Fran Cross
@penfireproofread.bsky.social
As both a proofreader and author, I understand the importance of giving my all to ensure my clients' manuscripts are pristine and ready to publish! Every correction comes from a 100% human-expert eye, no AI. Learn more! bio.site/penfire
Behind the Polish: Character Expressions 🎭🔍
BEFORE: "She surpassed the frown..."
AFTER: "She suppressed the frown..."
Similar-sounding words easily trade places in fast drafting. A human proofreader ensures your emotional micro-beats hit accurately.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
BEFORE: "She surpassed the frown..."
AFTER: "She suppressed the frown..."
Similar-sounding words easily trade places in fast drafting. A human proofreader ensures your emotional micro-beats hit accurately.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
September 23, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Behind the Polish: Character Expressions 🎭🔍
BEFORE: "She surpassed the frown..."
AFTER: "She suppressed the frown..."
Similar-sounding words easily trade places in fast drafting. A human proofreader ensures your emotional micro-beats hit accurately.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
BEFORE: "She surpassed the frown..."
AFTER: "She suppressed the frown..."
Similar-sounding words easily trade places in fast drafting. A human proofreader ensures your emotional micro-beats hit accurately.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
Behind the Polish: Linking Verbs 🔍✨
BEFORE: "...looking as calmly..."
AFTER: "...looking as calm..."
Linking verbs like "look" describing an appearance require an adjective, not an adverb. Micro-grammar keeps the prose sharp!
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
BEFORE: "...looking as calmly..."
AFTER: "...looking as calm..."
Linking verbs like "look" describing an appearance require an adjective, not an adverb. Micro-grammar keeps the prose sharp!
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
September 20, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Behind the Polish: Linking Verbs 🔍✨
BEFORE: "...looking as calmly..."
AFTER: "...looking as calm..."
Linking verbs like "look" describing an appearance require an adjective, not an adverb. Micro-grammar keeps the prose sharp!
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
BEFORE: "...looking as calmly..."
AFTER: "...looking as calm..."
Linking verbs like "look" describing an appearance require an adjective, not an adverb. Micro-grammar keeps the prose sharp!
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
Behind the Polish: Preposition Rules 👁️🔍
BEFORE: "...latched on to his face."
AFTER: "...latched onto his face."
Use the single word "onto" when showing direct physical movement or contact toward a surface. Small details keep your prose tight.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
BEFORE: "...latched on to his face."
AFTER: "...latched onto his face."
Use the single word "onto" when showing direct physical movement or contact toward a surface. Small details keep your prose tight.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
September 19, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Behind the Polish: Preposition Rules 👁️🔍
BEFORE: "...latched on to his face."
AFTER: "...latched onto his face."
Use the single word "onto" when showing direct physical movement or contact toward a surface. Small details keep your prose tight.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
BEFORE: "...latched on to his face."
AFTER: "...latched onto his face."
Use the single word "onto" when showing direct physical movement or contact toward a surface. Small details keep your prose tight.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
Behind the Polish: Sci-Fi Grammar Rules 👽🔍
BEFORE: "...take on an trilobeast..."
AFTER: "...take on a trilobeast..."
Even for invented alien creatures, standard article rules apply! Because "trilobeast" starts with a consonant sound, it requires "a."
bio.site/penfire
#SciFiRomance
BEFORE: "...take on an trilobeast..."
AFTER: "...take on a trilobeast..."
Even for invented alien creatures, standard article rules apply! Because "trilobeast" starts with a consonant sound, it requires "a."
bio.site/penfire
#SciFiRomance
September 16, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Behind the Polish: Sci-Fi Grammar Rules 👽🔍
BEFORE: "...take on an trilobeast..."
AFTER: "...take on a trilobeast..."
Even for invented alien creatures, standard article rules apply! Because "trilobeast" starts with a consonant sound, it requires "a."
bio.site/penfire
#SciFiRomance
BEFORE: "...take on an trilobeast..."
AFTER: "...take on a trilobeast..."
Even for invented alien creatures, standard article rules apply! Because "trilobeast" starts with a consonant sound, it requires "a."
bio.site/penfire
#SciFiRomance
Behind the Polish: Contextual Typo Fixes 🚨🔍
BEFORE: "...raucous, bus she didn't move."
AFTER: "...raucous, but she didn't move."
A single-letter slip turns a coordinating conjunction into a public transit vehicle. Spellcheck misses it; humans catch it.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
BEFORE: "...raucous, bus she didn't move."
AFTER: "...raucous, but she didn't move."
A single-letter slip turns a coordinating conjunction into a public transit vehicle. Spellcheck misses it; humans catch it.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
September 13, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Behind the Polish: Contextual Typo Fixes 🚨🔍
BEFORE: "...raucous, bus she didn't move."
