Happy New Year! Far from feeling blue, being a proofreader is perfect for those wintery days when hot drinks and heated blankets are needed. Although, it's felt a bit like 'back to school' for me this week!

Each January I start receiving enquiries from schools, colleges and universities looking for a professional proofreader for yearbooks, prospectuses and admissions publications.

This week I’ve been reviewing pages from two different school yearbooks. Both publications include a mix of student messages, staff reflections and highlights from the academic year. Yearbooks are particularly interesting to proofread because they combine formal school information with more personal content such as student quotes and memories.

At the end of my first full week back to the Edit Desk, I've proofread:

• yearbooks and a brochure for two different independent schools
• page proofs for a national schools magazine
• event invitations for another independent school
• an online training module in financial crime prevention
• a bilingual children's colouring and activity book... as well as all the other bits and pieces that came up along the way.
  

The welcome break over Christmas has given me fresh energy for 2026 – and it looks like it'll be needed!

One thing I was reassured about is that expert human oversight of publications – whether printed or online – is still an absolute essential to ensure a truly professional finish. For clients I work with in the education sector, proper proofreading is more important than ever, to stand apart as a trusted provider.

What makes yearbook proofreading different?

Proofreading a yearbook is slightly different from proofreading other publications. As well as checking spelling and grammar, I review:

• student names and captions
• quotes and personal messages
• event titles and dates
• consistency across pages
• layout elements such as headings and captions.

Because yearbooks are often printed as keepsakes, accuracy matters. Even small errors can be disappointing once the book is printed.

I know I care way too much about typos and grammar, but someone has to, right? If you need help in that area, let's have a chat.