Nonfiction Proofreading
Package
$.015 per word
After talking with an author, Dori will proceed to a free, no- obligation sample proofread of 5 manuscript pages. Sample proofreads will be returned in 24–48 hours. (Dori only proofreads documents that have been copyedited by a professional copyeditor, either her or another editor.)
Proofreading Package—$.015 per word
-Turnaround time: 8 to 30 business days, depending on length and amount of corrections needed
-Includes a double-check step (see below)
Proofreading is the final stage and picks up all the leftover pesky, technical matters in regards to spelling, punctuation, grammar, numbers and dashes. Dori is an experienced and skilled nonfiction and memoir proofreader. All fix suggestions are made and tracked using the Microsoft Word Track Changes feature.
The Proofreading Package includes (but is not limited to) corrections of:
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spelling
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grammar
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punctuation
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hyphens (mainly with compound adjectives, such as error-free manuscript versus error free manuscript)
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dashes (em and en dashes—en dashes are used far more in nonfiction than fiction)
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spacing issues
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word usage and issues (its for it's, their for there or they are, your for you're, affect for effect)
Proofreading is a two-step process.
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Dori proofreads the text and returns the manuscript, with her suggestions, to the author, who makes corrections. The author emails the revised document to the editor.
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Dori then double-checks the revisions and the entire document. This double-check process distinguishes Breakout services.
Breakout Editing recommends the Proofreading Package for an author preparing to submit a manuscript for self-publication or submission to an agent or publisher. The author should be confident in the previous copyediting. For more advanced editing needs, please review the nonfiction Copyediting and Content Editing packages.
Book a Copyediting, Content Editing or Proofreading package and Dori will edit your book blurb (or blurbs) as a courtesy. With content edits, she also provides courtesy edits for your book synopsis and your query to agents or publishers (if you're trying to publish traditionally).
Free Blurb Editing
Good-faith deposit: Once a project is confirmed between Dori and the client, at least half the funds (as a show of good faith) will be required before the official start date. For a proofread, the balance will be due a day or two before the manuscript is returned to the author. If you have questions or would like to work out another option with Dori, just ask.
Payment: Dori accepts Zelle, PayPal, checks, or money orders. Author is responsible for fees. All funds must be in US dollars. Once payment has been confirmed, editing will begin on the agreed-upon start date.
Billing: a PDF or email invoice will be emailed to the client at the start and completion of the editing.
Breakout practices consistent, clear communication with its clients and informs them when editing begins and when it's near completion. Dori is committed to her turnaround times.
Payment
For book-length fiction and most nonfiction, as well as essays and short stories, Dori recommends the Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition, and the Merriam-Webster dictionary. These style guides are industry standards and Dori is well-versed in both. She's the type who instantly recognizes the difference between an en dash and an em dash and between past tense and past perfect tense.
For blogs, websites, pamphlets, brochures, etc., Dori recommends the Associated Press Stylebook and the Webster's New World dictionary. Shorter works typically need a more abbreviated style. As a former full-time journalist, Dori is acutely aware of AP style. But she still prefers to italicize book titles.
Style Manuals
