Proofreading Services

Enjoy 20% off for a limited time!
*20% off ends January 23*
**Also, if you refer someone and they purchase a proofread, the referrer will receive 30% off!**
Schedule your proofread now!

Are you looking for someone to read over your novel and put the final touches on it, making sure there aren't nasty grammar mistakes, misused words, or missing words?  Then look no further! 

Hi!  I’m Emerald Barnes, a young adult author.  I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing from Mississippi University for Women.  I am passionate about the English language and am a self-proclaimed grammar nerd.

As a proofreader, I will ensure the following:

• Use of correct punctuation, grammar, and spelling
• There are no missing words, misused words, or confusing sentences

I offer a “light line-edit."  What does that mean?  I'll make sure that you're story sounds right; the grammar is correct; and I capture overused words. 

What I won’t do:

• Read for structure, plot, developmental issues
• Beta read for character development, pace, etc.

A proofreader is the last set of eyes on your work before final publication.  I prefer that your work has gone through previous structural and copy editors before coming to me for a final review.  I, also, suggest you re-read your manuscript after you have made the suggested changes or have another proofreader do so, as we are all human, and we simply cannot catch every detail; and often, when an author is making revisions, they make other changes that sometimes cause errors.

If you are concerned about my services, I will proof 2 pages of work for you to preview, so you may make a more informed decision.  If you want a more in depth sample, I charge $20 for the first 25 pages.

What are my prices? **500 – 2,000 words: $11 USD Sale price $8

2,001 – 5,000 words: $16 USD Sale price $12

5,001 – 7,000 words: $31 USD Sale price $24

7,001 – 10,000 words: $52 USD Sale price $41

10,001 – 20,000 words: $78 USD Sale price $64

20,001 – 50,000 words: $155 USD Sale price $124

50,001 – 80,000 words: $232 USD Sale price $186

80,001 – 120,000 words: $334 USD Sale price $268

I will require half of the fee upfront and the other half when I return your manuscripts.  I will invoice you through PayPal for each payment.

Since I know how it feels to come up with money for publication, I will work with you on a payment plan if you really need one.  I help authors who are on a budget.

**PayPal fees have been included in the price.

*All fees are nonrefundable*

If you have a problem with my proofreading, I will do my best to fix whatever issues you may have.
Turnaround time? 

It depends on the length of your work. 

Usually, one to two days for works between 500 – 2,000 words.  Three or four days for works 2,000 – 7,000.   For anything under 30,000, roughly one week.  Work over 30,000 words allow 3-4 weeks. I will contact you if I require more than three-four weeks. Turn around times are estimated, not guaranteed.

What next?  Need help formatting your novel for publication on Kindle, Smashwords, in epub format, and paperback?  Check out Rachelle Ayala.

Testimonials:

"[Emerald] gave me a lot of helpful pointers, and [her] suggestions are helping me to improve my writing. Having [her] eyes on my manuscript helps me see it in a new light." - Terese Thompson, Author

"Emerald Barnes is strong where I am weak, and isn’t that exactly what you look for in a proofreader? Her knowledge of grammar and eye for repetition helped give my novel a more professional presentation. I highly recommend you let her sift your novel of errors before hitting the publish button!" -- Pauline Creeden of Alt Wit Press and Author of Sanctuary

"Emerald Barnes is a grammarian and can ferret out those problem punctuations that seem to elude most of us writers. She will give your manuscript the thorough house cleaning it needs and help you present a polished end product to a publisher, or agent. After all, isn’t that what we all want, to present our creations in the best possible form possible?

Her keen eye for point-of-view errors, plot flow, and general sensibility of a character development is mandatory, in my writing, for getting past the draft stage and on to the end-of-edits stage. I honestly, don’t know what I’d do without her. As tight as a writer’s budget can be, this is an investment you will want to include. I am proof that her skills are valuable. I have published two books and am about to publish two more. My Publisher/Editor knows my work will be ready for review because I run it through Emerald Barnes first. You should too."  Lynn Donovan, Author of Christmas Grace, Signing Seeds

Any questions?  Please feel free to contact me, or use my email specifically, by using the subject, “Proofreader” or “Proofreader questions.”  I am available to answer questions you may have about my comments or corrections Monday through Friday.