As well as editorial letters, most editors will also offer something called a style sheet as an accompaniment to some of their services. Here’s everything you need to know about style sheets.
What is a style sheet?
- A style sheet is a separate document that accompanies a novel (or series)
- It outlines the author’s spelling, grammar, punctuation and stylistic preferences, as well as general information like characters, names, timelines and settings
- It is often created by the first editor to work on the manuscript, then passed along the editorial chain
What is on a style sheet?
Linguistic Preferences
- English used (e.g. Australian, American)
- Writing tone and style (e.g. formal, informal)
- Spelling preferences (e.g. OK vs okay)
- Terminology or vocabulary choices
- Preferred abbreviations and acronyms
- Any slang or jargon used
- Time and date formatting (e.g. 9 am, 9:00am, nine o’clock; 30.05.2024, 30th May 2024)
- Money formatting (e.g. $50, fifty dollars)
- Spelling of character names and settings
Punctuation Preferences
- Comma usage (e.g. Oxford comma)
- Use of hyphens, en dashes and em dashes
- Use of ‘single’ or “double” quotation marks (specifically for dialogue and quoting)
- Spacing of ellipses …
- Capitalisation preferences (for places, titles)
- Favouring of :colons and (brackets)
Formatting and Layout Preferences*
- Use of bold, italics and underlining
- Preferred font style and size
- Heading (chapter) and subheading styles
- Line breaks and indentation
- Margin sizing and page orientation
- Page number consistency and style
- Letter and line spacing
- Formatting of things like texting and notes
- Inclusion of pictures and diagrams
*Some of these will not be relevant for a novel that is yet to be formatted
Novel-specific Information
- A list of characters and brief bio for each
- A timeline of events, including the time period (year/s) in which they take place
- Names of places and locations visited or referenced throughout the story
- Explanation of elements or beings created within the story (e.g. dementors are wraith-like creatures that guard Azkaban)
- Definitions of terminology and words created within the story (e.g. a ‘muggle’ is a person with no magical ability)
When do you get a style sheet?
- You should always get a style sheet from an editor conducting a copy or line edit
- You may get one with a developmental edit, but it will look a little different and be less in-depth (more likely an editorial report/letter)
- In most cases, a proof reader will then request the style sheet from you
- If you’re working with me, I will provide a style sheet with my copy and line edit bundle, and my 3-in-1 edit
Crossbones Editing 