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Today’s spotlight is on the fantastic Proofreading by Mich, who has been helping indie authors polish their manuscripts for years — in fact, she proofread my book all the way back in 2017!
Read on for my interview with Mich.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your business. How did your creative journey begin?
Hi, I’m Mich, and I run Proofreading by Mich. I started out as a fanfic writer and ventured into writing my own books. I’ve always loved supporting other authors, and proofreading seemed to be a natural progression.
What inspired you to start offering your current services or products?
I used to beta-read for friends and authors and realised I was pretty good at catching typos, minor plot errors, and other things. After chatting to a couple of friends, I decided to go ahead and set myself up.
Things started out slowly, but I soon began to book authors in regularly.
What does a typical day look like for you in your creative business?
When I’m proofreading, I like to sit at my desk as the screen on my PC is bigger than my laptop’s. I have snacks and a drink to keep me going.
As I work full-time now, I have to manage my time carefully; otherwise, I burn out. I take regular screen breaks and have music playing to keep me motivated.
What’s your favourite part of the creative process? And what’s the most challenging?
I love starting a new book, regardless of whether I’ve read the author before or not. The beginning of a book gives me so much insight into an author’s style, and it’s exciting to see how they set up that particular story.
How do you stay inspired or motivated during busy or difficult times?
As mentioned above, I take regular breaks and make sure I stretch my neck out. Snacks and drinks help too, as I work well with a sugar rush.
Do you have a favourite project you’ve worked on recently? What made it special?
As much as I love all the projects I work on, I particularly love proofreading for Carrie Elks - I’ve read all her books since she started writing her Angel Sands series, and I fall in love with her writing each time.
Having said that, I love that the authors I work with cover so many romance subgenres and each book I proofread is something new.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own creative or service-based business?
Don’t expect to rake in the money and to get bookings straight away. It takes time to build up clients and to build a relationship with them.
But I say not to be scared of starting out, it’s nerve-racking, but so rewarding when you return a job with the satisfaction that you’ve done your best.
In what ways do you support the creative community?
I try to support as many authors as I possibly can, when I can. Even if it’s a share on social media or buying their book, every little helps.
Are there any upcoming projects, launches, or goals you’re excited about?
I don’t have anything upcoming at the moment, but I’m always excited about the next book I get to proofread.
Where can people find you online and follow your work?
All my links can be found here: linktr.ee/proofreadingbymich