AFTER: "...raucous, but she didn't move."
A single-letter slip turns a coordinating conjunction into a public transit vehicle. Spellcheck misses it; humans catch it.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
BEFORE: "...raucous, bus she didn't move."
AFTER: "...raucous, but she didn't move."
A single-letter slip turns a coordinating conjunction into a public transit vehicle. Spellcheck misses it; humans catch it.
bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
Behind the Polish: Dialogue Typo Cleanups 💬🔍
BEFORE: “Hoa about you, Regina?"
AFTER: “How about you, Regina?"
Fast-drafting dialogue leads to standard keyboard slips. A human proofreader ensures your character beats flow seamlessly without breaking reader immersion.
bio.site/penfire #IndieAuthor
BEFORE: “Hoa about you, Regina?"
AFTER: “How about you, Regina?"
Fast-drafting dialogue leads to standard keyboard slips. A human proofreader ensures your character beats flow seamlessly without breaking reader immersion.
bio.site/penfire #IndieAuthor
September 12, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Behind the Polish: Dialogue Typo Cleanups 💬🔍
BEFORE: “Hoa about you, Regina?"
AFTER: “How about you, Regina?"
Fast-drafting dialogue leads to standard keyboard slips. A human proofreader ensures your character beats flow seamlessly without breaking reader immersion.
bio.site/penfire #IndieAuthor
BEFORE: “Hoa about you, Regina?"
AFTER: “How about you, Regina?"
Fast-drafting dialogue leads to standard keyboard slips. A human proofreader ensures your character beats flow seamlessly without breaking reader immersion.
bio.site/penfire #IndieAuthor
Behind the Polish: The Homophone Catch 🎧🔍
BEFORE: "...hear the base thumping... tried not wince."
AFTER: "...hear the bass thumping... tried not to wince."
Spellcheckers miss valid words like "base." Humans catch the context and missing words.
bio.site/penfire
#WritingCommunity
BEFORE: "...hear the base thumping... tried not wince."
AFTER: "...hear the bass thumping... tried not to wince."
Spellcheckers miss valid words like "base." Humans catch the context and missing words.
bio.site/penfire
#WritingCommunity
September 9, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Behind the Polish: The Homophone Catch 🎧🔍
BEFORE: "...hear the base thumping... tried not wince."
AFTER: "...hear the bass thumping... tried not to wince."
Spellcheckers miss valid words like "base." Humans catch the context and missing words.
bio.site/penfire
#WritingCommunity
BEFORE: "...hear the base thumping... tried not wince."
AFTER: "...hear the bass thumping... tried not to wince."
Spellcheckers miss valid words like "base." Humans catch the context and missing words.
bio.site/penfire
#WritingCommunity
Behind the Polish: Romance Verb Agreement 🔍✨
BEFORE: "...making him looking away."
AFTER: "...making him look away."
Causative verbs like "make" require a bare infinitive form to keep dialogue beats smooth and immersive.
👇 Request a free sample edit: bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
BEFORE: "...making him looking away."
AFTER: "...making him look away."
Causative verbs like "make" require a bare infinitive form to keep dialogue beats smooth and immersive.
👇 Request a free sample edit: bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
September 6, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Behind the Polish: Romance Verb Agreement 🔍✨
BEFORE: "...making him looking away."
AFTER: "...making him look away."
Causative verbs like "make" require a bare infinitive form to keep dialogue beats smooth and immersive.
👇 Request a free sample edit: bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
BEFORE: "...making him looking away."
AFTER: "...making him look away."
Causative verbs like "make" require a bare infinitive form to keep dialogue beats smooth and immersive.
👇 Request a free sample edit: bio.site/penfire
#IndieAuthor
Behind the Polish: Steampunk Romance Syntax & Flow ⚙️🎩
When formatting errors or awkward spacing pop up, they break the "historical-futuristic" magic for your reader. A sharp proofreader clears away drafting debris while keeping your vintage voice completely intact. #Proofreading #IndieAuthors
When formatting errors or awkward spacing pop up, they break the "historical-futuristic" magic for your reader. A sharp proofreader clears away drafting debris while keeping your vintage voice completely intact. #Proofreading #IndieAuthors
September 5, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Behind the Polish: Steampunk Romance Syntax & Flow ⚙️🎩
When formatting errors or awkward spacing pop up, they break the "historical-futuristic" magic for your reader. A sharp proofreader clears away drafting debris while keeping your vintage voice completely intact. #Proofreading #IndieAuthors
When formatting errors or awkward spacing pop up, they break the "historical-futuristic" magic for your reader. A sharp proofreader clears away drafting debris while keeping your vintage voice completely intact. #Proofreading #IndieAuthors
Sci-Fi & Alien Romance Consistency 🌌👽
In speculative fiction, when you invent terms, tech, and planets, an expert proofreader ensures those unique parameters stay perfectly consistent so readers stay fully immersed in your universe.
