We’re back with our latest rant lesson on punctuation. And today’s victim is… the comma.

Okay, let us start off by saying that commas are HARD. We totally get it! There are just so. many. rules.

Of all the punctuation marks our students learn about and practice using in our proofreading courses, the comma is the one they have the most trouble with.

But the phrase “practice makes perfect” is definitely true when it comes to figuring out how to use a comma. After a while, you’ll start to recognize when it’s needed and when it’s not needed… and then you’ll start to notice all the common comma mistakes on the internet and want to jump out the window!

via Brevity

How to Correctly Use a Comma

We’ll keep this very brief because there’s no way we could cover every single comma rule in one blog post (and we would probably bore you to tears…) Instead, we thought it would be more fun to show you the consequences of when comma usage goes bad. Let’s get started!

Use commas in a list of three or more items

When a conjunction (e.g., and, but, or) joins the last two items in a list of three or more, a comma should precede the conjunction.

Example: I eat sausages, bacon, and eggs for my breakfast every morning.

This is called the Oxford or serial comma, and it’s used to avoid ambiguity (as you’ll see later on).

Use commas between independent clauses joined by a conjunction

When independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or, etc., a comma usually precedes the conjunction. To be independent, each clause must have a subject and a verb.

Example: We went to the beach, and John went to the zoo.

Bonus tip: The acronym FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) will help you remember which coordinating conjunctions you should be looking out for. (This has to be one of the best acronyms ever!)

Use commas with appositives

A word that is placed in apposition to a noun is normally set off by commas if it is unrestrictive (i.e., it could be removed from the sentence without changing the intended meaning of the sentence).

FYI: An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that follows another noun or noun phrase and that provides an explanation or additional information about the first noun.

Example: Brian, my best friend, loves playing Mario Kart.

“My best friend” is extra information and not essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Use commas with direct address

Use a comma(s) to set off someone’s name (or a word being used in place of someone’s name) when used to address someone directly.

Example: Dude, where’s my car?

These examples are just a really quick snapshot of some comma rules. If you’re in the mood to read up on all the rules, check out this article. And if you’re feeling really nerdy, take our proofreading aptitude test!

So, without further ado, here are five scenarios where this punctuation mark has been used and abused. Let the hilarity commence!

Misuse #1: Missing commas in direct address

One of the most important uses of the comma is that it saves lives! This example is an oldie but a goodie.

Incorrect: Let’s eat Grandma!

Oh no! What did poor Grandma ever do to you?!

Correct: Let’s eat, Grandma!

That’s better. Now you’re just inviting Grandma to dinner and not making her the main course. To avoid a horrific misunderstanding like this, remember that a comma should set off names or words used in direct address.

Unless you want to be known on your street as the family of cannibals, we suggest you make sure you’ve got this one down!

Misuse #2: Not using the Oxford comma

People usually fall into two camps when it comes to the Oxford or series comma. One group thinks it’s unnecessary, and the other group… well, you’ll have to pry it from their cold, dead, and lifeless hands. See what we did there?

We’re a big proponent of the Oxford or series comma.

Rule 6.19 in The Chicago Manual of Style strongly recommends using it as it prevents ambiguity, as does Margie Wakeman Wells in Bad Grammar/Good Punctuation (check out Chapter 25 for more details). Because let’s face it; omitting it can lead to some hilarious sentences! Let’s take a look at an example, shall we?

Incorrect: James got his picture taken with his parents, Mickey Mouse and Pluto.

We’re pretty sure Mickey Mouse and Pluto are not the parents of a human child named James, but we’re willing to be corrected on that!

Correct: James got his picture taken with his parents, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto.

Rule: Items in a series of three or more are normally separated by commas to avoid ambiguity.

If you’d like to get some practice using the Oxford comma, check out this quiz!

Misuse #3: Putting commas and dashes together

This one really gets our goat. We see it ALL THE TIME, and we don’t know why anyone would do it. It makes no sense, people!

Incorrect: Also — and this is important, don’t eat yellow snow.

Correct: Also, and this is important, don’t eat yellow snow.

Correct: Also — and this is important — don’t eat yellow snow.

Sometimes commas come in pairs. If a comma is placed before an element to set it off from the surrounding text (such as “and this is important” in the example above), a second comma is required if the sentence continues beyond the element being set off. You could substitute an em dash in this instance, but you CANNOT mix them with commas!

Pick one and be consistent!

Misuse #4: Creating a comma splice

Comma splices are RAMPANT! We see them on Facebook posts, in text messages, and even on blogs.

Here’s one example:

Incorrect: Sarah went to the library, she got a new grammar book.

Some of you are probably looking at that and thinking, “What’s the problem? There’s nothing wrong with this sentence!” Well, there is! This is an example of a run-on sentence. It’s not a comma’s job to merge two complete sentences unless there’s a coordinating conjunction in the mix.

Let’s try that one again:

Correct: Sarah went to the library, and she got a new grammar book. (See; there’s a coordinating conjunction here too!)

Correct: Sarah went to the library; she got a new grammar book.

Correct: Sarah went to the library. She got a new grammar book.

There are so many correct ways to write this sentence. You can use a semicolon to show that the two sentences are closely linked. You can use a period to show that they’re two complete sentences. But you CANNOT just use a comma all on its own.

(Example of a comma splice, but it’s still funny!)

Misuse #5: Missing commas with appositives

This one could lead to some serious misunderstandings, so watch out!

Incorrect: Rachel’s husband Mike likes to travel.

Wait a minute! How many husbands does Rachel have? Because this sentence implies that there’s more than one!

Correct: Rachel’s husband, Mike, likes to travel.

Much better! Mike can breathe a sigh of relief now that he’s once again the only man for Rachel!

Rule: A word that is placed in apposition to a noun (i.e., providing an explanation or additional info) is normally set off by commas if it is nonrestrictive — that is, if you could remove it without changing the intended meaning of the sentence.

The post Punctuation Pet Peeve: 5 Ways to Misuse a Comma appeared first on Proofread Anywhere.

The following interview is a conversation between Reyné Pearson and Brooke Andrews. All opinions belong to the conversation participants and don’t necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Proofread Anywhere. 

Hello everyone! I’m so excited to share an interview with our Community and Customer Queen, Brooke! She has been with Proofread Anywhere for almost 5 years and is an essential member of our freelance team. 

Brooke is known for always raising her hand whenever someone asks for help, grading a mountain of student exams, and bringing a bright smile to every Zoom meeting!

I’m so happy that you all can get the opportunity to know her better. So, let’s dive in! 

Finding Proofread Anywhere 

Reyné: Hey Brooke, thanks for sitting down with me! To start out, can you talk a little bit about how you heard about Proofread Anywhere and what you do now? 

Brooke: I was just scrolling through my phone one day and saw an ad on Pinterest.  I’ve always been somewhat of a word nerd and I loved English and spelling in school. It’s just always been my thing. 

I wasn’t specifically good with grammar, but I loved writing and reading so when I saw the ad, it felt like a perfect fit. At the time, there was only a Transcript Proofreading course because General Proofreading hadn’t been made yet.

I remember reading an interview with a student and she was explaining how she felt going through the course. I felt intrigued right away. Immediately I looked up the course and thought “Yep, I’m just going to sign up”. I thought, worst-case scenario, it if doesn’t work out and I don’t find clients, it’s still really great information that I could apply to almost any career. 

Reyné: That sounds like a great way to start with the course.

From Side Hustle to Freelance Expert

Reyné: How did it feel once you started learning? 

Brooke: I just ate everything up.

After taking the course, I had a couple of clients, but I was also working a full-time job. At the time, I was working for the county as an administrative assistant, and I had four little kids. Life was a bit crazy! My initial goal, at the time, was to work from home full-time, but I didn’t think I could just do that with court transcript proofreading. 

I didn’t think I could fully replace my income, so I just did a bit of proofreading work on the side and kept an eye out for something else that would allow me to leave my full-time job completely. 

Then, when I saw the customer service job was open and saw that Caitlin was looking for somebody, I thought maybe I could do that too. I could answer some emails and earn a bit of extra money until I build up my proofreading clientele. 

So, I sent an application and got an email response asking me to take a personality quiz to see if I was a good fit. Haha! I got the job, and it has evolved into what I do now. 

At the time, this was back in late 2016, I had no idea what virtual assistants were or anything like that. The Transcript Proofreading course was the first step and it really opened my eyes to the possibilities of working online. 

Reyné: Absolutely! When I interview students, even if they aren’t working in proofreading, they are all still working as freelancers, and making money online, because the course was able to give them the skills, and the perspective, to make it in the online world.

You Don’t Have to Only Proofread

Reyné: Did you dabble in other kinds of online work? 

Brooke: I have an e-commerce business so I still dabble a little bit with that, but I currently mainly work as a freelance virtual assistant. 

Reyné: That’s so cool! I had no idea that you did e-commerce. What do you sell? 

Brooke: So, I have a women’s clothing boutique (I actually took a course to do that, too!), but I am phasing out of that as we speak and have my own blog that is currently in the works where I want to shed light on mental health issues, particularly anxiety and OCD. I have struggled with both my whole life, and I find writing and journaling to be therapeutic.

Being able to relate with others and make an impact on their lives by shining a light on anxiety with empathy and humor feels so incredibly fulfilling and meaningful. I will likely still weave some e-commerce into my business with relatable products; however, I am focusing on one thing at a time with that. 

I had always dabbled a bit in e-commerce, like selling on eBay when my oldest daughter was a baby, and I sold quite a bit on Poshmark, but I didn’t actually find success until I started my own boutique business.

During COVID, things really blew up with my shop. I was actually packing and shipping all of my own orders and things got so crazy for a while. I was doing everything by myself and still working with Proofread Anywhere. I had a little bit of everything going on. 

Reyné: Wow! That does sound busy! 

