I just wrote a book and i need it proofread?

Question

I just finished my book and now I need it proofread . The problem is that i haven't any money . What can i do? Its a great book i look for it to become a best seller.

Answer 1

Hey Canada,

Here are a few sites that might help.

Answer 2

Proofreading is part of what publishers do. Send in an outline (very brief, no more than two pages) to a publisher, along with a stamped, self addressed envelope. If it's the kind of book they publish, and if they are interested, they will ask for a few chapters. Send them the chapters. If they like them, they will ask to see the whole manuscript. At that point, if they decide to publish it, they will edit the book -- and will ask you to make a few changes, if they are needed. Prior to printing, when the final revision is done, the book will be proofread by a professional proofreader.

Having said all that, if the book is really full of glaring errors, you can do part of it yourself by spell checking each page. It takes time, but it's something you can do that will make your work look more professional. In fact, you should have been spell checking while you were writing it. It's much easier to run a chapter through the checker than to do a whole book, but you should backtrack and clean it up before anyone sees it.
Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Since you have no money, here is a link to a site that details proofreading practices you can do yourself. However, it's NEVER good to go it alone. You should always have another person either read it aloud or read the paper.

Go to: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/general/gl_edit.html

If you just type in "proofreading" to your search, there are other sites, but this looked like the best to me. There are also some publishing sites that operate on commission, or print by demand, that will proofread your book for you. Also, don't forget to check the grammar. Microsoft Word has a built-in grammar check that you can set by style (formal, informal and so on). I HIGHLY recommend it!

Good luck!

P.S.: If you use word, and you're going to e-mail it, as suggested above, it's a good idea to save and send it in Rich Text Format, or they might not be able to read it. Also, start looking into downloading some PDF converters, as many publishers only accept that format.

Answer 4

You book is likely to need a good editor before it gets proof read. Publishers realise that typos and the occasional grammatical slip can be picked up later. Structure, flow and tone are all more important in the early stages.

Also, you are more likely to get the attention of an agent then a publisher. Forget the myths about best sellers coming off the slush pile - it just doesn't happen.

Answer 5

You should copy and paste the book into an email, and send the email to a close friend of yours who excels at English and have him/her proofread it, or send the email to a small-time publisher, because they most likely will not delete the email.

Answer 6

Don't have any money?
Then get a grammar and a dictionary, sit down and review it once more. It's back to the grind for you. Writing is all about work - and there's nobody in this world that will do that kind of work for another author for free, unless they're crazy.

Answer 7

I don't know of anyone that'll do it for free but here's a trick I use that won't cost you a cent....

Read it word for word.... backwards... That's right. Start at the end and read each word to the beginning. You will catch any spelling errors. That's all you really need to catch before you send it out... and only send out an outline... you need to pitch it first.

Answer 8

Talk to someone in the English department at your local college or perhaps even someone at your local library.

Take heed, though.....you can shop the idea, via an agent, to a publisher...they will do the proofing, if accepted.

Good luck!

Answer 9

you could
a) ask teacher *if given*
b)ask friend
c)ask me *don't worry i wouldn't steal it I'm writing my own*