Content & Format

Who is this book for?

The Proofreader’s Guide to Comic Book Style is first and foremost for people who either are or want to be professional editors and proofreaders. It would be ideal for someone who edits prose but wants to get into comics or someone who works in another role in comics and wants to know more about the editorial side.

But writers, letterers, self-publishing creators, and publishing companies can also benefit from learning about common conventions in comics, how editors and proofreaders might apply them, and how to work efficiently and effectively with copyeditors and proofreaders.

How is it different from other books on editing and publishing comics?

I wrote this book to fill a very specific need: the need for a resource detailing editorial style conventions and mechanics in North American comics. It’s meant to supplement a style manual like The Chicago Manual of Style or a publisher’s in-house style guide.

Shelly Bond’s Filth and Grammar, the first book dedicated specifically to comic book editing, is an essential resource for developmental editing, art direction, and related topics, and it touches briefly on the importance of proofreading. My book is, in some ways, the opposite: It’s dedicated to proofreading and copyediting and touches only briefly on the bigger-picture types of editing.

Other books likewise focus on different aspects of comics publishing than I do. Scott McCloud’s Making Comics and Will Eisner’s Comics and Sequential Art deepen an editor’s or creator’s understanding of the medium by dissecting and explaining the art form. Nate Piekos’s The Essential Guide to Comic Book Lettering and John Roshell and Richard Starkings’s Comic Book Lettering the Comicraft Way are step-by-step guides to the art, craft, and technical process of lettering.

Does it cover manga?

The book mentions a few conventions that comics influenced by manga might use, as well as workflow considerations for translated comics, but it’s primarily about “Western-style” comics. Editing Manga by Jan Mitsuko Cash and other resources cover manga-specific editing and proofreading in more detail.

What formats are available?

The paperback and PDF ebook are available now. An epub edition is forthcoming.

What is the difference between the two ebook versions?

In a nutshell, the PDF is a fixed-layout, full-color ebook that looks very similar to the paperback, including a full index. The epub will be reflowable, meant for your ereader, and prioritizes accessibility. The epub will contain all the same graphics as the other editions but does not include all the cosmetic design elements or an index.

Although the PDF includes alt text and certain other limited accessibility features, there are inherent limitations to the format. For this reason, I strongly recommended the epub for an accessible reading experience if you use a screen reader. If the accessibility features you need aren’t fully served by the PDF but you decide to purchase it while waiting for the epub to be released, please contact hello@madeleinevasaly.com to arrange for a free copy of the epub when it's available.

Purchases

Can I buy the book in stores?

For readers in the Twin Cities, the paperback edition of The Proofreader’s Guide is available at Odd Mart, a comics and collectibles shop less than a mile from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I hope to announce more options soon—if you’re interested in carrying the book in your store, contact hello@madeleinevasaly.com!

Odd Mart
2520 Lyndale Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(Map)

I also attend a handful of conferences and conventions. Even if I’m not exhibiting, I’ll generally have a limited supply of books with me.

Can I buy the book anywhere else besides this website?

For now, this is the only place online where I’m selling it. I may expand my distribution to other platforms in the future.

What is the “team” version of the ebook?

The basic ebook license is intended for use by a single person. The team license gives you the legal right to distribute the electronic file within an organization or team. The content is the same.

Are there bulk discounts available for school or training use?

Yes! If you're interested in assigning or purchasing the book for educational or professional development purposes, please contact hello@madeleinevasaly.com to make arrangements.

What is your refund policy?

If your print copy has a physical defect, whether caused by a printing error or damage sustained in shipping, I will replace it as soon as possible. Please contact hello@madeleinevasaly.com with a photo of the issue.

Should a refund be appropriate, any refunds processed via your credit/debit card will show back up in your bank account within 7 to 10 business days, depending on your bank. Any refunds processed will show back up in your PayPal account balance within 24 business hours.

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Question not answered here? Contact me!