Definition
Galley proof
A galley proof is an early typeset version circulated for correction and review before final pages are set. The name survives from the metal trays that held type before it was made up into pages.
In modern practice galleys and advance reader copies overlap: an uncorrected proof goes to reviewers, bloggers and trade press months ahead of publication, marked clearly as uncorrected so quoted errors are not held against the finished book. For a self-published author the equivalent is a digital proof sent to an ARC team — and the same rule applies: label it, or an early typo becomes a public review.
Related tools & guides
A print-ready interior, checked
Upload the manuscript and download an exact-trim PDF with embedded fonts and the right gutter for its page count — or check the PDF you already have against KDP's rules first.