Proofreading Services from SRD Editing Services
SRD Editing Services offers proofreading services for self-published and traditionally published fiction and nonfiction authors for books in a range of genres! From kids’ lit to romance, self-help to history, editor Cortni Merritt’s streamlined process takes an edited manuscript through the final steps to prepare it for publication .
Based out of Orlando, Florida, but honored to work with writers around the world, SRD Editing Services offers proofreading according to the standards of American English, using the Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition, for commercial fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. This style guides recommend the Merriam-Webster Dictionary for questions of spelling and usage. If you have questions about the specifics of style during your proofreading, ask Cortni.
Cortni can proofread documents in MS Word or Adobe PDF as well!
Who Is Cortni Merritt, MA, Proofreader at SRD Editing Services?
Hi! I’m Cortni Merritt, MA, editor and proofreader at SRD Editing Services in Central Florida. I write, edit, listen to, and engage in all-things book nerd. You can find out more about me on this page of the site.
As a longtime freelancer, I’m honored to have been a proofreader for both self-published and traditionally published books. During that time, I’ve honed my process to make editing your book as simple as possible. I focus on polishing the writing, so you can focus on everything else that comes along with publishing.
If you’ve landed here, it’s because your book needs a friend to help you get it on the shelf, and that is my true specialty.
Connect with book proofreader Cortni Merritt at SRD Editing Services to discuss your manuscript.
What is proofreading?
In traditional publishing, proofreading is the last step in the publishing process and is not completed until you have a final “proof” of the manuscript, where all changes are implemented and the design and layout are finalized. The proofreading step is one last chance to catch final (and potentially costly) errors before the document goes to the printer.
In today’s self-publishing world, proofreading might occur after all writing is completed but before the document is formatted for publishing, or it may take place after your manuscript is laid out in book format but before you push “Print.”
The SRD Editing Services Proofreading service is for writers with a completed, already-edited manuscript. If you don’t have a completed manuscript, see the SRD Editing Services Line Editing page.
SRD Editing Services recommends performing multiple line edits (also called “copy edits”) until your manuscript contains fewer than 40 errors per 1,000 words. Once this lowered rate of errors is achieved, your manuscript may be ready to move into the final proofreading stage.
A proofreader’s eyes are the last set of eyes to go over the manuscript before it goes to the printer. Proofreaders are conducting one very light, “one last final” review of the text for details of:
- punctuation
- typos & spelling
- capitalization
- style guide consistency
- spacing & heading consistency
Proofreaders do not rewrite sentences, check for verb tense or word usage issues, fact check, or research needed references. SRD Editing Services proofreading services do not include document re-formatting.
Proofreading Can Turn Into Line Editing
SRD Editing Services proofreader and editor Cortni Merritt reserves the right to determine whether a manuscript needs “just a proofread” or a more extensive line edit. If the proofreader begins their review of a manuscript and finds that it contains a greater number of errors than 40 errors per 1,000 words, the proofreader may halt the process and contact the author to discuss shifting the scope of work to a line edit.
SRD Proofreading Process for MS Word Documents & Adobe PDFs
SRD Editing Services provides Tracked Changes proofreading in MS Word documents or mark-up changes to PDF files using Adobe Acrobat. If you’re not familiar with how to use Tracked Changes in MS Word, take a look at this YouTube video from LinkedIn Learning for a brief tutorial. For a tutorial on using markup in Adobe PDF, please see this explanation on their site.
Send your MS Word document, and professional proofreader Cortni Merritt will begin reading the manuscript on the agreed-upon date. You will receive correspondence once proofreading begins on your manuscript, and the proofreader will alert you to any causes for concern or urgent questions.
The proofreader will use Track Changes to annotate the proofreading changes made to your document, or markup the PDF, per your preference.
The proofreader returns the document or marked-up PDF. Proofreading in MS Word may include a customized Style Sheet with noted exceptions to the style guide; notes about formatting, characters, and timeline; and additional details helpful for finalization.
