woman-wearing-glasses-at-laptop-proofreading-a-manuscript

The Ultimate Guide to Hiring Manuscript Proofreaders for Self-Published Authors

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:

  1. Filter by ratings (4.7 average with 100 or more reviews)
  2. Check samples (some sellers share before/after edits)
  3. Message first (ask about their experience with your genre)
  4. 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)

👉 Find Proofreaders on Upwork 

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

👉 Browse Reedsy Proofreaders 

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 proofreadersbook 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!

 

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