So, after you poured your heart and soul into writing your book. Whether you just finished your draft or you have been reviewing it for a while, you’re ready for the next crucial publishing step you can’t skip: proofreading. No matter what your genre – a dark romance novel, an insightful memoir, or a relatable children’s story, book proofreading is one step you cannot miss if you want to self-publish the best book possible.
Even the most talented writers miss typos, grammar slips, and awkward phrasing. That’s where manuscript proofreaders come in. These eagle-eyed professionals polish your work, ensuring your book looks professional and error-free before it reaches readers.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
✔ Why hiring a proofreader for your book is non-negotiable
✔ The difference between proofreading vs. editing
✔ Where to find the best book proofreading services (including affiliate-recommended platforms)
✔ Tools to help you self-proofread before sending your manuscript off
✔ Special considerations for a proofreader for an audiobook company
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links. That means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase them. This helps support our work in bringing you experienced self-publishing advice. Rest assured, we only recommend tools and services we genuinely believe in.
Let’s dive in!
Why You Need a Manuscript Proofreader (Even If You’re a Great Writer)
You might think, “I’ve read my book a dozen times—I’ll catch all the errors.“ But here’s the truth: Your brain auto-corrects mistakes when you’re too familiar with the text. A fresh set of professional eyes ensures:
✅ No embarrassing typos (nothing pulls readers out of a story like “pubic“ instead of “public”)
✅ Consistent formatting (especially important for eBooks and print)
✅ Polished readability (awkward phrasing gets smoothed out)
✅ Professional credibility (readers judge books by their errors)
If you’re planning an audiobook, a proofreader for an audiobook company is even more critical—narration mistakes are costly to re-record!
Proofreading vs. Editing: What’s the Difference?
Before hiring a proofreader, make sure you know what level of help you need:
🔹 Developmental Editing – Big-picture feedback on plot, structure, and pacing.
🔹 Copy Editing – Fixes grammar, style, and clarity issues.
🔹 Proofreading – The final polish for typos, punctuation, and formatting.
If your book hasn’t been edited yet, you’ll want that done before proofreading. But if your manuscript is already refined, a proofreader is your last line of defense before publishing.
Where to Find the Best Book Proofreading Services
Fiverr (Our Top Affiliate Recommended Platform)
Fiverr is a goldmine for freelance manuscript proofreaders at various price points. Look for sellers with:
✔ High ratings & verified reviews
✔ Samples of past work
✔ Specialization in your genre (fiction, nonfiction, children’s books)
👉 Find a Proofreader on Fiverr (affiliate link)
Fiverr Proofreading Deep Dive: Affordable, Fast, & Reliable
✅ Best for: Indie authors who need quick, budget-friendly proofreading without sacrificing quality.
✅ How it works: Freelancers (“sellers”) offer pre-packaged services (“gigs”) with fixed prices and turnaround times. You browse profiles, reviews, and samples before ordering.
Why Authors Love Fiverr for Proofreading:
✔ Price flexibility – Options from $5 to $5,000 depending on word count and expertise.
✔ Speed – Many sellers deliver in 48 hours or less.
✔ Specialized niches – Find proofreaders for romance, sci-fi, children’s books, memoirs, and more.
✔ Tiered packages – Often include extras like formatting checks or two-rounds of edits.
How to Pick the Best Fiverr Proofreader:
- Filter by ratings (4.7 average with 100 or more reviews)
- Check samples (some sellers share before/after edits)
- Message first (ask about their experience with your genre)
- Start small (order a 1,000 word test proofread before committing to a full manuscript).
Fiverr Estimated Pricing Tiers:
| Service Level | Cost Per 1,000 Words | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5 to $15 | Basic typo/grammar fixes |
| Mid-tier | $15 to $30 | Grammar + light style tweaks |
| Premium | $30 to $80 & more | Publishing-industry proofreaders |
👉 Pro Tip: Look for sellers who offer “Manuscript Proofreading“ (not just editing) and provide Track Changes edits in a Docx file for transparency.
Updated Platform Comparison Chart*
| Platform | Best For | Avg. Cost | Vetting Level | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiverr | Budget-friendly, fast fixes | $5 to $30 per 1000 words | Medium (review-heavy) | 1–5 days |
| Upwork | Flexible hiring, mid-range budgets | $15 to $60 per hour | Medium (self-vetted) | Varies |
| Reedsy | Premium, publisher-quality | $0.015 to $0.03 per word | High (pre-screened) | 1–2 weeks |
*All pricing and delivery turnaround times are estimated. Do your own research and check each platform and seller for actual costs and timelines.
When to Choose Fiverr Over Reedsy/Upwork:
- You’re on a tight deadline (many Fiverr sellers offer 24 to 72 hour delivery).
- Your budget is under $300 (Reedsy can hit $1,000 or more for long books).
- You want a simple, one-time service (no contracts or negotiations).
👉 Browse Top-Rated Fiverr Proofreaders Here (affiliate link)
Critical Warning About Vetting Fiverr Proofreading Services
While Fiverr has hidden gems, avoid:
❌ Sellers with generic gig descriptions (e.g. I will proofread anything for $5).
❌ No samples or portfolio (red flag for inexperience).
❌ Unrealistically cheap rates ($5 for 50K words = guaranteed low quality).