Brooke: Yeah, I did get a little bit burnt out from it, and I just wanted to narrow my focus a bit.  

Sometimes, when I do all of these different things, it’s like my mind never shuts off. 

Freelancing is perfect for me because I’m able to do a lot of different tasks, so there is a good variety.

Reyné: That totally makes sense.

A Diverse Work Background With One Common Thread

Reyné: So, before Proofread Anywhere, what was your background?

Brooke: Well, I did a lot of different jobs growing up. My first job as a teenager was in fast food, so I learned how to work with people right away, especially unhappy people. Defusing difficult situations was something that I became really good at early on, and simply having to get out there and talk to people I didn’t know really helped me come out of my shell as a shy and anxious kid. 

I was also a dental assistant for a little while, but after completing my schooling for that, I found that I liked working in the front office more than the back office. I liked doing all of the administrative stuff as opposed to working in the back office and being on my feet all day. 

Reyné: I know exactly what you mean. I had so many odd jobs in college. Do you feel like your educational background helped with these jobs? 

Brooke: Yes. For sure! I did also end up getting my bachelor’s degree online in psychology a few years later, and then I got my master’s degree in organizational leadership. 

Reyné: Wow! That’s impressive! 

From Lost to Freelance Boss

Reyné: How do you think Proofread Anywhere helped your career? 

Brooke: It really helped me launch my career as a freelancer.

I have been with PA since early 2017 and when I first started, it was only meant to be a very part-time customer service gig that I could do from home while I built my clientele as a transcript proofreader.

I had no real aspirations with PA beyond that other than to make a little extra money since I was still working full-time outside of the home. It turned into me doing a whole lot of other tasks on the backend of PA, and I absolutely loved it! I loved being part of a little virtual team and all of the opportunities that came with that. All of my foundational knowledge as a VA came from PA. 

I feel like Proofread Anywhere is where I have learned almost everything, and it really inspired me to keep going and think about what else I can learn. What else can I do?

It really just opened up a whole new world for me that I didn’t even know existed.

The world is your oyster and there’s so much opportunity out there that I would never have discovered without starting with Proofread Anywhere.

Reyné: I love that! It was your springboard into all things freelance! What is your favorite thing about being a freelancer? 

Brooke: The fact that I can be creative and come up with new ways to do things. I have duties at PA, of course, and repetitive tasks that are expected of me as a team member, but I love that I can come up with new ideas and contribute them to Proofread Anywhere. It inspires me to be creative in my own freelance ventures as well. 

I can also make my own schedule (for the most part). If I need to take a day off, I can do that and don’t need to ask permission. If I want/need to take a break midday for a couple of hours, I can do that too!

I have a really hard time setting work boundaries (the boundaries thing is a work in progress!), but I love that I can just be there for my kids. Even though my youngest is 13, if they need a ride somewhere or I need to drop something off at school, it’s no big deal. Little things like that are reminders of why I’m glad I don’t have to work a 9-5!

The Truth About Proofread Anywhere & The Future

Reyné: What is something that you wish more people knew about Proofread Anywhere? 

Brooke: That we have all been in their shoes, at one point. I mean, we are all freelancers too.

Some people take the course for different reasons, but I would say that the majority of people sign up because they want to be full-time freelancers. Some people also want a side hustle or something to help them after retirement but, whatever the reason, we have all been in their place too. 

We understand how overwhelming it can be, at first, and we just want everyone to succeed. 

Reyné: Absolutely! It feels even more personal when you get to help people that you relate to so closely. What are your dreams for the future of Proofread Anywhere? 

Brooke: I hope that we can keep branching out and offering more types of courses. 

I have been with PA since 2017 and seeing how much things have grown since then has just been amazing! It started out as a little blog with a small number of students and has exploded into this huge, awesome community full of students from all walks of life! I love seeing so many of our students realize that proofreading is just the beginning of so many more doors opening for them in the freelance world. 

I would also love to keep growing and keep doing more, myself, but overall I like seeing how we’ve been coming up with different courses where we can branch off from proofreading. Now we teach social media marketing in our Ideas to Impact course, and we just launched a freelance business course, Freelance Formula.

It’s perfect because so many people who take the proofreading course get inspired and start thinking about all of the other things that they can do. 

It’s not just about proofreading. You can do almost anything once you’re inspired to work from home. It’s a huge world that’s open for you. 

Reyné: I couldn’t agree more! I’m still learning about new remote jobs every day! 

Everyone Needs a Hand Sometimes

Reyné: What do you think your favorite memory from PA is? 

Brooke: When I’ve really gotten through to a student or someone who is struggling. Some people just need a little empathy. I might be able to talk them through a course issue, or it may not even be course-related. Sometimes we get people in our inbox who are just having a really rough time. 

Some people can be really unkind, but once you can acknowledge them and show them kindness, I find that a lot of the time, their attitude completely changes. So that really puts a smile on my face. Sometimes people just want to be heard and have some acknowledgment that they’re having a tough time. They just want someone to be empathetic with them. 

Those are the feel-good moments. It makes me so happy to brighten someone’s day or to help them in some way. 

Reyné: You definitely do! We’re always getting amazing reviews about how you and Rebecca make people feel so warm and reassured! 

If I Can Do it, You Can Do it!

Reyné: What is something that our students and graduates should know about you? 

Brooke: I think the biggest thing is just that I know where they’re at, and I want them to succeed. I know how desperate it feels at the time.

I used to have terrible self-esteem and just thought that there was no way I could do it and that I wasn’t good enough, but if I can gain the confidence to succeed, I really believe that you can too. It’s something I had to work really hard at, but you just have to jump in, trust the process, and you will get there. 

Reyné: Yes! You have done so so well in your career and it all started with a leap. Do you have any other words of advice? 

Brooke: Use your resources, and DO NOT give up! Ask for help and don’t be afraid, especially in the Facebook groups. They are amazing communities. You can search for any question in those groups and find incredible answers. 

We really want to teach you to be resourceful and use the tools that we give you. There are no dumb questions, and everyone starts from a different place, so don’t compare yourself to everyone else. Their journey will be different than yours.

Reyné: I haven’t spent a ton of time in the groups, but any time I need help or want to find information, I’m always surprised by how helpful everyone is.

Where Can I Find More of Brooke? 

Reyné: If people want to get in touch with you, where can they find you? 

Brooke: If somebody is having a really tough time or they have questions I can help them at brooke.a@proofreadanywhere.com.

If they have failed a test or an exam and they really need extra help, I would suggest tutoring, but if they just have a few questions, they can come to me.

You can always reach out and I’ll try my best to help because I really want everyone to succeed. I don’t want people to feel intimidated. Yes, the course can seem overwhelming at first, but with  

I still remember submitting my first exam and watching my email nervously for a reply. Now I’m on the other end, and I know exactly how they feel! We’re here to help!

The post Meet the Proofreading Posse: Brooke Interview appeared first on Proofread Anywhere.

What is Print-on-Demand: Salary & Setup

Print-on-demand (POD) is a low-risk business model that allows you to design and sell customized white-label products (think T-shirts, home decor, and mugs!) without having to stock up on inventory. You create unique designs for products and work with a third-party POD company who, when orders come through, prints the designs onto the products and ships them directly to your customers. 

Ever thought of a killer t-shirt idea for your favorite rock band? Or a cute pattern design that would turn any boring old mug into a sip-worthy work of art? 

Well, these designs no longer have to be relegated to the pages of your personal notebook! Thanks to print-on-demand (POD), you can share your work with the whole world (and it won’t cost you a single dime!).

With print on demand, your third-party supplier manages all the nitty-gritty logistics for you, meaning that as the seller, you get to focus on what actually matters: Creating eye-catching designs and promoting your brand to customers!

What’s more, there aren’t any upfront costs with print-on-demand and you can have your business up and running in minutes. It’s magical stuff — and the perfect side hustle! Selling with POD lets you express your creativity and make a profit while avoiding the typical challenges of business ownership. It’s a true money-making venture for the everyday creative.  

POD Success Stories (Hear from Side-Hustlers Turned Solopreneurs!)

People of all different backgrounds have managed to transform their POD side hustle into a full-blown career. 

Take busy mom of four and successful POD home decor seller, Liora Goren. She doesn’t have a graphic design degree, but has built a successful POD e-commerce store from the comfort of her own home. Now, she has a lucrative income while still having all the time she needs to manage all the responsibilities of mumhood (and treasure all its moments). 

Another example is Ryan Hogue. Ryan started as a web developer burned out from the long, exhausting hours of a traditional office role. Then, in 2016, he decided to explore what print-on-demand was all about. Despite being new to the whole graphic design biz, by 2020 he had made enough money to quit his job and take his side hustle full-time. He now earns $14,600 a month, working just one hour a week as a POD vendor!

Next up in the spotlight is champion (and side-hustler turned entrepreneur) Alice Potter. She currently runs a POD store selling children’s book illustrations, greeting card designs, and colorful posters. With the help of printing on demand, Alice has grown her small Etsy side hustle into a brand with a global presence. And since she doesn’t have to stock up on inventory, she can now work from anywhere in the world and currently splits her time between both the UK and France. 

You too can become a POD seller and experience a lucrative earning potential (while flexing your creative muscles) — read on to learn how. And spoiler alert: it’s not as tricky as it seems! 

Best Print-on-Demand Companies

Setting up your own print-on-demand biz is fast, easy, and doesn’t require a whole lot of business lingo or entrepreneurial flair. However, this is only the case if you pick a print-on-demand company you can trust — we’ll make sure you get it right the first time around.

The POD business model relies on your supplier from inventory management to shipping the custom products to your customers. So, it’s incredibly important to pick a company that’s reliable. Look for a third-party supplier that has fast turnaround times to keep your customers happy, and an easy-to-navigate website with help and support available to you. 