You review and accept or reject the proofreader’s suggestions, ask any final questions you have, and pass back the document or PDF for finalization.
Cortni finalizes any remaining items and answer any final questions, and returns to you a completed book manuscript, ready to send to your graphic designer, book formatter, or the printer! It is assumed that after the proofreader has reviewed the material, no additional changes will be made, neither by adding new content nor revising existing content.
What’s Next After Proofreading?
After your book’s proofreading is complete, Cortni may be able to perform the ebook formatting as well. This is also the time to talk about your back cover copy or query letter!
If you perform a proofreading in MS Word, then after you’ve delivered the Word doc to your designer for book formatting/layout, you may wish to perform an additional review of the PDF to ensure no errors exist in the final print-ready copy.
Please, reach out to Cortni again if you are interested in a second round of PDF proofreading. SRD Editing Services offers a 15% discount to repeat clients!
Average timeline for proofreading:
🗸 2 business days per 50K words.
Ready to speak with proofreader Cortni Merritt about your needs? Contact SRD Editing Services today!
Genres Available for Proofreading Services
SRD Editing Services offers book proofreading services in a wide range of genres with which our editors are experienced. If you don’t see your genre listed, just ask!
Fiction
Nonfiction
- Children’s Literature
- Young Adult
- Short Stories (any)
- Fantasy & magical realism
- Science Fiction
- Contemporary Fiction
- Women’s Literature
- Literary Fiction
- Romance (sweet and spicy)
- Mystery & thriller
- Historical (romance, mystery, drama, adventure)
- Memoir, History, & Biography
- Self-help/Psychology
- Business/Entrepreneurship/Leadership
- Humanities, Philosophy & Spirituality
- Political Commentary & Philosophy
- Children’s Nonfiction
Proofreading Pricing
Pricing for Serial/Bulk Proofreading Projects
Looking for bulk pricing for your series or ongoing project? SRD Editing Services offers a 15% discount to repeat clients, and Cortni is happy to discuss bulk rates with authors interested in ongoing manuscript proofreading services for series.
UCF or FSU Alum? Enjoy 10% Off!
If you attended the University of Central Florida or Florida State University, don’t forget to ask about the 10% discount for fellow alumni and current students!
US Military Service Members Enjoy 10% Off!
If you currently or formerly served in any branch of the US military, don’t forget to ask about the 10% discount for veterans and active duty servicemembers in the US armed forces.
Repeat SRD Editing Services Clients Enjoy 15% Discount
If you’re returning for proofreading of a new manuscript, welcome back and enjoy a 15% discount on the cost of your proofreading services.
*Cortni prefers not to be the proofreader on manuscripts she previously line-edited, if both are done in MS Word. (Your manuscript may benefit from a fresh set of eyes!) She is happy to recommend another professional if needed, and to proofread the PDF version of a manuscript edited in Word.
Don’t forget to mention if you are interested in bulk pricing, repeat client discount, or UCF or FSU alumni discount!
Legalities, Contract Questions, Refund Policy
Editor and proofreader Cortni Merritt at SRD Editing Services signs a standard Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) and freelance editing contract with every client. To find out more about the proofreading contract terms, privacy policy, and refund policy, please visit this page.
Commitment to Human-Only Editing (No AI Use, Ever)
As a professional book editor and proofreader with extensive training, including an MA in English and two undergraduate degrees, Cortni believes in the power and importance of human-authored text, including all stages of the editing process.
If you have used AI in the creation of your text, no problem. During editing and proofreading, Cortni is committed to human-only editing in every step of her process. No AI use at SRD Editing Services, and it’s in the contract.
Steps After Proofreading
After you finalize your manuscript, it needs to be prepared for publication. Cortni may be able to help you convert your MS Word document into a properly formatted ebook file or simple print-ready PDF.
Once your proofreading is complete and the manuscript is finalized, you can start prepping the book for publication. You need a streamlined summary of the book for your back cover or online description copy, and it needs to pop.