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Rachel Rowlands, Book Editor & Author
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Rachel Rowlands, Book 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

My author copies of First Dates at the Cat Café ar My author copies of First Dates at the Cat Café arrived! How gorgeous are they?! I just love all the colours and the cats having their own little dates outside the café! @kelley.mcmorris.art has done it again with her beautiful illustration!

I think you'll love this one if you enjoy fake dating, summer festivals, and brooding musicians. 🎶 Here's a reminder of the blurb! Out May 28 🥰🥰

🐱💜🐱💜

Grace adores her job as a barista at the café, but dreams of one day setting up her own matchmaking agency to help pet lovers find true love.

When Catpurrcino partners with a dating festival for the whole of August it seems like it is meant to be.

The last thing on Grace's mind is her own love life.

Until she is matched with musician Nathan, who is only at the festival so he can perform.

Grace knows from the very first moment that Nathan is not the man of her dreams.

But no one is going to take romantic advice from someone who can't even get through one successful date. So Grace and Nathan make a they will pretend to be smitten with each other until the end of festival.

The more time Grace and Nathan spend playing the perfect couple, the more Grace wonders if her fake feelings are becoming real... Could Nathan ever feel the same?
April 🌸🌻 A month of doing lots of decorating and o April 🌸🌻 A month of doing lots of decorating and other jobs in our house... I also worked on several really good books for some lovely writers, and turned in copyedits for one of my own cat café books. 🐱

We did manage to get out into nature and the glorious sunshine when we could. And I listened to BTS on repeat. 🎶

Now I'm cooking up a new book idea... ✨️
Love a peaceful day browsing books and grabbing co Love a peaceful day browsing books and grabbing coffee, so I decided to vlog it because I love watching cosy little reels and wanted to make one! ☕️📖 I picked up The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon (The Bone Season series is one of my absolute favourites!) and Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. 

Have you all been reading anything good this weekend? 💕📖
Spilling the tea on getting published and what mig Spilling the tea on getting published and what might happen next… ☕ I don't think we writers talk about these things enough, especially the first one, which was a big shock to me after I got published!

The positive part is, you learn to deal with these swings and roundabouts over time. And you become a stronger person – and writer – because of it. ❤️

#writingcommunity #amwriting #writersofig

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