Proofreading a Novel Template 1
Proof passes: typos/words → punctuation → names/terms → chapter/scene formatting → page layout → correction verification.
16 Proofreading a Novel Templates
Start with structure, then replace every placeholder with information that is true, relevant, and natural for your context. These templates are intentionally skeletal so your final writing does not sound mass-produced.
Use the framework
How to personalize a template
Effective novel proofreading protects the already edited story while checking the actual reading artifact: residual words and punctuation, names and continuity visible at proof stage, chapter-opening treatment, scene-break markers, running heads, page numbers, typography, front/back matter, and conversion artifacts. Large story or prose changes are escalated rather than silently folded into proof corrections.
- 1Choose the template closest to your actual purpose.
- 2Replace every bracketed field with specific information.
- 3Delete any sentence that does not belong in your situation.
- 4Read the result aloud for unnatural transitions or repeated phrasing.
- 5Verify names, dates, links, facts, and promises before sending or publishing.
Proofreading a Novel Template 2
Page checklist: header/footer | page number | paragraph breaks | italics/bold | scene break | widows/orphans | unexpected whitespace.
Proofreading a Novel Template 3
Correction log: page/location | original | correction | verified after update [yes/no].
Proofreading a Novel Template 4
Stop rule: If a change affects meaning, structure, or multiple paragraphs, return it to editorial review instead of treating it as a proof correction.
Proofreading a Novel Template 5
Novel proof inventory: print PDF [version] | ebook/export [version] | style sheet [version] | open queries [count] | correction log [location].
Proofreading a Novel Template 6
Text pass: missing/duplicate words | spelling | punctuation | quotation/dialogue mechanics | italics | names/places | obvious continuity flags.
Proofreading a Novel Template 7
Chapter pass: chapter number/title | opening-page style | first paragraph | scene breaks | running head suppression | chapter-end spacing.
Proofreading a Novel Template 8
Print-page pass: folio | running head | widow/orphan | awkward hyphenation | loose/tight line | blank page | special character | image/caption if present.
Proofreading a Novel Template 9
Ebook pass: TOC/nav | chapter links | paragraph indents | scene-break visibility | italics | special characters | images | device-width behavior.
Proofreading a Novel Template 10
Style-sheet comparison: character/place spellings [x] | capitalization [x] | numbers/time [x] | italics/titles [x] | punctuation exceptions [x].
Proofreading a Novel Template 11
Substantive-exception log: location [x] | discovered problem [x] | why beyond proof scope [x] | editorial owner [x] | final resolution [x].
Proofreading a Novel Template 12
Correction verification: correction ID [x] | print checked [yes/no] | ebook checked [yes/no] | collateral effect [none/detail].
Proofreading a Novel Template 13
Scene-break QA: marker expected [x] | visible in source [x] | print [x] | ebook [x] | spacing consistent [x].
Proofreading a Novel Template 14
Running-head QA: chapter title [x] | verso text [x] | recto text [x] | chapter opener suppressed [yes/no] | blank page handled [x].
Proofreading a Novel Template 15
Final-release gate: substantive changes closed [ ] copy queries closed [ ] proof corrections applied [ ] second-person check [ ] print export checked [ ] ebook export checked [ ].
Proofreading a Novel Template 16
Proof handoff note: accepted corrections [count] | rejected/query items [count] | files delivered [x] | remaining production risks [x].