Bilingual Copy Proofreading

One of the big differences between a good editing job and one that is not so good is whether or not a final proofreading is done. This stage in the editing process is essential to catch the small, but highly visible, imperfections that may remain in the text, despite 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 a work done with care and love, and one that looks like no one has really bothered to review and revise it.

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 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 manuscript professionally developmentally edited and then copy edited skip the proofreading step. This is a mistake since there can still be mistakes 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 that 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 being sure of what the project manager of the publishing company is looking for.

To discuss your English proofreading job, contact me right away!

Detailed Spanish Proofreading

Spanish Proofreading works on the same principles as English proofreading; however, you need an in-depth knowledge of the Spanish language to be successful. I began studying Spanish close to 40 years ago and have been in love with the language ever since.

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

Accurate Spanish Translations

In addition to my proofreading work, I can translate books and copy into Spanish. So far, I’ve translated nineteen books into Spanish. While it is difficult to translate any text directly into another language, I have spent years studying Spanish and traveling through Latin America to converse with native speakers, so you can trust me to faithfully represent your text in Spanish.

To discuss your Spanish proofreading or translation job, contact me right away.

If you’re thinking that you might need a little more help, check out my Spanish and English copy editing services.

And remember — a well-informed team is a happy and productive team!

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

If you’re ready to move forward, contact ÉSETE today!
 

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