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After the manuscript is finalized, it is sent to production. Typically, manuscripts undergo copy editing to correct minor spelling and grammatical errors. After copy editing is complete, page proofs are sent to the author as well as to a proofreader and an indexer. If the book has contributors, they may see page proofs as well.
Page proofs show how the material will look in print, and this stage is the author's last opportunity to review the material before the book is printed. If the book has contributors, it is the responsibility of the main author to coordinate the corrections made by the contributors and to return the page proofs to Lippincott Williams & Wilkins by the specified deadline. Page proofs are typically sent in batches rather than all at once. It is very important to return each batch of page proofs by the due date.
It is very important for authors to answer all queries on the page proofs, but significant changes should not be made at this stage. The only changes made at this point should be to correct errors of scientific accuracy. Extensive changes, such as rearranging figures or deleting large portions of text, will cause delays and may require a costly and time-consuming reworking of the index.
A charge is assessed for each change that is made to the page proofs. All changes, except correcting typographical errors, are charged against the author's alteration account.
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