You should also make sure the supplier stocks the white-label products you intend to sell, whether that’s clothing apparel like T-shirts or homeware goods like water bottles and pillowcases. 

And if you want some insight from successful POD vendors? Liora Goren stresses ensuring the POD company’s built-in product design tools are easy to use. If you struggle to use the website’s design features, you’ll end up wasting hours of your time and your creative passion just might dry up! 

There are many POD companies to choose from, each offering a unique product catalog and printing options. Companies also differ in terms of pricing, shipping policies, fulfillment times, and compatibility with e-commerce platforms.

Take a look at our all-time favorite POD services below!

Printify 

Printify is a US-based POD company that stands out from competitors by offering fewer e-commerce integrations and a whole lot more flexibility for POD vendors. 

Printify outsources the production process, meaning you’re able to choose an external printing provider that best fits your budget (just be mindful to research the provider’s reputation and average production times before committing to them).

Printify’s product catalog is incredibly expansive, with over 850 products in niche white-label categories such as pet supplies! The platform also provides dozens of sustainable product options, making Printify well-suited to eco-conscious side hustlers looking to keep it green.

Use Printify for free with access to the integrated design tool, or choose the premium plan, including unlimited product designs, 10 stores per account, and discounts on products for $24.99.

Printful

A leading print-on-demand supplier, Printful stocks a diverse product catalog of over 300 goods for customers to choose from — apparel, home decor, and accessories. Each item can be easily customized to your exact preferences in Printful’s simple (but feature-packed!) drag-and-drop design tool, and product descriptions and mockup images are automatically generated for you. 

Printiful’s product catalog is easy to navigate and offers plenty of filter features. You can quickly find a product in a specific material or style, and all the key information is displayed directly on the product’s description, including the minimum price, estimated shipping times, and color options.

We love Printful for always keeping their providers’ needs at the forefront of business. The company also has its own dedicated printing facilities and doesn’t outsource to other providers, giving them better quality manufacturing and streamlined shipping, which helps you get your products designed and shipped to customers without extra hiccups.

Whether you’re transitioning to the platform with a well-established business or just getting started, you can bank on Printful for seamless integration, access to several e-commerce platforms, and service perks including product catalog discounts and unlimited designs. 

You can start with Printful free for a month, then switch to the Growth membership for $24.99 (also free with $12K yearly sales). Upgrade to Business once you hit $60k in sales, and unlock priority support and greater product discounts.

Gelato

Gelato is a fantastic solution for POD vendors who have a global customer base. The company has production facilities in over 30 countries, cutting down on international shipping speed times and costs, and your carbon footprint.  

This POD company offers a small, but very well-niched catalog with high-quality apparel, custom wall art, and homeware goods like calendars and drinkware for one-of-a-kind sellers with one-of-a-kind customers. You can add personalized embroidery to most clothing products, and even customize your packaging with Gelato’s intuitive design editor. 

Gelato offers dedicated e-commerce integrations with six major platforms. You can use Gelato for free, or go Premium for $24 per month (or $239 per year) to unlock additional features that make it easier to come up with new product designs and scale up your POD business. 

Print-on-Demand Salary & Earnings

Printing on demand can be the perfect side hustle for those who have the motivation to put their creative chops to good use and pick up a few digital skills along the way — and you can rake in sales and gain hundreds if not thousands of dollars each month without having to handle a single shipment yourself!

So, how exactly does “thousands” translate on paper? Well, let’s take a closer look at the numbers.

How Much Can You Make With Print-on-Demand?

The average take-home income for a full-time POD business is $55,675 per year, though some solopreneurs like Cassiy Johnson have been able to earn $70,000 in a month!

How much you earn also depends on the amount of products you sell and your pricing strategy. Considering the average fees you’ll pay for your POD supplier and e-commerce site, you can generally expect to see a profit margin of 20 to 30%. 

This means if you earn $1,000 per month in sales, you’ll have a take-home monthly income of between $200 and $300 — not bad, considering there are no startup costs involved!

Hitting $1,000 or more per month in sales may seem unthinkable, especially when you’re starting from scratch. But think back to a time when you purchased online — maybe T-shirts for your kids’ home team, family mugs, or gift shop items for your startup coffee shop — and you wish it would have been easier. There’s a need there, and we’re here to help you connect the dots!

How to Start a POD Business

A print-on-demand business is an accessible side hustle for anyone with a creative, crafty flair. There aren’t any initial expenses and you don’t need to be tech-savvy or have a qualification in business to succeed — just a strong work drive and a passion for creating things that inspire and resonate with others.

It’s relatively simple: You choose a niche, pick a print-on-demand supplier, create your custom products, and then promote them to your audience via your shop website or e-commerce platform. 

Here’s how:

1. Choose a Niche

Specializing in a niche makes it easier to market your products and attract potential customers. This is because it allows you to put all your marketing efforts, resources, and energy into meeting the needs of a specific target audience.

While you don’t have to limit your POD operations to a particular niche, it does help your business (and in turn your products) come across as more cohesive, credible, and professional — all things that help you stand out against the competition.

Plus, customers are a lot more likely to engage with your brand if they can connect with it, and a niche provides you with the perfect groundwork to “nurture” that connection.

Pick a product or an industry

You can choose to niche down to a specific type of print-on-demand product, like adorable cookie cutters or matching family socks, or even a particular industry, like astrology, pets, and fitness. What’s important is that the niche you choose aligns with your passions and expertise. 

Here are some questions to help you brainstorm the best avenue for you:

• What are your interests, hobbies, and passions in life?

• What industries do you have experience with? 

• Have you gained expert knowledge in a particular field?

• Do you have any qualifications?
• Are you a member of any clubs or groups?
• What types of goods do you invest in and use the most?

Tally the numbers — Is it worth it?

Once you’ve identified a possible niche, the next step is to assess its potential as a lucrative income source. Research the market and see how competitive the field is, and more crucially, identify what’s missing from the market. If you identify a clear gap that your customized products can address, stick with that niche! 

You should also “sleuth” around social media and see how people are engaging with that particular niche. Look out for trending hashtags and active community pages.

2. Choose a Print-on-Demand Supplier 

We’ve touched on the best print-on-demand suppliers above — and at Proofread Anywhere, we can personally vouch that each can help you grow a successful business! — but here are a few more quick tips on how to choose a POD service that’s right for your goals:

Browse the product catalog 

Ensure that the POD supplier provides products (and customization options) that align with your niche and target market’s interests. Also, check customer feedback on the products’ print quality. 

Consider processing and shipping times 

Fast and reliable order fulfillment is vital for customer satisfaction and increases the likelihood of repeat buyers.

Test the supplier’s online platform 

A simple-to-use interface is well-suited to those who aren’t comfortable around tech, and some POD platforms come with handy design tools and resources.

Read reviews

The POD company should provide prompt customer support and multiple points of contact, such as live chat support and email.

Assess the profit margin 

Profit margins can vary depending on how much the supplier charges for the products, packaging, and shipping.

Check e-Commerce integration 

The POD supplier must have compatibility with the e-commerce platform you intend to use for your store (more on this later).

3. Create Your Designs  

Now the fun part! Creating designs for white-label goods may be a little different from traditional crafts like knitting and embroidery, but all you need is an eye for detail, an understanding of your target market’s interests, and familiarity with online design software. 

And if the mention of “software” has got you on your toes? Don’t freak out just yet. There are plenty of graphic design tools specifically made for beginners, with simple drag-and-drop interfaces, quick sign-up processes, and step-by-step tutorials. 

Our Proofread Anywhere team has personally tested out dozens of design tools over the years. In fact, the stellar graphics you see in this blog post were created with one of them (Canva)! 

Check out our all-time favorite design tools and resources below:

• MightyDeals (provides printable graphics, fonts, and premade designs at a huge discount)
• Canva (an easy-to-use visual suite that allows you to export designs in all kinds of formats)
• Unsplash (provides free-to-use stock graphics and images)
• DaFont (a library of downloadable stylized fonts)
• Procreate (illustration software that allows you to create digital sketches and vector art)
• Photoshop (an advanced photo editing tool)

You may already have a few design concepts in mind, but if you’re suffering from a creative block, it’s time to get brainstorming!

Consider your talents

If you’re a budding artist, you can convert hand-drawn illustrations into digital files and use them as your product designs. 

Draw inspiration from trends in your niche 

Take inspiration from successful designs made by competitors in your niche and add your own unique touch. Groups on social media are a great place to look up topics that are garnering the most attention. 

Create an inspirational mindmap 

Include themes, ideas, messages, and images that resonate with your target audience. 

Conduct market research 

Ask friends and relatives to review your design ideas and share feedback. You can also reach out to people in community groups related to your niche.

Tip: Just be mindful of copyright laws. If you’re using stock images, fonts, or graphics in your designs, double-check that they’re free to use and licensed for commercial use. 

4. Decide Where to Sell Print-on-Demand Products 

No matter how fabulous your designs are, you won’t land sales without a virtual storefront that shows them off and makes it easy for customers to purchase them. 

You can advertise to the world either by setting up your own business website (not as difficult as it seems, especially with the help of website builders like Wix) or by connecting with an e-commerce platform to create a professional storefront in minutes. 

E-commerce platforms usually have integration with all major print-on-demand companies like Printful and Printify, and provide various tools and features to help you manage the store and customize its appearance to align with your brand. 

Most e-commerce platforms also have data analytics tools that make it easy to keep track of sales and purchase trends.

The most popular e-commerce sites for POD sellers include: 

• Shopify
• Square Online
• WooCommerce (an e-commerce plugin for WordPress sites)
• Etsy 
• Ebay
• Society6

5. Promote Your Brand

Great! You’ve chosen your niche, created eye-catching custom product designs, and established a professional storefront. Now you’re ready to spread the word and land your first sale! 

