February 25, 2025
Who are you and what is your business?
My name is Sue Lovett. I am the owner and sole employee of SML Proofreading, a freelance copyediting and proofreading business based at my home in Gloucester. I started my business in June of 2019.
Please provide a brief description of your company.
Services include copyediting and proofreading, though I have also done some transcription and beta reading. I have worked on adult fiction, young adult fantasy, memoirs, a humorous though serious book on how to achieve good health, a book about the Capt. Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3, done pro bono in honor of and with respect for our veterans. I have worked for small publishers and independent authors.
What inspired you to start your business and what keeps you going?
I have noticed errors in print (as well as in speech, but we won’t go into that right now) for as long as I can remember. Typos, misspellings, wrong words, and misplaced punctuation jump out at me. (Pick up a copy of my Proof or Consequences! and you’ll see what I mean. It’s a humorous collection of all of the above.) Helping other people with their grammatical challenges inspired me to start SML Proofreading and keeps me going today. I can’t change the world, but I’ll work on it one document at a time!
What aspect of your business are you most passionate about? (history, conversation pieces, etc.)
I especially enjoy helping the first-time writers and the independent authors, those who self-publish. I know the feeling of excitement that comes when you publish something and it is out there for the world to see. I help them create their best product without stepping on their style.
Is there something unique about your business that you’d like to share that most people wouldn’t know about?
I offer the service to look over brochures, ads, menus, newsletters, and other documents that one might not think need a second pair of eyes but sometimes do. One of my examples in my book refers to a restaurant’s “dinning” room. That sounds to me like a LOUD room I wouldn’t want to have dinner in!
What sets your business apart from other similar businesses? (defining qualities, practices or approaches)
I think of myself as “user friendly.” I pride myself on communication and am open to any questions one might have about my business or any work I am doing for my client.
Do you have a goal you want the business to achieve in the next one, 5, or 10 years?
Nothing specific, though I am always looking for more business. I also hope to publish another book of my own by the end of this year (and preferably before Christmas!)
Why do you love the Greater Cape Ann region and doing business locally?
I was born here. I know so many people! People here are good folks, friendly and helpful. It’s also beautiful here. I am in agreement with my late Aunt Harriet who always said, “How can anyone complain about being stuck at the bridge? What better, more beautiful place to be stuck is there?”
As someone doing business in this area, how has or how can the Chamber help your business?
I am fairly shy and not overly self-confident. Becoming a member of the Chamber has pushed me to do things I might not have done, and the staff and other members are always very supportive and helpful. I wasn’t going to do a Spotlight or a podcast, but a meeting with Becca made me feel “I can do this!”
MEMBER OF:
- Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
- EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association)
- Veterans and Families Writing Group
Contact Info
SML Proofreading
smlproofreading.com
sue@smlproofreading.com
