On Writing : Proofreading question by Anna Henry

Hi Anna, I'm self-published, but I'd still love to reply. :) The fact that you're offering to send a list of typos while expecting absolutely nothing in return is incredibly kind. What really moved me about your post is that you genuinely want to help. I honestly think that if you reach out and share some of what you've written here, your journey as a fan, noticing the typos, and not being sure what to do, they'll be very grateful for your help. Why not attach or copy/paste the list of typos to your first email or DM so they have it right away? I would personally be so grateful if someone took the time to reach out and let me know about typos in my books. It would show me that they care about the work and want to help make it even better. Your post shows a lot of care and respect for someone's work, and I also love that you've read the books several times. I'd say go for it. Your genuine care shines through in this post, and I'm sure it will shine through in your message as well. I'd love to hear how it goes if you decide to reach out. Best of luck, but honestly, I think you've got this! :)

Hi Anna Henry I appreciate you are even considering the authors feelings about this issue. Not many think like that and I think that's a real credit to who you are and seeing the dedication this author gives to their work. Errors tells me there's no AI - I work in publishing and I've seen books go through the absolute ringer with editing to ensure no errors - however, dealing with humans means errors can occur. This brings up the ratio - if the word count is 20k words with two typos then I would let it slide but if you are talking 5 errors in a 10k word count then I would politely say something. They are definitely errors right? Not UK spelling vs US spelling? Either way - you care about the authors reputation moving forward so I would lead with that. Hope this helps.

Typos and proofreading are among the main reasons I pulled all of my work off Amazon. I was so excited to finish a book without proper proofreading, formatting, or editing that I just went straight to publishing. Of course, I got a few sales, but eventually, there were too many errors that were my fault. So, after I pulled all of them (one memoir, a graphic novel, and a sci-fi novel), I did my due diligence and proofread them. I got a good review on the memoir afterward, but I'm holding off on re-publishing until I enter more contests or see if I can get it published professionally. The sci-fi novel I'm keeping off because it's doing better as a screenplay, as far as contests and pitching, and just keeping the graphic novel in the folder for now. I have a short story collection that I have kept on the shelf for two years now while I work on proofreading and editing. But has received a couple of awards so far (A Finalist and Quarterfinalist in a contest/film festival). I guess this is my way of having others read my work, and at the same time, the work receives awards if it is good enough. I would have been grateful if someone like you had sent me a list of typos, but I'm pretty sure there were too many.

For my part, Anna Henry I wish I could afford to hire you. I have several things that could use a detailed proofreader. Whoever the author is should be happy somebody is reading closely enough to spot small things and is generously offering to point them out. Also, it's not Kindle's fault. They work with whatever was uploaded - typos and all.

Judith Marie-Ange Edmorin Thank you so much! I am putting together a list for one of the books - it's not a lot but still to me worth correcting. And see what happens from there. I just love writers, like pathologically. ;)

Lauren Hackney That's really interesting and does make me wonder if I should say something at all. We're talking about four 350 - 400 page paperbacks with around 5 - 7 errors in each one. It was enough to bother me, but again, I'm picky. I was surprised that this could happen with a major publisher but these were released in Kindle form only until now so maybe there is less oversight there. Really what motivated me was the idea that they are being re-released in print now.

John E. Bias Yeah it's near impossible to proofread your own work. That goes for scripts too. Proofreading is a lot of work actually; in this case I was just being an amateur reader who read the books 2 - 3 times (not all at once).

Terri Morgan Thank you for clarifying that it's not an Amazon thing! I actually don't do proofreading professionally anymore. I am too busy with my work consulting on TV scripts and pitches and teaching screenwriting as well as producing my own projects. The situation with these books is strictly me being a fan.

Writing the first draft is only the beginning. As a book editor, I've found that careful editing is where a good manuscript evolves into a compelling story readers won't forget.

Anna Henry That's too many errors and I would be concerned with the publishing house involved.

Lauren Hackney OK so the publisher is Harlequin, which is not like some no-name publishing house. In my defense, I am preparing to teach a lab on writing romance! And I think we all know I am not the only fan! ;) But to be fair, this is their "digital first" imprint, so maybe that gets a lot less oversight? Do they hand it off to a different division when it goes to paperback? Does it get a makeover anyway? I know there will be new covers.

Anna Henry I work in children's publishing with a commercial fiction division. So personally, I've never worked in digital commercial fiction but I do have those Teams in my workplace. I would be pointing this out to Harlequin because their line editors and proof readers may be relying on the digital software to pick up those errors. I would be wanting to protect the integrity of the Harlequin brand by pointing that out.

Anna Henry That's great about the list! And you're absolutely right that it's worth correcting, especially if the book is going to print. As for your pathological love of writers, we definitely need more of that in the world, so please keep it going! :) Best of luck with the list Anna!

I love this Anna Henry. You are the "pathological" reader every author dreams of! I can't imagine that an author would be anything but appreciative if you reach out to them. Who doesn't want to improve their work, and who doesn't love someone like you with good intentions as a sincere fan.

I am always surprised when I find even one typo. That a book made it through all the stages, and made it to hardback and I find the wrong spelling of a word. Here when it should obviously be hear. That is not something AI or any spell check would pick up. I blame the publisher, never the author. I would think a major publishing company would have professional proofreaders and editors. Now, if it's a self published book, the author probably should hire a proofreader before publishing. Anyway, to answer Anna Henry 's question, I wouldn't reach out to the author, I would contact the publishing company.