"If I'm doing my job correctly, I completely disappear" The Art of Proofreading

Plus, a quiz!

During my two decades as a college professor, I commented on scores of student essays. I did so confidently and authoritatively. I was never one to focus on grammar and punctuation too too much—for me, the ideas should always take precedent—but I would circle and annotate all the errors I found.

When I started editing professionally, I quickly lost my nerve. I know myself enough to know I would never be a great proofreader. One thing I am not is fastidious, so I could not be trusted to proof a lengthy, professional publication, as opposed to a research paper for ENG 404.

Michael Jauchen was my answer. I don’t even remember how Michael and I met, but he has edited and proofed my writing, as well as Belt Publishing books, for years now. Mike is quick, reliable, funny, and incredibly talented.

So with “Proofreading newsletter” entered into on my calendar for today, I realized only one person could explain the process for you. So I interviewed Michael. Read carefully: we are having a qui…