Should I send my manuscript to a proofreader before submitting it to an agent and/or publisher?

	Should I send my manuscript to a proofreader before submitting it to an agent and/or publisher? I am about to complete my manuscript after countless revisions and drafts. I believe I am ready to send it to an agent. Should I send it to an agent without hiring a proofreader? Or do some agents or publishers perform the proofreading for you? Asked By: Retro Rocker - 7/7/2009

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
First, proofread it yourself. Then send it to a proofreader--this can be a friend, a family member, a teacher--doesn't matter, because once they're done, you should proofread it again yourself one final time before submitting it to an agent or publisher. You can never be too careful. And be careful which editor you use! My first editor didn't do his job at all and it ended up costing me a lot in the way of angry reviews...so I fired him. =) Answered By: Zed Wrecked - 7/7/2009

Additional Answers ()

A proof reader could help clean it up for you. I don't know if you're graduated, but remember in school, when doing an English assignment a teacher would usually ask for it to be proof-read before a good copy is completed? It's the same thing; you could have overlooked something, and having a fresh pair of eyes look over it will give you a higher chance of picking up a mistake than if you were to skim over it. good luck. :) Answered By: Rae - 7/7/2009

It could help a lot I would say depends on the cost. If you can afford it go ahead and do it. Answered By: Toby - 7/7/2009

You should diffidently have it proofread, at least three times by three different people. You don't need to hire anyone, just have someone you know and trust (who knows what their doing) go through it and jot down some notes where need be. You should never submit anything to a publisher without making sure you've done all you can to it and though it may be perfect to you, it could be very different for someone else. Good luck. Answered By: abracrow2000 - 7/7/2009

Ask someone to "beta-read" it for you. Betas are usually friends you trust to tell you the truth about your work. A beta reader helps spot typos and word repetitions, but also lets you know if the story arc is smooth, if there are any jarring sentences and such. Their job is to find all the flaws so you can fix them! When you start shopping for an agent you want as clean and well-written a book as possible. The agent's job is to sell your book, not proof it. A clean, clear manuscript puts you ahead of 98?f everyone who subs a book! http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/004641.html I've written and sold more than 24 novels and am an editor, so I know how this stuff works. It took two years and three full rewrites, with 25 rewrites of my 1st chapter alone before I sold that first book. BUT--they offered me a 6-book contract, and those titles are still in print after 19 years! It takes time, but it's worth it. While you're shopping one book around, be writing your NEXT one! It keeps your head from exploding while you wait. I had three books finished and ready to sell when I got the call from my first editor. Please join this writer's board. They will have all the info you need to help find an agent AND get your work polished. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/ They have a "share your work" forum where you can post a chapter at a time and get feedback. No trolls or flame wars allowed--it is run by pro writers and it is FREE! How to find an agent? Go to a bookstore and look for books like yours. Check the writer's websites to see if they mention their agent. Go to the agent's website and follow their guidelines to the letter. Don't google for an agent as there are a lot of scammers. They charge fees. YOG'S LAW: ))) Money flows toward the writer! ((( If any agent or publisher wants money from you--RUN away. It's a scam or vanity press looking for someone inexperienced in publishing. You'll find all kinds of sites who want to "help" you get published, but there's usually a fee involved. There is no magic bullet. You write and submit and keep writing until you sell. Above all---stay AWAY from PublishAmerica. They're a reverse vanity printer. They put your book into print first, then pressure you to buy copies from them. (Overpriced copies) They have no distribution, so your book won't get into bookstores like they say. They only pay a stinking one dollar advance, too, all this while waving the flag and praising Jesus. PA is so bad they have their own forum on Absolute Write to warn people away! Helpful sites: http://www.sfwa.org/Beware/ http://www.sfwa.org/index.asp?a=resources http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/ http://howpublishingreallyworks.blogspot.com/ http://www.brendahiatt.com/id2.html Be sure to visit the 808 section of your library, as it has all kinds of books on writing and publishing that will help you. Good luck!!! Answered By: M M - 7/7/2009

Well, its always in your best interest to have someone else read over your material and give you feedback and critique it. You don't need someone who's just going to tell you that "it's good, you should get it published," because that doesn't help you as a writer. You need someone who can spot flaws in your story, plot holes, dialogue that doesn't seem realistic, inconsistencies, and offer you ways in which to make it better. As writers, we've read our own story so much that we sometimes miss the obvious, so it's always good to have a fresh pair of eyes who can spot when we've mentioned someone's red hair in chapter one and then mentioned it as being blond in chapter 8, for example. It's not the agent's job to edit your story, you need to do this yourself. Commercial publishers will edit your story and do a little fact checking, if needed, and this is done before the book is published and it's on their own dime. What they won't do is accept manuscripts that have glaring flaws and need a complete grammar overhaul, or needs it's entire plot improved. Those errors are a sign of poor writing and if they find too many errors in your manuscript then they're going to reject it. An agent might take you on as a client and help you improve it, but the ones who are good at their jobs won't do that. Also, if you find an agent then they'll suggest ways in which to improve your novel, which could mean removing characters, giving characters a bigger role, changing the plot, or whatever, so don't get to attached to your novel. They're not going to tell you how to write those suggestions, because that's your job as the writer. If you find a publisher then they'll also suggest changes before publishing it. These changes will be suggestions, but if you want your work published and if you want an agent then it's best to take their advice...But, going back to what I said earlier, if your novel already has a lot of flaws and errors then forget about it. I've read from writers where they've been rejected because their beginnings were too slow or fast, so make sure your novel is as perfect as it can be before submitting to anyone. http://www.absolutewrite.com - a community of published and aspiring authors. You can post your work there and get feedback from other writers. You can also request beta readers, but you have to be willing to offer them something in exchange, like critiquing their manuscripts. Also, whatever you do never take an editing referral from an agent or publisher. There are many scams where the agent will refer you to an editing company where you have to pay for editing. Turns out the agent is getting a kickback for every referral, or, unscrupulously, they own editing company and don't tell you; in which case, they are referring you to themselves for editing and you don't know it. They have no intention of selling your book, but have all the intentions of taking your money. Plus, how do you know if they're referring you for paid editing because you actually need it, or because it's a quick way for them to get more money? That's why this is looked down upon in the industry and is considered unethical, and most "companies" that do this are actually scams and not real businesses. Answered By: blackcat - 7/7/2009

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