There is so much we don't share online. I value my privacy, so I often don't talk about my personal struggles – that's not to say they don't exist.

Remember, when you look at social media, the cliche really does apply that you're seeing a highlight reel. You might be sitting there comparing yourself and wondering why you're not as successful or having as much fun as that person, but beneath all of that, they could be grieving, or dealing with family issues, housing problems, health problems, loneliness – anything! 

Even relationships on social media can feel manufactured. Liking posts isn't the same as connection. This is part of why I made the cat café series so focused on places where people can come together. We need them. It's not easy to find places like that in real life, but I think it's important we try. Even if it's just a book club, a writing group, a class, or a favourite café.

I'm sharing this in case anyone needs to hear it too. And I hope whatever challenges you are facing, you have some support (even if just in the form of a furry friend). ❤️🐱
Have you visited the cat café this spring/summer Have you visited the cat café this spring/summer yet? I heard the baker Clem has been whipping up some delicious cakes... 🐈☕️🧁

(Yes this post is an excuse for me to post a photo I took in April during the time of the cherry blossoms flowering, then promptly forgot to share... 😂)

#cakeoffatthecatcafe #rachelrowlands #romancebooks #romancereads #sweetromance #catsagram
What Haru would look like if she lived at the Catp What Haru would look like if she lived at the Catpurrcino Cat Café... ☕️🐈‍⬛️ 

On a more serious note, I'll soon be revising the third book in the cat café series! I'm having surgery next month, so revisions are not going to be as quick as I would have liked them to be, and I've had to rearrange many of my editing projects (if you are a client of mine, the support and understanding has been SO appreciated ❤️). I was feeling overwhelmed about it all this morning as I was taking Haru to her yearly health check at the vet. She hates going and was not happy with me for being put in her carrier! But when we got home? She was so happy to be back and immediately bounced back, nuzzling my hand and being her usual sweet, happy self. (Before heading off for a nap...)

Cats can teach us so many life lessons about bouncing back! She reminded me of that today. I can't bring her to hospital with me but I can try to be more Haru... Maybe a topic for a future newsletter... 😉😂

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