Convicted Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has vowed she will not have sex until she is released from jail.

The claim was made by her ghost writer Kathryn Bonella in Corby's book My Story which details her life in a Bali prison.

Her book received mixed reviews over recent weeks reigniting interest in the question of whether she is guilty or innocent. It has also shot to the top of the best seller list.

While it may be a talking point for many Australians, for one Millthorpe resident, Mark Evans, it is just old hat. He read the manuscript months ago and was paid for the pleasure.

This is one of the perks of being a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. Mark Evans said the high point of Ms Corby's book was undoubtedly the worry she expressed on page 4 that while in prison she may lose her fashion sense.

My Story is not the high point in Mr Evans' proofreading career, perhaps a crevasse in a 25 year working life that spans thousands of books. Jessica the book by Bryce Courtenay (as opposed to Jessica the TV mini-series) got Mr Evans' critical eye while he was still living in the Blue Mountains prior to moving to Millthorpe with his family in 2004. Also to feel the lash of Mark's blue pencil are books by well known authors such as Matthew Reilly, Tim Winton, and Paul Barry.

Mr Evans' tools of trade are simple and inexpensive: blue, red and standard pencils, a desk and chair, a good light and a dictionary.. He works at all hours of the day but prefers the late evenings when there are fewer distractions.

As a professional proofreader he does more than check spelling. The grammar and puctuation of a book together with the writers style are also matters for his consideration.

Copyeditors/proofreaders look for and correct those tiny mistakes that disrupt the flow of a story. The kind of mistake that only fresh eyes can see.

The process of editing and proofreading an author's manuscript is relatively simple, but keeping track of both the writer's and proof reader's changes can be complicated. The publisher keeps the original copy of the author's manuscript and then one copy is given to the writer and one to the copyeditor/ proofreader. The final version of a book is decided by the writer and editor working through the proofreader's changes.

Mr Evans started editing and proofreading with the Australian and Daily Telegraph after completing a degree in literature at Sydney University back in the 1960s. In those days, all major newspapers employed proofreaders, a practice that disappeared with the advent of word processors and spelling checkers.

When Mark Evans isn't reading the latest Matthew Reilly blockbuster for fun and profit, he dishes up some of the best French food in the district.

MY JOB: This article is the first in an occasional series to be published in the Blayney Chronicle over coming months. If you have an interesting or unusual job, or a job you love doing please give Tim Kelly a call on 6368 2132 or mail.blayney@ruralpress.com.