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Style sheets and Vetting a Prospective Copy Editor

One thing you'll come to know about me—I love animals. So yes, all the pet pictures and cute cat and dog GIFS will be comng your way. :D

One way to determine whether an editor can execute a quality, authentic copy edit is by asking them this question: do you provide a style sheet? With no exaggeration, it’s important to note that no style sheet means no copy edit. Not only do style sheets guide an editor’s hand in providing suggestions, but they are an essential compilation of even the most minute details of a project—this is how a good copy editor ensures consistency from the first page to the last. Let’s delve a little deeper into how style sheets become a personalized rule book for individual projects and why they matter so much.


Generally speaking, the true “bible” of editorial work is The Chicago Manual of Style. This is the default reference on all things grammar, punctuation, spelling, capitalization, syntax—you name it. However, one of the main jobs of a well-meaning, intentional copy editor is to determine when these rules can be broken for the sake of an author’s personal style. This conundrum comes about due to the malleable, personalized nature of fiction writing.


One of the commonly cited concerns of working with an editor for many authors, is the loss of their style and unique voice. Style sheets are a central force in ensuring author preferences are respected, noted, and double-checked throughout copyediting and proofreading. This is not to say that a copy editor won’t overcorrect even if they have a style sheet. But, it means that they are keeping tabs on patterns in your writing and should be querying any uncertainty about acceptable rule breaks or general preferences.


Here's some examples of common stylistic preferences I take note of:

  • Do they use the serial comma?

  • Do they tend to hyphenate where it’s optional?

  • Are comma splices used as a tool (pacing, voice, etc.) rather than being merely a crutch?

  • How do they connect sentences, with mostly commas or a good mix of commas, em dashes, colons, and semicolons? Do they refrain from using certain punctuation?

  • What types of information are italicized, quoted, or capitalized (possibly outside of the typical CMOS rules)?


For anyone looking for professional editing or merely curious about the process, feel free to comment or reach out to my email (admin@temainruhle.net). I’m happy to elaborate or answer any other specifics about the topic or any other aspect of editing you may be wondering about. Thanks for reading!


A selfie of Taryne Main-Ruhle, the writer of the post and owner of T.E. Main-Ruhle LLC.

Taryne Main-Ruhle is a Michigan-based

developmental, line, and copy editor for

indie romance authors.

Instagram: @temainruhle_llc

 

 
 
 

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