The Difference Between Proofreading and Editing According to Marcie

Someone wanted me to proofread his work. I did.

He came back and told me that the work I returned to him “looks like what I sent you with just a few corrections.” It was.

He went on to explain that he “wanted it to flow better” and he “wanted the words to jump off the page.” That’s when I had to explain the difference between proofreading and editing as well the costs associated with both.

For simplicity sake, proofreading is checking for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors.  Everything pretty much stays the same plus or minus a few additions and omissions.

Editing, on the other hand, includes proofreading plus rearranging content to make the story flow better. It requires doing a little research to check facts.  Also, many editors revise the work without changing your voice. That’s much skill and talent.

Because of these difference, editing will always cost more than proofreading – in time and money.  If it doesn’t, be cautious.

To my fellow writers, what other differences are there between proofreading and editing?

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