‘Look’ I tell my daughter ‘Here is the press proof of book two’ and pull out a loose copy of the precious document.
‘Oh I want to see it!’ she looks up eagerly and then looks at the proof confused ‘But Mama the pages are not stuck together’
I smile. It’s a phenomenon I was also confused about for the first book, but now I get it. It is so much easier to really inspect each page before it goes to final print, and somehow easier to spot mistakes in a printed version too.
And what am I looking for? Here are a few things
- Are there errors in the text?
- Is the layout appropriate on each page?
- Does the cover spine line up with the width of the book.
- How are the colours printing?
- What is the paper like?
- Are the fonts readable?
- Is anything cut off at the edge?
- Have I got the correct publishing information? – ISBN no., acknowledgements, copyright etc.
And even then, I may read over it many times and still something may get missed. But I have to remind myself, we all make mistakes! And it’s the wonderful community of readers who have opened the first book and taken the time to learn some of the actions that have offered feedback and even corrections that we can pick up in this book and in reprints. For this book…. well let me know if you are keen for a cuppa and a spot of proofreading 🙂
Yes book two for TUMA is close to release: keep an ear out for a launch date!