Here are some of the best ways to promote a POD business (and spoiler alert: most of these marketing strategies won’t cost you a dime!):

• Establish a social media presence on popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and make use of trending hashtags relevant to your niche.
• Use SEO strategies to optimize your shop; add keywords to your product descriptions and shop bio, and ensure the storefront’s design elements are all compatible with mobile devices.
• Create a blog on your website and upload posts regularly, making sure to use a writing style that’s likely to resonate with prospective customers.
• Ask for product reviews and testimonials from former customers and upload them to your storefront to build trust.
• Create an email list and send subscribers a regular newsletter covering new product releases and upcoming designs.
• Pay for advertising space on websites or platforms relevant to your niche, or allocate a budget for a marketing campaign to run across social media.
• Hold contests and giveaways on your social media to attract initial interest and incentivize your audience to engage with your pages.

Best POD Resources 

We’ll finish up this article with a few more handy print-on-demand resources that anyone can benefit from, whether a total beginner in the POD industry or a veteran looking to scale their business further:

• Remote Business Mastery (learn the solopreneur fundamentals)
• Adobe Illustrator (create vector designs) 
• Flourish with Facebook ads (learn “insider” marketing tips)
• FreshBooks (keep on top of finances)
• Dailygreatness Business Planner (to stay organized and motivated)
• ProWritingAid (create killer copy for products)
• Mailchimp (grow your email list)
• Best business tools of 2024 (must-haves for any side hustler) 

Remember that you can also check out our Freelancer Resources page for plenty more resources and advice!

The post What is Print-on-Demand? appeared first on Proofread Anywhere.

proofreadanywhere.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Spelling errors, grammar mistakes, punctuation misuse, and an overreliance on technology have all resulted in some pretty serious proofreading disasters. Smarty pants like us see these “fails” and shake our heads wondering, “How did no one notice that?”

Whenever we see grammar mistakes, misplaced punctuation, and spelling snafus online or in our local grocery store, we cringe. But then we remember that’s why we’re here. The world needs proofreaders like us to save them from these eyesores. #jobsecurityforlife

That being said, we do enjoy a good laugh! Here are some of the most hilarious grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes we’ve ever seen. Sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh!

(BTW, have you ever struggled to spell hilarious? It trips me up sometimes!)

Quotation Marks Gone Wrong

So… aliens?

These are classic examples of quotation mark misuse! The unnecessary quotation marks on the sign, we have come to expect. Your guess is as good as mine as to why this punctuation issue almost always happens on signs.

Love the sentiment, but it’s ok to just call them kids.

This is another example of quotation marks making us question the situation. Are they not really kids? Are they like gremlins that change if you get them wet or feed them after midnight?

The unnecessary quotation marks on the magazine cover? Shame on them! Apparently, they had their reasons for using quotation marks, but they probably should have given it a bit more thought.

Don’t Forget the Apostrophes or the Commas

We really hope this isn’t from the English teacher!

We don’t want to bash teachers here because they work very hard. But somebody, whether it’s their parents or their teachers, needs to show kids the right ways to use an apostrophe. This cute book will help young kids learn about punctuation through fun rhyming poems.

This type of apostrophe misuse bothers us so much that we made it rule #1 in our how not to use an apostrophe blog post!

A few commas could have saved so many people from holding their bladders all the way home…

If you want to avoid comma pet peeves, we’ve created the perfect blog post for you!

Homophones Can Be So Tricky!

Homophones are tricky! They’re pronounced alike but have different meanings and spelling.

Mixing up they’re, their, and there is one of the most common homophone mistakes. If you find yourself needing to explain it to someone, here’s the difference:

• There = that place
• Their = belongs to them
• They’re = contraction of “they are”

Sometimes we also don’t recognize our learning, but this is just plain sad.

Got kids? Buy them this book! It’s an EXCELLENT choice for kids and adults alike. You’re guaranteed to learn something you didn’t already know about soundalike words!

No Spelling Bee Winners Here…

What meanie told this person not to have a great day?! Ignore the hater and have an AWESOME day!

We have to admit “definitely” is a tricky word to spell. It’s one of those words you just have to sound out in your head as you spell it.

Ummm… You may want to rethink that, Mr. Chicken.

We think he would have had second thoughts if he’d known what was coming next!

There’s a threat to the Christmas spirit! And it’s not cheap!

Did she consent to that?

Thankfully, there are so many kinds of writing software online to help you avoid spelling issues like these! Check out the Pro Writing Aid and never mistake “wife” and “wifi” again!

You Should Have Had Someone Proofread That…

This one cracks us up! We can forgive the typo in the word “birthday,” but what were they thinking when they iced the words “Mark with The Sea”!

While we agree that everyone deserves a little recognition, we think that Veteran’s Day is a bit more specific.

Yikes! Here’s a bonus one we couldn’t leave out.

Ok, maybe this one wasn’t too funny for the recipient who endured the pain to get this back tattoo, but we do hope they have a sense of humor. Hopefully, if you’re seeking a tattoo, you’ll find a 5-star tattoo shop you can trust with your permanent ink.

Our Take

Word nerds unite! We love sharing my word nerdiness with you guys! Not many people out there get as hot and bothered as we do about grammar, so it’s fun to have a safe place to share our grammar woes. We could use a few more of us in the world, right?!

Your Turn

Do you have a grammar or punctuation pet peeve? Share it with us in the comments!

If you’re looking for a great way to check your documents and social media posts before sending them, check out Grammarly!

If you want to learn even more about apostrophes, quotation marks, and other grammar-related fun, be sure to check out our FREE workshop. You can use those grammar skills to start your own freelance proofreading business!

The post 14 Hilarious Grammar and Spelling Mistakes appeared first on Proofread Anywhere.

What is a Hyphen?

A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark that helps with joining two or more words together to make one compound word. Compound adjectives, compound modifiers, and compound nouns all need a hyphen between the words to make them grammatically correct. For example, the term “on-the-job training” uses hyphens to illustrate the relationship between the words.

When to Use a Hyphen

Before we get into when not to use hyphens, let’s make sure you know the rules for when you should use them.

You should use a hyphen:

• When you are creating a compound adjective that does not come before a noun
• When creating a compound verb
• When writing unknown compound nouns
• When telling the ages of people or things
• To clarify related words
• If your text shows a range of numbers
• When using compound numbers
• Use a hyphen with prefixes when they come before proper nouns or proper adjectives

For more detailed and uncommon uses, you can check out these rules. (Click the link. Read the rules. Take this quiz when you’re done. Then print out the rules and memorize them!)

When to NOT Use Hyphens

You should not use hyphens:

• If an adverb contains -ly or very
• If a number also contains a compound adjective
• If there is more than one proper noun within a compound adjective
• When you want to replace a comma or semicolon

Despite these clear rules, misused hyphens are still everywhere! I still see rampant use of hyphens with the wrong usage — even among professional writers and well-known bloggers — and it. must. stop.

In our proofreading courses, we are strict about hyphen usage and ask our students to re-take quizzes if they aren’t able to understand right and wrong hyphen usage.

Our curriculum includes the difference between an em dash and a hyphen and, in our student groups, we include plenty of posts about hyphen usage and corrections.

Why Are Hyphens so Important?

We know you may be thinking, “OMG, get a grip. What’s the big deal? It’s just a hyphen, and it’s just Facebook! (or: It’s just an email!)”

Here’s the thing. What if you used hyphens like that when it really matters? What if you’re applying for a scholarship and you throw in a few of these buggers in all the wrong places? Or what if you’re reaching out to a potential new proofreading client and, through your misuse of hyphens, you don’t even get a response because that client was so put off by your hyphen misuse? Maybe they’re wondering what else you’d miss if they hired you.

Using a hyphen instead of a proper punctuation mark not only indicates you don’t know when to use hyphens, it also indicates you lack a proper understanding of the correct punctuation to use.

THAT is why knowing when NOT to use a hyphen matters.

Enter this blog post. We hope we can eradicate hyphen misuse, one stupid hyphen at a time. And we hope we can help unsuspecting offenders realize they’ve got a bad habit, too — and inspire them to break it.

So without further ranting, here’s our list of 6 scenarios where using a hyphen is just plain wrong.

[Precursory note: WordPress auto-converted some of the hyphens in my examples to “en dashes,” a punctuation mark slightly wider than a hyphen, which *may* make them look correct. But even en dashes wouldn’t be correct in our examples, and here’s why. A proper hyphen should be the width of a letter.)

Scenario #1: Never use hyphens as commas.

We see this one ALL THE TIME, especially with offsetting parenthetical elements.

Incorrect: Suzie – who is normally a very calm person – is quite irritated by the misuse of hyphens.

Note that the spacing does not matter here; the hyphen is still the wrong choice for punctuating this sentence.

Also incorrect: Suzie-who is normally a very calm person-is quite irritated by the misuse of hyphens.

See how messed up that looks? “Suzie-who” and “person-is” are joined together as if they’re hyphenated!

Also incorrect: Suzie- who is normally a very calm person- is quite irritated by the misuse of hyphens.

Let’s fix the incorrect example.

Correct: Use commas. Suzie, who is normally a very calm person, is quite irritated by the misuse of hyphens.

Correct: Use an em dash. Suzie — who is normally a very calm person — is quite irritated by the misuse of hyphens.

(The spacing before and after the em dash, by the way, varies based on the style guide you follow. Google Docs will take three hyphens and auto-convert to an em dash, but some programs won’t. In this case, the “double hyphen” is fine, but never use a single hyphen.)

Scenario #2: Never use a hyphen in place of a semicolon.

Semicolons are used to separate two complete but related clauses. These clauses should be able to stand separately, but because they’re related, a semicolon is appropriate and helps the reader understand that the second clause expands on the first.

For example:

Incorrect: I went to the mall – I needed some new shoes.

Also Incorrect: I went to the mall- I needed some new shoes.