#Proofreading #FreelanceEditor #SciFiRomance #IndieAuthors
In speculative fiction, when you invent terms, tech, and planets, an expert proofreader ensures those unique parameters stay perfectly consistent so readers stay fully immersed in your universe.
#Proofreading #FreelanceEditor #SciFiRomance #IndieAuthors
September 2, 2026 at 8:32 PM
Sci-Fi & Alien Romance Consistency 🌌👽
In speculative fiction, when you invent terms, tech, and planets, an expert proofreader ensures those unique parameters stay perfectly consistent so readers stay fully immersed in your universe.
#Proofreading #FreelanceEditor #SciFiRomance #IndieAuthors
In speculative fiction, when you invent terms, tech, and planets, an expert proofreader ensures those unique parameters stay perfectly consistent so readers stay fully immersed in your universe.
#Proofreading #FreelanceEditor #SciFiRomance #IndieAuthors
✒️ The Double-Catch Edit
You build the worlds—my job is to protect them. Catching & correcting these issues keeps the reader immersed in the amazing story you sweated over and published! (Key words in the examples have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the authors' creations.)
You build the worlds—my job is to protect them. Catching & correcting these issues keeps the reader immersed in the amazing story you sweated over and published! (Key words in the examples have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the authors' creations.)
September 1, 2026 at 1:27 AM
✒️ The Double-Catch Edit
You build the worlds—my job is to protect them. Catching & correcting these issues keeps the reader immersed in the amazing story you sweated over and published! (Key words in the examples have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the authors' creations.)
You build the worlds—my job is to protect them. Catching & correcting these issues keeps the reader immersed in the amazing story you sweated over and published! (Key words in the examples have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the authors' creations.)
It’s Saturday Writing Stimulus time! Is your writing flowing, or is your muse eating muffulettas in Memphis instead of peering over your shoulder, offering snappy dialogue and ideal ideas? Strap in and hang on.
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/saturday-writing-stimulus-aug-23-edition
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/saturday-writing-stimulus-aug-23-edition
Partner with Penfire Proofreading!
It’s Saturday Writing Stimulus time! Is your writing flowing, or is your muse eating muffulettas in Memphis instead of peering over your shoulder, offering snappy dialogue and ideal ideas?Strap in and...
www.penfireproofreading.com
August 24, 2025 at 4:45 AM
It’s Saturday Writing Stimulus time! Is your writing flowing, or is your muse eating muffulettas in Memphis instead of peering over your shoulder, offering snappy dialogue and ideal ideas? Strap in and hang on.
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/saturday-writing-stimulus-aug-23-edition
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/saturday-writing-stimulus-aug-23-edition
It’s Saturday Writing Stimulus time, August 9th Edition! (👋🏼, yes it's Sunday and I'm a day late. 😉) www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/saturda...
#writingprompt #amwriting #proofreading
#writingprompt #amwriting #proofreading
Partner with Penfire Proofreading!
It’s Saturday Writing Stimulus time! I hope something in last week’s post prompted ideas for you, but if not, maybe this week will have a tidbit or two that’ll tweak those creative juices!
www.penfireproofreading.com
August 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
It’s Saturday Writing Stimulus time, August 9th Edition! (👋🏼, yes it's Sunday and I'm a day late. 😉) www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/saturda...
#writingprompt #amwriting #proofreading
#writingprompt #amwriting #proofreading
Need writing prompts? Click the link or image below to read the full blog post. Write-on!
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/saturda...
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/saturda...
Partner with Penfire Proofreading!
As an author, I so often scribble plot ideas, new character names, world-building details, or other observations on any available piece of paper—the back of a receipt, on a grocery list, a sticky note...
www.penfireproofreading.com
August 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Need writing prompts? Click the link or image below to read the full blog post. Write-on!
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/saturda...
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/saturda...
👋🏼Welcome to Misunderstood Monday: Massage vs. Message!
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/misunderstood-monday-message-vs-massage
#misunderstoodmonday #proofreading #penfireproofreading #editing #amwriting
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/misunderstood-monday-message-vs-massage
#misunderstoodmonday #proofreading #penfireproofreading #editing #amwriting
Partner with Penfire Proofreading!
Welcome to Misunderstood Monday’s post about two frequently switched words.
www.penfireproofreading.com
July 28, 2025 at 7:45 PM
👋🏼Welcome to Misunderstood Monday: Massage vs. Message!
