When is your sci-fi manuscript ready for proofreading?

When is your sci-fi manuscript ready for proofreading?

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All your time and energy has gone into crafting your manuscript. It’s taken months, maybe even years. The next decision is crucial: what process is next for your story? Is it ready for proofreading or do you need to hand it over to a copyeditor first?

Before you make that decision, it’s important to know the difference between proofreading and copyediting. Copyediting fixes issues like language, style and clarity to ensure your manuscript is consistent in tone and world-building. Proofreading is the final polish and mostly deals with surface-level issues like grammar, spelling and formatting. Proofreaders don’t help to fix issues with narrative, voice or logic. Copyediting comes first then proofreading. Depending on the condition of your manuscript, it’s usually best practice to have both of these services. This is one of the reasons why I offer a free sample, so I can see if your manuscript is ready for proofreading

These are the signs that your novel is ready for proofreading:

The structure of your manuscript is complete. You’ve finalised the plot through multiple rewrites and there is nothing more you need to add. The chapters are named and in the correct order.

Copyediting or line edits are finished. All the sentences are polished. You or your editor have been through the storyline with a fine-tooth comb; all the loose ends are tied up, plot holes have been fixed and the character arcs and POVs are nice and tidy.

Internal consistency has been mostly settled. Any invented terms such as alien races, technology or planets are consistent throughout. The story timeline has been mostly aligned. There will almost certainly be some oversights but a professional proofread will iron these out.

Formatting has mostly been set. Decisions on the size of page breaks, style of the chapter headings and fonts will have been made and enforced throughout. Placeholder text and instructions have been removed and the issues they highlight resolved.

It’s so important to check these points before you hire a proofreader. If your manuscript isn’t fully finished and multiple revisions are still needed, it’s going to cost you a lot more money than if you send them an almost finished piece. In a perfect world, a proofreader would spot this and advise you that it’s not ready for a proofread yet, but that might not always be the case.

Tips for preparing your manuscript for proofreading:

• When you have your manuscript close to the finish, do a basic check of the entire text. Things to look out for are repeated terms and words (the the) especially at the end of a line and start of the line below, and any obvious typos.

• Keep a style sheet of all your invented terms and formatting choices as well as any particular style choices. Check all of these as you go. It can be difficult to do this when it’s your own writing so do your best and don’t worry about missing the odd one. The proofreader will pick up any strays.

• Check your chapter numbers and names are in the correct order.

Once you’re sure you’ve got everything in place and you’ve prepared your manuscript as much as you can, now is the time to hand over to a proofreader. Even with all your hard work, you might be surprised by how much the proofreader picks up on in your manuscript. Don’t be disheartened though, it’s completely normal and exactly why you hired them! Be safe in the knowledge you prepared to the best of your ability and you’re giving your novel the best possible chance of success when you finally publish.