Proofreading Touches

  1. Numerals. Are there any numerals at the ends of lines? … To fix: Use a hard space to connect the numeral with the word after it.
  2. Titles (honorifics). Are the titles (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., etc.) separated from the names? … To fix, connect them with a hard space.
  3. Hyphenated words. Is there a hyphen (from a hyphenated word) at the end of the line? … To fix, replace the standard hyphen with a hard hyphen.
  4. Copyright page:
    1. Use the ISBN of the current book only, not for all editions
    2. Book’s copyright is in the name of the publisher
  5. Fun Graphic Elements. Can a fun graphic element be added to the header? … For example, a heart, a dagger, a book … something connected with the book’s theme.
  6. See Locally, Check Globally. … Ask: Where else does this appear in the book? … There is a saying in geology: “What happens once can happen again.”
    1. If you find one typo, check the whole book for more instances.
    2. If for example you change the style of a chapter title, make it consistent in a chapter tites.
    3. Find one error in SPUG (Spelling, Punctuation, Usage, Grammar) … And then check the entire book for these.
  7. Special features (for nonfiction books). Here are some examples; a map, a family tree, a timeline, end notes, an index, a frontispiece, illustrations, and more — to add value and interest.
  8. Additional special features. … An Introduction, an Afterword, photos, quotations. Be creative and think of things connected with the book.
  9. Be aware of common usage confusions, such as ‘everyone’ and ‘every one’.
  10. Check all quotes provided by the book’s author with the original version by the quote’s author.
  11. Check all numbers, percentages, and statistics.