ÉSETE — Accurate English and Spanish Copy Editing

One of the big differences between a good final product (your book!) and one that is not, so good is whether a final proofread has been done. This stage in the editing process is essential to catch the small but highly visible imperfections that may remain in the text, despite the best previous efforts.

Some things that can taint the process: sometimes a person mistakenly edits something that was actually correct (often in good faith, but ignorant of the rules), a figure can be mistakenly reversed, images can be left on the wrong page, an assembly and non-textual error can occur (a master page element mistakenly going into a chapter window), and other small imperfections in the process.
They all may be small things — and I’ve seen them in many books I’ve read — but they make the difference between work done with care and love and one that looks like no one has really bothered to review and revise it. And readers don’t like that.

In a traditional editorial department, when the manuscript is nearly a finished product — meaning it has been edited, laid out, and designed — the proofreader searches for typographical errors, makes sure there are no omissions or missing pages, corrects awkward page or word breaks and checks to make sure all chapter titles and headings are consistent. The proofreader works with a facsimile of a finished product or a proof (hence the term proofreading).

Proofreaders don’t suggest major changes to the text. Rather, we look for minor text and formatting errors and confirm that the material is ready for publication.

While we may do light editing, such as the aforementioned correcting of inconsistent spellings or hyphenations, professional proofreaders are not stylistic or copy editors. Depending on the team makeup, if too many errors are cited, we might have to return the proof for further copy editing.

Proofreading is required by traditional publishers — one last set of eyes, as a quality-assurance measure — before printing off a mass quantity of books.

Many self-publishing authors who have had their manuscripts professionally developmentally edited and then copy-edited skip the proofreading step. This is a mistake, since there can still be errors and inconsistencies. It is always good to hire a proofreader to have one more look at your work before it goes to press.

Some self-publishing authors might believe they can skip the editing process altogether. While it is true they might have great writing skills, having that other set of eyes to look over the manuscript, at least to be proofread, is essential because it can be difficult to see one’s own typos. The fact that I can do Spanish proofreading, as well as English proofreading, is a big plus for many of my clients.

I have worked with various publishing and editing firms, and at times it does seem like each company has a different definition of the functions of the copy editor and proofreader, and tasks can overlap. Ideally, a separate proofreader is hired when there is the luxury of time before print. But, truth be told, proofreading and copy editing will often merge into one step if the project is on a tight timeline or budget. Before starting a project, it is essential to find out exactly what the client wants and needs, as well as to be sure of what the project manager of the publishing company is looking for.

Contact me today to discuss your English proofreading job.

Spanish proofreading works on the same principles as English proofreading; however, you need an in-depth knowledge of the Spanish language to be accurate and successful. I began studying Spanish over 40 years ago and have been in love with the language ever since. In 2011, I got my master’s degree in the Spanish language.

Over my years as a proofreader, I’ve edited and proofread various Spanish-language novels, journals, and websites, and I’ve completed numerous Spanish-language projects with large publishers, such as HarperCollins Publishing. You can trust me to handle your proofreading as well.

When you are getting ready to submit your upcoming book, it can be helpful to have a pair of trained eyes read over your submissions to ensure everything is in order. At All-American Copy Editing and Translations, I am excited to offer my customers a memorable and stress-free experience when they come to me for online proofreading services.

My proofreading services can be just what you need to submit your book with confidence. I can carefully go over your submissions and apply my knowledge so that your book can stand out from the competition. I can provide you with a speedy turnaround time so that you can never be behind on your important deadlines.

Furthermore, I take pride in the commitment that I have to the success of my clients, so you can trust me to faithfully represent your text in Spanish with my proofreading services.

I’m here to help you with all your Spanish proofreading needs — let’s discuss how I can give you the best possible results!

Contact me now to discuss your Spanish proofreading needs.

If you think that you might need a little more help than proofreading, check out my Spanish and English copy editing or line editing services. I’ll work diligently to help you produce copy that is engaging and free of errors. By the time I’m done, your book will be ready for publication or submission.

If a little more help is needed, there is the developmental editing level.

Or, maybe you are thinking of having your English-language novel translated into Spanish.

Read comments from satisfied clients I have helped with my bilingual editing and translation service.

Now, you are probably wondering, “What else has this guy worked on?” Well, all you have to do is scroll down the page a bit to see some of the novels I have proofread. You just might recognize the names of some of the novels and authors.