I've noticed, in some of the books I have read recently, some significant errors. Typos, spelling errors, entire words missing, sentences not making sense, lose threads not tied off and clues planted early in the novel which seem to be entirely forgotten by the end. It seems to be happening more and more in what I read, particularly the smaller errors like typos and spelling errors, even in novels by big name authors like Terry Pratchett.
I know there are a few published authors floating around on the forum here, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few forumites involved in some way in the publishing industry, so I was wondering if any of you knew what the situation was here: if you've been published, how does the finished product on the shelf differ from the manuscript you submitted to the publisher? And those in the publishing industry: do publishers bypass proof-readers? Or simply go for the cheaper proof-readers with less experience? Am I overreacting?
I admit that part of the reason I ask is because I am considering a career as a freelance proof-reader (if I can't get one of the jobs I really want), but if the profession is a dwindling one then I'm going to need to think of something else.
I know there are a few published authors floating around on the forum here, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were a few forumites involved in some way in the publishing industry, so I was wondering if any of you knew what the situation was here: if you've been published, how does the finished product on the shelf differ from the manuscript you submitted to the publisher? And those in the publishing industry: do publishers bypass proof-readers? Or simply go for the cheaper proof-readers with less experience? Am I overreacting?
I admit that part of the reason I ask is because I am considering a career as a freelance proof-reader (if I can't get one of the jobs I really want), but if the profession is a dwindling one then I'm going to need to think of something else.