Just as Incorrect: I went to the mall –I needed some new shoes.

You’ll note here, too, that the spacing does not change anything. It’s still a hyphen, and it’s still incorrect.

Correct:  I went to the mall; I needed some new shoes.

Correct: I went to the mall. I needed some new shoes.

Scenario #3: Never use hyphens in place of em dashes.

In Scenario 1, you saw an example of hyphens being used in place of em dashes to offset parenthetical elements. Em dashes are used stylistically and are very versatile. In contrast to hyphens, em dashes can take the place of colons, commas, and parentheses.

Examples:

Incorrect: We can help you look your best- even if you don’t feel that great.

Incorrect: Toys4U offers tons of fun options for all ages – from infants to teens.

Note, again, the spacing does not matter: it’s still a hyphen, and it’s still incorrect.

So let’s fix these…

Correct: We can help you look your best — even if you don’t feel that great.

Correct: Toys4U offers tons of fun options for all ages — from infants to teens.

Scenario #4: Never use hyphens in place of colons.

Colons are most often used to precede lists… so if you’re about to list things, don’t use a hyphen! (Unless you’re listing nouns preceded by compound descriptors, that is :-)).

Examples:

Incorrect: We are a family of three- my husband, me, and our cat.

Incorrect: Here’s my Christmas list-a new bike, a puzzle, and some cash.

Spacing still doesn’t matter. Why?  Because it’s still a hyphen, and it’s still incorrect.

Now we fix ’em…

Correct: We are a family of three: my husband, me, and our cat.

Correct: Here’s my Christmas list: a new bike, a puzzle, and some cash.

Scenario #5: Never use hyphens in place of parentheses.

Expanding on one of the correct answers in #1 — parenthetical elements. Let’s look at a few more of these.

Incorrect: Whatever your mom says – even if it’s crazy – just do it.

Incorrect: Around 10 o’clock on Christmas Eve-sometimes a little earlier-we each get to open one gift.

That second one really makes my skin itch for the same reason as in #1: Eve-sometimes and “earlier-we” are NOT hyphenated words!! And in the first example, the tiny little misused hyphen just makes the sentence hard to read.

Here’s how to do it right:

Correct: Whatever your mom says (even if it’s crazy), just do it.

Correct: Around 10 o’clock on Christmas Eve (sometimes a little earlier), we each get to open one gift.

Note that I added a comma after the parentheses because both the example sentences begin with an introductory element. Adding commas after introductory elements makes the sentence flow better.

Scenario #6: Never use hyphens with the word “very” or adverbs ending in -ly.

Hyphens can be used to make compound words. But some words don’t need to be joined. This one actually gets us sometimes — especially the -ly one. We catch it 99% of the time.

Examples:

Incorrect: I’m a newly-married, happily-employed proofreader.

Incorrect: Have you seen her very-organized closet?

These are easy to fix. Just take out the hyphen!

Correct: I’m a newly married, happily employed proofreader.

Correct: Have you seen her very organized closet?

Want to Learn More about Hyphens?

You can check out our General Proofreading course to learn all about how to use grammar and punctuation marks correctly. The course will also teach you how to use your word-nerd skills to make money as a full-time career or as a side hustle.

Just need a grammar refresh? Grammar Lion has the perfect grammar courses for teachers, writers, or those who just want to be more grammatically correct.

The post 6 Scenarios Where Using a Hyphen is Just Plain Wrong appeared first on Proofread Anywhere.

Single vs. Double Quotes

Single quotes vs. double quotes — knowing which one to use can be tricky!

Do you know when to use single quotation marks? What about double quotation marks?

We’ve talked/ranted about the rampant abuse of quotation marks before, but today we want to dig a little deeper and explain the difference between single quotes vs. double quotes.

For the purposes of this blog post, we’re only going to be talking about Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) rules as that’s what our General Proofreading course is built around. 

Is the correct use of quotation marks as important to you as it is to us? Keep reading to learn when to use single quotes vs. double quotes. 

What is the difference between single quote marks and double quote marks?

You’re probably wondering “How do I know if I should use single quotes or double quotes?”

Whether or not you should use single quotation marks depends a lot on what dialect of English your client wants their document to be in: British English or American English.

It’s pretty easy if you’re writing for an American audience; just use double quotation marks the majority of the time except for a few exceptions that we will explain below!

On the other hand, if you’re writing for an audience more familiar with British English, single quotation marks will be more widely used. However, they still use double quotation marks in some cases as well; for example, newspapers will often use double quotes for quotations. 

Confused yet?

Fun fact: British people also call quotation marks inverted commas!

What are single quotes used for?

According to the CMOS, single quotation marks are used for a quotation within a quotation.

Example: “Are you crazy?” said Caitlin. “When you said ‘Commas don’t matter,’ I died a little inside.”

Note: If your audience uses British English, switch the double and single quotation marks around. That is, use single outer, double inner quotation marks for a quote within a quote.

Example: ‘Are you crazy?’ said Caitlin. ‘When you said “Commas don’t matter,” I died a little inside.’

What about if you have a quotation inside a quotation inside another quotation? In American English, the order would be double, single, then double again. 

Example: “Is he crazy?” said Caitlin. “When you said ‘Mark said “Commas don’t matter,”’ I died a little inside.”

It’s a maze, right? In the last example, it might be better to just rewrite the sentence. 

Other uses of single quotation marks that CMOS does not recommend are as follows:

• Use single quotation marks in headlines
• Use single quotation marks for words not being used for their meaning
• Use single quotation marks for emphasis (CMOS recommends using italics for emphasis; occasionally quotation marks may be used depending on the context.)

These rules may apply if you are using a different style guide that recommends them.

What are double quotes used for?

Quotation marks for dialogue

Use quotation marks to signal that someone is speaking within a written work. If someone references a quote within their dialogue, you would then mark that with single quotation marks within the larger double marks.

Quotation marks for titles of works

Use quotation marks for titles of songs, short stories, short poems, magazine or newspaper articles, and chapter titles.

Quotation marks as scare quotes

This one gets slightly trickier. Here’s what The Chicago Manual of Style states in Rule 7.57:

Quotation marks are often used to alert readers that a term is used in a nonstandard (or slang), ironic, or other special sense. Such scare quotes imply “This is not my term” or “This is not how the term is usually applied.” Like any such device, scare quotes lose their force and irritate readers if overused.

For examples of each of these uses, head over to our discussion/rant about quotation mark abuse. 

Placement of quotation marks in relation to other closing punctuation

One thing that confuses a lot of people is where to place quotation marks in relation to other closing punctuation. 

Some of the confusion probably arises because, once again, the British and Americans do it differently! Why can’t they just do it the same way we do in the good ol’ US of A? LOL

So let me break down, from an American English point of view, whether the following punctuation marks go inside or outside the quotation marks:

• Commas and periods – These go inside closing quotation marks, regardless of whether the quotation marks are double or single.
• Question marks and exclamation points – These marks should be placed inside quotation marks only when it is part of the quoted sentence.
• Colons and semicolons – These go outside closing quotation marks. 

In British English, only the punctuation points that appeared in the original material are included inside the quotation marks.

Source: Chicago Manual of Style

Our Take

What do you think? Have you mastered the difference between single and double quotation marks now? Are you looking for a grammar refresher course?

Are there any other punctuation marks that give you trouble? Or any that drive you crazy when you see people misuse them? Let us know in the comments below!

Above all, avoid using unnecessary quotation marks!

Your Turn

Want to improve your punctuation skills even more AND learn how to become a proofreader? Check out our free 7-day proofreading course to learn more!

The post Single Quotes vs. Double Quotes: When Should You Use Them? appeared first on Proofread Anywhere.

You all know we enjoy a good laugh at some of the grammar myths and punctuation faux pas out there.

Funny dangling modifiers are some of our favorite grammar mistakes to find out in the wild. We get a real kick out of the mental images we get from trying to decipher what the author really meant.

What is a dangling modifier?

First of all, what is a modifier? A modifier is an adjective or noun, a part of the sentence, that gives more detail about another noun.

Modifying phrases should appear right next to the word they describe.

A dangling modifier happens when a word modifies the wrong subject. These errors also happen when the subject of the main clause is unclear or missing from the sentence.

Just to confuse things even more, there are also misplaced modifiers. Words that are put in the wrong place within a sentence and modify the wrong thing are called misplaced modifiers. They can change the intended meaning of a sentence.

Squinting modifiers occur when a modifier is placed between two things it could apply to. This makes it unclear which thing the modifier is referencing.

How do you identify a dangling modifier?

Dangling modifiers usually appear at the beginning of a sentence.

The hallmark of a dangling modifier is a missing subject. This means that there is nothing doing the action in the sentence. 

Example: After leaving the house, the car was started. 

In this sentence, the doer (the subject) of the action is missing. Who started the car?

Here are some of the sentences of the funniest modifier errors.

How do you fix dangling modifiers?

Proofreaders and editors can find dangling modifiers in all genres of writing, so it’s vital to know how to correct these errors.

You can fix a dangling modifier by adding a subject, or someone/something doing the action in the sentence.

Example

Dangling: After leaving the house, the car was started. 

Better: After leaving the house, I started the car. 

To fix a dangling modifier, you often have to add more words to the sentence to avoid confusion. 

Another way to fix these issues is to rewrite the sentence to change two clauses into one clause. 

Example

Dangling: To make the most of the buffet, all the food was eaten.

Better: Sarah ate all the food to make the most of the buffet. 

Now we know who the Hungry Harry was! 

Examples of Funny Dangling Modifiers

Now, let’s take a look at these hilarious errors…

Eek! Is this a horror story or a story about gardening? 

Dangling: After their death, my sisters took the plants outside.

Better: After the plants died, my sisters took them outside.

Better: My sisters took the dead plants outside.

This sounds like something that Yogi Bear would do! 

Dangling: The cops chased the bear in the squad car.

