When people write novels does anybody check for errors (like punctuation) or do they automatically publish the book and it becomes a best seller?

yes! i’m sure there is somebody who does the proof reading.

I read books and I see that sometimes there are mistakes but it’s very rare.

Before a book an be published it is checked and proof read by an editor many times. To ensure no mistakes or gramatical errors are in it. Publishing a book isnt as eas as it seems xD it actually takes a really long time because the editor will often make the author change minor things.

While an Editor does check for certain grammatical/spelling errors, that’s not the prime function of their job. An Editor’s job is to make sure the finished product is well written and compelling. If your novel is full of errors, it will be rejected outright. To become a writer, you are expected to actually know how to write. And as for being a “best seller” … that never happens automatically … the book gains this recognition when it sells a specific number of copies.

When someone writes a novel, they will normally check and edit it, even rewrite some sections.

Once the writer has done all that he can do, he will send it off to a proofreader. The proofreader will check for spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.

The proofreader will then return the book to the writer, who will correct the errors. Only when all these stages have been completed will the manuscript be sent to a publishing house.

From what I have gathered from authors notes in various books I have read most authors write/rewrite said book 2 times, usually 3, before the editor even sees the book. At that point the book should be mostly error free. The editor checks it for continuity and readability - along with a bit of spelling and grammar checking. Also the editor will make recommendations to increase the saleability of the book.
After a fair amount of revisions the book actually goes to the publisher.

Getting a book published (especially for your first few) is a very long and involved process. Where I work we print a lot of rough drafts of books that people present to publishers. I have seen several people trying to get their book published for several years. IDK if they are good books or not (I haven’t read any of them) but its always a risk for the publisher to sign on a new author.

There are indeed editors and proof readers. The proof readers go over the manuscript and suggest changes in storyline and the editor goes over spelling and punctuation.

Yea there is someone who reads over it and corrects the mistakes. & even they don’t get them all, cause I see some at times when I’m reading.