Advanced Proofreading

vcc adv proofreading 1

New Proofreading is a far more demanding job than simply reading the words on the page. The proofreader needs a practical knowledge of typographic design and layout, a keen understanding of how readers navigate the page spread, the ability to manipulate text, and the skill to function as the ‘safety net’ for the copy-editor. This advanced workshop explores reading and interpreting words and images in print to produce a finished book that serves the author’s message, meets the reader’s needs and pleases the eye.

Who is it for?

Editorial staff working in-house in academic, education, special interest or trade non-fiction publishing, whether proofreading themselves or briefing and managing freelancers. You will have at least a year’s experience of copy-editing and proofreading, and will already have a good grounding in editorial decision-making. The skills are transferable to all working practices, print and digital.

What will you achieve?

On completing the course you will know how to:

plan a book-length proofread and carry it out thoroughly
decide what to change and what to leave alone
carry out effective checking and cross-checking
interrogate the design and layout, and improve the interplay of images and text
work with the indexer and other publishing colleagues to finish the book to a high standard

Programme

Day 1

What proofreaders do
What to look for in a proof
From typescript to page proof
Copy-fitting

Day 2

Checking and cross checking
Editing on proof
Collation
The index

How the course is delivered

The course consists of four sessions, each a mixture of delivery and interaction using Zoom breakout rooms and other online tools. There will be 15-minute breaks between sessions with the opportunity to do exercises and take a break. The course will run on the same day across two weeks, split into two half-day sessions in the morning from 9am to 12.30pm.

You will need to activate a free Zoom account to join the course. This takes two minutes and does not require any payment. It is purely for administrative purposes.

We strongly recommend you complete this course with two screens, unless you have a large monitor. This will enable you to watch the demonstrations while you follow along on your own screen. You will need access to a computer or laptop with a camera and microphone and with either Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (which is free) or Adobe Acrobat Professional installed. Please check that you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Any information to be completed beforehand will be sent via email.

Accessibility

Please contact us at with any accessibility or special requirements, for example having in-session captions or the learning materials sent to you in advance.

If you have any concerns about technical requirements or access please contact us on or telephone (+44) 020 8874 2718.

In-house training

This course is also available for in-company training, either virtually or in person at your office. Course content is tailored to suit your requirements. Group sizes range from five to twelve attendees. To find out more, email or telephone +44 (0)20 8874 2718.

What is included?

Certificate

Upon successfully completing the course you will receive a completion certificate from PTC.

Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) points

Completing this course is worth 3 points towards upgrading your CIEP membership.

About the tutor

Rosemary Roberts Heather Rawlin began her career in publishing by training with the PTC to become a proofreader and copy-editor. She worked for six years as an editorial project manager for a firm of typesetters, taking academic publications from manuscript through to print-ready and digital formats, and liaising closely with freelance copy editors, proofreaders and indexers, as well as with the in-house production team of typesetters and quality-assurance readers. Heather started her editorial freelance business in 2015 and began tutoring the PTC distance-learning courses Essential Copy Editing and Essential Proofreading in 2018. She has degrees in the History of Art and experience of editorial work in medical and scientific publishing, as well as the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Next session 1: 4 June 2025 | Session 2: 11 June 2025 (mornings only)

Dates

Wednesday, 04 June 2025

£360+VAT

Date information for future sessions

June 2025

Dates: 4 & 11 June
Times: Each session will run from 9.30am to 1.00pm

Course format

Virtual classroom
9.30am to 1.00pm
Four x 90-minute sessions plus breaks, comprising two half-day sessions on two days, one week apart

A number of discounts are available

Enrol on this course

What you will need

To join the course, you will need access to a computer, tablet or laptop with a camera and microphone. You will need to activate a free Zoom account to join the course. This takes two minutes and does not require any payment. It is purely for administrative purposes.

Enrol on this course

If you would like more information about this course please contact us at .

Please only complete this form if you want to book a training place.

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