The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th Edition is coming out in September 2024. What can I expect?
Language changes and evolves over time and the updated Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) reflects that. There have been a number of changes and updates since the 17th edition of CMOS was released. I will be proofreading to the standards in the 18th edition beginning in September 2024. However, I can still use the 17th edition upon request. 
Why is proofreading so important?
The old adage, 'you never have a second chance to make a first impression' still holds true, even in today's digital age; and your written words may very well be your first impression. How you express yourself makes an impression - good or bad. Work riddled with grammar mistakes, misspellings, and other typos looks sloppy and unprofessional. If the writer does not appear to care about their work, why should anyone else?
What, exactly, is a proofreader and why do I need one?
Proofreading is the final step of the editorial process. A proofreader is the last set of eyes looking at a project. They are the one who verifies that written material is free of errors before it is published. 

What proofreaders check for:
  • typos
  • double words
  • misspelled words
  • grammatical errors
  • punctuation errors
  • correct capitalization
  • formatting issues
  • inconsistencies (switching between US and UK conventions, inconsistent capitalization, etc.)
  • making certain web links go to the correct webpage​
  • verifying that the copy adheres to the author's chosen style guide (Chicago, APA, AP, etc.)
What a proofreader does NOT do:
  • check plot
  • setting
  • overall structure
  • character development
  • voice, word choices, and style or phrasing
  • refinement of characterizations
  • dialogue and dialogue tags
  • hooks and prompts
  • sentence structure (outside of making certain it is grammatically correct)
  • coherence and concision in sentences
  • fixing echo-words (words the author uses repeatedly)
  • accuracy of timeline
  • fact-checking (outside of proper spelling, acronyms, etc.)
  • rewriting a document to make it "sound" better
These are what are looked at and (hopefully) corrected earlier in the editing process by a line, developmental, and/or copyeditor.
Who needs a proofreader?
Anyone who is putting out printed material (either paper or digital). Everything from books to instruction manuals, webpages to blog posts, essays to thesis papers all require proofreading in order to ensure a polished finished product.
Why do I need to hire a proofreader? Why can't I just use spell-check or proofread my own work?
The spelling and grammar checking features on many word processing programs and/or on the web are certainly a nice start though they are far from perfect and mistakes often slip through. Proofreading one's own work is always a good idea. However, the writer, since they know what they intended to say, can overlook errors because they're seeing what they meant, not what they actually wrote. A fresh set of eyes helps eliminate these errors.
What about generative AI tools?
I do not use any generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, in my work. Just like spell- or grammar-checkers, AI tools still miss errors. Even worse, it can actually introduce new errors into a text. Currently, there are too many legal and ethical concerns around it for me to be comfortable inputting an author's work into it.

If I do decide to make use of generative AI in the future, I will, of course, inform all clients and update this site. There will always be the option for you to choose not to have it used on your work.
Okay, proofreaders are important. So, what do you offer?
I proofread documents to conform to the grammar and spelling rules of American English using The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th or 18th* Editions and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition, except where deviations or preferences are noted on a client's style sheet. I am hoping to offer proofreading services using other style guides (AP, AMA, etc.) in the future.

*Please note that as the 18th edition of CMOS has only been released in September 2024, it may take me a bit longer to proofread materials conforming to the new standards initially. There have been a number of changes since the 17th edition and there will be a bit of a learning period.

I love reading and will proofread in pretty much any genre. For extremely technical or industry-specific documents that rely heavily on an understanding of industry-specific or specialized jargon, please provide a brief sample so I can make certain it is a job I can handle. For documents containing graphic/explicit violence, torture, sexual assault/abuse, child abuse, or other such content, please provide a brief sample and a rough percentage of the total text such themes encompass so I can determine if it is a job I am willing to take. 

​I have a background in environmental remediation (specifically petroleum, asbestos, lead, and other RCRA 8 metals) and occupational safety and health. I have written, edited, and proofread hundreds of reports, legal documents, and official correspondence and am familiar with industry jargon, standards, and government documents, including the Code of Federal Regulations.

Even though my education and background is not strictly in English and/or proofreading/editing, proofreading has been a large part of my career. I have been continuing to take courses in English grammar, usage, style, proofreading, and editing. See the About Me section for more details.

I WILL NOT PROOFREAD HATE SPEECH.