Better: The cops, in their squad car, chased the bear. 

Better: In their squad car, the cops chased the bear. 

What a terrible waitress!

Dangling: After finishing my dinner, the waitress offered to bring out the dessert tray.

Better: When I finished my dinner, the waitress offered to bring out the dessert tray. 

You never know what kind of crazy things you’ll see at the bus stop!

Dangling: While waiting for the bus, the time went by quickly.

Better: While waiting for the bus, I felt the time went by quickly.

Better: The time went by quickly while I was waiting for the bus.  

This sentence really does paint an image, doesn’t it?! Who else is worried for Margaret’s safety?

Dangling: Margaret read the note taped to the wall

Better: Margaret read the note that was taped to the wall. 

Want more examples? Check out what the Comma Queen has to say on the subject!

Dangling Modifier Exercise

Want to test what you learned? Try your hand at fixing these dangling modifiers! 

You can find sample answers below the image at the bottom of this post. Remember that there can be more than one correct answer as there are different ways to fix dangling modifiers. 

1. After completing the course, proofreading was easy.

2. While driving to Maryland, my dog stuck his head out of the car window. 

3. Starving, the three-day-old pizza was devoured.

4. With a grunt of disapproval, the newspaper was thrown on the table.  

5. Having done the laundry, the bed was made.

Want More Information?

Want to keep the fun going and learn more about grammar? Watch our free proofreading workshop to learn how you can make a career out of fixing grammar errors!

Need a grammar refresher? Check out our Look Better in Writing eBook to enhance your skills.

Sample answers:

1. After completing the course, Sally found that proofreading was easy.

2. While I was driving to Maryland, my dog stuck his head out of the car window. 

3. Starving, Joe devoured the three-day-old pizza. 

4. With a grunt of disapproval, Rita threw the newspaper on the table.

5. Having done the laundry, Jack made the bed. 

The post Funny Dangling Modifiers: How to Identify and Fix Them appeared first on Proofread Anywhere.

Happy Holidays, to our favorite book lovers and grammar gurus!

We’ve spent hours searching through Amazon to find the best gifts for you and your loved ones this season. Whether you are buying for the library lurkers on your list, or if you just need a few stocking stuffers for yourself, we’ve got the best and most creative gifts for this holiday season.

Gifts for Book Lovers & Writers

Starting out strong, here are our favorite gifts for anyone who graduated with an English degree or just spends way too much time on BookTok.

Book Vase Bookend

This gorgeous vase looks cute with any knick-knacks and goes perfectly with a beige aesthetic. The glass aesthetic is versatile with flowers of any color — or,  put it on your desk and use it to hold your pen collection. We won’t judge!

Floating Candles and Wand Remote

Yes, this gift may come across as a bit of a novelty, but trust us. Any Harry Potter kid’s eyes will light up when they wave the magic wand remote and see their house illuminated like the Grand Hall.

These candles can be hung up, using the included clear fishing line, all year round or just during the spooky months. This gift will keep the magic alive for your loved ones.

Medieval Font Bundle

If you have a crafty friend or family member who loves creating cards, digital designs, or the world’s best Canva invitations, get them the gift of incredible typography with this hand-drawn Medieval font bundle.

With included paper textures and 9 fonts, your loved ones can create the perfect designs for their next Hobbit party, Renaissance baby shower, or Dungeons and Dragons game night!

Best Friend Fill-in-the-Blank Book

If you’re looking for a cute, bespoke gift for your bestie, this fill-in-the-blank book fits the bill perfectly. You can choose to make it heartfelt, silly, or filled with inside jokes that you and your bestie can laugh about all year.

With a collection of prompts and space for photos and drawings, you can fill this book with all of the memories that you never want your bestie to forget!

Burn After Writing Self-Discovery Book:

If you have a hard time journaling or know a loved one who needs to get their thoughts onto paper, this self-discovery journal is a lovely choice. With so much time spent on social media sharing our thoughts, the Burn After Writing book is designed to be a place for honest reflection with yourself.

Encourage your friends and family to start on their inner-healing journey and reap the benefits of their emotional intelligence. After they’re finished, they can throw it out, hide it, or Burn After Writing!

Jeopardy Trivia Book:

Okay, word nerds, it’s your time to shine with this mega-book of Jeopardy puzzles and games. If you or your friends have been told that you need to audition for Jeopardy, here is your chance. Practice up and show your trivia skills. 

With 27 crossword puzzles and 40 word search puzzles, you can spend the holidays cozied up with your loved ones while you all try to solve the puzzles. Or, you can try to take on the puzzles by yourself on the long ride back home. 

Don’t waste the holidays scrolling on your phone, strengthen your brain and challenge your memory! Let’s make Alex Trebek proud.

Mini Reading Journal

Yes, you could write your book progress down on Goodreads, but there is something so magical about writing in a small notebook made just for your bookish thoughts. Get this little reading journal for yourself or for all your book club friends and enjoy comparing your thoughts and ideas about your latest completed novels. 

Magnetic Bookmarks

Do we ever have enough bookmarks? Of course not! These bad boys are magnetic, so they won’t damage your books, they’re even harder to lose, and, with the small size and light weight of these bookmarks, you can use more than one to mark important passages in books.

Grab a mix of colors to mark and color code your favorite recipes, books, or yearly planner! These bookmarks also make a great gift for teachers to help them keep track of homework papers and textbook pages.

Kindle Paperwhite

Whether you’re a traveler, backpacker, by-the-lake lounger, or bathtub reader, the Kindle Paperwhite will make the journey with you no matter where you choose to start your next reading adventure.

You can enjoy up to 32 GB of books and audiobooks on a paper-like screen with an easy-on-the-eyes backlight and waterproofed design. The battery also lasts for weeks so you can keep reading without worrying about remembering your charging cord. Download new books in minutes and never waste time waiting for books to arrive in the mail. 

Literary Book Bag

Everyone knows a fashionable fiction enthusiast who needs a custom bag shaped like their favorite book! With an adjustable leather strap, a magnetic clasp, and 25 book styles to choose from, this bag is crafted with genuine quality for the well-dressed and well-read.

Whether they are on the way to the library or headed on a classy date, this bag will compliment any outfit and tell the world that your loved ones truly can be that clever and that cute.

Novel Teas Book Quote Tea Bags

What is better than a literary pun? A literary pun with an accompanying cup of incredible tea to warm you up throughout the winter. Each of these novel teas comes with a book quote from some of the most famous authors in American history. Thrill your book club or enjoy a good cup of tea on your own with an inspiring thought.

Brew up one of these English Breakfast bags while you sit by the fire to enjoy rereading your favorite book for the hundredth time.

Stained Glass Book Lamp

With delicate glasswork and bright colors, this lamp will light up any room. Whether you’re looking for a way to read late into the night, or just a decorative lamp to amp up your space, this stained glass book lamp will fit in perfectly.

Bring the vintage charm of an old library to your home with this Tiffany-style, hand-crafted book lamp and enjoy the rustic glow.

Work-from-Anywhere Essentials

While you’re buying for the holidays, don’t forget these practical items for yourself or your work-from-home besties. From home office improvements to travel trinkets, here’s our list of the best work-from-anywhere essentials.

Traveler’s Journal 

If you’re ready to kick off 2024 with a nomadic lifestyle, don’t forget to write down all of your travel adventures in a travel journal. You can also gift this to your favorite jet-setting friends or a family member who plans to spend 2024 vacationing.

The journal pages are refillable and the cover is made of leather, so no need to buy a new journal every time you fill up the pages!

Stanley Cup Snack Bowl Attachment

Calling all Stanley Mug lovers! Anyone willing to carry around these massive cups probably needs a good snack to go with their drink. This cup attachment is an easy stocking stuffer for anyone with a Stanley cup and makes for the perfect accessory for road trips!

Choose from cream or teal options to best match the accompanying cup. If you haven’t succumbed to the Stanley trend and want to get in on the action, you can get your own mug here.

Light Therapy Lamp 

Anyone working from home during the winter needs a light therapy lamp to keep their vitamin D levels up and their spirits high. Fight seasonal depression and the winter blues while imagining you’re on a beach, relaxing in the sun.

Cute Bluetooth Keyboard

Extend and retrofit your at-home or on-the-go workspace, or gift this super cute, cordless keyboard to a writer friend.  With 11 keycap color combinations to choose from, a velvety touch and an old-school typewriter click, this Bluetooth keyboard elevates any typist’s space and keeps the words flowing outside the office — pair via Bluetooth with any tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Massaging Eye Mask

Elevate your self-care routine with this incredible massaging facial mask, a perfect addition to your beauty arsenal or a thoughtful gift for someone special. This mask combines skincare technology and heat with soothing massage features to give your eyes a rest after a day of staring at screens.

The mask is wireless so you won’t get tangled in cords, and built-in Bluetooth headphones allow you to listen to music while you enjoy your massage. Treat yourself or your loved ones to the ultimate version of “me time.”

Portable Tablet Stand

2024 is the year that we fight back against bad posture and the battle starts here. Snag this adjustable tablet stand to take your work from the couch to the table to bed without your achy neck and stress headache tagging along.

The stand has flexible legs and universal compatibility so you can bring any tablet to any place in your home, or out and about.

Worky Portable Workstation

Take your desk with you anywhere with this portable workstation. It includes:

• Backlight and whiteboard
• Compartment for notebooks and stationary,
• USB outlets and electrical plugs
• Compartment for a laptop with a safety strap for transportation

With this portable workstation, anyone can go from a coffee shop to a hotel to the airport without having to unpack and repack their work materials.

Cleaner for Tablets and Phones

This refillable screen cleaner is an all-in-one cleaner fluid and squeegee for keeping any device screen clean. It’s small enough to toss in a pocket, backpack, bag, or in all your Christmas stockings this year! 

