You have written your book. That is the hard part, and you have already done it. Now comes the bit that decides how readers see your work: the final polish. A single typo on page one can make a reader put a book down. A confusing sentence in chapter three can lose them for good. This is where a careful set of eyes matters, and it is exactly what we do at Northern Star Press. We offer a thorough final check of your manuscript for novelists, memoir writers, non-fiction authors, poets, and small publishers. Whether you are self-publishing your first novel or preparing a manuscript for a literary agent, we check your pages line by line so nothing slips through.
We are based here in Dublin, and we understand Irish spelling, grammar, and tone. We are not a faceless online tool that flags your work with generic software rules. We are people who read every page, think about every sentence, and treat your book the way we would want our own work treated.
We know that sending your manuscript to a stranger can feel a bit nerve-wracking. You have put months, sometimes years, into this project, and handing it over for a critical read is not easy. That is why we try to keep things simple and personal. You will always know who is working on your book, and you can ask questions at any stage. There is no jargon, no pressure, and no vague promises. Just a clear, honest process from start to finish.
Proofreading is often misunderstood. Some people think it just means fixing spelling. It is much more than that. A proper proofread catches:
We also offer light copy editing alongside proofreading when a manuscript needs a bit more than a final check. This combined approach is why many clients come to us for full book editing and proofreading support rather than booking two separate services with two separate people.
Novels, short story collections, and novellas all get the same close attention. We read for flow as well as accuracy, so dialogue sounds natural, and pacing does not drag. We also keep an eye on things writers often lose track of over a long draft, such as a character's name changing spelling or a timeline that quietly slips out of order.
Facts, dates, and names need to be consistent from the first page to the last. We check for clarity too, so your ideas come across the way you intended them. For memoir in particular, we are careful to protect your voice. Our job is to tidy the writing, not to make it sound like someone else wrote it.
Poetry has its own rules around line breaks, spacing, and punctuation. We proofread with that in mind, rather than applying standard prose rules where they do not belong.
If you are publishing a book connected to your business, research, or professional field, we proofread with an eye for tone and consistency that suits a professional readership.
Books for children come with their own challenges. Rhyme and rhythm need to hold together. Vocabulary needs to suit the age group. Repetition, which is often deliberate in children's writing, needs to be told apart from genuine mistakes. We keep all of this in mind during every check, so playful language is respected rather than flattened into standard adult prose.
If you have written a picture book, an early reader, or a middle grade novel, we would love to see it. Our children's book proofread services in Dublin have helped local parents, teachers, and first-time authors get their stories ready for print or for online publishing platforms.
Our clients come from all corners of the writing world, including:
You do not need to visit an office or post a printed manuscript to work with us. Everything happens by email, so you can send your file, get updates, and receive your proofread manuscript back without ever leaving your desk. This suits writers with day jobs, parents fitting writing around family life, and anyone who simply prefers working from home.
We use tracked changes so you can see exactly what has been altered and why. Nothing is changed without your knowledge, and you always have the final say on every edit.
Not every proofreading service is the same, and it is worth asking a few honest questions before you commit to one, whether that is us or someone else:
A good proofreader should be happy to answer all of these without hesitation.
Some writers wonder if proofreading is really worth the cost. Here is what a careful proofread actually does for your book:
Every manuscript is assigned to a proofreader with real experience in that genre. We are built around matching the right reader to the right book, rather than handing every project to whoever is free that week. A children's picture book and a crime thriller need different instincts, and we make sure your proofreader understands your genre.
We do not rush. A proofreader who skims a manuscript in an afternoon will miss things. We take the time each book needs, because a rushed proofread defeats the purpose of hiring one in the first place.
Throughout the whole process, you can reach us by email with questions. If something in the tracked changes is not clear, we will explain our reasoning rather than leaving you guessing.
Send your file in Word or a similar editable format, along with any notes on style, spelling preference, or areas you are unsure about.
We read a sample of your manuscript and give you a clear quote based on word count and the level of work needed. You will also get an honest turnaround time before you commit to anything.
Your proofreader works through the manuscript using tracked changes, along with comments where something needs your input or a decision.
We send the manuscript back with every change visible. You can accept, reject, or ask questions about anything you are unsure of.
Once you have reviewed everything, we do a final pass to make sure no new errors were introduced during the review stage, and your manuscript is ready to go.
We know Irish English, Irish spelling, and the tone that fits an Irish readership.
The same person reads your whole manuscript, so nothing gets lost between different readers.
Every change is tracked, and you decide what to accept.
You get a clear quote before work starts, based on your actual manuscript.
Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children's books are all handled by proofreaders who understand that genre.
You can ask questions and get a proper answer from the person who worked on your book.
We know there are other options out there, and we would rather earn your trust than simply claim to deserve it. What we can promise is this: we read every page ourselves, we communicate clearly, and we treat your manuscript with the same care we would want for our own writing. Many clients tell us this is exactly what they were searching for when they looked for the best book editing and proofreading services in Dublin, and we would rather show you than tell you.
We built our service list around the real gaps that stop authors from finishing and launching their books. Here is what falls under our roof.
There is no single flat rate that works fairly for every book, and we would rather be upfront about that than quote a number that does not reflect your project. Your final quote generally depends on:
We always provide a clear quote before any work begins, so there are no surprises later.
Writing, editing, design, printing and marketing under one roof. Pick the stage your book is stuck at and we will take it from there.
Your book deserves a careful, honest read before it goes out into the world. Send us your manuscript, and we will get back to you with a straightforward quote and a realistic timeline. No pressure, just a proper answer about what your book needs.
It depends on the length and condition of your manuscript, but most full-length books take between two and four weeks. We will confirm a timeline once we see your file.
Yes. While we are based in Dublin and know many local writers, we work with clients anywhere by email and tracked changes, so location is never a barrier.
Yes. We are happy to proofread a short sample of your manuscript first, so you can see our approach before committing to the full project.
We work across genres, including picture books, early readers, and middle grade fiction, alongside adult fiction and non-fiction.
We typically work with Word documents, since tracked changes make the review process simple. If your file is in another format, just ask, and we will let you know if we can accommodate it.
Yes, unless you specifically ask for a different variety of English. We will always confirm this with you before we begin.
Cost depends on word count and the amount of work needed, so we provide an individual quote for every manuscript rather than a fixed rate. Get in touch with your word count, and we will send you an honest figure.
Whether you have a finished manuscript or just an idea you keep coming back to, tell us about it. We will map out your fastest route to publication, free of charge.
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