So I got a comment to a blog posting below asking me how long it takes me to write a book...that depends on the story arc that is in my head, and how much time I can devote per day to writing.  Those of you who know me, know that I have 4 young adult children, and a widowed mother who has Alzheimers.  I work part-time, and attempt to try out at least a couple of new recipes each week, either for a dinner or a bread/dessert.  And I do like to spend some time with my husband...and my other friends.  So I can't really say how long...but usually once I get a book started, I spend all waking moments thinking about it, and often I dream of scenes and the way they are going to play-out.
As for who proofreads, that would be moi.  I am an English teacher, and it was drilled into me early on that revising is your friend.  I tell students that no piece of writing is ever DONE...it can always be improved upon.  So I read and reread my stuff, making small changes as I do so, trying to be sure it is perfect before I send it in.  Then I run off a copy on paper, and invariably I will find a few typos/grammatical errors that for some strange reason, I didn't see on my laptop screen.  Once I think the book is as close to perfect as I can manage, I send it to my publisher.  Once it gets accepted, (and I do a little happy dance each time I get a contract, believe me!), then the editor sends me her suggestions for changes and corrections.  Once that is sent back, I get the galleys, which is the on-line printed book, complete with covers and inside info sheets, as it will appear when it is published.  This is my last time to make any corrections.  Once my book is published, I will buy copies of it for myself,to resell to people I know who don't have access to a computer...and one of my kids will read my book and casually mention the typo or error they found on page X...ARGH!