Note for those who don’t yet know the e-book creation workflow at Distributed Proofreaders: After a scanned book is turned into editable text, it goes through three rounds of proofreading. The third, P3, is the most challenging, as it requires the most expertise and the closest attention, so sometimes a project has to wait awhile until P3-qualified proofreaders can get to it. The P3 Diehards team has dedicated itself to rescuing projects that are languishing in that round.
I woke up this morning with a minor headache,
So the first line of business: There’s coffee to make!
The headache was due to some major proofreading,
But I wanted to help move some books to smooth reading.
I found my new passion at DP last year
‘Cause there’s so much to do plus there’s fellowship here.
The challenge was huge, but my spirit was keen,
And each day I leaned on my good friend: Caffeine.
Each day I made progress, but slow in my mind.
The goal seemed beyond reach; I felt so behind.
This goal was to help in the most needed place
Where projects sat languished, forgotten, misplaced.
But one thing that kept me on path to my goal
Was seeking that something that feeds mind and soul.
So, first was the hurdle of gaining the level
Where trust must be earned and to demonstrate mettle.
I thought I was hopeless to learn any more,
But my mentors worked wonders with guidance galore!
Then one day my inbox had news I had hoped for:
Clear access to P3; it made my heart soar!
Team Diehards is where I went skipping so quickly
To help with those projects abandoned and prickly.
Some projects are tricky or boring or fun,
And sharing with teammates is second to none.
The visions from Surgery of so many leeches
Are far from the thought of a bowl full of peaches!
The sad Roll of Honour brought tears to my eyes,
But the story of bravery and valor survives.
My headache is gone; I give thanks with “Amen.”
And tomorrow I can’t wait to do it again!
This poem was contributed by Susan E., a Distributed Proofreaders volunteer. Hot off the Press wishes all its readers a happy and book-filled New Year!
Posted by LCantoni 
Hot off the Press 