Your manuscript has been accepted for publication.  Congratulations.  You have one final step.  The publisher will send you a proof (aka galleys) for final inspection.

Take the time to read it!

You have to proof the galleys. Even at this stage there may still be errors.  Take nothing for granted.

 Cover

Make sure the ISBN number & the price on the back is correct.  Proofread the back cover text a final time.

 Spine

Make sure the spine text is centered on the spine and not creeping onto one of the covers.

 Book Jacket

Hardcover book jackets with inside flaps must be proofread again.  Make sure the title on the jacket spine is correct, as well.

 Margins

Make sure the margins in the proof agree with the margins in the design.  The margins must be large enough so the text doesn't disappear into the binding.  Check the top and bottom margins with a ruler.

 Fonts

Make sure the fonts are the ones you (or the book designer) selected, and more importantly, that they look nice. 

 Miscellaneous

Check the Headers and Footers, Chapter Numbers & Headings, TOC, Index, and the Tables, Picture Placement and Descriptions.

 Final Proof

Sit down and read through the whole book, slowly, carefully.

It's your last chance 

 Corrections

If you find a mistake, don't be surprised if the printer tells you not to worry about it because the equipment they use for the one-off isn't the same as the equipment they use for production.  Don't believe it.  Insist on seeing the correction.

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