Published: May 13 2024, by Allie Messmore
My introduction into the world of proofreading didn’t start with me as a proofreader. It started with me as a writer.
From my earliest days, I loved to write. Stories, songs, poems (please don’t find those journals)—anything that came to my young mind. I found so much joy in putting pen to paper. It gave me a way to make sense of things that I couldn’t understand any other way.
Later in life, I shifted into the public space of blogging. Slowly, I opened myself up to the possibility of a stranger reading my work. I would rarely share the links to my blogs, but I knew that people could find them if they wanted to. That was about the most courage that I could muster at the time.
Over the years, my courage grew. I found myself writing more and even presenting my work to others. What I learned is how truly vulnerable this process can make you feel. It felt like drawing from the deepest corners of my heart, setting all that I found in front of someone, and asking, “So, what do you think?” Eek! It often felt risky. But, over time, I connected with a community who would give feedback and encouragement to motivate me in my work.
Trust Matters
Life happened and my family grew. I found myself not writing nearly as much, but my love of words remained. I read more than ever, devouring anything I could get my hands on. When I began to consider the possibility of starting a business freelancing from home, proofreading caught my attention. It seemed like the perfect fit for me. Do I notice small details? Yes. Can I stay focused over a long period of time? Yes. Am I willing to learn hundreds of rules from countless reference books? Sure.
But what really struck me and made me so grateful for my years as a writer was how important it is to build a strong relationship with clients. I knew that I wanted to get certified as a professional proofreader, so I began there. I took a course, learned the practical skills and how the process works, and now I get to focus on the trust that I want to develop with my clients.
Imagine Working with Me
Picture this. You’re finally done with that manuscript you’ve been working on in little spurts for the last decade. After all, that’s all a busy season of life will allow for—little bits of writing here and there. Through tears of relief, you sit in wonder as you type out those final words and watch the last page roll through the printer. And there it is—the book baby that you held in your heart for so long has finally been born, and now you get to hold it in your hands. It’s a magical moment, filled with memories of sleeplessness, tears, and endless second-guessing. But you finally did it. Just then, before the dust has even settled on your celebration, your stomach drops as you realize there’s one more crucial thing you need to do. You need to release your manuscript to someone else, someone you may have never even met, to do the scary work of proofreading it. What will they do to my precious book baby? Will they take care of it? Will it come back to me in one piece?
I know a lot of this sounds dramatic, but releasing your book to a proofreader is an act of surrender.
And again, trust matters.
I have discovered that learning every grammar rule or memorizing every reference book cover to cover does not necessarily make me a good proofreader. Behind all the knowledge and experience, a client’s trust is what I value most. I need to curate the integrity and connection that it takes to let them know that they can count on me. As a professional proofreader, this means that my clients are not just clients. They’re people with stories to tell who have poured their hearts out on paper. And their words aren’t just words. They are entrusting their heart to me. It’s their book baby that they hand over to me, hoping that I’ll love it like my own.
You Deserve It
For you as a writer, my humble wisdom to you is this: find a proofreader that values trust. This is just as important as the details they check for.
Here are some things you may want to ask yourself if you’re looking for this kind of proofreader for you and your project:
- Is your proofreader curious about your work? “Tell me how this story came to be.” “What inspired you to write about this?” “What was the writing process like for you?”
- Does your proofreader communicate well? “I want you to know that I received your file, and I’ll get started right away.” “I’m about halfway through, and it’s going smoothly.” “I’m putting the finishing touches on it right now, and I should have it to you by the end of the day.”
- Does your proofreader express gratitude for being on your team? “I know how hard it is to offer your work up to edits.” “I appreciate you trusting me to do this work.” “I’m thankful that I got to help launch your book into the world.”
I believe that you deserve this kind of relationship with a proofreader. You and your work are worth it.