Say goodbye to grimy screens covered in fingerprints!

Bliss Daily Planner

Keep track of all your important daily tasks with this cute, inspirational, daily planner. The fill-in-the-blank style allows you to keep track of every day and customize the planner to fit your needs. 

With plenty of room for notes and helpful reminders, you’ll have everything you need to understand your schedule at a glance! Grab one for yourself or snag one for a friend to gently remind your loved ones to get it together.

Exercise Bike Desk

This bike desk went viral on TikTok for a reason. As remote workers can struggle with inactivity and spinal pain, it can be difficult to find movement without ruining your workflow and concentration. 

This exercise bike was designed for functionality. With the included “whisper mode” and a solid base, you won’t need to worry about your work materials swaying as you move and you won’t have loud whooshing sounds distracting you from your projects. For the committed movers and writers, this bike desk is worth the investment.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Protect yourself and your family from blue light headaches with these stylish blue-light-blocking glasses! Look extra clever in your Zoom meetings and protect yourself from eye strain with 15 different styles and colors for all genders and color preferences. 

You don’t even need a prescription!

Little Word Nerd Gifts

We all have a tiny grammar geek in our lives and what better way to encourage a lifetime of learning than with an educational Christmas gift? Here’s a range of nerdy gifts for various age ranges.

Erasable Doodle Board

This gift is great for encouraging young kiddos to practice their hand-eye coordination or for older kids to write out their ideas. The slim design and pen string make this board perfect for road trips, flights, and waiting around at restaurants.

No more carrying around extra paper and crayons for your little artist. Just grab the doodle board and go!

First 100 Words Interactive Book

Encourage your favorite tiny tots to learn new vocabulary with this interactive word book. With a range of pictures and sounds, this book will help your little one jump-start their reading and their love of books.

Lil Nessie Bookmark

Yes, you can get this adorable baby Lil Nessie bookmark for your small loved ones, or you can buy it for yourself and no one will know. If you’re looking for the cutest way to encourage your little learners to read, here is your solution.

You can choose between green, blue, and pink, or you can snag the bookmark in a spaghetti monster or astronaut shape!

Hands-Free Reading Light

Illuminate your child’s reading adventures with a hands-free reading light, designed specifically for young bookworms. With a durable, kid-friendly design, the light rests gently around the neck, and long-lasting, soft light shines directly onto the pages.

This light is great for bedtime stories, camping trips, or cozy reading nooks. The lightweight light ensures a comfortable reading experience without straining little ones’ eyes, making it ideal for young readers.

Scratch-n-Sniff Bookmarks

Another great buy for readers with childlike hearts is this pack of scratch-n-sniff bookmarks. Give them as a gift or leave these scratch-n-sniff bookmarks around your own home to encourage reading and entice your sense of wonder. Every pack of bookmarks comes with 35 bookmarks, different scents, and endless joy.

Cute Bookish Socks

These HappyPop socks are the perfect fit for small readers who want everyone to know their priorities. You’ll get an adorable gift box with a pack of two, fitting sizes 6-13 so your little bookworms can display their love of books with a little sass.

Funny Comic Book Shirt

If you know a graphic novel fan, this shirt is the perfect gift to express their love and nerdery. With 10 color choices and sizes for youth, women, and men, this is a shirt that could truly fit anyone on your list. Pair this with a stack of new comic books and you may just win “gifter of the year.”

For the Whole Family

Sometimes geekiness runs in the family and those people are our kind of people! Families that read together stay together, so support these lovely nerds with this list of gifts.

A Hilarious Word Game for Everyone

If you’re looking for a game that will have everyone rolling on the ground laughing, Poetry for Neanderthals is the game for you. The game is similar to Taboo, but you can give your team hints using one-syllable words. Watch your friends and family struggle to express themselves in grunts while you giggle.

Ransom Notes Word Game

This game can work for younger or older ages. The game is similar to Cards Against Humanity, but you must use only the words that you receive in your “ransom note” to answer the question. Challenge your vocabulary skills and your word-play abilities with this hilarious game!

Customized Holiday Book

Families with younger kids will love this bespoke holiday book that brings the Christmas magic to life. Customize The Night Before Christmas to include the names of your loved ones and watch them light up as they read about their busy Christmas Eve night.

Matching Family Definition Shirts

If your family needs the perfect shirts for Christmas cards, these dictionary-definition family shirts will create the perfect nerdy look. With sizes ranging from newborn to mom and dad, you can get a custom shirt for everyone in the family. Don’t forget to pair these shirts with each family member’s favorite book.

From the entire proofreading posse here at Proofread Anywhere, we wish you the happiest of holidays and we hope that your gifting journey is as enjoyable as the gifts are themselves.

Comment below and let us know your favorite geeky gifts that you have received!

The post The ULTIMATE List of Gift Ideas for Grammar Geeks and Word Nerds appeared first on Proofread Anywhere.

It’s that time of year again when we gather around the table, give thanks, eat until we burst, and listen to our (usually older) family members complain and ask overindulgent questions about our lives and decisions. 

We’ve heard it all before: “Where are you working?” “Is that even a real job?” “Is that one of those MLM things on Facebook?”

So, here we are to save the day! We’ve got word-for-word answers you can use to satisfy your family’s burning questions, plus, we’ve got some spice to add.   

What Is a Proofreader? 

As we have all seen from any friendly neighborhood Facebook post, even native English speakers cannot seem to use the language, or punctuation, correctly most of the time.

A proofreader is the unsung hero of the written world, the final gatekeeper of grammatical propriety, and the eagle-eyed sentinel guarding the fortress of syntax and semantics. If your great-uncle’s Facebook posts — ridden with ridiculously bad homophones and comma splices — are anything to go by, it’s abundantly clear that even the most seasoned English enthusiasts are prone to fumble with common grammar principles.

In the grand scheme of content creation, the proofreader’s role is to comb through the words, catching and smoothing out the snags left behind by writers and editors. These literary guardians scour documents to highlight and correct the typos, misused words, style inconsistencies, and punctuation misdemeanors that can muddy the clarity and dilute the impact of the text.

For businesses, a proofreader is the polish on the shoe, the final touch that ensures professionalism and coherence in every line. After all, a company’s written material is often the client’s or customer’s first impression, and a typo can be the difference between a deal or no deal.

Authors rely on the proofreader’s keen eye. A misplaced comma or a there/their/they’re mix-up can jolt a reader out of the narrative faster than a thriller’s plot twist.

Court reporters need proofreaders to ensure transcripts are unblemished and can be used in legal proceedings. Accuracy here is not just about aesthetics — it’s about the integrity of the judicial record and no one wants their legal record to be incorrect. (Am I right, trouble-making nephews?)

In essence, proofreaders are meticulous minds who understand that language is an art. They work behind the scenes, often unnoticed until they’re needed, much like a lighthouse keeper who’s only thought of when the fog rolls in.

Is Proofreading a Real Job? 

If your definition of “real” is paying real money with real work and real people, then yes! Proofreading is a real job that can lead to steady incomes and job growth. 

If you consider “real” jobs as work that requires you to sit in an office from 9 to 5 and work for a company or corporation that doesn’t really care about you or your interests, then no. Proofreading doesn’t work like that. 

Proofreaders can freelance on the side or become full-time business owners. The beauty of proofreading success is that it is determined by your work, determination, and time, not by quotas and biased reviews. 

Isn’t AI Taking Over Anyway? 

If your job is crunching basic numbers or writing entry-level blog posts with little substance, then Chat-GPT may be a terrifying opponent.

But — proofreaders are needed and hired despite AI advancements because artificial intelligence is made to manage learned information but invention and creativity relies on the human brain.

AI regularly has “hallucinations” not entirely unlike the kind your nieces had at Coachella. With these factual inaccuracies, homophone issues, and human phrasing, the world would be automated — accurate and precise, but lacking inspiration, growth, and context.

The truth is, AI might be brilliant at crunching numbers and sorting data, but it’s about as likely to take over the world as your toaster is to start a breakfast revolution. AI is fantastic at handling the grunt work, leaving us humans free to sip our coffee and dream up the next big thing.

It’s not so much a takeover as it is a tag team — AI does the boring bits, freeing us up to invent and create outside of the system.

I’ve been trying to get my boss to let me go remote ever since COVID… How did you get started? 

Now you’re asking the right questions, anonymous family member. With the rise of online work, there are so many opportunities for people just like you to leave their 9-to-5 and start working from anywhere in the world. 

• Want to start proofreading for yourself? We’ve got courses in General Proofreading and Transcript Proofreading to get you going! 

• Not into grammar and word-nerdery? You can easily work as a Virtual Assistant or as an online Bookkeeper. 
• Got a great typing speed and a way of understanding spoken words? Transcribing could be meant to be. 
• Want to travel the world and write about everything you see? Freelance writing and blogging is where it’s at. 

No one needs to start a food fight over the turkey to find financial and career freedom. We’ve provided all the freelancer resources so there’s enough to feed everyone! 

To Wrap it Up

So, as we’ve been saying for years, anyone can be a proofreader if they have the determination to learn the skills, market themselves, and work hard for their business. It may be an unconventional career path, but our graduates are proof that this job isn’t going away and there is still plenty of room for anyone who wants to leave their 9-to-5, work from home, or earn money on the side.

The post How to Tell Your Family You’re a Proofreader appeared first on Proofread Anywhere.

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Hey Word Nerds! It’s one of our absolute favorite times of year here at Proofread Anywhere. We just love all things fall — the cozy sweaters, the crisp air and crunchy leaves covering the sidewalk, and our warm mugs of spiced ciders and lattes. We. Are. Obsessed.

But one special, spooky night shines brighter than all the other autumn evenings. That’s right… Halloween is right around the corner! Have you picked out your costume yet?

