Proofreading is the last stage of editing —the final check to ensure your book is error-free before it goes to print. It’s the step that comes after  your manuscript has been professionally laid out by a book interior designer and just before your book is published or ready to be printed for sales. Reality Check #1: Proofreading does not replace other forms of editing. Every book—no matter how many rounds of editing it has gone through—needs a proofread. Never skip the proofreading stage ....

Riggs and Murtaugh going through a line edit Line editing is a detailed, line-by-line edit that focuses on smoothness, clarity, and readability  while preserving your unique voice and style. It usually comes after a developmental edit and before copyediting, if your manuscript needs sentence-level refinement in addition to grammar and punctuation. Not every writer needs a line edit, but many choose to go through this stage to ensure their manuscript reads as polished, engaging, and precise ...

When your manuscript is complete (post-developmental edit if you did one), the next step to check off your list is copyediting. This is the most familiar form of editing, and it’s also one of the most essential ones. What's more, a copyedit is not the same as having your manuscript proofread. Those are two very different services that tackle different issues at different stages of your manuscript . (I'm writing a post about proofreading which will come out shortly). A copyedited book reads...