Jan Adkins
Professional proofreader of commercial, contemporary and literary fiction
Why do you need a proofreader?
You believe in quality control.
What can I do for you?
identify inappropriate syntax and misused or misplaced words
apply the correct hyphenation, and correct bad word breaks
eliminate repetition and tautology (e.g. ‘reverse back’)
check that specific terms and phrases are used consistently
check that the formatting is consistent, e.g. paragraph indents and chapter headings, running heads/feet
confirm chronology of chapters and page numbers
eliminate rogue spaces, redundant lines and unnecessary hard returns
ensure that your manuscript conforms to house style (if applicable).
Appropriate adjustments will be made to produce clear content that flows smoothly and coherently.
I can work in UK or US English.
About working with me
Why choose me?
I am a professional member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), completing and passing the advanced proofreading course with merit. I strive to uphold their Code of Practice of ensuring editorial excellence. I listen closely to your requirements, staying within the brief. I pay great attention to detail, delivering an enhanced and polished document, without altering your voice.
How do I work?
After your book has been edited, you contact me by email with an initial enquiry. We will then have an informal chat about your project requirements. In most cases I will ask to see a sample of the manuscript to establish the level of intervention required and to accurately quote a fee and agree terms. A document in MS Word will be amended using Track Changes. If it is in PDF format, I will use Adobe’s editing tools.
How much do I charge?
This can vary considerably between projects. I will assess the sample you send me and, based on that, I will prepare a quote.
My rates align with the CIEP’s minimum suggested rates. Perhaps you have a set budget in mind. This can be discussed; I always try and work within the scope of the client’s budget.
Who am I?
I spent twenty years of my life in Africa (South Africa and Zimbabwe) and one year in Hong Kong, finally coming home to roost in East Devon, a tranquil and scenic part of the south-west of England.
I have a BA from the Open University, a French Secretarial qualification from the Royal Society of Arts and a Certificate in Journalism from the University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg).
When I am not proofreading, I am walking the dog, swimming or engrossed in a book.
Testimonials
Jan is a diligent proofreader and always does a thorough job. Some of the projects she’s worked on for me have had very tight deadlines, and Jan nevertheless turned them around without any drop in quality and with a wonderful and friendly attitude. A life saver!
Emily Bedford
Senior Commissioning Editor
Canelo Digital Publishing
July 2021
Jan has been a pleasure to work with. She is an extremely thorough and reliable proofreader and we have used her on challenging projects. She has recently completed a series of crime novels for us. Thoroughly recommend!
Fiona Paterson
Publishing Assistant
Allison & Busby
September 2023
Jan has provided proofreading services for One More Chapter on many titles, and I continue to be impressed by her reliability, thoroughness and professionalism. She is wonderful when it comes to providing thorough and thoughtful edits that meet our tight deadlines, resulting in happy editors and authors. I would highly recommend Jan for proofreads.
Kara Daniel
Managing Editorial Assistant
One More Chapter
March 2025
Recent work
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to proofread a manuscript?
How long does it take to proofread a manuscript?
Every manuscript is unique. The scope of work required will depend on the condition of the text. Some documents need very little attention, while others need more. I will be able to establish this by seeing a sample of the document.
Will you make any major changes or alterations?
I don’t want you to alter my manuscript or make any major changes; I just want all the spelling mistakes, typos and poor grammar eliminated along with any other obvious errors. Is this what you do?
Yes, that is in essence what proofreading is. I respect the author’s voice and take care not to alter it in any way.
Can you edit my document?
Can you edit my document?
I am not a copyeditor, but I can do a light ‘proof-edit’. This is where there is some crossover between proofreading skills and copyediting skills. This might involve, for example, looking at sentence structure and finer grammar points. Rates for this are higher than proofreading rates. However, should your document require a susbtantial edit, I can assist in finding a suitable copyeditor. To establish if you need a proofreader or copyeditor, click here
What do you charge?
What do you charge?
I am guided by the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading’s (CIEP) suggested minimum rates, but I always try and work within the client’s budget.
What if I change my document after you have proofread it?
What if I change my document after you have proofread it? Can I send it back to you for a final once-over?
My quotation is for one proofread only (unless we have agreed otherwise). If you require further proofreading, that would be considered a new job and I would draw up a new quotation.
Can I send you a chapter/section at a time?
Can I send you a chapter/section at a time, as my work progresses?
Sorry, no. If I don’t have access to the entire manuscript, this could ultimately impede the flow of the text and would require me to cross-check the new copy against that which has already been proofread to ensure full consistency. This would be a much longer process.
How do you mark up the document?
How do you mark up the document?
I work in MS Word, usingTrack Changes, and Adobe Acrobat for PDFs, using the annotation and commenting tools.
If you can’t find an answer to a query in my FAQs, please contact me.