Here at PA, our love of literature doesn’t stop once we leave the office. It’s a lifestyle — and one that is oh-so-fun to share with our friends, family, and colleagues! What better way to soak up the season than by dressing up as your favorite literary hero… or villain? Today, we’re filling you in on some of our favorite creative costumes, inspired by the works of fiction you know and love.

Whether you’re costume hunting for one, two, or the whole family, there’s a character for every book lover out there. Sci-fi nerds, classics fans, and modern fiction lovers alike — we’ve got your back!

Our Top Literary Halloween Costumes

Our collection of literary favorites inspires this list of iconic outfits and brings our favorite book characters to life. If you’re looking for a dose of literary nostalgia and inspiration this Halloween, whether solo, partnered, or as a family, these get-ups are just for you!

Solo Literary Legends Costumes

These are our fave soloists in classic literature — dress up as an author or character this Halloween.

Edgar Allan Poe

Dress up as the king of eerie poetry and prose with a 19th-century tailcoat and cloak, messy black wig, a stick-on mustache, and white makeup to create that sullen scowl.

We recommend reading Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven to elevate your look with an air of madness and mystery!

Elizabeth Bennet

Capture Elizabeth’s headstrong flair in the agonizing story of love, Pride and Prejudice, with a puffed-sleeved long gown and elbow-length gloves.

Practice your British accent and gossipy theme ahead of time, while you do your hair in tiny curls.

Couples’ Literary Costumes

These lovebirds and dynamic duos in literature are our all-time favorites.

Gatsby & Daisy

As a couple, dress up as Gatsby and his debutante lover, Daisy Buchanan, of the American classic The Great Gatsby.

You can create a darling Kentucken look with a flapper gown and matching headdress, and a classy tuxedo for your dapper fellow.

Frankenstein & His Monster

Capture the creepy aesthetic of returning from the dead in Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein.

Dress as the scientific brains, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, by starting with a lab coat. Add a vest, dark pants, a messy wig, fake scars, and props like scientific beakers and books for authenticity.

For Frankenstein’s monster, grab your tattered clothing, and try your artistic hand at green makeup detailed with scars and bolts.

Costumes for a Well-Read Family

Lord of the Rings

Tolkien’s trilogy offers endless character options for Halloween — from stunning elves to humble hobbits, there’s a character for every member of your family. Who gets to be Gollum?

The Iliad & Odyssey

Homer’s classics are some of the first examples of Western literature — and chock full of adventure, epic battles, and iconic mortal (and immortal) characters.

Explore the alluring era surrounding the Trojan war and Greek mythology with all your family members — Cyclops, Medusa, Icarus, Zeus, and Hera, or a warrior ready for battle.

Pop-Culture Book Character Costumes

Not feeling our old-school literature picks above for your costume this year? Don’t worry, these next ones are for you. With a bit more of a modern touch, these pop-culture costume picks are inspired by some of our favorite current literature and visual media.

Solo Protagonists

These have been our most-sung heroines this year, both as soloists or — if you add in characters from their crews — with friends.

Sailor Moon

First a manga, then the amazing 90’s anime, Sailor Moon, or Usagi, is sure to empower you — and maybe your besties? — to save the solar system and look fabulous doing it!

The Sailor Guardian of Love and Justice costume is fun, fresh, and sure to turn heads. Take on the solo star this year or pair with fellow superhero!

Katniss Everdeen

We love The Hunger Games’ incredible world-building and characters, and Katniss’ strength and tenacity are endlessly inspiring.

Complete your Katniss costume with a leather jacket, a braid, and her signature Mocking Jay pin. Plus, you get to carry a bow and arrow around for a day!

Sherlock Holmes

With so many iterations of this famous detective, you have so many costume options. For a simple DIY costume, just grab a hunting cap, a magnifying glass, and your powers of deduction. 

Modern Literary Couples

These character couples offer a mix of nostalgia, diversity, and the opportunity for creativity that is right up our alley this year. We’re putting them first in line for the red carpet this Halloween!

Tiana & Prince Naveen

They say we’ve got to kiss a few frogs before finding our one true love, so might as well make a good costume out of it! Based on the classic children’s fairytale The Frog Prince, you won’t find cuter couples’ costumes out there!

Prince Naveen is dapper, either as a frog or a human. Plus, Princess Tiana’s green dress is to DIE for. You can also top off these looks with a frog prop or some fresh beignets!

Stanley & Zero

The young adult novel Holes was a huge hit around the world — these two unexpected anti-heroes are the culmination of a tale that spans generations.

Accessorize with matching orange jumpsuits and shovels for props. Don’t forget the jars of peaches and lizards (plastic will do) for this ultimate but underrated book costume this year.

Families from Fiction

We looked for the perfect family this year for costume ideas, and we found none — but we did find the best authentic family. Here are two charming, fictitious families to dress up as this year. Don’t forget the whimsical, and always embrace your unique quirks!

We couldn’t go without saying it — Happy Halloween from your PA fam!

Encanto

So, technically, Encanto is a movie, not a book. But we were absolutely encantados ourselves at how much the themes in this charming family film reminded us of another classic, 100 Years of Solitude.

Immerse yourself in magical realism and the power of family with colorful costumes inspired by this fun flick.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Ready for some nostalgia? With as many possible costumes as there are meals in this classic picture book, your whole family will have a blast dressing up together to tackle The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Get crafty and turn your favorite snacks into a Halloween smorgasbord! To add to the fun, use felt and DIY your costume with your kids and let them get creative!

Nerdy Halloween Costumes

Check out our favorite nerdy get-ups beyond the literature realm! From graphic novels and comic books to video games, here are our geeky favorites.

Solo Nerdy Costumes

Show your secret powers through these loved, iconic superheroes.

Watchmen

These Super-Anti-Heroes (Anti-Super-Heroes?) left a mark on literature and film, beginning with the amazing graphic novel, Watchmen.

Rorschach, Dr. Manhattan, and the rest of the team are all incredible choices for a solo costume this year. For Dr. Manhattan, a simple blue morph suit with some drawn-on details would complete the look.

Into the Spider-Verse

Miles Morales, Gwendolyn Stacy, and all the multiverse iterations of Spiderman put a fresh twist on this go-to Halloween favorite for kids and adults alike!

Into the Spiderverse is a treasure trove of inspiration and unique costume variations. You can even use comic book generators and design assets to create your own comic book to carry with you for the night!

Geeky, Double Trouble

Grab a friend or your lover and freak out the entire room as any of these adorable Halloween duos.

Lieutenant Uhura & Captain Kirk

Recreate the groundbreaking Star Trek kiss scene or just rock the amazing 60s Starfleet uniforms of Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura with your boo.

Add a few phasers and you’ll be ready to go!

The Mandalorian & Grogu (AKA Baby Yoda)

Calling all Star Wars fans! Whether you have a fur baby or a real baby, Grogu (AKA Baby Yoda) is perfect for you and your little one. You can be The Mandalorian as you escort your baby from house to house.

Don’t forget your Darksaber for extra protection!

Back to the Future

Marty McFly and Doc Brown are an underappreciated duo when it comes to Halloween! Rock that Back to the Future 80s hair, grab a guitar, and let us know if you track down a Delorean!

Costumes for Geeky Families

If you’re a family of bingers, these all-time favorite film fams are for you.

Wakandan Royalty

Suit up in battle-ready uniforms or formal regalia as the powerful Wakandan Royal family from Black Panther. Killmonger costumes are strongly encouraged.

You can use thick bead bracelets to mimic the Kimoyo beads.

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

The surreal sci-fi comedy, Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, is chock-full of wild and wonderful costume ideas.

Between an omnipotent multiverse-hopping villain, a mom and a bureaucrat with hot dog hands, and a mild-mannered dad with a fanny pack, you’re sure to find something bizarre and bold for your Halloween hangout!

Be sure to check out this incredible film and design the perfect DIY costume with googly eyes and your imagination!

Funny Halloween Costumes

Use your sense of humor to convey your love of writing, publishing, and the world of literary magic.

Fairy Tales, Shrek-style

Pay homage to the greatest hits of storytelling this Halloween by dressing up as your favorite storybook characters — Little Red Riding Hood, The Gingerbread Man, Goldilocks, and more have all been masterfully recreated for maximum laughs in this 2001 hit.

Shrek and Fiona themselves are sure to win major costume party prizes! Just snag some ogre ears, an old wedding dress, and a lot of green face paint.

Literary Villains

Explore your dark side with an unexpectedly evil costume this year.

• Professor Umbridge: This Harry Potter villain will make even the bravest students shake. All you need is a pink suit set, short curls, and a wand.
• Count Olaf: A bald cap, fake unibrow, and an evil smile will do the trick.
• Cruella DeVille: Grab an iconic half-black, half-white wig, a red dress, and some dalmatian print for this look.
• Captain Hook: No matter which iteration of Cap you choose to be, just don’t forget the hook!
• King Joffrey: A royal outfit, short blonde hair, and a crossbow prop will make the perfect outfit. To catch true fans, you can even use a bit of fake blood in the corners of your eyes.
• Miss Trunchbull: A slicked-back bun, suit set, and combat boots are all you need to recreate this evil educator.

The more dastardly your disguise, the more recognizable… and hilarious!

Twilight

We just had to mention it in this post. Everyone’s favorite cheesy, ridiculous, utterly preposterous young adult fiction series also happens to make absolutely knee-slapping Halloween costumes, especially now that the hype has died down.

Sparkly teen vampires? Ripped werewolves? Come on, that’s comedy gold. You can opt for an authentic look by dressing in a t-shirt, jeans, pale body makeup, and red/gold contacts or you can amp up the laughs by covering yourself in glitter and pretending to be in pain the entire night.

Happy Halloween

No matter which fun costume you pick, from all of us at Proofread Anywhere, we hope you have an amazing spooky season! 

The post Halloween Costumes for Book Lovers appeared first on Proofread Anywhere.