Proofreading vs. Editing: Understanding the Differences for Non-Fiction Authors

Alicia Wilcox
7 min readSep 5, 2023
Illustration: Sergio Membrillas

In the world of non-fiction writing, ensuring the quality and clarity of your work is of utmost importance. Two key processes that help achieve this are proofreading and editing. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they serve distinct purposes and play crucial roles in refining your manuscript. In this article, I’ll dive into the differences between proofreading and editing, shed light on their unique benefits, and provide insights into finding the right book editing services for your non-fiction book.

What is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process that ensures your manuscript is free from errors and ready for publication. It involves a meticulous review of your work to identify and correct any remaining grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and typographical mistakes. A proofreader’s primary objective is to catch and rectify these surface-level errors that may have been missed during earlier editing stages that went more in-depth.

The Goals of Proofreading

The primary goal of proofreading is to achieve accuracy and consistency in your writing. By carefully examining each sentence, word, and punctuation mark, a proofreader ensures that your non-fiction book is…

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