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/misunderstood-monday-message-vs-massage
#misunderstoodmonday #proofreading #penfireproofreading #editing #amwriting
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog/misunderstood-monday-message-vs-massage
#misunderstoodmonday #proofreading #penfireproofreading #editing #amwriting
Looking for a simple word count tracker, or know a writer who is? Download yours and/or share!
www.penfireproofreading.com/freebies
#writers #wordcountracker #penfireproofreading
www.penfireproofreading.com/freebies
#writers #wordcountracker #penfireproofreading
July 21, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Looking for a simple word count tracker, or know a writer who is? Download yours and/or share!
www.penfireproofreading.com/freebies
#writers #wordcountracker #penfireproofreading
www.penfireproofreading.com/freebies
#writers #wordcountracker #penfireproofreading
If you’re new to self-publishing, it’s daunting to dive in and figure things out. Research is key to compiling information and weeding out what you don’t need—or what is actually incorrect or poor information. Check out this info ⬇️
www.penfireproofreading.com/self-publish...
www.penfireproofreading.com/self-publish...
Self-Publishing — Penfire Proofreading
A great selection of self-publishing books for writers!
www.penfireproofreading.com
July 13, 2025 at 1:44 AM
If you’re new to self-publishing, it’s daunting to dive in and figure things out. Research is key to compiling information and weeding out what you don’t need—or what is actually incorrect or poor information. Check out this info ⬇️
www.penfireproofreading.com/self-publish...
www.penfireproofreading.com/self-publish...
👋🏼 Hey, romance authors! There's a conference in Oklahoma coming up soon.
🛜 If you're itching for great information and networking, check it out!
⭐ When: August 1st and 2nd, 2025
🔖 Registration and info: www.oklahomaromancewritersguild.com/romancelahoma
🛜 If you're itching for great information and networking, check it out!
⭐ When: August 1st and 2nd, 2025
🔖 Registration and info: www.oklahomaromancewritersguild.com/romancelahoma
RomanceLahoma | OKRWG
All about the annual romance conference hosted by Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild
www.oklahomaromancewritersguild.com
July 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
👋🏼 Hey, romance authors! There's a conference in Oklahoma coming up soon.
🛜 If you're itching for great information and networking, check it out!
⭐ When: August 1st and 2nd, 2025
🔖 Registration and info: www.oklahomaromancewritersguild.com/romancelahoma
🛜 If you're itching for great information and networking, check it out!
⭐ When: August 1st and 2nd, 2025
🔖 Registration and info: www.oklahomaromancewritersguild.com/romancelahoma
If you’re a writer, you’re well acquainted with the inordinate amount of time we authors (and editors) spend on research. Check out this new page on my website for resources! www.penfireproofreading.com/online-assets
Online Assets — Penfire Proofreading
Websites that help with language, publishing, diversity, social media, and editing.
www.penfireproofreading.com
July 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
If you’re a writer, you’re well acquainted with the inordinate amount of time we authors (and editors) spend on research. Check out this new page on my website for resources! www.penfireproofreading.com/online-assets
📰 Check out my new blog post, "There’s No “AI” in “Em” (dash)"!
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog
#proofreading #writing #author #proofreader
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog
#proofreading #writing #author #proofreader
Blog — Penfire Proofreading
Catch up on author tips and what's been happening with Fran at Penfire Proofreading!
www.penfireproofreading.com
June 29, 2025 at 5:05 PM
📰 Check out my new blog post, "There’s No “AI” in “Em” (dash)"!
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog
#proofreading #writing #author #proofreader
www.penfireproofreading.com/blog
#proofreading #writing #author #proofreader
🥳It's official! Penfire Proofreading launched yesterday!
Have a manuscript you need scrutinized or website QA? Check out my website to see if we'd be a good fit.
#proofreading #proofreadingservices #penfireproofreading #editingservices #romancebooks
Have a manuscript you need scrutinized or website QA? Check out my website to see if we'd be a good fit.
#proofreading #proofreadingservices #penfireproofreading #editingservices #romancebooks
Penfire Proofreading
www.penfireproofreading.com
June 29, 2025 at 3:44 PM
🥳It's official! Penfire Proofreading launched yesterday!
Have a manuscript you need scrutinized or website QA? Check out my website to see if we'd be a good fit.
#proofreading #proofreadingservices #penfireproofreading #editingservices #romancebooks
Have a manuscript you need scrutinized or website QA? Check out my website to see if we'd be a good fit.
#proofreading #proofreadingservices #penfireproofreading #editingservices #romancebooks
Stay tuned for Penfire Proofreading's virtual launch in late June!
May 31, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Stay tuned for Penfire Proofreading's virtual launch in late June!