Our top Fiverr proofreading categories to explore:
- Fiction Proofreading
- Nonfiction/Memoir Proofreading
- Children’s Book Proofreading
- Audiobook Script Proofreading
Final Verdict
Fiverr offers the best balance of affordability and speed for indie authors, while Reedsy/Upwork suits those needing elite, big-budget polish. Always request a sample edit before committing, no matter what platform you choose to work with!
Upwork & Reedsy
If you need a more customized experience, platforms like Upwork and Reedsy connect you with seasoned professionals.
Upwork vs. Reedsy: Where to Find Top Tier Manuscript Proofreaders
If you’re looking for a personalized, high quality proofreading experience, freelance platforms like Upwork and Reedsy are excellent choices. Both connect you with professional proofreaders, but they cater to slightly different needs.
Upwork – The Flexible Freelance Marketplace
✅ Best for: Authors who want a wide selection of proofreaders at various price points.
✅ How it works: You post a job (e.g., Need a proofreader for my 80,000 word fantasy novel), and freelancers submit proposals. You review their profiles, ratings, and samples before hiring.
Pros:
✔ Huge pool of talent (from budget friendly to elite professionals)
✔ Flexible pricing (hourly or fixed rate projects)
✔ Secure payments (funds held in escrow until work is approved)
✔ Good for long term collaborations (if you need ongoing proofreading help)
Cons:
❌ Quality varies (you must vet freelancers carefully)
❌ Can be time consuming (sifting through proposals)
❌ Service fees (Upwork takes a percentage from freelancers)
Pricing:
- Budget: $15 to 30 per hour (entry level proofreaders)
- Mid-range: $30 to $60 per hour (experienced professionals)
- Premium: $60 per hour (publishing industry veterans)
2. Reedsy – Curated Publishing Professionals
✅ Best for: Authors who want pre-vetted, industry tested proofreaders (many have worked with major publishers).
✅ How it works: You browse Reedsy’s marketplace, request quotes from proofreaders, and compare their experience, rates, and reviews.
Pros:
✔ Handpicked experts (Reedsy screens freelancers rigorously)
✔ Specialization in books (fiction, nonfiction, children’s, etc.)
✔ Transparent pricing (most pros list rates upfront)
✔ No bidding wars (you contact them directly)
Cons:
❌ Higher cost (premium service = premium prices)
❌ Fewer budget options (not ideal for tight budgets)
❌ No escrow system (payment terms vary by freelancer)
Pricing*:
- Standard proofreading: $0.015–0.03 per word (estimated at $750–1,500 for a 50K word book)
- Rush jobs: Higher rates for tight deadlines
- *Pricing provided is estimated at the time of publishing; do your own research on each platform to get accurate pricing information
Which One Should You Choose?
PlatformBest ForAvg. CostVetting Level
Upwork Budget flexibility, quick hires $15 to 60 per hour Medium (you must check reviews)
Reedsy Premium, publishing house quality $0.015–0.03 per word High (pre-screened pros)
Final Recommendation:
- If you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind vetting freelancers yourself → Upwork
- If you want a guaranteed pro with publishing experience → Reedsy
Need a More Affordable Option?
If neither fits your budget, consider Fiverr’s book proofreading services (starting at $5 per 1,000 words). We’ve had great experiences with top-rated sellers there.
👉 Find Affordable Proofreaders on Fiverr (affiliate link)
Specialized Proofreading Services
For manuscript book proofreading services with a quick turnaround, check out:
- Scribendi
- ProofreadingPal
- Polished Paper
Best Tools to Self-Proofread Before Hiring a Pro
While a human proofreader is essential, these tools help you catch easy mistakes first:
🛠 Grammarly – Catches grammar, spelling, and tone issues.
👉 Try Grammarly Premium (affiliate link)
🛠 Hemingway App – Highlights complex sentences and readability issues.
👉 Use Hemingway Editor (affiliate link)
🛠 ProWritingAid – A more advanced grammar & style checker.
Running your manuscript through these first saves your proofreader time (and you money).
Special Case: Proofreading for Audiobooks
If you’re working with an audiobook company, your narrator needs a flawless script. A proofreader for an audiobook company ensures:
✔ No mispronounced names/places
✔ Consistent dialogue tags
✔ Correct punctuation for natural pacing
👉 Tip: Use Otter.ai (affiliate link) to transcribe and review your audiobook script for errors.
Final Checklist Before Publishing
Before sending your book to a proofreader (or publishing), run through this list:
🔲 Spell-check (don’t just rely on software—read aloud!)
🔲 Format check (consistent headings, fonts, spacing)
🔲 Hyperlink test (if applicable)
🔲 Page numbers & TOC (especially for print books)
Once you’ve done your best, hand it off to a pro.
Ready to Publish? Get Your Book Proofread Today!
A polished book = happy readers = better reviews and sales. Whether you need manuscript proofreaders, book proofreading services, or a proofreader for an audiobook company, investing in this step pays off.
👉 Start with Fiverr’s top rated proofreaders here. (affiliate link)
Have questions about self-publishing? Check out our other guides on AmericanWritersGroup.com for more tips on writing, marketing, and selling your book successfully!
Happy publishing!
Complete Transparency: American Writers Group is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. This means if you click on our links and make a purchase, we may receive a commission. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps us continue to create free, valuable content for self-publishing authors. Thank you for your support!