[Brian Morris]

Proofreading poetry is nigh on impossible.

It’s hard to know what is a mistake and what is ‘poetic licence’.

The poet can make up words, as Shakespeare did HUNDREDS of times. But the proofreader can question whether the poet meant to write obvious misspellings like ‘goseberry’ or ‘hindreds’ or ‘ceasar’. They are probably genuine mistakes.

My tip is to ASK. The symbol   s/b?  will be your new favourite.

Checking facts will still be a useful proofreader service. Pointing out that attributing ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ to Stephen King is wrong – is easy. But you need to be on your toes to notice ‘Lee Harper’ is also wrong.

All writers can have a brain fade. That includes poets. And all human beings.

So offer your services to authors, lawyers, estate agents, public relations writers, PowerPoint users, newsletter writers, bloggers, reverends, magazine editors, teachers, politicians and ……