GALLEY PROOFS OR GALLEYS

A typeset copy of a book manuscript used to detect and correct errors before the final print run. At this point, the type on the pages will be formatted the way it will look in the final copy, although the pages will not be cut to size. This copy will be used by the editors at the publishing house to do a final edit, but it is also the copy that will be sent to the author for his final edit. The publishing contract should actually state that you will be sent the galley proofs and given a chance to edit them and return them in a specified number of days. The number of days will vary, from 7 to 30, usually depending on whether or not they are behind on the production schedule—and how far behind. Do not assume that because their editors are doing a final edit that you do not need to. As the author, you are the only one who might notice that some material is missing or out of order, or that some content meaning was changed in the original editing process. Make the review of the galleys a priority. For a detailed discussion, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galley_proof.

 

Excerpt from Writing World Defined--A to Z, (stuartcwmg@aol.com)